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Bosnia and Herzegovina · Relocation guide

Moving to Bosnia and Herzegovina: a practical relocation guide

Bosnia and Herzegovina requires residence registration and, for ordinary paid work, an employer-obtained work permit followed by temporary residence before work starts. Entity and cantonal administration makes the exact local office part of the plan.

Content updated 12 September 2026. Individual source-check dates are listed below.

Choose the ground and the competent local authority

The Service for Foreigners' Affairs decides temporary residence on statutory grounds including work, family, education and real-estate ownership. First applications are normally made abroad through a diplomatic mission; limited applicants, including qualifying visa-free entrants or D-visa holders, may file inside the country.

Work administration also involves the competent entity or cantonal employment authority. Confirm the office for the job and home instead of assuming one national counter completes every step.

Choose the ground and the competent local authority
SituationRoute to examineSequence
Paid local workTemporary Residence for Employment with Work PermitEmployer gets the work permit; worker gets temporary residence; only then does work begin.
Qualifying exempt workTemporary Residence for Work without Work PermitUse only a specific statutory exemption confirmed by SFA.
Family reunionTemporary Residence for Family ReunificationEach dependant files relationship, accommodation, means and insurance evidence.

Register the address within the correct window

A private host or foreigner staying more than three days must report the stay to SFA or police within 48 hours of entry. Registered accommodation providers report guests; obtain the registration certificate or paid bill.

After temporary residence is granted, the holder must register residence and later address changes within 48 hours. Use a written lease and keep proof of the right to occupy the address.

Do not work between the two approvals

The employer obtains the work permit first. The worker then applies for temporary residence and may not start merely because the employment authority issued the work permit; SFA says temporary residence must also be granted unless a legal exception applies.

Work is limited to the workplace or type of work supporting the permit. A job change can therefore require fresh employment and residence action.

Identify the entity-level health and tax systems

Health insurance and social contributions are administered through the relevant entity and, in the Federation, often cantonal institutions. Ask payroll for the exact fund and obtain active-coverage evidence for every dependant before cancelling other insurance.

Tax registration and residence also depend on the competent administration and applicable treaty. Keep days and foreign-income records and seek advice that covers the actual entity or Brcko District.

Prepare family, school and banking files

Bring authenticated civil records and translations requested by SFA. Family residence, school admission and health enrolment are separate and each family member needs a documented status.

Contact the local education ministry or school because curricula and administration vary. Banks set passport, address, tax-residence and source-of-funds checks; compare requirements before routing salary or rent.

Plan renewal, driving and mine awareness

Permanent residence generally requires five years of uninterrupted temporary residence plus funds, accommodation, insurance, language and other conditions. Do not count every temporary category equally without SFA confirmation.

Check driving-licence recognition with the competent interior ministry. Current safety advice continues to warn of landmines and unexploded ordnance away from cleared roads and populated areas; follow local signage and current advice.

Your moving checklist

Tick off the tasks that apply to you. The timing is a planning order, not a substitute for the deadlines on your permission or an official instruction.

0 of 13 tasks completed

Before you move
On arrival
Your first month
Later and before renewal

Sources and checks

The linked authorities set the rules. VisaAtlas explains how the steps fit together; planning suggestions are not a decision on your immigration status, tax residence or entitlement to services.

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