Sarajevo: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a city of about 400,000 in a valley among mountains. An Ottoman quarter, Austro-Hungarian streets and socialist-era blocks stand side by side, and life is noticeably cheaper than in neighbouring European Union countries. The economy rests on public institutions, trade, tourism, IT outsourcing and international organisations.

The city suits remote workers looking for an inexpensive life in Europe with mountains nearby, entrepreneurs with business in the Balkans and those considering a long path to citizenship. It is harder for those who need a large job market: salaries in the country are low.

Neighbourhoods: where newcomers settle

• The Old Town and Baščaršija: the historic centre, cafés and tourists, noisy in season.
• Centar and Marijin Dvor: Austro-Hungarian buildings, offices, everything within walking distance.
• Novo Sarajevo and Grbavica: residential areas close to the centre, cheaper and quieter.
• Ilidža: a western suburb with greenery and springs, convenient for families with a car.

Cost of living

The mark is pegged to the euro at 1.95583 marks per euro, about $0.57 per mark on 6 October 2026.

Practicalities: transport, climate, money

Transport. Trams, trolleybuses and buses cover the city; a ticket costs 1.80 marks at a kiosk and 2.20 from the driver. Climate. Winters are snowy and summers warm, but the city lies in a basin and winter smog occurs, which is worth considering when choosing an area. Taxes. Income tax in the Federation, which includes Sarajevo, is 10% with a personal allowance of 300 marks a month, corporate tax is 10% and VAT 17%. More on the Taxes in Bosnia and Herzegovina page.

Moving and legal status

• Russian citizens need no visa for up to 30 days, though border guards may ask for proof of the trip's purpose and accommodation;
• temporary residence is granted for work, business, study, marriage and property, with a fee of 150 marks, about $86;
• after 5 years of temporary residence you can get permanent residence, with a fee of 200 marks;
• citizenship comes after 3 years of permanent residence following 5 years of temporary residence, and the country allows dual citizenship only with Serbia, Croatia and Sweden.

More on the Bosnian citizenship page. We choose the residence grounds for your situation.

Housing and buying property

Flats are usually rented for a year; a written contract is advisable, as it is needed for address registration and a residence permit. Foreigners can buy property subject to reciprocity with their country, and the transaction tax on homes in the Federation is 5%. Before buying, check ownership in both the land register and the cadastre: in Bosnia they are kept separately and discrepancies occur.

Climate, healthcare and getting there

The average temperature is around zero in January and about 20°C in July, and winter snow is normal. Public healthcare works through compulsory insurance, and private clinics in Sarajevo are inexpensive by European standards. Sarajevo airport is 12 km from the centre, with direct flights to Istanbul and several European cities, and buses run to Belgrade, Zagreb and Podgorica.

How the country is organised and why it matters

Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of two entities, the Federation and Republika Srpska, plus the separate Brčko District. Sarajevo is in the Federation, so its taxes and rules apply to city residents: income tax is 10%, not 8% as in Republika Srpska. Residence permits and citizenship are national.

Work, business and money

Corporate tax is 10%, and VAT registration is required at turnover from 100,000 marks a year. The mark is pegged to the euro, and euros are often accepted directly in tourist areas. A bank account usually requires a residence permit and a local identification number.

Safety

Sarajevo is a calm city, and the main risk outside it is mines left from the 1990s in some mountain and forest areas. In the mountains stay on marked trails and do not leave the roads. In winter the valley can have dense smog, and people with breathing problems should choose housing higher up the slopes.

Mountains and leisure nearby

The Olympic mountains Jahorina and Bjelašnica, venues of the 1984 Winter Olympics, are half an hour to an hour from the centre and have ski resorts. A cable car to Mount Trebević starts right in the city. In summer, trips to the waterfalls and rivers of Herzegovina and to the Croatian coast are popular.

Is the city worth considering

The pluses are low prices, low taxes, mountains and ski resorts half an hour away, and visa-free entry for Russian citizens. The minuses are winter smog, a small job market, a complex state structure of two entities and a long path to citizenship with limits on dual nationality. Sarajevo works as an inexpensive European base for remote work.