Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Temporary residence (property ownership)
Bosnia and Herzegovina grants temporary residence for up to 12 months, renewable, if you have a lawful basis and enough money to live without welfare. Buying residential or commercial property is common, but ownership alone is usually not enough. You also need a real link to the country, such as family living there, children in local schools, pension activity, or similar ties. Apply at the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs office for your property area with insurance, police certificates, and proof of funds.
Key requirements
We pair a monthly income figure with a savings buffer because many approved files show both housing and liquid funds, even though Bosnian law does not publish one golden visa price.
- Income we use for estimates~$850 / month (estimate)
- SavingsOften ~$14,000+
- Accepted income typesPassive income, Pension, Savings only, Remote salary, Freelance income
- Remote work allowedNo
- Local employment allowedNo
- Health insuranceUsually required
- Criminal record checkUsually required
- Accommodation proofUsually required
- Bank accountUsually required
- Processing (rough)Several weeks to a few months (depends on entity and office backlog)
How to get temporary residence in Bosnia with property
Owning property helps, but you also need a real link to the country, proof you can support yourself, insurance, and a file with the foreigners’ affairs office.
Before you start
Property alone is not enough
You usually must also show a genuine link, such as family, school, pension, business, or diaspora ties, alongside the deed.
This permit does not allow local work by default
Temporary residence on passive or property grounds does not automatically let you work in Bosnia. Local hiring usually needs extra steps.
Forms and timelines differ between Federation, Republika Srpska, and Brčko. Use the office that covers your municipality.
Notaries, land registry, and foreigners’ affairs offices work on different timelines. Stamp and translate papers early so nothing expires before you file.
- 1
Find your foreigners’ affairs office
Locate the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs for the municipality where the property sits and download its current checklist.
- 2
Complete the property purchase cleanly
Use a notary for land registry excerpts, liens, and registration so ownership papers match immigration forms.
- 3
Prove your link beyond ownership
Collect papers for the tie you will argue: family, school, business, pension, diaspora origin, or similar.
- 4
Show funds and buy insurance
Prepare bank statements or income proof and medical coverage for the period you request.
- 5
Get police records translated
Obtain criminal records from required countries, then apostille and sworn-translate them for BiH.
- 6
Submit the residence application
File forms, photos, passport copies, property proof, connection documents, and fees per office instructions.
- 7
Complete biometrics and ID card
Follow local steps for photos, fingerprints, and card collection after approval.
- 8
Register your address
After move-in, complete any foreigner address registration and keep proof for renewals.
- 9
Renew before the permit expires
Refresh financial proof, insurance, and evidence that your link to BiH is still real.
- 10
Plan permanent residence separately
If permanent residence is your goal, track lawful years, absences, and any language rules with local counsel when you qualify.
This is general information, not legal advice. Bosnian entity-level rules and office guidance change. Confirm requirements with the competent Service for Foreigners’ Affairs and local counsel before buying property for immigration.
Pathway last reviewed: 2026-05-15
Citizenship & nationality
BiH has no single national immigration portal. Republika Srpska, the Federation, and Brčko each run foreigners offices with similar ideas but different habits. EU citizens face lighter rules. Others should expect heavy paperwork like other Western Balkan countries.
- •Property marketing often skips the genuine connection rule. Bring proof beyond the title deed: family, business, schooling, pension, origin, or other lasting ties where your case allows.
- •Expect bank proof of support, valid health insurance, and a clean criminal record with apostille and translation.
- •Local employment usually needs separate work permission. A property-based temporary stay does not automatically let you work.
- •Reciprocity and land-registry rules can affect foreign buyers. Check notary and registry advice before you rely only on the apartment.
Confirm the checklist for the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs office in your municipality, including whether you must bring originals or certified copies on filing day.
What our quiz assumes
Open to most nationalities in our quiz
We do not list passport exclusions for this route yet. Always check official rules for your country.
Best for
- •People planning to stay several years with a clear residence record
Long-term path
- Permanent residence: Yes
- Citizenship: Possible, but depends on your case
Lawyers often describe several years of temporary residence before permanent residence. You need to stay legally and keep documents current. Confirm waiting periods on the official foreigners law page for your filing year.
Practical difficulty
medium
Rough guide only. Your case depends on papers, timing, and rule changes.
Medium mainly means discretion on your connection to BiH and different rules by entity, not one investment threshold.
Note
If your only link is a holiday flat you rarely use, many lawyers advise adding another lawful ground such as company, job, or family rather than relying on the deed alone.
Last reviewed (content freshness): 2026-05-15
Visa rules change. Check government websites before you apply.
Comments on Bosnia and Herzegovina - Temporary residence (property ownership)
Loading comments…