Bosnia money and currency guide — BAM, cards and ATMs
What currency does Bosnia use?
Bosnia uses the Bosnian Convertible Mark (BAM, also written KM). The rate is fixed at 1 EUR = 1.95583 BAM — it does not fluctuate. Withdraw BAM from ATMs on arrival. Euros are sometimes accepted in tourist areas but at a worse rate than the official exchange.
Bosnia uses its own currency, the Bosnian Convertible Mark (BAM, code: BAM; symbol: KM for Konvertibilna marka in Bosnian). If you’re coming from the EU, this means arriving with euros that need to be exchanged or withdrawn. It is a simple process, and the fixed exchange rate makes budgeting very predictable.
The Bosnian Convertible Mark (BAM)
The BAM has been the official currency since 1995, established under the Dayton Peace Agreement to stabilise the post-war economy. It is managed by the Currency Board of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate.
The rate: 1 EUR = 1.95583 BAM. This does not change.
This is a hard peg — not a managed float, not an approximation. The rate is fixed in law and has not moved since 1995. This means:
- No currency risk when planning your budget
- Easy mental arithmetic: think of 2 BAM as roughly 1 EUR
- BAM cannot be significantly exchanged outside Bosnia (it is not traded internationally)
Denominations
Banknotes: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 BAM Coins: 5, 10, 20, 50 feninga (100 feninga = 1 BAM); 1, 2, 5 BAM coins
The 1 BAM coin is the most useful for tram tickets and small purchases. Keep some small change — smaller market stalls and bakeries prefer not to break large notes.
ATMs
ATMs (called “bankomati” in Bosnian) are the best way to get local currency. The exchange rate you receive at an ATM is the official fixed rate, without markup. Fees depend on your home bank; check before travelling.
Reliable ATM networks in Bosnia
- Raiffeisen Bank — widespread in Sarajevo and Mostar, generally reliable
- UniCredit (Hypo Bank) — good coverage in cities
- Addiko Bank — many ATMs in the Sarajevo city centre
- Baština banka — particularly common in Herzegovina
- NLB Banka — useful in Sarajevo
Where to find ATMs
Sarajevo: Every main street in the centre has at least one ATM. Baščaršija, Ferhadija, the bus station area and the airport all have machines. You will never be more than 5 minutes from a bankomat in the city centre.
Mostar: ATMs on the Bulevar main road and near the bus station. Fewer in the old town itself — withdraw before exploring the bazaar.
Rural areas: ATMs exist in larger towns (Konjic, Jajce, Trebinje, Bihać) but not in villages or mountain areas. Before heading to Sutjeska, Una National Park or rural Herzegovina, ensure you have sufficient cash.
ATM tips
- Always choose “no conversion” (pay in BAM): If the ATM offers to charge you in euros, decline. This is “dynamic currency conversion” and uses a bank’s own exchange rate, which is worse than the official rate.
- Withdraw enough for rural areas: Carry at least 200–300 BAM when leaving cities for day trips or mountain areas.
- Check your card’s fee structure: UK Revolut and Wise cards work well in Bosnia with no conversion fee. Most UK and EU bank cards charge a 1.5–3 percent foreign transaction fee. A Wise or Revolut card set to EUR will spend in BAM at exactly the fixed rate.
Card payments
Card acceptance has improved significantly in recent years, particularly in Sarajevo and Mostar tourist areas. As of 2025–2026:
Generally accept cards:
- Hotels (almost all, including small guesthouses)
- Larger restaurants in cities
- Supermarkets (Bingo, Konzum, Tommy chains)
- Fuel stations on main roads
- Museum ticket counters in Sarajevo
- Some tour operators
Often cash-only:
- Local kafanas (traditional coffee houses)
- Market stalls and fresh produce markets
- Small village restaurants and rural guesthouses
- Church/mosque donation boxes
- Smaller bakeries
- Taxis (some do, most don’t)
Carry at least 100–150 BAM in cash at all times. Even in cities, a card-only approach will leave you unable to buy street food, tip a guide, or pay a taxi.
Exchanging euros in Bosnia
Exchange offices (mjenjačnica) are common in Sarajevo and Mostar. The rate you receive at an exchange office is typically very close to the official rate (perhaps 0.5–1 percent worse). Exchange offices at airports and hotels typically have worse rates.
Where to exchange in Sarajevo: Exchange offices along Ferhadija and around Baščaršija are competitive. The airport exchange office is convenient but charges a premium.
Bring euros, not dollars or pounds: EUR is the most useful foreign currency. USD and GBP are exchanged at most offices but at less favourable rates. Avoid trying to exchange at hotels — they have the worst rates.
Tipping in Bosnia
Tipping is appreciated but carries no social obligation. Bosnians tip modestly and do not expect tourists to be generous beyond local norms.
| Situation | Suggested tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurant (good service) | Round up or 10 percent |
| Café/bar | Round up (1–2 BAM) |
| Taxi | Round up to nearest 5 BAM |
| Guided tour (per person/day) | 5–10 EUR (guide), 2–5 EUR (driver) |
| Hotel porter | 2–5 BAM per bag |
| Housekeeping | 3–5 BAM/day |
In local kafanas, leaving change on the table is common and appreciated. At tourist restaurants, a 10 percent tip is the norm among international visitors and happily received.
Quick reference: what things cost in BAM and EUR
| Item | BAM | EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Bosnian coffee (kafana) | 2–3 | 1.00–1.50 |
| Burek (meat pastry, 220g) | 3–4 | 1.50–2.00 |
| Ćevapi portion with bread | 8–14 | 4.00–7.15 |
| Restaurant main course | 18–35 | 9.20–17.90 |
| Beer (0.5L local) | 4–6 | 2.00–3.07 |
| Glass of local wine | 5–8 | 2.55–4.09 |
| Tram ticket (Sarajevo) | 1.80 | 0.92 |
| Bus Sarajevo–Mostar | 20–25 | 10.22–12.78 |
| Hostel dorm | 20–35 | 10.22–17.89 |
| Budget private room | 50–80 | 25.56–40.90 |
| Tunnel of Hope entry | 10 | 5.11 |
Sending money and paying online
Booking platforms: Booking.com, Airbnb, GetYourGuide and similar platforms charge in euros (or your home currency) and handle the conversion internally. No need to worry about BAM for advance bookings.
Wire transfers: If you need to pay a Bosnian business in advance, BAM accounts use SWIFT/BIC via Bosnian banks. Wise (formerly TransferWise) offers good rates for EUR-to-BAM transfers.
Frequently asked questions about Bosnia’s currency
Can I use cryptocurrency in Bosnia?
Very occasionally at modern cafés or some tech-sector businesses in Sarajevo — but this is extremely niche. Practical travel spending requires BAM cash and standard cards.
What happens if I leave Bosnia with leftover BAM?
BAM is very difficult to exchange outside Bosnia. Exchange remaining marks before leaving, or spend them at Sarajevo Airport (there are decent food and drink options). The fixed rate means you always know exactly how much you have left in euro terms.
Is the BAM the same in both entities (Federation and Republika Srpska)?
Yes. BAM is the official currency throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina — both the Federation of BiH and Republika Srpska use it. There is no difference crossing between entities.
Will shops accept Serbian dinars near the border?
No. BAM is the only valid currency in Bosnia. Near the Serbian or Montenegrin border, some markets may accept dinars or euros informally, but do not count on it — use BAM.
