Eight countries in Eastern Europe are not members of the European Union. For most travellers holding US, UK, Canadian, Australian, or EU passports, this changes almost nothing in terms of whether you can visit. But it changes several things about how you visit — borders, currency, Schengen day counting, phone roaming, and the new EES biometric system that launched in April 2026.
Eastern European countries not in the EU quick list: Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Ukraine, and Moldova are the main Eastern European countries outside the EU. Note: Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area fully in 2024 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2026 — it is in the EU.
This guide focuses on the six Western Balkan countries that form the core non-EU travel zone for most Eastern Europe itineraries: Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Kosovo.
The Complete Table: EU, Schengen and Currency Status 2026
| Country | In EU? | In Schengen? | Currency | EU candidate? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serbia | No | No | Serbian Dinar (RSD) | Yes — negotiations ongoing |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | No | No | Bosnian Mark (BAM/KM) | Yes — candidate status granted 2022 |
| Albania | No | No | Albanian Lek (ALL) | Yes — negotiations ongoing |
| North Macedonia | No | No | Macedonian Denar (MKD) | Yes — negotiations ongoing |
| Montenegro | No | No | Euro (€) — informal use | Yes — frontrunner, target 2028 |
| Kosovo | No | No | Euro (€) — informal use | Wants candidate status; does not meet requirements |
| Bulgaria | Yes | Yes (since 2024) | Euro (€) — adopted Jan 2026 | N/A — EU member |
| Romania | Yes | Yes (since 2024) | Romanian Leu (RON) | N/A — EU member |
| Croatia | Yes | Yes (since 2023) | Euro (€) | N/A — EU member |
| Hungary | Yes | Yes | Hungarian Forint (HUF) | N/A — EU member |
Sources: Netherlands Worldwide EU/Schengen guide, Private Guide Bulgaria — Balkan currencies, Schengen Traveler, verified June 2026.
What “Not in the EU” Actually Means for Your Trip
1. Borders: You Will Get Stamped
Every non-EU country in the Balkans has its own border control. Even EU passport holders get stamped in and out. The Balkan Guide confirms: “All other Balkans countries — Albania, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece — have normal passport-control borders. Even EU passport holders get stamped in and out.”
Budget at least 30 minutes for each non-EU border crossing on your itinerary. At peak summer crossings like Croatia–Bosnia (Doljani), waits can reach two hours in July and August.
One important exception: if you are crossing between Serbia and Kosovo, you need to understand the sequence. Balkan Guide is direct about this: “If you plan to visit both Serbia and Kosovo, enter Kosovo from North Macedonia or Albania, not from Serbia. This avoids complications with Serbian border authorities on your way out.” Serbia does not recognise Kosovo’s independence and a Kosovo entry stamp in your passport can cause issues at the Serbian border.
2. Schengen Day Counting: These Countries Don’t Use Your 90 Days
This is the most practically useful thing to know. Days spent in Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Kosovo do not count toward your Schengen 90-day allowance. Schengen Traveler confirms: “The UK, Ireland, Turkey, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Cyprus are all outside the Schengen Area. Visiting these countries does not use your Schengen days.”
In practice this means: if you have used 60 of your 90 Schengen days in France, Italy, and Croatia, you can spend 30 or more additional days travelling Serbia, Bosnia, and Albania before returning to any Schengen country. The clock pauses the moment you cross into a non-Schengen country.
This is a significant advantage for long-term travellers doing extended Eastern Europe itineraries.
3. Currency: Six Different Systems
None of the main Western Balkan non-EU countries use the euro officially — though Montenegro and Kosovo use it informally, having adopted it unilaterally without EU membership. Private Guide Bulgaria notes: “Although Kosovo and Montenegro use the euro, neither is in the EU or the Eurozone.”
Practical summary:
| Country | Currency | Card acceptance | Cash needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serbia | Serbian Dinar (RSD) | Good in cities | Useful for buses, markets |
| Bosnia | Bosnian Mark (KM/BAM) | Limited outside Sarajevo | Yes — most taxis cash only |
| Albania | Albanian Lek (ALL) | Tourist areas accept euros | Lek better for local prices |
| North Macedonia | Macedonian Denar (MKD) | Moderate | Carry some cash |
| Montenegro | Euro (€) | Good in tourist areas | Limited cash needed |
| Kosovo | Euro (€) | Moderate | Some cash useful |
ATMs are available in all capital cities and main tourist areas. Withdraw local currency on arrival rather than exchanging at airport kiosks — ATM rates are consistently better.
One specific note on Bosnia: Welcome Pickups confirms most Sarajevo taxis do not accept cards. The same applies across much of Bosnia outside hotels. Always carry Bosnian Marks in Bosnia. See the Bolt Sarajevo guide for a full breakdown of transport and payment in Bosnia.
4. The EES Biometric System: What Changed in April 2026
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational on 10 April 2026. It replaces manual passport stamps for entry into Schengen countries with a digital biometric system. Fragomen summarises: “EES applies to all non-EU short-stay travelers. Physical passport stamps are replaced by digital tracking. Overstays are easier to detect and already being flagged.”
EES applies only at Schengen country borders. If you are travelling exclusively within non-Schengen Eastern Europe — Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia — EES does not apply to you. The system only activates when you enter or exit Schengen territory.
For US, UK, Canadian, and Australian passport holders: EES does apply when you enter any Schengen country (including Croatia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece). Expect fingerprinting and face scan at the border. Allow extra time, especially at busy crossings in summer 2026 — long wait times are expected during peak season. See the EES at Budapest Airport guide for what to expect in practice.
5. ETIAS: Launching Q4 2026
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is launching in late 2026 for citizens of approximately 59 visa-exempt countries including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. The EU’s official travel site confirms it “will start operations in the last quarter of 2026.”
ETIAS applies to Schengen countries only. It is not required for Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, or North Macedonia. If your Eastern Europe itinerary focuses on Western Balkans non-EU countries, ETIAS does not affect you — but if you pass through any Schengen country as entry or exit point, you will need it once it launches.
The fee is €20, valid for 3 years. Application is online and most approvals are within minutes.
6. Visa Requirements: Almost Everyone Can Go Without One
For most travellers with EU, US, UK, Canadian, or Australian passports, no visa is required for any of the six Western Balkan countries for stays up to 90 days. The EU abolished visa requirements for Western Balkan citizens travelling to the Schengen Area between 2009 and 2010 — and the arrangement is reciprocal, meaning EU and Western passport holders can enter these countries under the same visa-free terms.
Balkan Guide adds a useful detail for travellers who already have a valid Schengen visa: “If you hold a valid Schengen visa, you can enter Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo without applying for a separate visa. This works for up to 90 days in each country (or the duration of your Schengen visa, whichever is shorter).” A multiple-entry Schengen visa is especially useful for multi-country Balkan itineraries where you move back and forth across borders.
7. Phone Roaming: EU Rules Don’t Apply
EU roaming rules — which allow EU residents to use their mobile plan in other EU countries without extra charges — do not apply in non-EU countries. If you have a European mobile plan and travel to Serbia, Bosnia, or Albania, roaming charges typically apply.
Check your plan specifically before travelling. Many providers charge extra for Western Balkan countries, even if Schengen and EU countries are covered for free. A local SIM from the destination country costs €5-15 and avoids the issue entirely.
Country-by-Country: What to Know Before You Cross the Border
Serbia
No EU membership, no Schengen, Serbian Dinar (RSD). Belgrade public transport has been free for all passengers since January 2025. Uber and Bolt do not operate — use Yandex Go instead. No roaming from EU plans. See the Belgrade transport guide and free public transport guide. Currency: approximately 117 RSD per euro. Where to stay in Belgrade.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
No EU, no Schengen, Bosnian Mark (BAM/KM). Cash-heavy economy — most taxis and many restaurants do not accept cards. No Bolt or Uber. Moj Taxi and Žuti Taxi are the app alternatives. See the Bolt/taxi guide for Sarajevo. Currency: approximately 1.96 KM per euro. Where to stay in Sarajevo.
Albania
No EU, no Schengen, Albanian Lek (ALL). Euros accepted informally in tourist areas but Lek gives better local prices. Albania is an EU candidate country. Some of the cheapest beaches in Europe — see the Albania coast guide. Currency: approximately 100 ALL per euro.
Montenegro
No EU, no Schengen, but uses the euro informally. EU accession frontrunner — Montenegro’s PM has stated a target of 2028. Good card acceptance in tourist areas.
North Macedonia
No EU, no Schengen, Macedonian Denar (MKD). EU candidate country with negotiations ongoing. Skopje is a walkable, affordable capital with lower prices than Belgrade or Sarajevo.
Kosovo
No EU, no Schengen, uses euro informally. Kosovo is not recognised by Serbia — do not cross from Kosovo into Serbia if you want to avoid complications. Enter Kosovo from North Macedonia or Albania instead.
The Schengen Day Reset: Using Non-EU Countries Strategically
For long-term travellers and digital nomads, the Schengen 90/180 day rule is a constant planning constraint. Eastern Europe’s non-EU countries offer a legal and practical reset: you can spend weeks in Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, and the rest of the Western Balkans without using any Schengen days, then re-enter the Schengen zone with your allowance preserved.
A common long-stay Eastern Europe itinerary structure:
- Start in a Schengen country (Hungary, Croatia) — 30 days
- Move to Serbia, Bosnia, Albania for 60+ days — 0 Schengen days used
- Return to Schengen (Greece, Bulgaria) — still have 60 Schengen days remaining
This is entirely legal and widely used by long-term travellers. The Eastern Europe solo travel guide covers this in detail for multi-month itineraries.
FAQ
Which Eastern European countries are not in the EU in 2026?
The main non-EU Eastern European countries are Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Ukraine, and Moldova. The Western Balkan countries are part of the EU enlargement process, but they are not EU members yet. For the latest official status, check the EU enlargement page.
Do I need a visa to visit Serbia, Bosnia, or Albania?
Usually no, if you hold a US, UK, Canadian, Australian, EU, or most other Western passport. Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo generally allow visa-free tourist stays for many Western passport holders. Rules vary by nationality, so check official sources before travel, including the Serbia visa requirements page, the Bosnia and Herzegovina visa page, and the Albania e-Visa portal.
Do days in Serbia or Bosnia count toward my Schengen 90-day limit?
No. Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Kosovo are outside the Schengen Area. Time spent in these countries does not count toward your 90-day Schengen allowance. The Schengen 90/180-day rule applies only to time spent inside the Schengen Area. For the official rule, check the European Commission Schengen visa policy page.
Does EES biometric registration apply in non-EU Balkan countries?
No. The EU Entry/Exit System applies when non-EU travellers enter or leave Schengen countries. It does not apply when travelling only within non-Schengen Balkan countries such as Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, or North Macedonia. EES becomes relevant when you cross into a Schengen country such as Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, or Greece. Check the official EU Entry/Exit System page before travel.
Do I need ETIAS to visit the Western Balkans?
No. ETIAS applies only to Schengen countries once it launches. Non-Schengen Balkan countries such as Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia will not require ETIAS for entry. ETIAS will matter only when entering Schengen countries on the same trip. Use the official ETIAS website for the latest launch and application information.
Can I use euros in non-EU Balkan countries?
Montenegro and Kosovo use the euro, although they are not in the Eurozone. Albania may accept euros in tourist areas, but the Albanian lek usually gives better local prices. Serbia uses the Serbian dinar, and Bosnia and Herzegovina uses the convertible mark, so euros are not widely accepted for normal daily spending in those two countries. For current Serbian exchange rates, check the National Bank of Serbia.
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Last checked June 2026
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