June the 11th, 2026 – Major changes are on the cards for the Croatia-BiH border crossings as a new bilateral agreement between the two countries is signed.
A new agreement on border crossings between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) will bring the biggest reorganisation of border traffic between the two countries in more than a decade. Slobodna Dalmacija reports that this latest deal, signed this week by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and BiH Council of Ministers Chairwoman Borjana Krišto, is designed to streamline the movement of people and goods while aligning border operations with Schengen rules.
The agreement covers 58 different border crossings between the two countries and introduces a number of changes aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion, particularly during the busy tourist season.
six strategic crossings
Six border crossings will be upgraded to full international crossings for both passenger and freight traffic, with veterinary, phytosanitary and other inspection services available:
Nova Sela – Bijača
Kamensko – Kamensko
Ličko Petrovo Selo – Izačić
Svilaj – Donji Svilaj
Stara Gradiška – Gradiška
Gornji Varoš – Gradiška Novi Most
These Croatia-BiH border crossings will become key hubs for trade and transport between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
More international crossings for passengers
This new border agreement also upgrades a number of existing local border crossings to international passenger crossings. One confirmed example is Zagrad-Pašin Potok, which will now be open to international passenger traffic. The aim is to ease pressure on the busiest crossings and make daily travel easier for residents living near the border.
croatia’s schengen entry called for a shakeup
Since Croatia joined the Schengen Area, management of the EU’s external border has changed significantly and in some cases become more problematic for bordering non-Schengen countries. This brand new agreement adapts the border-crossing network to Schengen requirements and prepares infrastructure for the future implementation of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which will digitally record the entry and departure of non-EU travellers.
Some border crossings will therefore receive additional capacity, while freight and passenger traffic will increasingly be directed towards locations that meet EU security and technical standards.
Not all of these crossings will alter, and the most important international crossings that will continue to play a central role are as follows:
Nova Sela – Bijača
Kamensko – Kamensko
Ličko Petrovo Selo – Izačić
Svilaj – Donji Svilaj
Stara Gradiška – Gradiška
Gornji Varoš – Gradiška Novi Most
Slavonski Brod – Brod
Metković – Doljani
Vinjani Donji – Gorica
Maljevac – Velika Kladuša
Orašje – Orašje
Gunja – Brčko
Hrvatska Kostajnica – Kostajnica
Aržano – Osoje
Užljebić – Užljebić
Officials from both Croatia and neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina have stated that this latest agreement should significantly improve the movement of people and goods across the border, all while supporting growing economic ties between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
