Moving Guide

Moving to BiH requires less preparation than most European countries, but a few essentials will make your transition smooth. The key decisions are: which city (Sarajevo vs. Mostar), how long you plan to stay, and whether you'll register a business for long-term residency.

Your first week should focus on getting set up with the basics: SIM card, transportation, and beginning the apartment hunt. Sarajevo and Mostar are compact enough that you can accomplish a lot on foot, and the low costs mean you can settle in without financial stress.

Once you have your apartment, you'll need to set up a few essential services. Most of these are quick and straightforward in BiH — the country's informal economy means fewer forms and shorter queues than you'd face in Western Europe.

Most expats moving to BiH travel light and buy what they need locally, given the low furniture and household goods prices. If you need to ship belongings, expect customs clearance to be the main challenge — BiH customs can be slow and occasionally unpredictable.