Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA)

Register your address with the local police (MUP)

All persons arriving in BiH must register their place of stay (prijava boravišta) within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels register guests automatically. If staying at a private address (rental, friend's flat, Airbnb), your host must register you at the local police station (policijska stanica). This is a legal requirement and is checked during residence permit applications and any police encounters.

Confirm your employer has registered you for health insurance

Your employer must register you with the cantonal health insurance fund (Zavod zdravstvenog osiguranja) within 8 days of your employment start date. Once registered, you receive a health insurance card (karton zdravstvenog osiguranja) enabling access to the public healthcare system. Confirm this has been done and collect your health card.

Apply for Temporary Residence Permit before 90-day visa-free period expires

If you plan to stay in BiH beyond 90 days, you must apply for a Temporary Residence Permit (Odobrenje privremenog boravka) before your visa-free period expires. The permit is valid for up to 1 year and must specify the purpose of stay (work, family, self-sufficiency, study). Apply at the MUP Foreigners Affairs Unit in your municipality.

Renew your Temporary Residence Permit at least 30 days before expiry

Temporary Residence Permits must be renewed annually. Begin the renewal process at least 30 days before expiry. Gather updated documents: new criminal background check (within 6 months), updated income proof, renewed health insurance and current rental contract. Submit the same documentation package as the initial application with updated evidence.

Exchange your foreign driving licence for a BiH licence within 12 months of residence

After establishing legal residence in BiH, you have 12 months to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Bosnian one (inostranu vozačku dozvolu zamijeni za vozačku dozvolu BiH). After 12 months, driving on a foreign licence as a resident may result in fines. Exchange requires a valid residence permit, medical certificate and fees.

Enrol children in school — international or local

For families: enrol children in school immediately after arriving. International schools (QSI, British School Sarajevo) offer English-medium education from Pre-K through Grade 12. Public schools (osnovna škola) are free but teach in Bosnian only. Apply to QSI/British School early — they have limited capacity and waiting lists.

Ensure your work permit (radna dozvola) is in place before starting work

Non-EU/EEA nationals (and practically all foreigners) must have a work permit (radna dozvola) before legally starting work in BiH. The work permit is employer-specific — changing jobs requires a new permit. Your employer applies for the work permit from the entity Employment Service and must demonstrate the role could not be filled by a BiH citizen (labour market test).

Apply for family reunification residence permits for dependents

If you have a valid temporary or permanent residence permit, your spouse and dependent minor children can apply for family reunification Temporary Residence Permits. Applications are separate for each family member. Process similar to your own residence application.

Purchase mandatory third-party vehicle insurance (osiguranje od autoodgovornosti)

All vehicles on Bosnian roads must have valid third-party liability insurance (osiguranje od autoodgovornosti — OAO). Driving without it is illegal and results in fines and vehicle confiscation. Insurance must be purchased before registration. Purchase from any licensed insurance company — comparison available online or at insurance offices.

Prepare pet import documents — microchip, rabies vaccination and EU Pet Passport

Bringing a dog, cat or ferret to BiH requires: ISO 11784/11785 microchip (implanted before first rabies vaccination), valid rabies vaccination recorded in an EU Pet Passport or official veterinary certificate, and a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. EU Pet Passports are accepted directly at all BiH border crossings.

Register your dog with the local municipality

Dogs must be registered with the local municipality (opština) in Sarajevo and most cities. Registration requires the dog's vaccination certificate and microchip number. A registration tag (registarska markica) is issued annually. Fee is nominal (KM 5–20/year).

Register an obrt (sole trader business) if self-employed or freelancing locally

If you plan to do freelance work for BiH clients, run an online business through a BiH entity, or invoice BiH companies, you need to register a legal business form. The simplest is an Obrt (sole trader/craft business) in FBiH or a registered sole trader in RS. Registration requires your residence permit, JMB number and professional certificate if required.

File annual income tax return (Godišnja prijava poreza)

Self-employed persons, business owners and those with multiple income sources must file an annual income tax return (Godišnja prijava poreza na dohodak) by 31 March of the following year. Employees whose only income is salary from a registered employer may not need to file if the employer withheld correctly — confirm with the tax authority.

Register at the Employment Service if made redundant

If you lose your job through redundancy (not disciplinary dismissal), register with the cantonal Employment Service (Zavod za zapošljavanje) within 30 days of losing employment. This activates your right to unemployment benefit (naknada za nezaposlenost) — approximately 40–50% of your average last salary for up to 6 months (depending on contribution history).

Prepare apostilled copies of all key personal documents before arrival

BiH authorities require apostille-certified and officially translated versions of most foreign documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance (criminal record), academic qualifications, medical records and employment references. Obtain apostilles before arriving — the process from abroad is much slower and more expensive. Each apostilled document must then be translated by a certified sworn translator (sudski tumač) in BiH.

Issue a power of attorney (punomoć) if managing affairs remotely

If you need someone to act on your behalf (sign documents, manage property, represent you at government offices) while you are abroad, issue a notarially certified Power of Attorney (punomoć) through a BiH notary. This is commonly used for property purchase/sale, company matters and administrative procedures.

Open a Bosnian bank account

A local BAM bank account is essential for receiving salary, paying rent and utilities, and conducting day-to-day transactions. Raiffeisen Bank BH is the most expat-friendly — English-speaking staff at main Sarajevo branches, solid online banking and the largest ATM network. You need a Temporary Residence Permit (or Permanent Residence Permit) and your JMB number to open an account.

Set up a Wise account for international transfers and low-fee ATM withdrawals

Wise provides the best EUR/BAM conversion at the fixed mid-market rate (1.95583 BAM = 1 EUR), far better than bank counter rates. Essential for receiving foreign income, transferring money to/from family abroad and paying for international services. The Wise debit card works at all BiH ATMs with minimal fees.

Get a local SIM card (BH Telecom or m:tel)

A local Bosnian phone number is essential — required for banking, government portals, WhatsApp communication with landlords/employers and local apps. BH Telecom provides best coverage in Sarajevo and FBiH. m:tel is best in RS. Prepaid SIMs are available at all operator shops and many kiosks.

Set up home fibre internet

Fibre broadband (optical internet) is widely available in Sarajevo and other cities. BH Telecom and Telemach are the main providers. Speeds of 100–500 Mbps available at KM 25–45/month. Set up a contract as soon as your rental is confirmed.

Do an orientation walk through Sarajevo's key areas and find essential services

Orientate yourself in your first week: locate your nearest Dom zdravlja (health centre), Pijaca market, bank branch, ATM, pharmacy, supermarket, police station, post office (Pošta BiH) and tram stop. Sarajevo is a compact and walkable city — most things are within 30 minutes.

Save all emergency and essential numbers in your phone

Save all essential numbers before you need them: 112 (general emergency), 122 (police), 123 (fire), 124 (ambulance), BIHAMK 1282 (roadside assistance), your embassy contact number, your insurer's 24-hour emergency number and your doctor's number.

Create an account on moj.ba (FBiH e-government portal)

The moj.ba portal allows online requests for birth certificates, property extracts, administrative documents and service payments in the Federation of BiH. Creating an account (requires JMB and activation) saves time compared to in-person visits for routine document requests.

Set up a VPN for accessing home country streaming and services

BiH internet access is unrestricted and VPN use is legal. A VPN is useful for accessing home country Netflix, BBC iPlayer, banking websites that block non-home-country IP addresses, and other geo-restricted services. Set one up before leaving your home country.

Apply for public vrtić (kindergarten) early — waiting lists are long

Public kindergartens (vrtić/jaslice) are heavily subsidised (KM 100–250/month) but heavily oversubscribed in Sarajevo. Apply to your municipality immediately after arriving. Private kindergartens offer shorter waiting times at KM 300–600/month. International pre-school (QSI, British School) accepts from age 3 at EUR 700–1,200/month.

Verify your first payslip includes health, pension and unemployment contributions

Your first payslip (obračun plate) should show: gross salary, deductions for pension (PIO 17%), health (ZO 12.5%), unemployment insurance (NZ 1.5%), and income tax (10% on taxable base after personal deduction). Confirm with HR that you are registered on the payroll and that social contributions are being paid. This is your evidence of legal employment.

Apply for child benefit (dječji doplatak) if income-eligible

Foreign residents with children and income below the threshold are eligible for monthly child benefit (dječji doplatak) in BiH. Amounts are modest (KM 30–80/month per child) but worth claiming if eligible. Apply at the Centar za socijalni rad in your municipality.

Set a realistic monthly budget for life in BiH

BiH is among the cheapest countries in Europe — a comfortable single-person lifestyle costs KM 1,800–3,500/month in Sarajevo (rent KM 500–900, food KM 400–600, transport KM 50–150, utilities KM 100–200, leisure KM 200–400). A family of four can live well on KM 4,000–6,000/month. Knowing your budget helps negotiate salary, rental and financial independence applications.

Research BiH property investment opportunities as a long-term asset

Sarajevo property prices are among the lowest in Europe (KM 80,000–140,000 for a 1-bedroom apartment). Rental yields of 4–7% are competitive. Foreigners (including most Western nationals) can buy property. However, title due diligence is critical due to post-war property rights complexity. Always use an independent lawyer for any purchase.

Register with a family doctor at your local Dom zdravlja

Once you have a health insurance card, register with a family doctor (izabrani doktor / porodični ljekar) at the Dom zdravlja in your municipality. This is your primary care doctor for all medical referrals, sick certificates, and prescription requests.

Sign a written rental contract and verify the landlord is the owner

Always insist on a written rental contract (ugovor o najmu). Before signing, verify the landlord's identity and ownership of the property by checking the Land Registry (Gruntovnica or Katastar) extract. This confirms the correct owner and any encumbrances (mortgage, co-ownership). Never pay a deposit to someone who cannot prove they own or have authority over the property.

Set up utility accounts and take meter readings on move-in

When moving into a rental, photograph all utility meters (electricity, gas, water) and record readings with date and time. Ensure utility accounts are transferred to your name or that bills are clearly your landlord's responsibility (specified in the contract). Set up your own internet contract with BH Telecom or Telemach. Obtain copies of all utility account numbers.

Arrange international private health insurance

Private international health insurance is strongly recommended for all expats in BiH. The public system has gaps in dental, optical, specialist and emergency evacuation coverage. For non-employed expats on self-sufficiency residence, private insurance is required. For employed expats, private insurance supplements the public system significantly. Eurofarm and Medicus private hospitals in Sarajevo require insurance or payment at point of service.

Get renters contents insurance for your apartment

Renters contents insurance (domaćinsko osiguranje) covers your personal belongings against theft, fire, flooding and other damage. Not mandatory but highly recommended given the informal rental market and absence of deposit protection. Annual premiums are very affordable.

Learn basic Bosnian phrases before and after arrival

Bosnian (identical to Croatian/Serbian for practical purposes) is the key to unlocking daily life, building local friendships and navigating official processes. Even 100 basic words significantly improves your daily experience and generates enormous goodwill from Bosnian people. Online resources: Duolingo (Serbian course), Pimsleur Bosnian, YouTube channels.

Enrol in a formal Bosnian language course

For expats planning a long stay (1 year+), a structured language course dramatically improves quality of life, career prospects and integration. IBLV Sarajevo (Institut za bosanski jezik i književnost) offers courses from A1 to C1 aligned with the Common European Framework. Group courses are affordable at KM 200–500 per level.

Consult an independent lawyer for contract and rights review

Before signing any major contract (employment, rental, property purchase, business partnership) or if you face any legal issue, consult an independent Bosnian lawyer (advokat). The Advokatska komora FBiH directory lists all licensed lawyers by speciality. For immigration issues, some lawyers specialise in foreigners' rights.

Check BHMAC mine risk maps before any off-trail outdoor activities

Post-war landmines are still present in certain rural areas of BiH. The Bosnia Mine Action Centre (BHMAC) publishes risk maps of remaining Suspect Hazardous Areas (SHA). Before any hiking, mountain biking or rural exploration off established paths, check whether your area of interest is on the risk map.

Register with your home country embassy in Sarajevo

Register with your home country's embassy or consulate in Sarajevo (or the nearest competent mission). Most countries offer online registration systems (e.g., UK FCDO's LOCATE, US STEP). Registration enables consular assistance, emergency evacuation notification and vote-from-abroad arrangements.

Understand BiH tax residency rules and your obligations

If you spend more than 183 days in BiH in a calendar year or establish permanent residence, you become a BiH tax resident and are theoretically taxable on worldwide income at a flat 10% rate. In practice, enforcement of foreign income taxation is limited, but you should understand the rules and consider your position. BiH has double taxation agreements with ~42 countries.

Install Bolt and set up for local transport

Bolt is the dominant ride-hailing app in Sarajevo, Mostar and Banja Luka. Always use Bolt (or Yango) instead of flagging street taxis — safer, price is fixed upfront, payment is cashless. The app is essential for daily transport.

Get a monthly public transport pass for Sarajevo trams and buses

If you live and work in Sarajevo, a monthly pass (mjesečna karta) covers unlimited tram, trolleybus and urban bus rides for KM 47/month — much cheaper than single-fare tickets (KM 1.80 each). Passes are available at kiosks and KJKP service points.

Check eligibility for disability benefit or reduced health participation fees

Foreigners with a chronic illness, disability or long-term medical condition may qualify for reduced or waived health insurance participation fees (participacija), additional social assistance, or disability benefit (invalidnina) if contributions have been paid. Self-employed persons with low income and those with interrupted contribution periods should also check their benefit status. Apply at the Centar za socijalni rad in your municipality.