Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA)
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a Balkan gem combining Ottoman heritage, Habsburg architecture, Adriatic mountain scenery, and one of the lowest costs of living in Europe.
Capital: Sarajevo
Region: Europe
Language: Bosnian
Currency: BAM (KM)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 27)
Emergency: 112
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Professional Services
Finding lawyers, accountants, doctors and other professionals in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The professional services market in Sarajevo is split between FBiH and RS entity licensing — most expats in Sarajevo access FBiH-licensed professionals. Quality is generally good in Sarajevo at a fraction of Western European prices. The informal referral network (veze — connections) is very important; personal recommendations from the expat community are more reliable than directory listings alone. Always agree fees in writing before engaging any professional. For complex cross-border matters (property, taxation, inheritance), consider engaging professionals in both BiH and your home country.
Language options: English-speaking lawyers, accountants and medical specialists are available in Sarajevo but less common than in major EU capitals — ask your expat network for recommendations. Some professionals speak German, French or Italian (especially those who studied abroad). The Expats in Sarajevo Facebook group and InterNations Sarajevo maintain current recommendations. For government-facing services (court filings, official submissions), a certified sworn translator (sudski tumač) may be needed for foreign documents.
Lawyer (Advokat / Odvjetnik)
Consultation: KM 50–150/hour. Property transaction: KM 300–1,000 flat fee. Business formation (DOO): KM 400–1,500. Immigration/visa assistance: KM 200–600. Employment dispute: KM 300–1,000. How to find: Advokatska komora FBiH (advokatskakomora.ba) and Advokatska komora RS (advokatska-komora.org) maintain registers of all licensed lawyers. Referrals from international organisations (UN, EUFOR, OSCE) or embassies are reliable starting points. The Expats in Sarajevo Facebook group maintains up-to-date recommendations for English-speaking lawyers.
Advokatska komora FBiH (advokatskakomora.ba)Advokatska komora RS (advokatska-komora.org)
💡 For property purchases: always use your own independent lawyer — not the seller's or agent's lawyer. Some Sarajevo lawyers have studied in Austria or Germany and speak fluent German or English. For immigration matters, licensed lawyers are preferable to immigration consultants — legal accountability is higher.
Certified Accountant (Ovlašteni računovođa)
Monthly bookkeeping (small DOO): KM 150–400/month. Annual income tax return (self-employed individual): KM 100–300. Payroll administration per employee: KM 30–60/month. VAT (PDV) monthly filing: KM 80–200. Company audit (if required): KM 1,500–5,000+. How to find: Savez računovođa i revizora FBiH (srr-fbih.org.ba) and Savez računovođa i revizora RS maintain registers of certified accountants. Referrals from other expat business owners are the most reliable way to find a good fit. Many accounting firms serve clients across both entities.
Savez računovođa i revizora FBiH (srr-fbih.org.ba)Savez računovođa i revizora RS
💡 A certified accountant (ovlašteni računovođa) is essential for DOO companies and self-employed persons. For simple individual tax returns, a bookkeeper is cheaper. The "ovlašteni" designation indicates a qualified and regulated professional. International firms (Deloitte, PwC, KPMG) have Sarajevo offices but focus on large corporate clients.
Notary (Notar)
Power of attorney (punomoć): KM 30–80. Property deed authentication: KM 100–400 (based on transaction value per regulated tariff). Company founding act: KM 200–600. Will certification: KM 100–300. How to find: Notarska komora FBiH (notarskakomorafbih.ba) and Notarska komora RS maintain directories of all licensed notaries by location. Choose a notary near the property or transaction location for convenience.
Notarska komora FBiH (notarskakomorafbih.ba)Notarska komora RS
💡 Notary fees in BiH are regulated by a government-set tariff — you cannot negotiate the fee. Notaries are required for property purchase contracts, powers of attorney, company formation, and will certification. Bring original documents and valid ID to every appointment. Notaries can usually arrange certified translations of foreign documents if needed.
Real Estate Agent (Posrednik za nekretnine)
Rental: typically 1 month's rent commission, sometimes split between tenant and landlord. Purchase: 2–4% of transaction value (sometimes negotiable; some listings are bezprovizija — no commission). How to find: No centralised licensing registry — use referrals. Reliable platforms: Nekretnine.ba, City Expert Sarajevo, RE/MAX Bosnia. The Expats in Sarajevo Facebook group and InterNations Sarajevo group list trusted agents with expat experience.
💡 Always use an independent lawyer for any property purchase — do not rely solely on the agent. Title verification at the Land Registry (Gruntovnica) is critical before any purchase agreement. Some bezprovizija listings on Nekretnine.ba come directly from owners and reduce costs.
Employment Lawyer (Advokat — radno pravo)
Consultation: KM 80–200/hour. Employment contract review: KM 200–600 flat fee. Labour dispute representation: KM 500–3,000+ depending on complexity and court involvement. How to find: Advokatska komora FBiH (advokatskakomora.ba) and Advokatska komora RS maintain registers by specialisation. Referrals from other expat employees or international organisations are more reliable than directory cold-searches. The Expats in Sarajevo Facebook group maintains recommendations for English-speaking labour law practitioners.
Advokatska komora FBiH (advokatskakomora.ba)Advokatska komora RS (advokatska-komora.org)
💡 BiH employment law is split by entity — FBiH and RS have separate labour codes. Engage an employment lawyer at the start of any contract dispute, redundancy process, or non-compete issue. The Ministry of Labour can mediate straightforward wage claims before litigation.
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