Touring the Balkans: 2 questions

[K-away]

Anybody know if your passport gets stamped when leaving and entering the Schengen/EU area into Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia? (I'm banking on showing I've been out of the area so that I don't exceed the 90/180 day rule).
And anybody had any issues taking a dog in and out of these countries since Brexit? (I have a French Pet Passport).

 

[Gingernuts]

Don’t want you to think you’re getting ignored but I would be interested too!

 

[GeeCee]

Yes we went down to Montenegro (MNE) this year. The trip down from Croatia to MNE took us through Bosnia (BIH). We got stamped into and out of Bosnia and Montenegro. And in fact Croatia but that's in Schengen now as you're probably aware. Going into Bosnia they asked to see the vehicle registration document so make sure you take it with you. Also check your insurance to make sure it covers those countries - health and van.
One other point - you mobile phone - it's unlikely to allow free roaming in BIH or MNE. I was getting charged £5 per mb. Luckily I had a warning and automatic roaming switch off when it reached £20. But if I hadn't and I had watched a movie on say Netflix using my phone's hotspot I could have been charged £5000, based on the fact a movie is about a gb worth of data and a gb is 1000 x mb.

Otherwise enjoy. Only passed through BIH but MNE was very nice.

 

[K-away]

Thank you GeeCee. That's really helpful. Thanks too about the roaming charges.
And to my second question: anybody had experience of travelling with a dog in this region? I believe it will be ok, especially with an EU pet passport, but I would like to have confirmation if possible.

 

[Neil n Pat]

Take a look at the banned breeds list for each country you intend to visit. I met a guy last November dashing back to UK after being refused entry into Croatia to keep within his ninety days. The border control officers told him the dog would be put down if he attempted to get it in. I´m sure poodles and westies are okay

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[GeeCee]

Thank you GeeCee. That's really helpful. Thanks too about the roaming charges.
And to my second question: anybody had experience of travelling with a dog in this region? I believe it will be ok, especially with an EU pet passport, but I would like to have confirmation if possible.

I don't remember them even checking if we had a dog at any of the border crossings. But some campsites do have rules about which dogs are allowed. Ours is a Labradoodle and came with us the whole journey without issue.

 

[K-away]

I don't remember them even checking if we had a dog at any of the border crossings. But some campsites do have rules about which dogs are allowed. Ours is a Labradoodle and came with us the whole journey without issue.

Thanks again GeeCee. As I expected. I have driven in Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria in the past with my dog and there's never been any difficulty. Mine's a cockapoo.

 

[jongood]

Yes we went down to Montenegro (MNE) this year. The trip down from Croatia to MNE took us through Bosnia (BIH). We got stamped into and out of Bosnia and Montenegro. And in fact Croatia but that's in Schengen now as you're probably aware. Going into Bosnia they asked to see the vehicle registration document so make sure you take it with you. Also check your insurance to make sure it covers those countries - health and van.
One other point - you mobile phone - it's unlikely to allow free roaming in BIH or MNE. I was getting charged £5 per mb. Luckily I had a warning and automatic roaming switch off when it reached £20. But if I hadn't and I had watched a movie on say Netflix using my phone's hotspot I could have been charged £5000, based on the fact a movie is about a gb worth of data and a gb is 1000 x mb.

Otherwise enjoy. Only passed through BIH but MNE was very nice.

We bought a sim for Montenegro that also covered bih, Mostar was nice and Blagaj, but it was incredibly hot and steamy (August) so went for Croatia and coast.

 

[GeeCee]

We bought a sim for Montenegro that also covered bih, Mostar was nice and Blagaj, but it was incredibly hot and steamy (August) so went for Croatia and coast.

Yes we noticed on the way out of MNE you could buy 100gb SIMs really cheaply. If going again I'd get one.

 

[NoName]

Anybody know if your passport gets stamped when leaving and entering the Schengen/EU area into Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia? (I'm banking on showing I've been out of the area so that I don't exceed the 90/180 day rule).
And anybody had any issues taking a dog in and out of these countries since Brexit? (I have a French Pet Passport).

Be cautious entering Albania unless your vehicle insurance green card has it as an accepted country. Buying a green card in Albania only covers for third party.
As to proving that you have been out of the Schengen area I spent nearly 5 months touring 11 countries including Turkiye & Bulgaria no stamps on my passport yet when leaving France for the UK they didn’t even look at the passport just waved me through. Had my Jack Russell with me and only entering France did anyone want to see his Animal health certificate.

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[deemac]

Anybody know if your passport gets stamped when leaving and entering the Schengen/EU area into Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia? (I'm banking on showing I've been out of the area so that I don't exceed the 90/180 day rule).
And anybody had any issues taking a dog in and out of these countries since Brexit? (I have a French Pet Passport).

I lived in Montenegro for 5 years between 2012 and 2017 and travelled extensively in the Balkan countries in my motorhome. Be aware that you will have to buy vehicle insurance in Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia and will likely only have 3rd party insurance. The Albanian roads are good, but Tirana is a free for all. My UK insurance company issued a green card for Bosnia and Serbia only. The police are very tight on speeding in all of the countries and depending on the level of speeding can seize your licence for specified periods. Best advice is don't speed even though all around you are. We didn't have a dog, but expect a lot of bureaucracy. Campsites are poor by European and UK standards but wild camping is generally OK as long as you don"t make yourself too obvious. Inland in Montenegro July temps hit 45C during the day and stay at 35C overnight better to stay in the mountains in somewhere like Zabljak

 

[enark]

Last time I drove from Split, to Sarajevo, Belgrade, Gorazda and Gornji Vacuf etc, no passports were required,

that said that was in 1994 and we had a 30mm rarden to negotiate with…..

 

[Mad dog]

I'm glad to see this discussion, we're contemplating going down to Italy next month, sail across to Greece & up the coast through Albania & North. We can't handle high temperatures hence looking to do it out of season. We'll have a dog & be in a 6m PVC, can anyone forsee any issues at all pleasel? Are crossings OK to get to Greece at short notice, etc.

Thanks

 

[dorkins]

Last time I drove from Split, to Sarajevo, Belgrade, Gorazda and Gornji Vacuf etc, no passports were required,

that said that was in 1994 and we had a 30mm rarden to negotiate with…..

Wasn't you that dispatched 2 of our aid lorries going into Sarajevo - by any chance? looking to make an insurance claim