Best eSIMs in Bosnia & Herzegovina: 2023 Buying Guide

Bosnia & Herzegovina – one of the nine countries with two names.

It also has three official languages: Bosnian, Croatian & Serbian.

Formerly part of Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina has an incredible history.

Churches, cathedrals & bridges – there is a lot to see.

But the country should not be visited just for history, even though there are many historical things to see.

From winter sports in Sarajevo to Rafting in Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina can be a thrilling travel destination.

And I am sure you want to share your travel experiences online.

It is expected nowadays, so share away!

However, you should know that international roaming can be expensive.

If you do not watch out, you may face a costly bill when you go back home – one way to ruin your post-holiday mood.

Luckily, there is one way to stay connected for low rates, which is by getting a travel eSIM.

This way, you can enjoy low rates.

So, how much do Bosnian (travel) eSIMs cost?

You can get an eSIM for Bosnia & Herzegovina for as low as 4.50 USD and up to 54 USD from Airalo & Holafly offering between 500 MB and unlimited data to be used locally, in Europe, or globally.

There are some mobile operators who will charge you 100 USD for only 100 MB of roaming data, so these travel eSIM offers are much better than most international roaming deals.

In this guide, I will go over the eSIM options offered by the Bosnian mobile operators (if available), Airalo & Holafly. Let's get started.

Original publication: 30th of August 2022. Last updated: 11th of September 2023.

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Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

I will write about three eSIM options in Bosnia & Herzegovina (and explain why they are included).

But if you want to quickly check out what the best eSIMs are for Bosnia & Herzegovina without my analysis and explanations, here is an overview of the eSIMs covered in this guide:

• Airalo Bosnia & Herzegovina Bosher eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (best value for money)
• Holafly Bosnia & Herzegovina eSIM with unlimited data for 5 to 20 days (unlimited data eSIMs – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off)
• Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (formerly Discover Global) with 12 choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (extensive global coverage (130+ countries) at attractive prices) + ability to make and receive calls & send and receive SMS (new) – read my ongoing Airalo Discover(+) (Global) eSIM review too!

Note: the promo codes mentioned above can also be used for regional and global eSIMs (they are not restricted to country-specific eSIMs only). In other news, the eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (Bosnia & Herzegovina-only, regional & global) – not in order of preference (you would have to read the complete guide to find out which eSIMs I love the most for Bosnia & Herzegovina 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

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eSIMs offered by the Bosnian Mobile Operators

In order to get the best performance out there, it is often recommended to go directly with the local mobile operators because you will get a higher priority on the network compared to roaming.

Unfortunately, none of the mobile operators offer eSIMs to prepaid customers in Bosnia (yet).

Travel eSIM providers Airalo & Holafly offer attractive eSIMs for Bosnia, allowing them to be set up before arriving in Bosnia and activating them as soon as you land.

Very convenient, right? And I have used eSIMs from Airalo & Holafly before, and I can assure you they work well!

So let's check out all the options, shall we?

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Airalo eSIMs for Bosnia & Herzegovina (Bosher)

Airalo eSIMs are my favorite travel eSIMs out there because they are always good value for money compared to other travel eSIM providers (especially travel eSIMs not mentioned in this guide).

And the same can be said for the Bosher eSIM – 20 GB of data is available for only 32 USD.

Wait… you have no idea who or what Airalo is? I have an in-depth review explaining how Airalo works and all its options, based on four years of using Airalo eSIMs – you can read it now or later (I will briefly introduce Airalo anyway in this guide).

Anyway, the Bosher eSIM uses the HT Eronet network.

You have six Airalo Bosher eSIM options:

1. Bosnia & Herzegovina/Bosher 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 4.50 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz Readers
2. Bosnia & Herzegovina/Bosher 2 GB eSIM for 15 days (new), costing 7 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz Readers
3. Bosnia & Herzegovina/Bosher 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 9.50 USD
4. Bosnia & Herzegovina/Bosher 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 13 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz Readers
5. Bosnia & Herzegovina/Bosher 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 21 USD
6. Bosnia & Herzegovina/Bosher 20 GB eSIM for 30 days (new), costing 32 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in September based on data up to the 7^th of September (2023 data only).

Honestly, the Airalo Bosher eSIM is not bad at all, especially considering its options and prices.

Let me review some of its pros and cons before you get a Bosher eSIM (or continue exploring your other options mentioned in this guide).

Airalo Bosher eSIM Pros

What are the main perks of Airalo's Bosher eSIMs?

• You can avoid expensive international roaming fees
• You can purchase and set up your Bosher eSIM before arriving in Bosnia & Herzegovina (and activate it upon landing)
  • The eSIM will start once you have it enabled and are in Bosnia & Herzegovina – not earlier (so you can pre-purchase your eSIM months in advance in peace – I do this often)
• You get full (up to 4G/LTE) access to the HT Eronet network
• The eSIMs are affordable and have generous data allowances
• You can manage your eSIM easily on the Airalo website or its apps (Android and iOS)
  • If you need more data, top-ups are available (at the same prices as listed earlier – not at a markup)

Airalo Bosher eSIM Cons

What are the main cons of Airalo's Bosher eSIMs?

• You cannot call or text with the Bosher eSIM – it is a data-only eSIM (so you do not get a (Bosnian) phone number either)
• While you get access to HT Eronet's network, your speeds will not be as fast as going with HT Eronet itself because you will be roaming on their networks (and not be a native customer)
• The Bosnian mobile operators have much more generous data allowances (while Bsoher is capped at 20 GB, but top-ups are available)
• There are no unlimited data plans (unlike some other options mentioned in this guide)
• There is no 5G NR access with the Bosher eSIM

Airalo Bosher eSIM Overall Thoughts

I am a big fan of Airalo and its eSIMs in general, as mentioned in my Airalo review, including the Bosher eSIM.

It offers reasonable data plans for low prices – even for Bosnian standards.

You get fast (up to 4G/LTE) speeds and access in Bosnia & Herzegovina without standing in queues or dealing with SIM card registration bureaucracy.

But if making actual phone calls and sending real text messages are important to you (so not through an app like WhatsApp), you may want to buy a Bosnian SIM card instead (an in-depth guide).

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Holafly eSIMs for Bosnia & Herzegovina

The second eSIM provider I recommend is Holafly.

It started something revolutionary in June 2022.

Holafly offers unlimited data plans for many European Union member states & a few other countries.

No idea who or what Holafly is? I have an in-depth review explaining how Airalo works and all its options, based on two years of using Holafly eSIMs – you can read it now or later (I will briefly introduce Holafly anyway in this guide).

Okay, back to unlimited data eSIMs – is it truly unlimited?

Yes… at least that was what I was told initially.

A few weeks later, though, this paragraph was added to its “Can my connection speed be reduced?” FAQ:

[…] if the mobile operator estimates the usage of more than 90 GB of data in a month, it may temporarily reduce the speed to 256 Kbps – 1 Mbps to avoid affecting other users. This limitation is intended to prevent network saturation and will be removed within 24 hours.

One of Holafly's competitors (an eSIM reseller) tried to hit a daily fair-use limit.

It realized that speeds get throttled after using more than 2.5 GB to 3 GB daily.

Other (Phone Travel Wiz) users claim to have been throttled after 1 GB to 1.5 GB already.

Interesting, is it not? 🤔.

What about myself? I have yet to be throttled, it seems. But unlike most travelers, I usually have multiple local SIM cards and travel eSIMs for testing purposes while I travel, so I can spread out my data usage among them. For countries without unlimited data plans, Holafly does not throttle speeds at all.

Anyway, Holafly's unlimited data plans for Bosnia & Herzegovina are the most expensive ones mentioned in this guide.

The Holafly eSIM uses the HT Eronet network as well.

You have the following five Holafly Bosnia & Herzegovina eSIM options:

1. Bosnia & Herzegovina unlimited data eSIM for 5 days, costing 19 USD/19 EUR/19 GBP/27 AUD/24 CAD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Bosnia & Herzegovina unlimited data eSIM for 7 days, costing 27 USD/27 EUR/24 GBP/44 AUD/34 CAD
3. Bosnia & Herzegovina unlimited data eSIM for 10 days, costing 34 USD/34 EUR/29 GBP/49 AUD/44 CAD
4. Bosnia & Herzegovina unlimited data eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD/47 EUR/44 GBP/67 AUD/55 CAD
5. Bosnia & Herzegovina unlimited data eSIM for 20 days, costing 54 USD/57 EUR/49 GBP/84 AUD/74 CAD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in September based on data up to the 7^th of September (2023 data only).

The best part is that you can get 5% off using code PHONETRAVELWIZ on each Holafly eSIM purchase!

Once again, let's see some pros and cons of the Holafly Bosnia & Herzegovina eSIM.

Holafly Bosnia & Herzegovina eSIM Pros

What are the main perks of Holafly's Bosnia & Herzegovina eSIM?

• You can avoid expensive international roaming fees
• You get full (up to 4G/LTE) access to HT Eronet's network
• If you, somehow, experience any problems, Holafly's support team responds surprisingly quickly (even on weekends)

Holafly Bosnia & Herzegovina eSIM Cons

What are the main cons of Holafly's Bosnia & Herzegovina eSIMs?

• You cannot call or text with the Holafly Bosnia & Herzegovina eSIM – it is a data-only eSIM (so you do not get a (Bosnian) phone number either)
• While you get access to HT Eronet's network, your speeds will not be as fast as going with HT Eronet itself because you will be roaming on its network (and not be a native customer)
• The eSIM's validity, supposedly, starts as soon as you scan the QR code, not upon using it in Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • I say supposedly because I have installed eSIMs literally months in advance and had no issues using them later, but I do not want you to experience this issue with your hard-earned money
• You cannot use your phone as a hotspot (tether) with any Holafly unlimited data eSIM
• There is no 5G NR access with the Holafly eSIM
• You cannot top-up your eSIM – you have to buy a new one (in case you stay in Bosnia & Herzegovina for a bit longer than initially planned)
• Holafly is the most expensive eSIM provider in this guide for Bosnia & Herzegovina-only eSIMs

Holafly Bosnia & Herzegovina eSIM Overall Thoughts

I was not a fan of Holafly when it had travel SIM cards (discontinued) because they were crazy expensive (I am talking about 20 USD for 1 GB of data in some Caribbean nation expensive).

Luckily that is not the case with its eSIMs, so I have used Holafly eSIMs in many countries and counting.

Be sure to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off each Holafly purchase (yes, you can use it multiple times)!

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Best eSIMs for Europe & the World (including Bosnia & Herzegovina)

So what if you plan to visit a neighboring European country?

Unfortunately, you cannot use your Airalo or Holafly eSIMs in any country than Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Luckily, some of the eSIM providers mentioned so far do have eSIMs that can be used throughout most or all of Europe (+extras).

And there are also some global eSIMs with attractive prices that can be useful if you visit Europe and another continent or region.

I highly recommend these Europe or global eSIMs if you plan to visit multiple European countries to save money!

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Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (formerly Discover Global)

Airalo was probably the first eSIM provider to introduce a global eSIM – it was called Discover Global.

I have had decent to good experiences with that eSIM, but I felt it could improve.

Such as extending the validity of most plans (maximum used to be 180 days) and having 5G NR access in popular destinations (like many regional Airalo eSIMs do nowadays, even country-specific ones).

In August 2023, Airalo made a radical change to its global eSIM.

Until then, the eSIM could be used in about 85 countries – always up to 4G/LTE (with some networks on 3G only).

This eSIM was powered by FL1 Telecom Liechtenstein (network name can be Mobilkom (Liechtenstein) at times).

This mobile operator worked well in Europe and some Asian countries, but it was often one of the slowest performing (Airalo eSIMs).

Now, Airalo's global eSIM is called Discover(+).

It is powered by eSIM Go (which is basically Drei Austria).

The difference between the Airalo Discover and Airalo Discover+ eSIMs is that the latter has calling and texting functionalities (with an Austrian +43 phone number).

Because of this, Discover+ eSIMs can be up to 20 USD more expensive than regular Discover eSIMs.

For the previous Airalo Discover Global eSIMs, you paid the same prices as the Discover+ eSIMs for worse availability (85+ countries instead of 130+) and no calling or texting at all.

So… it is an upgrade 😎.

Not only that, but you (finally) get 5G NR access in quite some countries (55+)¹ as well.

¹ click here, press select the variant you want & click on network to see which network(s) allow for 5G NR access. You often have access to multiple local networks, but not all have 5G NR access (and some do not even give you 4G/LTE access)

Moreover, the most expensive option is now valid for a whole year (365 days) instead of 180 days.

The Airalo Discover(+) eSIM can be used in the following 130+ countries:

You have these 12 Airalo Discover Global eSIMs:

1. Discover 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD
2. Discover+ 1 GB (with 10 minutes and 10 SMS) eSIM for 7 days, costing 15 USD
3. Discover 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 17 USD
4. Discover+ 2 GB (with 20 minutes and 20 SMS) eSIM for 15 days, costing 27 USD
5. Discover 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD
6. Discover+ 3 GB (with 30 minutes and 30 SMS) eSIM for 30 days, costing 36 USD
7. Discover 5 GB eSIM for 60 days, costing 35 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
8. Discover+ 5 GB (with 50 minutes and 50 SMS) eSIM for 60 days, costing 50 USD
9. Discover 10 GB eSIM for 180 days, costing 59 USD
10. Discover+ 10 GB (with 100 minutes and 100 SMS) eSIM for 180 days, costing 79 USD
11. Discover 20 GB eSIM for 365 days, costing 69 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
12. Discover+ 20 GB (with 200 minutes and 200 SMS) eSIM for 365 days, costing 89 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in September based on data up to the 7^th of September (2023 data only).

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Overview of the Best eSIMs for Bosnia & Herzegovina

So, we reviewed some eSIMs that can be used in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

I will give you a quick recap of each and link to their product pages in case you need more info or want to purchase an eSIM already (just remember the activation policies of Holafly – do not buy their eSIM too early):

• Airalo Bosnia & Herzegovina Bosher eSIM (best value for money)
• Holafly Bosnia & Herzegovina eSIM (unlimited data eSIMs)
• Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (reasonable extensive global coverage (84+ 130+ countries) at attractive prices + calling and texting options (new))

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly eSIMs – a code is not necessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.

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Buying a SIM Card in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?

Consider getting a Bosnian SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.