Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 124 for ambulance or 112 for general emergency. KCUS (Sarajevo) is the main facility. English limited outside Sarajevo. Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian are the medical languages.
Response time: 10-20 minutes in Sarajevo and Banja Luka. 20-40+ minutes in smaller cities. 40-60+ minutes in rural mountain areas.
Cost: Public ER: emergency care provided to all. Charges for uninsured: BAM 20-100 (€10-50). Private: €30-150. Ambulance: generally free.
Healthcare System
Bosnia and Herzegovina has a complex, decentralised healthcare system reflecting the country's unique political structure. The Federation (FBiH) has 10 cantonal health insurance funds, while Republika Srpska (RS) has a centralised fund. This fragmentation creates inequality. Sarajevo has the best facilities: University Clinical Centre Sarajevo (KCUS) is the main referral hospital. Banja Luka has University Clinical Centre RS (UKC RS). Private clinics in Sarajevo offer modern care. Key challenges: underfunding, brain drain (doctors emigrating to Germany, Austria, Slovenia), and the legacy of war-era infrastructure damage in some areas. Mostar and smaller cities have more limited facilities. Bosnia is NOT in the EU — EHIC is not valid.
Designed for: Residents with entity health insurance. Foreign visitors need travel insurance — EHIC NOT valid (not an EU country). Limited bilateral agreements with some countries.
GP Access & Costs
Public system requires registration. Visitors should use private clinics or hospital emergency departments. Private clinics in Sarajevo accept walk-ins.
Typical wait: Public GP: same-day to 1 week. Public specialist: 2-8+ weeks. Private GP: same-day. Private specialist: 1-5 days.
Availability: Good in Sarajevo. Moderate in Banja Luka and Tuzla. Limited in Mostar and smaller cities. Very limited in rural areas.
GP Visit
Public: free for insured
Private GP
€15-35 per consultation
ER Without Insurance
€10-150 per visit
Medication
Medications very affordable. Pharmacies (apoteka/ljekarna) available in all towns. Some medications available OTC that require prescriptions elsewhere.
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-3pm. Dežurna apoteka (duty pharmacy) in Sarajevo and larger cities.
OTC: Wider range than Western Europe. Some antibiotics available without prescription.
Controlled substances: Carry prescriptions and doctor's letters for all medications. Drug laws are strict.
Practical Tips
- Buy comprehensive travel insurance before visiting — EHIC is NOT valid in Bosnia
- Use private clinics in Sarajevo for English-speaking care (Poliklinika Atrijum, Al-Tawil)
- KCUS Sarajevo is the main public hospital for serious cases
- Healthcare is very affordable — even private clinics are budget-friendly by Western standards
- Download Bosnian translation app — English is very limited at medical facilities
- Stay on marked paths in rural areas — unexploded mines from the 1990s conflict remain a risk in some regions
Who can get care in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Bosnia and Herzegovina treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
The public system does not cover visitors, so care is paid privately or through insurance.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
Public system requires registration. Visitors should use private clinics or hospital emergency departments. Private clinics in Sarajevo accept walk-ins. Typical cost: Public: free for insured. Private GP: €15-35. Private specialist: €25-60. Dental: €10-40 (very affordable). Typical wait: Public GP: same-day to 1 week. Public specialist: 2-8+ weeks. Private GP: same-day. Private specialist: 1-5 days.
Insurance needed for entry or visa
Not a formal entry requirement, but medical cover is strongly recommended. Emergency care without cover: €10-150 per visit.
Documents worth having ready
- Passport
- Travel insurance (EHIC NOT valid)
- Prescriptions
- Doctor's letter for medications
Local contacts in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Emergency services
124 (ambulance) / 112 (general emergency) / 123 (fire) / 122 (police)
Call 124 for ambulance or 112 for general emergency. KCUS (Sarajevo) is the main facility. English limited outside Sarajevo. Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian are the medical languages.
Pharmacies
Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-3pm. Dežurna apoteka (duty pharmacy) in Sarajevo and larger cities.
Wider range than Western Europe. Some antibiotics available without prescription.
What is the emergency number in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
124 (ambulance) or 112 (general emergency) or 123 (fire) or 122 (police) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Call 124 for ambulance or 112 for general emergency. KCUS (Sarajevo) is the main facility. English limited outside Sarajevo. Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian are the medical languages.
How much does a Doctor visit cost in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Public: free for insured. Private GP: €15-35. Private specialist: €25-60. Dental: €10-40 (very affordable). Private consultations: €15-35 per consultation.
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Sources: BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs, WHO Bosnia and Herzegovina, BHMAC (Mine Action Centre)
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare
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