Foreigners can register and fully own a company in Bosnia and Herzegovina without a local partner and without travelling to the country. This guide explains how the process works in Sarajevo, what you need to prepare and what it really costs.
Which company form to choose
Almost every foreign founder uses the d.o.o. (društvo s ograničenom odgovornošću), the Bosnian limited liability company. It is comparable to a German GmbH, an Austrian GmbH or a Hungarian Kft.
| d.o.o. (LLC) | |
|---|---|
| Minimum founders | 1 (person or company) |
| Foreign ownership | Up to 100% |
| Minimum share capital | BAM 1,000 (≈ €511) — Art. 307 |
| Liability | Limited to the company’s assets |
| Director | Can be the founder; no residence requirement |
A branch office of a foreign company is an alternative if you already run a company abroad and want a presence in Bosnia without a separate legal entity. For most new ventures the d.o.o. is simpler.
Federation of BiH or Republika Srpska?
Bosnia and Herzegovina has two entities, each with its own company register and tax rules, plus the Brčko District. Sarajevo is in the Federation of BiH. A company registered in the Federation can do business across the whole country and abroad.
Documents you need
- Passport of each founder and of the director
- If a company is the founder: its certificate of incorporation and proof of who represents it
- A power of attorney authorising your representative in Bosnia to carry out the registration
Foreign documents must be notarised and apostilled — or legalised, if your country has not joined the Apostille Convention — and translated into one of the official languages by a sworn court interpreter.
The process, step by step
- Structure and name. You decide the company name, main business activity, share capital and who will be director. The name is checked for availability.
- Power of attorney. You sign it at a notary in your country and obtain the apostille.
- Founding act. Your representative signs the founding act before a notary in Sarajevo.
- Share capital. The capital is paid into a temporary account at a Bosnian bank.
- Court registration. The application is filed with the Municipal Court in Sarajevo under the Law on Registration of Business Entities of the FBiH. The company then appears in the public Business Register of BiH.
- Tax and statistics. The company receives its tax identification number (ID/PIB) and statistics classification.
- Stamp and bank account. The company stamp is made and the permanent corporate bank account is opened.
From the moment the apostilled documents arrive, steps 3–7 usually take 15 to 30 business days.
Do you need to travel? Not for registration. Some banks ask the director to identify in person or by video call when opening the account. Ask which bank applies to your case before you start.
What it costs
State and notary costs in Bosnia are modest. Court registration costs roughly BAM 150–200 and notary certification BAM 200–300. The share capital of BAM 1,000 is not a fee — it stays the company’s money and can be used for business expenses once the company is registered.
The larger costs usually sit outside Bosnia: the notary and apostille in your home country, sworn translations, and the professional fee of whoever handles the process. On our pricing page every item is listed, with what is and isn’t included in our fee.
After registration
A registered company has ongoing obligations from day one:
- a registered address in Bosnia where official mail is received — see virtual office in Sarajevo;
- double-entry bookkeeping, annual financial statements and a corporate income tax return — see accounting;
- VAT registration once turnover exceeds BAM 100,000 — see our guide to taxes for foreign owners.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the activity code carelessly. Some activities need extra licences; the wrong main code can delay the bank account.
- Documents without apostille or sworn translation. The court will return the application.
- Forgetting the registered address. The company must have one before registration, not after.
- Not planning for the bank. Banks apply their own know-your-customer checks; a clear description of the business and source of funds speeds this up.
If you want the whole process handled for you, request a fixed quote. You will receive it in writing within one business day.
Sources
- Law on Business Companies of the FBiH (Zakon o privrednim društvima, Službene novine FBiH 81/15, 75/21) — company forms (Art. 3), d.o.o. (Art. 302 ff.), minimum capital (Art. 307)
- Law on Registration of Business Entities in the FBiH (Službene novine FBiH 27/05 and amendments) — court registration
- Business Register of Bosnia and Herzegovina — public company search
- Hague Apostille Convention — member countries