Permanent residence
Foreigners who have lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina continuously for at least five years on temporary residence can apply for permanent residence. Applicants need steady funds, housing, health insurance, knowledge of an official language and a clean record. Permanent residence has no time limit. Some types of temporary residence do not count.
Life in Bosnia & Herzegovina
Money
3
Currency
Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark
BAM
Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark
Cost of living
44
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
Flat 10%
Income tax (national)
VAT 17%
Flat rate set by entity: 10% in the Federation of BiH and Brcko District, 8% in Republika Srpska.
Living
1
Happiness
#45 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Long-term foreign residents, such as workers and family members, who have held temporary residence for five years.
Eligibility
Five years of residence
You need at least five years of continuous temporary residence before applying, with limited absences allowed.
Absences that still count as continuous
- Total absencesstandard applicants
- 10 months
- One absencestandard applicants
- six months
- Blue Card: totalBlue Card holders
- 18 months
- Blue Card: at onceBlue Card holders
- 12 months
- Rule comes from Law on Aliens, Article 79
Official wording
At least five years of continuous residence on temporary residence before applying. Absences of up to 10 months in total, or one absence of up to six months, still count as continuous. For Blue Card holders the limits are 18 months in total or 12 months at once (Law on Aliens, Article 79).
Means and housing
Valid passport, sufficient and regular means of support, adequate accommodation and health insurance (Article 79).
Language
Show knowledge of one of the official languages and scripts of BiH, unless you are exempt from the test.
- Exempt: pre-school children
- Exempt: people educated in an official BiH language
- Exempt: people over 60 who are not employed
Official wording
Knowledge of one of the official languages and scripts of BiH. Pre-school children, people educated in an official BiH language, and people over 60 who are not employed are exempt from the test (Article 79).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementClean record
- Document checklistValid passport
- FeesApproval of permanent residence
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 2 more requirements
- 6 documents
- 2 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Bosnia & Herzegovina
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Visit & tourismVisa-free stay and short-stay visa
- StudyTemporary residence for education
- Work permitsWork permit and temporary residence for work
- FamilyTemporary residence for family reunification
- CitizenshipCitizenship by naturalisation
Permanent residence in other countries
- BarbadosPermanent Resident Status (section 5, Immigration Act Cap. 190) and Immigrant Status
- BulgariaLong-term (EU) residence and permanent residence permit
- BahrainGolden Residency Visa
- BurundiPermanent resident visa
- BruneiPermanent Resident status (Taraf Penduduk Tetap), family-based categories
- BahamasPermanent Residence
