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THE CITIZENSHIP DESK

Bosnia and Herzegovina

BIH

Bosnia and Herzegovina is an EU candidate country with a complex post-Dayton governance structure (Federation of B&H + Republika Srpska + Brčko District). Residency is administered separately by entity. Bosnian passport holders enjoy visa-free Schengen access. Long-stay residency for foreigners is via employment, family reunification, or business investment; investor-residency thresholds vary by entity. The Bosnian diaspora is large (~2 million worldwide, particularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the US, Australia, and Sweden — a legacy of the 1992-95 war) and reacquisition pathways exist. Sarajevo and Mostar have growing remote-worker scenes despite the absence of a formal digital-nomad visa.

Passport Rank

#44

Visa-Free

121

destinations

Country Details

Capital
Sarajevo
Currency
Convertible mark (BAM)
Languages
Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Population
3,230,000
Tax System
Residence Based
Dual Citizenship
Allowed
Naturalisation
8 years
Schengen / EU
No
Climate
Continental / Mediterranean
English Proficiency Rank
#35

Indices

Cost of Living

38

Safety

65

Healthcare

50

Quality of Life

100

Tax Summary

Tax System
Residence Based
Territorial Taxation
No — worldwide income taxed for residents
Naturalisation
8 years of legal residency
Dual Citizenship
Allowed

Cost of Living by City

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Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
CityRent 1BR centreRent outsideGroceriesUtilitiesTransit pass
Sarajevo$380$250$220$130$28

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Naturalisation Details

Residence Years
8
Language Test
Yes (Bosnian / Croatian / Serbian conversational)
Civic Test
No
Oath Required
Yes
Dual Allowed
Yes
Fee
$250
Processing
~18 months

International Schools

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International schools by city, curriculum, and annual tuition
SchoolCityCurriculumTuition (USD/yr)
QSI International School of SarajevoSarajevoAmerican / IB$9,000–$16,000

Daily Life Logistics

Internet

35 Mbps median

35% fibre coverage

eSIM: BH Telecom, m:tel, HT Eronet

LGBTQ+ Legal Status

Same-Sex Marriage
Not legal
Civil Partnerships
Not recognised
Anti-Discrimination Law
Yes
ILGA Rank
#42

Religious Life

Halal Food
Widely available
Kosher Food
Limited
Prayer Facilities
Common

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