Essentials
- City
- Trebinje, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Population
- 31,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber available in city center; average 50-100 Mbps via m:tel or Telemach
- Currency & Banking
- Convertible Mark (BAM). 1 EUR ≈ 1.95 BAM (Fixed Peg). Cash is king.
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink; high-quality mountain water sourced from the Trebišnjica River
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- m:tel BiH (Top pick for coverage), HT Eronet, or BH Telecom. 15 BAM for 20GB (Tourist SIM)
- Banking for Expats
- UniCredit Bank, Nova Banka, NLB Banka. Revolut works at ATMs but local accounts require residency.
- Accommodation
- Apartments Trebinje, Airbnb, and local guesthouses like Villa Pergola
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial; major supermarkets and hotels accept cards, but small cafes and markets are cash-only
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is the primary platform; expect $350-$600/month for central studios
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Polako (Vuka Karadžića) - approx. €15/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Old Town (Kastel) or the immediate City Center near Platani
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Police or Bregovi - quiet residential areas within 10 mins walk to center with better modern apartment stock
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Smart City Trebinje (Obala Luka Vukalovića) - Modern facility with high-speed fiber
- Best Cafe for Work
- Kafeterija Fontana - Spacious, quiet morning hours, reliable Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Tech gatherings occasionally organized by the Business Start-up Center Trebinje
- Social Events for Expats
- Trebinje Digital Nomad Facebook group or gatherings at 'Under the Plane Trees' (Platani)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; use Radio Taxi (+387 59 1515). Standard city fare approx. 5-7 BAM
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Hotel Nar offers bike rentals; approx. 20 BAM per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Olympic Pool (Center) or river beaches like Jazina. 40 mins drive to Kupari (Croatia) for sea
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Serbia (Flying into Tivat or Dubrovnik)
- Top International Airline
- Austrian Airlines (via Dubrovnik Airport - DBV, 30km away)
- Highway Access
- Connected via M-20 to Dubrovnik and M-6 to Mostar. No major motorways nearby
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Trebinje Bus Station (Autobuska stanica) on Vojvode Stepe Stepanovića
- Public Transport Passes
- None; city is walkable. Regional buses used for distance travel
- Regional Travel
- Daily buses to Dubrovnik (€15), Mostar (€12), and Kotor (€18)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Bolnica Trebinje (Dr. Danila Tolomanovića) - specialized regional hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Wellness Center within Hotel Grad Sunca (approx. 25 BAM for day pass)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gym Correction (Centar) or Sports Hall Trebinje - approx. 40-50 BAM/month
- Laundry Services
- Self-service laundry is rare; most laundry is done via dry cleaners (Hemijska čistionica) near center
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Korpa.ba (Limited service) or direct phone orders to pizzerias
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Trebinjski Sir (local cheese) and Cicvara (cornmeal dish) at Restoran Kolo
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Restoran Tarana Plus - Offers traditional vegetable stews and salads
- Best Dessert Spots
- Poslastičarnica Grk - Legendary for traditional Balkan sweets like Baklava and Tulumba
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Kort Supermarket or Bingo for groceries; Green Market (Pijaca) for fresh produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- OLX.ba (The local eBay/Amazon equivalent for BiH)
- Grocery Delivery
- eKupi.ba for electronics; limited grocery delivery by local chains
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Stari Grad (Old Town) - Bars like Portobello and Azaro
- Local Brewery
- Oz Craft Brewery - Local microbrewery available at several city pubs
- Wine Bars
- Vinska Galerija Vukoje - World-class winery with panoramic views
- Street Food Stalls
- Fast Food 'Njam Njam' for Sarma and Burek; prices under 5 BAM
- Popular International Cuisine
- Restoran Studenac - Mix of local fish specialty and Italian-style pastas
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Arslanagić Bridge (Perovića Bridge) - 16th-century Ottoman stone bridge
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museum of Herzegovina (Muzej Hercegovine) set in an old Austrian barracks
- Historical Sites
- Crkvina Hill - site of the Hercegovačka Gračanica monastery
- Religious Sites
- Tvrdoš Monastery - 4th-century foundations, famous for wine cellars
- Annual Events
- Trebinje Guitar Festival (Summer) and Trebinje Film Festival (August)
- Cultural Districts
- Kastel (Old Town) - The 18th-century walled fortification area
- Theater Venues
- Kulturni Centar Trebinje - hosts movies, theater sets, and exhibitions
- Local Markets
- The Morning Market under the Platani trees - best for honey and wine
- Music Scene
- Rock & Jazz performances at Underground Bar
- Street Art
- Murals dedicated to local heroes and poets located throughout the Bregovi district
- Cooking Classes
- Slow Food Trebinje - offers workshops on traditional 'Hercegovina House' recipes
- Art Galleries
- Galerija 'Bokić' - specializing in wood sculpture and local painting
- Historic Buildings
- Austro-Hungarian high schools and barracks along the riverbanks
- Local Heritage
- Wine making tradition - Trebinje is the heart of the Herzegovina Wine Route
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lastva Lake - 15 mins drive, ideal for swimming and picnics
- National Parks Nearby
- Sutjeska National Park (Europe's last rainforest) - approx. 1.5 hours drive
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Ćiro Trail - former railway line converted into a scenic cycle path to Dubrovnik
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Goražde Hill - site of an old Austro-Hungarian fortress with city views
- Birdwatching Locations
- The wetlands along the Trebišnjica river south of the city
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Ubla picnic area on Mount Orjen - designated fire pits and camping available
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- EuroExpress or BH Pošta (Glavna Pošta, Jovana Dučića)
- Tech Repair Services
- Servis Računara 'Inter' (Center) for laptop and phone repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Sports Center Trebinje (Bregovi)
- Language Classes
- Education Center 'Cerovac' - offer Serbian/Bosnian for foreigners
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Narodna biblioteka Trebinje (Public Library) - quiet reading rooms
- Community Centers
- Dom Mladih (Youth House) - community events and workshops
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Net (Near the square) - PC gaming and high-speed terminals
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Mozzart or Admiral Casino (Centar)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €64,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €48,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,550 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €93,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,150 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €69,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €120,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,100 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €88,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 10% (Flat rate in Republika Srpska)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Residency based; physical presence of 183 days makes you a tax resident
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 10% (Flat personal income tax)
- VAT
- 17% (Flat rate across Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None
- Property Tax
- 0.10% to 0.20% of the market value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- Not applicable; 0% tax for buyers (Republic of Srpska abolished transfer tax in favor of VAT or notary fees)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Low flat tax of 10% and low cost of living make it highly competitive in Europe