Essentials
- City
- Sarajevo, Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Population
- 275,000 (Central), 420,000 (Metro area)
- Internet Speed
- Approx. 60-100 Mbps (Telemach and BH Telecom offer reliable fiber)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 KM (BAM) ≈ 0.51 EUR, 1 USD ≈ 1.80 KM. Fixed exchange rate to Euro (1.95583 KM).
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality from mountain springs.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets.
- SIM Card
- BH Telecom (Ultra), m:tel, or HT Eronet. Tourist SIM (15GB) for approx. 20 KM.
- Banking for Expats
- Raiffeisen Bank, UniCredit. Revolut/Wise work for ATMs but local accounts are cash-heavy.
- Accommodation
- Mix of Austro-Hungarian apartments and modern condos via Airbnb or OLX.ba.
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. Larger shops/hotels accept cards; smaller cafes and markets are cash-only.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local site OLX.ba (approx. 800 KM - 1,500 KM per month).
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Franz Ferdinand (approx. 25 KM/night), Hostel Kucha.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Baščaršija (Old Town) and Centar (near BBI Center).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Marijin Dvor (hub for malls/offices) and Grbavica (green, local vibe, walkable).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- TERRA (Džemala Bijedića 2) - Day pass 25 KM; HUB387 (Maglajska 1) - Monthly approx. 300 KM.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Meeting Point (Hamdije Kreševljakovića 13) and Fabrika Coffee (Dalmatinska 2).
- Networking Events
- Sarajevo Unlimited (Annual Innovation Summit) and tech meetups at HUB387.
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Sarajevo Group and 'Sarajevo Expats & Locals' Facebook community.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Moj Taxi (App) or Sarajevo Taxi. Standard start 2 KM + 1.50 KM per km.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- BinBin (Scooters) via app; Nextbike (Bicycles) stations throughout the city.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Neum (BiH's only sea access, 3.5 hrs drive); Panonska Jezera (Tuzla, 2 hrs drive).
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Serbia (to Belgrade), Croatia Airlines (to Zagreb).
- Top International Airline
- Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Pegasus.
- Highway Access
- A1 Motorway connecting toward Zenica and South toward Mostar.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Glavna Željeznička Stanica (Train) and Main Bus Station (Put života 8).
- Public Transport Passes
- GRAS Monthly pass (approx. 50 KM); Single ticket (Tram/Bus) is 1.80 KM via app/kiosk.
- Regional Travel
- Talgo Train to Mostar (3 hrs, approx. 15 KM) is world-renowned for scenery.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- KCUS (State) or Eurofarm Centar (Private - unit at Unitic Building).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Prana Yoga Studio (Radićeva 7); Wellness Center at Hotel Radon Plaza.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Avalon Fitness (Unitic towers, approx. 80 KM/mo); Fitness Universe (Marijin Dvor).
- Laundry Services
- Lava (Tepebašina 2); Laundry & Dry Cleaning 'Pingvin' (multiple city locations).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Korpa or Glovo.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Ćevapi at Željo or Ćevabdžinica Petica (priced 8-12 KM per portion).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Karuzo (Vegetarian/Fish - Mehmeda Spahe 16); Falafel (Ferhadija).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Badem (Turkish delight); Marshall’s Gelato; Torte i To (BBI Center).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Markale Market (Fresh produce); Bingo Supermarkets (Great prices).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- OLX.ba (Largest local marketplace for everything).
- Grocery Delivery
- Konzum Klik or via the Korpa app.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Zlatna Ribica (Eclectic bar); Silver & Smoke (Techno); Cinemas Sloga (Live music).
- Local Brewery
- Sarajevska Pivara (Sarajevo Brewery) - Gastropub at Franjevačka 15.
- Wine Bars
- Dekanter (Radićeva 4); Wine Bar Barka.
- Street Food Stalls
- Buregdžinica Sač (Burek/Pita); Fan Ferhatović (Street Ćevapi).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Kimono (Asian - Alta Shopping Center); Klopa (Italian/Mediterranean - Ferhadija).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Sebilj (Wooden fountain), Latin Bridge (site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassination).
- Museums & Art Venues
- War Childhood Museum; National Museum of BiH (Haggadah location).
- Historical Sites
- Tunnel of Hope (Obala 77); Eternal Flame (Vječna Vatra).
- Religious Sites
- Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque; Sacred Heart Cathedral; Old Orthodox Church.
- Annual Events
- Sarajevo Film Festival (August); Baščaršija Nights (July).
- Cultural Districts
- Baščaršija (Ottoman old town district).
- Theater Venues
- National Theater (Narodno Pozorište); Kamerni Teatar 55.
- Local Markets
- Bezistan (Covered bazaar); Markale (Fresh food market).
- Music Scene
- Jazz Fest Sarajevo (November); Sevdah performances at Art Kuća Sevdaha.
- Street Art
- Mr. Chat graffiti throughout city center; Sarajevo Street Art Festival murals.
- Cooking Classes
- Bosnian Cooking Lessons (usually via Airbnb Experiences in Old Town).
- Art Galleries
- Galerija 11/07/95 (Srebrenica exhibition); Gallery Collegium Artisticum.
- Historic Buildings
- Vijećnica (City Hall/Old National Library - Austro-Hungarian style).
- Local Heritage
- Vučko (1984 Winter Olympics mascot); Coppersmith heritage on Kazandžiluk street.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Vrelo Bosne (Springs of Bosnia River) in Ilidža; Trebević Mountain via Cable Car.
- National Parks Nearby
- Sutjeska National Park (2.5 hrs away); Una National Park (5 hrs away).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Vilsonovo Šetalište (Wilson’s Promenade) - pedestrian zone after 5 PM.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Žuta Tabija (Yellow Bastion) at sunset; Avaz Twist Tower observation deck.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Bijambare Protected Landscape (wetlands and caves).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Barice and Čavljak (picnic areas in the hills above the city).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- BH Pošta; EuroExpress (Private courier, fast and reliable).
- Tech Repair Services
- Imtec (multiple locations); Mekline (Apple authorized service).
- Table Tennis Spots
- STK Sarajevo facility at Skenderija Center.
- Language Classes
- International University of Sarajevo (IUS) Bosnian courses; Lingua Plus.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Gazi Husrev-beg Library; National and University Library.
- Community Centers
- DKUSA (American Corner Sarajevo - BBI Center).
- Gaming Lounges
- Friendly Fire Esports Arena (Centar).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Mercur Casino (Alta Center); Coloseum Club (Skenderija).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,500 KM per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 180,000 KM / $100k USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 2,800 KM per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 112,000 KM / $62k USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,200 KM per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 252,000 KM / $140k USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 2,600 KM per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 156,000 KM / $86k USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 3,800 KM per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 304,000 KM / $168k USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 2,400 KM per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 192,000 KM / $106k USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 10% (One of the lowest rates in Europe).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Generally 0% to 10% depending on entity structure.
- Tax System
- Residency-based: residents pay tax on worldwide income; non-residents only on BiH source.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Flat rate of 10% (very attractive for high earners).
- VAT
- 17% (Standard rate across the country).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None/Limited.
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual tax based on cantonal laws (minimal, approx. 1 KM per m² in Sarajevo).
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% transfer tax paid by the buyer in Sarajevo Canton.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Highly favorable 10% flat income tax; long-term visas for digital nomads are in pilot stage.