Temporary residence permit for Ukrainians for humanitarian reasons

On April 20, 2022, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina decided to grant Ukrainian citizens temporary residence permits for humanitarian reasons.

It is noted that the citizens of Ukraine have the right to stay in the territory of BiH for up to six months, provided that the temporary stay can be extended for humanitarian reasons. The procedure for granting temporary residence permits to citizens of Ukraine is carried out by the Service for Foreigners.

Simplified entry is granted to Ukrainians subject to the presentation of valid or expired personal documents, such as a passport for travel abroad, an identity card or a child's travel document. It is sufficient to present a birth certificate for children under 18 years of age.

Social security is provided to a person by the Bosnia and Herzegovina Party only after the registration of a foreigner as a refugee with the Aliens Service.

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Who is covered by temporary protection?

Temporary protection applies primarily to three categories of individuals:

• The first is Ukrainian citizens who lived on its territory as of February 24 and were forced to leave their homes due to the invasion of russian troops.
• The second is individuals who have a political asylum in Ukraine.
• The third is family members of the first two categories.

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What rights does temporary protection give to Ukrainians?

In addition to being able to stay in the EU for the duration of the directive, temporary protection also gives a number of other rights to people from Ukraine who have fled the war. These are the right to housing, access to the labor market, social and medical assistance. Access to labor market means not only the opportunity to work, but also to engage in entrepreneurship and attend refresher courses or gain a new profession. Children who arrive without parents or other relatives are entitled to a guardian and access to schooling.

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Information on assistance to Ukrainians during the war can be found on the UNHCR website in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Information on the situation in Ukraine

Where to ask for help in Bosnia and Herzegovina

How to apply for a shelter in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The customs regulations of Bosnia and Herzegovina are harmonized with European standards and do not contain additional restrictions compared to the rules in force in the EU.

Goods that are subject to declaration (at least verbal) when imported into BiH from a non-EU country:

1. goods used for sale rather than for personal use.

2. Purchased in excess of the established limits for the importation of tobacco, alcohol and alcoholic beverages, perfumes, coffee, tea, medicines and other items that make up a consignment.

3. Goods for which importation is prohibited or restricted (narcotic, psychotropic drugs).

For the importation of goods into the country, individuals are subject to customs duties and other taxes, such as excise duty (on beer, alcohol, cigarettes).

No duty is levied on items that constitute a non-commodity consignment if they are intended for personal (non-commercial) use and are transported in personal luggage.

It is allowed to import from outside the European Union:

1. Tobacco products (per person aged at least 17 years):

- 200 cigarettes (only by air; when entering Croatia or BiH through the borders with other countries, the customs rules of transit countries apply) or

- 100 cigarettes or

- 250 grams of tobacco.

2. Alcohol and alcoholic beverages (per person at least 17 years of age):

- 2 liters of wine

- 1 liter of distilled spirits and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of more than 22%,

3. Other products:

- 60 ml of perfume

- 250 ml of eau de toilette

4. Medicines in appropriate quantities for personal consumption during the trip (with a doctor's prescription).

5. Unlimited funds for import (funds for export are not limited to 2500 euros, up to 2500 euros - confirmation of a financial institution).

Rules for exporting goods outside the customs territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina:

1. Goods whose total invoice value does not exceed the equivalent of EUR 10,000 are not subject to a written declaration when exported (sent) by their citizens outside the customs territory of the country.

2. Goods, the total invoice value of which does not exceed the equivalent of EUR 10,000 and for which the law establishes an export duty, shall be subject to a written declaration in the manner prescribed for citizens, with payment of the export duty in cases determined by the laws of BiH and with the submission of relevant documents issued by state authorities.

3. Goods whose total invoice value exceeds the equivalent of 10,000 euros, when exported (sent) by citizens outside the customs territory of the country, are subject to a written declaration and payment of export duty in cases established by the laws of BiH.

4. Goods whose total invoice value exceeds the equivalent of 10,000 euros, when exported (sent) by citizens outside the customs territory of the state, shall be subject to a written declaration in accordance with the procedure established for citizens and shall be exempt from submission of documents issued by state authorities for the implementation of customs control and customs clearance of goods transported by citizens across the customs border, provided that these goods

- are exported in connection with leaving the country for permanent residence abroad;

- are part of the inheritance formalized in BiH in favor of a non-resident citizen, provided that the inheritance is confirmed by the bodies performing notarial acts;

- were temporarily imported into the customs territory of the country under the obligation to re-export them, which is confirmed by relevant documents;

- were received by non-resident citizens in the form of prizes and awards for participation in competitions, contests, festivals, etc. held in BiH, which is confirmed by relevant documents.

6. Goods purchased by non-resident citizens in the territory of BiH, the total invoice value of which does not exceed the amount of foreign currency imported by these citizens into the country, and goods exported by non-resident citizens in connection with their final departure from the country, in the amount of income earned during work or study in BiH, which is confirmed by relevant documents, shall be subject to a written declaration in accordance with the procedure established for citizens, with payment of export duties in cases established by law, and submission of documents required for customs control and customs clearance.

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• Emergency medical care – dial 124
• Police – dial 122