Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dual Citizenship Bosnia and Herzegovina

Restricted

One may acquire citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina by descent, birth on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, adoption, naturalisation and through international agreements.

Citizenship by descent occurs if at least one of his/her parents were citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the time of his/her birth, regardless of the birth place. Citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall also be granted to a child that has been born or found in the territory from unknown parents, parents of unknown or no citizenship, as well as if a child is without citizenship.  Citizenship is also granted to children adopted by citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens.

Citizenship can be acquired by naturalisation, provided that the applicant is 18 years of age; has a permanent registered place of residence on territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina for at least 8 years before submitting a request; speaks one of  Bosnia and Herzegovina’s official languages; does not represent a threat to national security;  was not sentenced to imprisonment for a premeditated criminal act for longer than 3 years within 8 years of the submission of a request; and finally, renounces his/her original citizenship upon the acquisition of the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, unless a bilateral agreement provides otherwise.

Facilitated naturalisation is granted to the spouse of a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, provided that he/she has resided permanently for at least three years and the marriage lasted for at least 5 years prior to the application. Unless a bilateral agreement provides otherwise, the spouse must renounce his/her former citizenship.

Naturalisation may be granted to minor applicants whose parent has acquired citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina and has permanent residence within the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Emigrants until the first and second-generation descendants may acquire citizenship by application without meeting the requirements related to the residence period or renouncement of former citizenship.

Naturalisation may also be granted for national interests. In this case, the applicant may acquire citizenship without meeting the requirements related to minimum age, residence period or renouncement of former citizenship.

With the exception of the above-mentioned cases, dual citizenship is allowed only in case of mutual agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the State of origin. At the time being, Bosnia and Herzegovina has signed a bilateral agreement with Croatia, Serbia and Sweden.