You can seek help from the BiH embassy, but you bear all costs yourself

Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina staying abroad who find themselves in trouble or need assistance can contact the BiH embassy in the country of residence. The consulate can provide several types of assistance, writes the Bosnian news agency Patria.

In case of loss or theft of documents, upon presenting a police report about the loss or theft of a travel document or ID card, the consulate can issue you a travel document for return to Bosnia and Herzegovina, or if the legally prescribed conditions are met, it can issue you a new passport, states the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH.

In case of arrest or detention, you can request that the BiH Embassy be informed. A consular officer can notify local authorities that you are under the consular protection of BiH and request to be informed of the reason for your arrest, and request appropriate permission to visit you. They will also check the conditions under which you were arrested and whether local laws were respected. The consular officer can, at your request, obtain a list of lawyers who can defend you, but you bear the costs of the lawyer.

In case of illness, if you request assistance, the consular officer can help you find an appropriate healthcare facility, but the costs of treatment are your responsibility.

In case of a serious accident, the consular officer will, through the competent authority, inform your family. If the family requests, continuation of hospitalization can be considered, but the costs are your responsibility.

In case of death, the consular officer will inform the family. If the family requests, they will be informed of the legal formalities related to transferring or burying the remains in the country, and all costs are borne by the family or the deceased's insurance.

In case of other problems with local authorities, the consular officer can advise you and provide you with useful addresses (lawyers, translators, etc.).

WHEN THE EMBASSY CANNOT HELP YOU

It cannot return you to the country at the state's expense. It cannot pay fines, hotel bills, hospital costs, or any other of your expenses. It cannot intervene in court proceedings to secure your release if you have committed a criminal offense in that country's territory. The embassy does not replace travel agencies, banking institutions, or insurance companies.

It cannot provide you with consular protection if you also hold citizenship of the country where you are located, reports the Patria agency.