Visa & Residency

Bosnia & Herzegovina offers several pathways for expats to stay legally, though the country lacks the streamlined digital nomad visas found in some EU neighbors. Most Western passport holders enjoy 90 days visa-free, and longer stays require either a temporary residence permit through employment, business registration, or family ties.

Citizens of the EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, and many other countries can enter Bosnia & Herzegovina without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This makes it easy to explore the country before committing to a longer stay, though working remotely during this period exists in a legal grey area.

For stays beyond 90 days, expats need a temporary residence permit (privremeni boravak). The most practical route for freelancers and remote workers is to register a local business (d.o.o.), which then provides the legal basis for a residence permit. The process involves several bureaucratic steps but is manageable with local legal help.

After 5 years of continuous legal temporary residence, expats can apply for permanent residence (stalni boravak). Citizenship is theoretically possible but the process is complex and BiH generally does not permit dual citizenship, which deters many Western expats from pursuing it.