Bosnia and Herzegovina Country Code +387
The country calling code for Bosnia and Herzegovina is +387. The national numbering plan uses mostly 8-digit numbers after the country code, with a two-digit area or mobile code followed by a 6-digit subscriber number. Inside the country, 0 is used as a national trunk prefix before the area or mobile code; from abroad, you dial +387 and drop that 0.
A typical landline in Sarajevo is written as +387 33 266 551, where 33 is the area code for the Sarajevo Canton. Fixed lines in Banja Luka start with 51, while mobile numbers generally begin with 6x sequences such as +387 61 234 567. The plan is compatible with ITU-T E.164, so storing numbers in +387 format is recommended for CRMs and cloud PBX platforms.
This page walks through the structure of Bosnian and Herzegovinian phone numbers, how to dial to and from +387, how Central European Time (CET/CEST) affects your meeting schedule with Sarajevo or Mostar, and which emergency numbers (112, 122, 123, 124) are important for business travellers, expats and remote teams working with partners across the Western Balkans.
Example landline (intl.)
+387 33 266 551
+387 (country) · 33 (Sarajevo area) · 6-digit subscriber – 8 digits after the country code.
Example mobile
+387 61 234 567
61 or other 6x prefixes identify mobile operators; most mobile numbers have 8 digits in total.
Time & daylight saving
CET (UTC+1) · CEST (UTC+2)
Bosnia and Herzegovina uses Central European Time, switching to summer time (CEST) each year.
Overview – where +387 is used
The country code +387 is assigned exclusively to Bosnia and Herzegovina, a Southeast European country in the Western Balkans. You will see +387 numbers in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar, Tuzla and other cities on business cards, logistics documents, university contacts, and public-sector portals.
Phone numbers are regulated by the Communications Regulatory Agency (RAK) according to ITU-T E.164 and the national numbering plan. Fixed lines use two-digit area codes such as 33 (Sarajevo) or 51 (Banja Luka), followed by a 6-digit subscriber number. Mobile operators are grouped in 6x prefixes (60–67), again typically followed by 6 subscriber digits.
Locally, Bosnia and Herzegovina uses an open dialing plan: for calls between different areas you dial the trunk prefix 0 plus the area/mobile code, but for international callers the correct form is always +387 + area/mobile code + subscriber. If you import local contact lists into a global system, it is important to remove any leading 0 and convert all records to the +387 format.
Typical +387 use cases in business & travel
- Nearshoring & outsourcing – IT teams, shared service centres and call-centres in Sarajevo and Banja Luka.
- Manufacturing & logistics – factories and warehouses along Pan-European Corridor Vc (port of Ploče – Sarajevo – Budapest).
- Tourism – hotels and tour operators for Mostar, the Adriatic coast gateways, and mountain resorts such as Jahorina.
In many of these sectors, mobiles (6x) are more common than fixed lines; be prepared to handle both reliably in your phone number validation logic.
Bosnia and Herzegovina phone number formats (+387)
Structure: +387 · (0)AA · XXX · XXX (most cases)Bosnia and Herzegovina’s plan is based on a national prefix 0 plus an area/mobile code and a subscriber number. For most fixed and mobile services the national significant number (without +387) has 8 digits total, although the plan can technically accommodate 6–9 digits for special services.
- • General NSN pattern: AA XXX XXX (A = 2–7, X = 0–9).
- • Fixed lines: two-digit geographical area code (e.g. 33, 51) + 6-digit subscriber. Dial as 0AA XXX XXX inside Bosnia or +387 AA XXX XXX from abroad.
- • Mobiles: codes in the 6x range (60–67) + 6-digit subscriber, usually written as 0AB XXX XX domestically and +387 6B XXX XXX internationally.
- • International access from Bosnia: 00 + country code + foreign number.
- • Trunk prefix: 0 before the area/mobile code for domestic long-distance and many mobile calls.
For consistency, store numbers in your databases as +387 followed by the 8-digit NSN. Any local 0 should be considered a formatting prefix only and not part of the canonical number.
Sample Bosnia & Herzegovina numbers
Illustrative onlyExample of a 33 Sarajevo area code plus 6-digit subscriber number. Domestic form: 0 33 266 551.
Area code 51 is associated with Banja Luka and surroundings. Internally dialed as 0 51 321 987.
Mobile prefixes in the 6x range (e.g. 60–67). Domestic format: 0 62 987 654; international format: +387 62 987 654.
How to dial Bosnia and Herzegovina (+387)
1. From the USA or Canada
To call Bosnia and Herzegovina from North America, use the international prefix 011, then country code 387, then the area/mobile code and subscriber number (without the leading 0).
- Dial 011 – US/Canada exit code.
- Dial 387 – Bosnia and Herzegovina country code.
- Dial the 8-digit national number (AA XXX XXX).
Example (New York → Sarajevo landline 0 33 266 551): 011 387 33 266 551.
2. From the UK, EU or neighbouring countries
In most of Europe and many other countries, the international access code is 00.
- Dial 00 – international access code.
- Dial 387 – Bosnia and Herzegovina country code.
- Dial the 8-digit number (no leading 0).
Example (London → mobile 0 61 234 567): 00 387 61 234 567.
3. Dialing within Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Local fixed-line call (same area): often only the subscriber number is needed according to the open plan; many users still dial the full 0AA XXX XXX out of habit.
- Fixed → other area: 0 + area code + subscriber. Example: 0 51 321 987 (Banja Luka).
- To mobiles: 0 + mobile code (6x) + subscriber, e.g. 0 61 234 567.
- International from Bosnia: 00 + country code + number.
For example, Sarajevo → Vienna fixed line: 00 43 1 XXX XXXX.
Tip: whenever you see a local number written as 0AA XXX XXX, remove the leading 0 and prepend +387 for use in address books, cloud telephony systems and international messaging.
Time in Bosnia and Herzegovina – CET / CEST (Europe/Sarajevo)
Bosnia and Herzegovina follows the standard Central European pattern: Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) during daylight saving time. The IANA time zone identifier is Europe/Sarajevo.
Clocks typically move forward by one hour at the end of March and move back again at the end of October, in line with EU practice. That means the time difference between Sarajevo and your city may change twice a year even if Bosnia and Herzegovina itself does not change time zone.
If you schedule regular calls with partners or teams in Bosnia, configure your calendar to use Europe/Sarajevo and check overlap windows when your own country starts or ends daylight saving time.
Typical time differences vs Sarajevo
| City | Zone | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| London | UTC / GMT · BST | Sarajevo is usually +1h ahead; same offset as most of Western Europe. |
| New York | ET (UTC-5 / -4) | Sarajevo is +6h in winter and +5h when New York is on daylight saving time. |
| Beijing | UTC+8 | Sarajevo is −7h in winter, −6h in Bosnian summer time. |
| São Paulo | BRT (UTC-3) | Sarajevo is +4h when both are on standard time (no DST in Brazil currently). |
For B2B calls, a common meeting window is late morning in Sarajevo, which overlaps with early day in the UK and early afternoon in the Middle East.
Emergency numbers in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina implements the European Union–style 112 number for general emergencies, as well as dedicated three-digit codes for specific services. As a visitor or remote worker, the most important numbers to know are 112 (all emergencies), 122 (police), 123 (fire) and 124 (ambulance).
General emergency
112
EU-standard general emergency number that can connect you to police, fire or medical services depending on the situation. Recommended if you are unsure which specific number to use.
Police
122
For reporting crimes, threats, assaults or serious incidents requiring police intervention.
Fire & ambulance
Fire: 123
Ambulance: 124
123 connects to the fire brigade; 124 is used for medical emergencies and ambulances in most cities and regions.
Other special codes exist for civil protection, SOS hotlines and road assistance. When in doubt, use 112 or consult local authorities or your embassy’s travel advice.
Example: calling +387 numbers
US (Chicago) → Sarajevo office (fixed)
Office lists its number locally as: 0 33 266 551.
- Remove the leading 0.
- Add the country code +387.
- From the US, dial 011 387 33 266 551.
Result: 011 387 33 266 551
Germany (Berlin) → mobile in Mostar
Partner’s mobile: +387 62 987 654.
- From Germany, dial 00.
- Dial 387.
- Dial 62 987 654.
Result: 00 387 62 987 654
Sarajevo → Banja Luka (domestic fixed)
Banja Luka office: 051 321 987 often printed as 051 321 987.
- Caller is in a different area (Sarajevo → Banja Luka).
- Dial trunk prefix 0.
- Dial area code 51 + subscriber.
Full domestic format: 0 51 321 987 .
Bosnia and Herzegovina country code +387 – FAQ
How many digits are in a Bosnia and Herzegovina phone number?
Most standard fixed and mobile numbers in Bosnia and Herzegovina use an 8-digit national number (NSN) after the +387 country code, structured as two-digit area or mobile code + 6-digit subscriber number. Some service numbers and short codes have different lengths.
Do I dial a leading 0 when calling from abroad?
No. The leading 0 is a domestic trunk prefix only. When you call from another country, remove the 0 and dial +387 followed by the area/mobile code and subscriber number. Example: 0 33 266 551 → +387 33 266 551.
How can I tell if a +387 number is mobile or fixed?
Look at the two-digit code after +387. 33, 51, 35, 32 and similar codes represent geographic fixed-line areas, while mobiles typically use 60–67. For example, +387 33 … is a Sarajevo fixed line, while +387 61 … is a mobile.
Does Bosnia and Herzegovina observe daylight saving time?
Yes. Bosnia and Herzegovina switches between CET (UTC+1) in winter and CEST (UTC+2) in summer, in sync with the EU. If your country doesn’t change clocks at the same time, the time difference with Sarajevo can shift by one hour.
Which emergency number should I use as a visitor?
You can dial 112 for any emergency and be routed to the appropriate service. If you prefer dedicated numbers, use 122 for police, 123 for fire and 124 for ambulance. These codes work nationwide and from most phones.
Are calls to Bosnia and Herzegovina expensive? How can I save?
International calls to +387 can be moderately priced from Europe but more expensive from overseas mobile plans. To reduce costs, many businesses rely on VoIP providers, cloud PBXs, local access numbers or Bosnian virtual numbers. For frequent on-the-ground work, consider local SIM/eSIM options so you can call +387 numbers at domestic rates while inside the country.
Download the Bosnia and Herzegovina (+387) dialing & time zone cheat sheet
Export this page as a one-page PDF to keep Bosnia’s +387 country code, fixed and mobile formats, CET/CEST time zone and emergency numbers 112 / 122 / 123 / 124 handy for your support teams, account managers, logistics staff and travel coordinators.