Vatican City entry requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Bosnian passport holders can enter Vatican City without a visa for up to 90 days. Since Vatican City is inside Italy, you'll enter through Italy, so your passport must meet both Italian and Schengen entry rules. As of 2026, key requirements are a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival and proof of onward travel.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay | Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you plan to stay in Vatican City. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by Vatican authorities, but airlines may enforce a 6-month rule — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of exit from Schengen area | Immigration officers at the Vatican's border (which is open with Italy) rarely check for a return ticket, but the Schengen zone rules apply — you must have proof you'll leave within 90 days. A flight or train ticket out of the Schengen area works. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Vatican City has no hotels — most visitors stay in Rome. Carry a printed or digital hotel booking for your first night in Italy. If staying with a friend, a signed invitation letter with their address helps. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Sufficient means for your stay | No set amount is published for Vatican City, but as a Schengen entry point, Italian border guards may ask for €50–€100 per day. A bank statement or credit card showing available credit works. | Recommended |
No border control between Italy and Vatican City
You can walk freely between Rome and Vatican City. There are no passport checks at the border. Your entry into Italy is what matters — make sure your passport is stamped when you arrive in Rome.
Schengen 90-day limit applies
Your 90-day visa-free stay counts across all Schengen countries, including Italy and Vatican City. Track your days carefully — overstaying can lead to fines or a ban.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive in Italy (Rome)
Fly into Rome's Fiumicino (FCO) or Ciampino (CIA) airport. Go through Italian border control — present your passport, return ticket, and accommodation booking if asked. You'll get a Schengen entry stamp.
2
Travel to Vatican City
From Rome, take the metro (Line A to Ottaviano station) or walk from central Rome. Vatican City is a 15-minute walk from Termini station. There's no border control between Italy and Vatican City — you just walk in.
3
Enter St. Peter's Square
No passport check at the square or St. Peter's Basilica. For the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, you'll need a pre-booked ticket (book online to skip long queues).
4
Exit Vatican City
When you leave, you simply walk back into Italy. No exit formalities. Your Schengen 90-day limit still applies — track your days in the entire Schengen area.
Download Vatican City Entry Checklist
PDF · Bosnia and Herzegovina Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months
Cost€80 (~$88 USD)
For longer stays or if visa-free is not applicable. Apply at Italian embassy (Vatican does not issue visas).
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year
Cost€120 (~$132 USD)
For frequent travellers. Must meet Schengen visa requirements.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stay90 days+
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€99 (~$109 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification. Apply through Italian embassy.
work visa
Work Visa (Italy – Vatican City)
Up to 2 years, renewable
€116 (~$128 USD) application fee
For employment by Vatican City institutions. Requires a job offer and sponsorship. Apply through Italian embassy.
student visa
Student Visa (Italy – Vatican City)
Up to 1 year, renewable
€50 (~$55 USD) application fee
For study at Vatican-affiliated institutions. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
religious visa
Religious Visa (Italy – Vatican City)
Up to 2 years, renewable
€116 (~$128 USD) application fee
For clergy, missionaries, or religious workers. Requires sponsorship from a Vatican-recognized religious order.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension costExtensions are not available for visa-free stays. | N/A |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay is not permitted; penalties are at the discretion of authorities. | N/A |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Vatican City
No transit visa needed
Vatican City has no airports; transit occurs via Rome (Italy). Bosnia and Herzegovina passport holders do not need a transit visa for Italy if staying airside and holding a valid onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsLeonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) · Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA)
Health & vaccines for Vatican City
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Rare in Vatican City, but present in some green areas; use insect repellent.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
Standard hygiene; risk is minimal for tourists.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Vatican City
Governorate of Vatican City State – Office of Permits
Via della Conciliazione 54, 00120 Vatican City
Mon–Fri 09:00–13:00
For visa-related inquiries only; extensions are not available for visa-free stays.
Rome
Italian Immigration Office (Questura di Roma)
Via Genova 22, 00184 Rome, Italy
Mon–Fri 08:30–13:30
For Schengen visa issues or overstay regularization. Vatican City relies on Italian immigration for most procedures.
Practical information for BA travellers
Country basics
CapitalVatican City
LanguageItalian, Latin
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 6 months; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.88 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,F,LType C (two round pins), Type F (Schuko), Type L (three round pins)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink in Vatican City.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No, you don't need a visa. Bosnian citizens can enter Vatican City visa-free for up to 90 days. Since Vatican City is inside Italy, you'll enter through Italy and the same visa-free rules apply.
You can stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This is the same as the Schengen Area rule — your time in Vatican City counts toward your Schengen stay.
Usually not. Vatican City doesn't have its own border control for tourists. You'll get an Italian Schengen entry stamp when you land in Rome. Some visitors ask for a Vatican stamp at the Vatican Post Office (it's a souvenir, not an official entry stamp).
You can't extend the visa-free stay. For longer stays, you'd need to apply for a long-stay visa (type D) from Italy before you travel. This is rare for tourism — it's usually for work, study, or religious purposes.
Yes, you need proof of onward travel — either a return ticket to Bosnia or a ticket to another country. This shows you'll leave the Schengen area within 90 days.
No, it's not mandatory for entry. But it's strongly recommended — if you need medical care, costs in Italy can be high. Vatican City has a small clinic but for serious issues you'd be taken to a Roman hospital.
Yes, but since Bosnian passport holders don't need a visa, this doesn't apply. If you had a Schengen visa, it would work for Vatican City too — but you don't need one.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.