Living in Sarajevo
What it really costs to live in Sarajevo, what you can earn, the visas that get you in, and the taxes you'll pay — for Bosnia and Herzegovina, updated 2026. As Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital, Sarajevo commands the country's highest rents — but also its deepest job market. Sarajevo lies in Southeast Europe. The main languages are Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian. Bosnia and Herzegovina borders Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia.
Cost of Living in Sarajevo
Full Monthly Breakdown for Sarajevo
How Sarajevo Compares to Other Bosnia and Herzegovina Cities
Sarajevo is not the only option in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here is how its single-person monthly cost (€836) stacks up against the other cities we track — Mostar is the cheapest, Sarajevo the priciest.
| City | Single / month | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Mostar | €714/mo | -15% vs Sarajevo |
| Banja Luka | €765/mo | -8% vs Sarajevo |
What You Can Earn in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Typical gross annual salaries in Bosnia and Herzegovina by sector (entry · median · senior). Sarajevo pay usually sits around the national median.
| Sector | Entry | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| it | €22 500 | €32 000 | €45 000 |
| retail | €7 500 | €11 000 | €15 500 |
| finance | €17 500 | €25 000 | €35 000 |
| education | €10 500 | €15 000 | €21 000 |
| healthcare | €12 500 | €18 000 | €25 000 |
| engineering | €15 500 | €22 000 | €31 000 |
| hospitality | €8 500 | €12 000 | €17 000 |
| construction | €13 500 | €19 000 | €26 500 |
Living in Sarajevo: Safety, Health & Climate
Sarajevo shares Bosnia and Herzegovina's wider quality-of-life profile. Sarajevo has a continental climate. Here is what daily life looks like on the things that matter most when you relocate.
Visa Routes to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Affording Sarajevo is only half the question — you also need a visa that lets you stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The main routes:
- A job offer is normally required for the main work route.
- Permanent residence after about 5 years.
- Citizenship after ~8 years — dual nationality allowed.
Taxes in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Top marginal rate 10%, VAT 17%.
Settling into Sarajevo
- Foreigners can open a local bank account in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Budget around €950 for first-month setup in Sarajevo.
- Regulated professions needing credential recognition: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Psychology, Architecture.
Get Your Bosnia and Herzegovina Emigration Report
Personalised visa options, costs and a 90-day plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Get Essential Report — €5or start the free assessmentSarajevo FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Sarajevo?
A single person in central Sarajevo should budget about €836/month, roughly €711 outside the centre. A family of four needs around €2 805/month.
Can I get a visa to live in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Yes — the main route usually needs a job offer, with permanent residence reachable in about 5 years. See the full Bosnia and Herzegovina visa comparison for the route that fits you.
Sources: salaries, taxes, safety, healthcare and visa data from World Bank, OECD, the Global Peace Index and official government portals. Cost-of-living figures are community-sourced benchmarks — a guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 2026-05.
Related: Bosnia and Herzegovina Guide · Visa Comparison · All Countries