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Granted for reasons such as family reunification, property ownership, or humanitarian grounds. Does not include work authorization; a separate work permit is required to take employment in Bosnia.
Combined permit for employed foreigners. The employer must first obtain a work permit from the Employment Bureau before the employee can apply for a residence permit. Open to all nationalities.
Available after 5 years of continuous lawful residence. Applicants must demonstrate stable income, accommodation, and clean criminal record. Grants full right to live and work permanently in Bosnia.
Bosnia and Herzegovina allows citizens of the EU, US, Canada, and many other countries to enter visa-free for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Long-term stays require a temporary residence permit issued by the Ministry of Security, which must be applied for at a local police station within 15 days of arrival. Bosnia is not yet an EU member state, meaning EU freedom of movement rules do not apply.
Foreign nationals wishing to work in Bosnia and Herzegovina must obtain a combined work and residence permit, typically sponsored by the employing company. The process involves submitting applications to the local employment bureau and Ministry of Security, and can take four to eight weeks. There are separate procedures for the Federation of BiH and Republika Srpska entities.
Spouses and minor children of temporary residence permit holders may apply for family reunification permits at the local administrative authority. Dependent family members receive residence permits valid for the same period as the primary holder and may apply for work authorization separately.
Bosnia has a flat personal income tax rate of 10% in both the Federation of BiH and Republika Srpska, making it one of the most competitive tax environments in the Balkans. Corporate tax is also a flat 10%, and VAT is set at 17% and administered centrally by the Indirect Taxation Authority. There is no wealth tax or capital gains tax at the entity level.
Bosnia's public healthcare system is accessible to residents with health insurance contributions, but quality and availability can vary significantly between urban and rural areas. Expatriates are advised to maintain international health insurance for access to private clinics and specialist care, particularly in Sarajevo and Banja Luka.
Bosnia has a functioning banking sector with several international banks including Raiffeisen, UniCredit, and Sparkasse operating alongside local institutions. Non-residents can open accounts with a valid passport and proof of address; online banking is widely available and euro-denominated accounts are common.
Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have a formal investor visa program, but foreign investors can obtain temporary residence by establishing or investing in a Bosnian company. The country offers low flat corporate tax rates and an improving business climate as it pursues EU candidacy. The permit is renewable as long as the registered business remains active.