Areas of professional involvement: Renunciation and Acquisition of Citizenship
Renunciation of BiH citizenship
Renunciation of the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a formal declaration under Article 19 of the Law on Citizenship of BiH by which an adult citizen of BiH living abroad requests the termination of BiH citizenship in order to acquire or retain the citizenship of another state. The only competent authority is the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH in Sarajevo (Sector for Citizenship and Travel Documents), which decides within the statutory period of 60 days from a complete application; citizenship ceases on the day the decision is delivered. The entire procedure can be conducted without the client coming to BiH, through a lawyer with a certified power of attorney. The client provides the guarantee of the foreign state (for example the Austrian Zusicherung) or proof of already acquired foreign citizenship, and a registration of residence abroad not older than 6 months.
Key facts
- Entirely from abroad: no travel to BiH, no valid BiH passport or ID card required.
- State administrative fee 2025/2026: 800.00 KM (approx. 409 EUR) per application for the immediate family at the same address; 200.00 KM (approx. 102 EUR) for Croatia and other former Yugoslav states with proof of residence there.
- Statutory deadline for the decision: 60 days; appeal within 15 days; administrative dispute before the Court of BiH within 60 days.
- The power of attorney is most easily certified before a notary abroad: the notary certifies only the signature, not the content.
- Citizenship ceases on the day the decision is delivered; the valid BiH passport is permanently deposited.
- Since 27 June 2024 Germany no longer requires renunciation; Austria, Slovenia and the Netherlands still do.
Services of the law office: The Law Office Prnjavorac has specialised in BiH citizenship law since 1993: complete renunciation procedures for clients from the diaspora, acquisition of BiH citizenship by origin, preparatory status procedures (registration of a marriage concluded abroad, regulation of the surname, recognition of foreign decisions, subsequent registration in the registers) and representation before the Court of BiH. Related topics: Obtaining BiH citizenship · How to get BiH citizenship · Change of family or first name · Recognition of a foreign divorce decree · Apostille · Croatian citizenship.
Our law office has almost 30 years of specialized legal experience in cases related to citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina. For our clients we perform a complete procedure of withdrawal from citizenship / renunciation of citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as acquisition of citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina without the need for the client’s presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In this area, we represent our clients in proceedings related to BiH citizenship, especially in the part of renunciation of BiH citizenship / withdrawal from BiH citizenship, release from BiH citizenship, as well as the procedure of acquiring citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina (based on origin, birth on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, adoption, through naturalization, as well as through an international agreement - the so-called facilitated naturalization), which includes also the regulation of status issues, marriage registration, regulation of surnames and a number of other necessary activities. We also represent before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina the parties whose BiH citizenship has been revoked.
The fact that the administrative offices of Germany (cities of Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Stuttgart …), Austria (Vienna, Linz, Graz…) and Croatia also contact our law office in case of legal doubts speaks best about our international reputation in the field of BiH citizenship. We give them binding legal positions, according to which the person is obliged to proceed (e.g. that according to the old law on citizenship of RBiH a person has the right to register in BiH citizenship by origin, and after that they can carry out the procedure of renunciation of BiH citizenship). Our legal positions are taken unreservedly by foreign authorities as binding on all persons who are then obliged to continue to do so in order to obtain the right to citizenship of a foreign state.
In relation to the acquisition of foreign citizenship, the law office also provides cross-border consulting services through regional law firms with enviable knowledge and competencies in the field of citizenship of Germany, Austria and Croatia. Through our affiliated law firms, we can ensure the acquisition of citizenship of Germany, Austria and Croatia.
After almost three decades of law practice of our law office in the field of citizenship, which includes: renunciation of citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, acquisition of citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, revision of BiH citizenship, subsequent registration, return of BiH citizenship, regulations in the field of personal name, registries, travel documents, recognition of foreign court decisions on divorce and status issues and other basic civil statuses, we present here the most common questions of our clients and answers to them. The area governing citizenship and registries in Bosnia and Herzegovina is regulated through 90 legal sources that include conventions, laws, bylaws, regulations, decrees and other regulations at the state and entity levels of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We have sorted the questions from the most frequently asked to the less frequent ones, so let us start:
Quick answer: how is renunciation of BiH citizenship done in 2026?
The client abroad issues a power of attorney to a lawyer in BiH, certified at the Embassy or Consulate of BiH or before a foreign notary. The law office in BiH obtains the complete BiH documentation (certificate of citizenship, birth certificate, marriage certificate, certificates on the (non)possession of a BiH passport and ID card), harmonises the BiH civil registers with the actual state of affairs (marriage, surname, divorce, adoption, where relevant), and submits the declaration of renunciation before the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH in Sarajevo together with the guarantee of the foreign state (or proof of already acquired foreign citizenship) and the registration of residence abroad. The Ministry decides within the statutory period of 60 days from a complete application (Article 33 of the Law); BiH citizenship ceases on the day the decision is delivered (Article 19 paragraph 3), and the valid BiH passport is handed over for permanent deposit.
Which documents are needed?
From abroad the client provides: (1) the guarantee of the foreign state that he or she will be naturalised after renouncing BiH citizenship (for example the Austrian Zusicherung der Verleihung der Staatsbürgerschaft, the Slovenian zagotovilo, the Dutch toezegging Nederlanderschap, the corresponding act of the Swedish Migrationsverket); (2) a registration of residence abroad not older than 6 months; (3) a certified power of attorney for the lawyer (certified at the Embassy/Consulate of BiH or before a foreign notary, with an Apostille where required); (4) a copy of the valid BiH passport, if any. In BiH the law office obtains: the certificate of BiH citizenship (not older than 6 months), the birth certificate with current data, the marriage certificate (for married clients) and the certificates on the (non)possession of a BiH passport and ID card. Where necessary, the office also harmonises the BiH registers (registration of the marriage, entry of the new surname, recognition of a foreign court decision).
Can I renounce BiH citizenship without coming to Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Yes. A client abroad does not have to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina: the entire procedure of renunciation of BiH citizenship can be conducted through a lawyer in BiH. The client only certifies the power of attorney at the nearest Embassy or Consulate of BiH in the country of residence (Vienna, Ljubljana, The Hague, Zagreb, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Bern and others) or before a foreign notary, and sends the documents to BiH by express mail. Everything else is done by the lawyer in BiH: obtaining the BiH certificates, aligning the civil registers, filing the declaration of renunciation before the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH in Sarajevo, receiving the decision and depositing the passport. Communication runs by e-mail, telephone and courier mail.
Glossary of terms (2026)
In legal practice and in everyday speech several terms are used for the same or a similar legal reality. The table below delimits the most important terms in the field of termination and acquisition of BiH citizenship, which is particularly useful for clients who want to understand the legal differences.
| Term | Legal meaning and content |
|---|---|
| Withdrawal from BiH citizenship | The colloquial name for the termination of BiH citizenship by renunciation; in legal practice it is also used as a synonym for the procedure under Article 19 of the Law on Citizenship of BiH. |
| Renunciation of BiH citizenship | A formal declaration by an adult citizen of BiH living abroad, made under Article 19 of the Law on Citizenship of BiH, by which he asks for his BiH citizenship to cease in order to acquire or retain the citizenship of another state. |
| Release from BiH citizenship | The other procedure for the termination of BiH citizenship, prescribed by Article 21 of the Law on Citizenship of BiH, intended for persons living on the territory of BiH, with stricter conditions (settled tax and other statutory obligations, fulfilled military obligations, no pending criminal proceedings) and different means of proof. |
| Decision on the termination of citizenship | An individual administrative act of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH by which, on the basis of the declaration of renunciation and the fulfilled statutory conditions, BiH citizenship ceases. BiH citizenship ceases on the day the decision is delivered to the party. |
| Guarantee of acquisition of citizenship | A written statement by the competent authority of a foreign state (for example the Austrian Zusicherung der Verleihung der Staatsbuergerschaft) that the person will acquire the citizenship of that state upon proof of renunciation of the previous citizenship. In Austria it is valid for 2 years. |
| Finality in the substantive sense (res judicata) | The state of a decision that can no longer be challenged either by appeal or by a claim in an administrative dispute: it arises when those remedies are no longer allowed or have been exhausted. Such a decision can be changed only in extraordinary proceedings. |
| Finality in the procedural sense | The state in which a decision is no longer subject to ordinary remedies in administrative proceedings. Against such a decision an administrative dispute may be initiated before the Court of BiH within 60 days. |
| Diplomatic and consular mission of BiH | Embassies and consulates of BiH abroad: they certify powers of attorney for renunciation, receive declarations, deliver decisions and take delivery of BiH passports from clients in the diaspora. |
| Power of attorney for renunciation of citizenship | A special power of attorney issued to a lawyer for the conduct of a specific administrative procedure, in this case the procedure of renunciation of BiH citizenship before the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH. |
| Apostille | Certification of public documents under the Hague Convention of 1961; it allows a document from one contracting state to be recognised in another contracting state without further legalisation. |
| Naturalisation | The procedure by which a foreigner, upon meeting the statutory conditions (residence, language, economic basis, loyalty, and in certain states renunciation of the previous citizenship), acquires the citizenship of the new state. |
| Statelessness | The legal status of a person without any citizenship. The Law on Citizenship of BiH prescribes conditions which prevent the renunciation procedure from leading to statelessness: hence the requirement of a guarantee from the foreign state. |
Renunciation (Article 19) versus release (Article 21): comparison
| Criterion | Renunciation (Article 19) | Release (Article 21) | "Withdrawal" (colloquial) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Article 19 of the Law on Citizenship of BiH | Article 21 of the Law on Citizenship of BiH | Not a separate procedure; a colloquial synonym for renunciation |
| Who applies | A person living abroad (diaspora) | A person living on the territory of BiH | As with renunciation: the diaspora |
| Frequency in practice (2026) | The standard procedure: over 99 percent of diaspora cases | Extremely rare: under 0.2 percent of cases | The term clients most often use at first contact |
| Procedural complexity | Simpler: standard documentation | Considerably more complex: additional conditions (settled taxes and obligations, no pending criminal proceedings) and discretionary decision of the entity authorities | Depends on the underlying procedure (as a rule, renunciation) |
| Legal effect | Termination of BiH citizenship on the day the decision is delivered | Termination of BiH citizenship on the day the decision is delivered | The same effect as the underlying procedure |
| Recommendation of the office | First choice in all standard cases | Only in exceptional legal situations | Colloquial name; the recommendation equals renunciation |
Important: Renunciation is not a discretionary power of the Ministry: if the statutory conditions are met, the Ministry must issue the decision on the termination of BiH citizenship. Release under Article 21 is discretionary ("may be granted") and is decided by the competent entity authorities, not by the Ministry (Article 30 paragraph 2 of the Law): this is the key legal difference.
Decision scheme: which procedure to choose (renunciation, release or withdrawal)
The scheme below guides the client through the key questions that determine the choice of the appropriate procedure. The assessment should always be confirmed in a legal consultation at the office.
- Does the foreign state (Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, the Netherlands) require proof of renunciation of BiH citizenship?
No: there is no obligation to renounce. Dual citizenship is possible, for example with Germany since 27 June 2024, and with Switzerland, Italy, France, the USA and Canada.
Yes: continue to the next question. - Do you hold a foreign citizenship or a valid guarantee from the foreign state (for example the Austrian Zusicherung)?
No: first obtain the guarantee of the foreign state. Without a foreign citizenship or a guarantee the renunciation procedure cannot be conducted (Article 19 paragraph 1).
Yes: continue to the next question. - Are your BiH civil registers aligned with the actual state of affairs (marriage, surname, divorce, adoption)?
No: before the request for renunciation, register the marriage, obtain recognition of the foreign court decision and enter the current surname in the BiH registers.
Yes: continue to the next question. - Are there minor children who also have to go through the renunciation procedure?
Yes: one parent renounces and gives the declaration of renunciation for the child; the other parent gives a certified consent; for children over 14 the consent of the child is required as well. - Conclusion: initiate the procedure of renunciation of BiH citizenship under Article 19 of the Law on Citizenship of BiH, with a proper power of attorney to a lawyer in BiH.
Legal nature and basis of renunciation: Article 19 of the Law on Citizenship of BiH
The procedure of renunciation of BiH citizenship is governed by Article 19 of the Law on Citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of BiH, no. 4/97 with later amendments) and by the Rulebook on the procedure for the acquisition and termination of BiH citizenship. In substance, renunciation is a unilateral declaration of will by an adult citizen of BiH living abroad, by which he asks for his BiH citizenship to cease in order to acquire or retain the citizenship of another state.
Paragraph 1: the declaration of renunciation
An adult citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina who lives abroad and holds the citizenship of another state, or to whom the acquisition of the citizenship of another state has been guaranteed, has the right to renounce BiH citizenship. The declaration of renunciation is made before the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH or at the diplomatic and consular missions of BiH abroad.
Paragraph 2: renunciation for a minor child
For a child who lives abroad and holds the citizenship of another state, or to whom it has been guaranteed, the declaration of renunciation is made by the parent whose BiH citizenship ceased by renunciation: with the consent of the other parent who is a BiH citizen, or without it if the other parent has died, has lost parental rights, is a foreigner or is stateless; the same applies to the adopter in the case of full adoption. For a child older than 14 the consent of the child is also required. In practice the declaration is accompanied by the guarantee of the foreign state, proof of registered residence abroad not older than 6 months, and orderly BiH civil status documents, in line with the Rulebook.
Paragraph 3: citizenship ceases upon delivery of the decision
BiH citizenship ceases when the competent authority establishes that the conditions have been met and delivers to the party the decision on the termination of BiH citizenship, or when the competent diplomatic and consular mission of BiH abroad sends it by post. Upon delivery of the decision, a client holding a valid BiH passport hands it over to the authorised officer for permanent deposit, in line with the Law on Travel Documents of BiH; the passport cannot be returned or retained after BiH citizenship has ceased.
Important: renunciation of BiH citizenship is not a discretionary power of the Ministry: if the statutory conditions are met, the Ministry must issue the decision on the termination of BiH citizenship. Release under Article 21 is a discretionary power ("may be granted"), and it is moreover decided by the competent entity authorities and not by the Ministry (Article 30 paragraph 2 of the Law), which is the key legal difference.
Authorised bodies in the renunciation procedure: who does what
The procedure of renunciation of BiH citizenship involves several bodies, each with a precise statutory role. The table below delimits their competences: a client who understands who is responsible for what avoids unverified claims and speeds up the procedure.
| Body or institution | Role in the procedure | Seat |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH, sector for citizenship and travel documents | The only body that receives the application, conducts the first-instance procedure, issues the decision on renunciation of BiH citizenship, takes the BiH passport into deposit and keeps the register of terminations of citizenship. | Sarajevo |
| Second-instance body competent for appeals against the Ministry | Decides on the appeal against the first-instance decision within 30 days of its filing at the latest (Law on Administrative Procedure of BiH); it may uphold, alter or annul the decision. | Sarajevo |
| Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, administrative division | Decides on a claim in an administrative dispute against the final second-instance decision; it is also competent for disputes concerning the revocation of BiH citizenship. | Sarajevo |
| Constitutional Court of BiH | Decides on the constitutional aspects of citizenship cases (an appeal after ordinary remedies have been exhausted); decision U 9/11 of 28 September 2012 is central to the question of loss of citizenship by operation of law. | Sarajevo |
| Diplomatic and consular missions of BiH (embassies and consulates abroad) | Certify powers of attorney for renunciation, receive declarations of renunciation, forward applications to Sarajevo, deliver decisions to clients in the diaspora and take BiH passports into deposit. | Vienna, Berlin, The Hague, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Munich, Bern and others |
| Registry offices in BiH | Keep the registers of births, marriages and citizens; issue the certificates that are a precondition of the renunciation procedure; carry out subsequent entries (marriage, surname, divorce, adoption). | According to the client's entry in BiH |
| Courts in BiH (the territorially competent municipal or cantonal court) | Recognition of foreign court decisions on divorce, adoption and change of name; a precondition for entry in the BiH registers before the renunciation procedure. | According to territorial jurisdiction |
| Ministry of the Interior (cantonal or entity level) | Issues certificates on the (non)possession of a BiH identity card and passport; conducts procedures declaring documents lost. | According to the client's residence in BiH |
| Foreign naturalisation authority | Issues the guarantee (for example the Austrian Einbuergerungsbehoerde issues the Zusicherung); accepts the BiH decision on the termination of citizenship as the basis for granting its own citizenship. | The foreign state (Austria, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Croatia and others) |
The renunciation procedure in 7 steps (2026)
- Legal consultation and assessment. The office analyses the client’s situation: entries in the BiH registers, status of marriage and surname, the guarantee of the foreign state, special circumstances (minor children, adoption, name changes, previous marriages and divorces abroad), and recommends between renunciation (Article 19) and release (Article 21).
- Issuing the power of attorney. The client certifies the power of attorney at the Embassy/Consulate of BiH or before a foreign notary (the notary certifies the signature and identity; the text is in Bosnian and does not need to be translated).
- Harmonising the BiH civil registers. Changes that occurred abroad (marriage, divorce, surname, adoption) must be entered in the BiH registers before the renunciation, after recognition of the foreign decision by the competent court in BiH where applicable.
- Obtaining the BiH documentation. The office obtains the certificate of citizenship (not older than 6 months), the birth certificate with current data, the marriage certificate and the certificates on the (non)possession of a BiH passport and ID card.
- Submitting the declaration of renunciation. The lawyer files the declaration with the complete documentation (BiH documents + foreign guarantee + registration of residence not older than 6 months + paid administrative fee) before the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH in Sarajevo.
- Decision within the statutory period. The Ministry must issue the decision within 60 days of a complete application (Article 33 of the Law). The decision is delivered to the party through the lawyer or through the diplomatic mission of BiH in the client’s state of residence.
- Delivery, passport deposit, finality. BiH citizenship ceases on the day the decision is delivered. The valid BiH passport is permanently deposited. The decision becomes final after the 15-day appeal period expires without an appeal. The client submits the final decision to the foreign naturalisation authority, which then grants the foreign citizenship.
Legal consequences: what is lost, what is retained
| Legal area / right | Status after renunciation | Note for 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| BiH passport | LOST | Permanently deposited under the Law on Travel Documents; cannot be returned or kept |
| BiH ID card | LOST | Ceases to be valid upon termination of citizenship |
| Active and passive voting rights in BiH | LOST | No right to vote or stand in parliamentary, cantonal or local elections |
| Right to real estate in BiH | RETAINED | Property already acquired remains; new acquisitions on the principle of reciprocity (Austria, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Croatia have reciprocity) |
| Inheritance rights in BiH | RETAINED | Foreign nationals are equated with domestic nationals in inheritance matters |
| Pension from BiH | RETAINED | Acquired pension rights remain; payment abroad under the agreements of BiH with Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Germany and other states |
| Health insurance in BiH | LOST | Insured status based on citizenship ends; emergency care remains available as for foreigners under international agreements |
| Marriage concluded in BiH | RETAINED | The marriage does not end with the change of citizenship; it remains registered in the BiH registers |
| Parental rights | RETAINED | The change of citizenship does not affect parental rights |
| BiH citizenship of children | DEPENDS | Children renouncing together with the parent: lost; children not covered: retained (depending on origin) |
| Military service in BiH | NO OBLIGATION | Compulsory military service was abolished by the Law on the Armed Forces of BiH in 2005 |
| Entry into BiH | CHANGED REGIME | Entry under the visa regime of the new home state; EU citizens enter visa-free for up to 90 days |
| Registration of stay in BiH | YES, under the Law on Foreigners | The person becomes a foreigner and registers the stay with the competent Service for Foreigners’ Affairs |
| Reacquisition of BiH citizenship | CONDITIONAL | At least 1 year of approved temporary residence in BiH immediately before the application, or approved permanent residence |
Timeline of the procedure
Realistic time frames for preparing and filing the application in 2026, from the first contact to a complete application before the Ministry in Sarajevo:
- Day 0: First contact and consultation; the legal assessment is made the same day or within 24 hours.
- Days 1 to 3: Legal analysis and draft of the power of attorney, with instructions for certification at the BiH mission or before a notary.
- Days 3 to 10: Certification of the power of attorney and courier dispatch to BiH (1 to 2 working days from the EU).
- Days 10 to 21: Obtaining the BiH documentation; in parallel, harmonisation of the registers where needed (registration of the marriage, surname).
- Days 21 to 28: Filing the application in Sarajevo with complete documentation and the paid fee of 800.00 KM (approx. 409 EUR). From this day the statutory 60-day period runs (Article 33 of the Law).
Realistic frame for 2026: preparation and filing take 3 to 4 weeks in typical diaspora cases, followed by the statutory 60-day period for the decision and its delivery. The total duration depends on several factors, including the completeness of the documentation, the harmonisation of the registers and the proper service of all documents, and therefore cannot be guaranteed. In urgent cases (expiry of the foreign guarantee approaching) the preparation can be shortened to 10 to 14 days with courier shipments.
Special cases
Minor children. A minor cannot renounce alone; the declaration is given by the parent who renounces (or whose citizenship has already ceased), with the duly certified consent of the other parent; a child over 14 must also consent. Without the other parent’s consent the procedure is possible only where parental rights have been revoked by a final court decision.
Marriage abroad and change of surname. The marriage must be registered in the BiH registers before renunciation, and the changed surname must appear in the birth certificate and the certificate of citizenship. The office registers the marriage, enters the current surname and, where relevant, obtains recognition of the foreign divorce decision.
Adoption abroad and court-ordered name changes. A foreign adoption must first be recognised by a court in BiH; only after recognition and registration can the renunciation proceed.
Several marriages and divorces abroad. Each marriage and divorce is registered in chronological order; only after the complete chain is registered can the renunciation be carried out.
Foreign spouse. If the spouse is not a BiH citizen, certificates from his or her home state are submitted, with an Apostille or legalisation and a certified translation in BiH.
Person never entered in the citizens’ register. A client born abroad who was never entered in the BiH registers must first complete the subsequent registration by parental origin (Articles 6 and 37 of the Law); only then is renunciation possible.
The Constitutional Court decision U 9/11 of 28 September 2012 and dual citizenship
By decision U 9/11 of 28 September 2012 (Official Gazette of BiH No. 85/12) the Constitutional Court of BiH declared unconstitutional the provisions on the loss of citizenship by operation of law for persons who voluntarily acquire the citizenship of a state without a bilateral agreement with BiH. The consequences are central for the diaspora: BiH citizenship does not cease automatically upon acquiring a foreign citizenship (the ex lege loss provisions were deleted by the amendments in Official Gazette of BiH No. 87/13); termination is possible only in the prescribed procedure, by renunciation, release, revocation or international agreement, upon delivery of the decision; and renunciation is needed only where the foreign state expressly requires it (Austria, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Croatia), while in states allowing multiple citizenship (for example Germany since 27 June 2024) BiH citizenship is retained. Where relevant, the office relies on U 9/11, especially when a client fears having lost BiH citizenship automatically through an earlier naturalisation abroad: that is not the case.
Costs of renunciation 2025/2026
- Administrative fee, immediate family: 800.00 KM (approx. 409 EUR) for spouses and minor children (and adult children up to 23 if unemployed or in regular education) at the same address.
- Administrative fee, individual procedure: a separate fee for adults who do not meet the family-fee conditions.
- Special tariff for Croatia: 200.00 KM (approx. 102 EUR) with proof of valid residence in the Republic of Croatia.
- Costs of BiH documents (certificates of the registry offices, the ministry of the interior, the courts) according to the applicable fees.
- Certified translations and Apostille according to the tariffs of the translators and courts.
- Legal services under the tariff for administrative proceedings, agreed individually and transparently in advance; payment follows the phases of the procedure, with no hidden charges.
Appeal and administrative dispute before the Court of BiH (rare)
Appeals are rare in practice, because the applications are standardised and the Ministry as a rule decides in the client’s favour. Where needed: an appeal against the first-instance decision is filed within 15 days of delivery, through the Ministry, to the second-instance body, which must decide within 30 days of filing (Law on Administrative Procedure of BiH) and may reject or dismiss the appeal, annul the decision and remand the case, or decide in the appellant’s favour. Against the final second-instance decision an administrative dispute may be initiated before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina within 60 days of delivery (Law on Administrative Disputes of BiH); the Court reviews legality and may dismiss the claim, annul the decision and remand, or, more rarely, decide the matter itself. Realistic tools in cases with special circumstances: loss of the foreign guarantee during the procedure, disputed register data, disagreement of the parents concerning a child.
Legal framework: regulations and decisions (as of July 2026)
The procedure of renunciation of BiH citizenship is governed by the regulations listed below. The full original texts are available on our portal; the language of the original is Bosnian.
Substantive regulations on BiH citizenship
- Law on Citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of BiH, no. 4/97 with later amendments): the key regulation for the renunciation procedure, Articles 16 to 24.
- Law on Citizenship of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (entity regulation, subsidiary).
- Law on Citizenship of Republika Srpska (entity regulation, subsidiary).
Procedural regulations: administrative procedure and administrative disputes
- Law on Administrative Procedure of BiH (Official Gazette of BiH, no. 29/02 with amendments): the general procedural regulation before the Ministry.
- Law on Administrative Disputes of BiH (Official Gazette of BiH, no. 19/02): the framework for an administrative dispute before the Court of BiH.
- Law on Administrative Fees of BiH: the fee for the application, 800 KM for the immediate family.
Case law
- Decision of the Constitutional Court of BiH no. U 9/11 of 28 September 2012 (Official Gazette of BiH, no. 85/12): the provisions on the termination of citizenship by operation of law upon voluntary acquisition of a foreign citizenship were declared unconstitutional.
- Amendments to the Law on Citizenship of BiH of 2013 (Official Gazette of BiH, no. 87/13), by which those provisions were deleted.
Frequently asked questions
Question: Is there a possibility without my
arrival in Bosnia and Herzegovina that you, as my lawyer, can register a marriage
for me, regulate the surname, prepare all documents in Bosnia and Herzegovina and
complete the procedure of renunciation of BiH citizenship?
Lawyer: Your arrival in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not required. We can do everything for
you as your lawyers, and based on the power of attorney you will receive from us and
certify if before a notary abroad.
Question: If I renounce the citizenship of
Bosnia and Herzegovina, can I inherit the property after the death of my parents?
Lawyer: Foreign nationals are equated with domestic nationals in terms of inheritance.
Therefore, you can inherit property without restrictions as a foreign citizen, and after
the completion of the procedure of renunciation of Bosnian citizenship.
Question: I do not have a valid passport of
Bosnia and Herzegovina, can the procedure of withdrawal from BiH citizenship be done
without a passport of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
registers in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Lawyer: The procedure of renunciation of citizenship of Bosnia and
Herzegovina can be done without a valid travel document of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Question: I got married abroad and changed
my surname, does it have to be registered in Bosnia and Herzegovina before
initiating the procedure of withdrawal from Bosnian citizenship?
Lawyer: It is mandatory that the surname you have abroad is registered in Bosnia and
Herzegovina as well, in order to carry out the procedure of renunciation of Bosnian
citizenship.
Question: Can you do the procedure for
acquiring the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina for me without my coming to
Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Lawyer: Yes, we can do the procedure for you to acquire the citizenship
of Bosnia and Herzegovina without your coming to Bosnia and Herzegovina if you meet all
the legal requirements prescribed by the Law on Citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
which relate to the acquisition of citizenship of BiH.
Question: Can a minor child alone do the
procedure of renouncing BiH citizenship?
Lawyer: A minor child cannot independently perform the procedure of
renunciation of BiH citizenship. If a minor renounces BiH citizenship, it is necessary
for one of the parents to renounce BiH citizenship or to renounce it together with the
minor. A statement on behalf of a minor is given by a parent who renounces Bosnian
citizenship, and the other parent gives a duly certified consent.
Question: I got married abroad, changed my
surname and registered my marriage in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the registry office,
my BiH passport and BiH ID card are currently in my maiden name, do I have to get a
new passport and a new ID in my current surname if I want to withdraw from
citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Lawyer: It is not necessary to obtain a new passport of Bosnia and
Herzegovina or an ID card of BiH - a travel document and an identity card with a maiden
name can be used - it is important the marriage is properly registered and that your
surname is recorded in the registry books, and that you are listed with the proper and
current surname in the birth certificate and certificate of citizenship of BiH; and for
the procedure of renunciation of BiH citizenship.
Question: Is there a possibility to appeal
the decision on renunciation of citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Lawyer: The decision on termination of BiH citizenship is final and no
appeal is allowed against it, but it can be challenged by filing a lawsuit with the
Administrative Division of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina within 60 days from
receiving the decision on renunciation of BiH citizenship.
Question: The procedure for withdrawal from
Bosnian citizenship would be done by my husband, me and our two minor children. How
much fees do we pay to the state of BiH, are there 4 separate fees or just one?
Lawyer: You as a family pay a total of one single administrative fee,
since you live at the same address and the children are minors in the process of
renouncing Bosnian citizenship.
Question: The price of the administrative
fee for the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina is approximately 425,- EUR in the
procedure of renunciation of BiH citizenship for the family, tell us whether a
family is a brother and sister if they do the procedure without parents?
Lawyer: According to the law, for close family members - married couple
and children, one fee is paid provided they all live at the same address, and for adult
children over 23 years of age it is necessary to submit proof that they are unemployed
or in regular schooling. So, a brother and sister fulfill the conditions to pay one
administrative fee only under the condition that at least one of the parents does the
procedure with them and they are younger than 23 and they all live together at the same
address abroad.
Question: Who makes decisions on acquiring
citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina or renouncing citizenship?
Lawyer: Decisions on acquiring or termination of citizenship of Bosnia
and Herzegovina are made by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo. An application for acquisition, release or renunciation of BiH citizenship
must be submitted directly to the BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Question: Can we certify the power of
attorney that you gave us for the procedure of renunciation of citizenship of Bosnia
and Herzegovina / acquisition of citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina before the
Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina / Consulate of Bosnia and Herzegovina abroad?
Lawyer: You can certify the power of attorney before the Consulate of
Bosnia and Herzegovina / Embassy of BiH - if it is close to you, if it is not possible,
then before the nearest notary abroad.
Question: What is the difference between renunciation and release from BiH citizenship?
Lawyer: Renunciation (Article 19 of the Law on Citizenship of BiH) is intended for adult citizens living abroad and is not discretionary: if the conditions are met, the Ministry must issue the decision. Release (Article 21) is intended for persons living on the territory of BiH, is decided at the discretion of the competent entity authorities, and requires additional proof such as settled tax and other obligations. In practice over 99 percent of diaspora cases are conducted as renunciation; release is the rare exception.
Question: How much does renunciation of BiH citizenship cost in 2026?
Lawyer: The state administrative fee before the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH is 800.00 KM (approx. 409 EUR) per application, covering the immediate family at the same address (spouses and minor children, as well as adult children up to 23 years of age if unemployed or in regular education). For clients acquiring Croatian citizenship with proof of residence in Croatia, and for other former Yugoslav states, the reduced tariff of 200.00 KM (approx. 102 EUR) applies. The client additionally bears the costs of BiH documents, certified translations, an Apostille where needed, and the agreed lawyer's fee.
Question: Can I appeal against the decision and what are the deadlines?
Lawyer: Yes. An appeal against the first-instance decision may be filed within 15 days of delivery, through the Ministry, to the second-instance body, which must decide within 30 days of filing. Against the final second-instance decision an administrative dispute may be initiated before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina within 60 days of delivery. In regular diaspora cases appeals are rare, because the Ministry as a rule issues positive decisions.
Question: Did I automatically lose BiH citizenship when I acquired a foreign citizenship?
Lawyer: No. By decision U 9/11 of 28 September 2012 the Constitutional Court of BiH declared the provisions on loss of citizenship by operation of law unconstitutional, and the amendments from 2013 deleted them. BiH citizenship ceases only in the prescribed procedure, by renunciation, release, revocation or international agreement, upon delivery of the decision. If you acquired a foreign citizenship earlier, you are still a BiH citizen until a decision on termination is delivered to you.
Question: Do I keep my BiH pension after renunciation?
Lawyer: Yes. Acquired pension rights are not lost with the change of citizenship. The pension continues to be paid, including abroad, under the social security agreements of BiH with Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Germany and other states.
Question: Do I lose the right to vote in BiH after renunciation?
Lawyer: Yes. With the termination of BiH citizenship both the active and the passive voting right in BiH cease: you can no longer vote or stand as a candidate in parliamentary, cantonal or local elections. Property, inheritance and pension rights are retained, as explained in the table of legal consequences above.
Question: What is the exact legal basis for renunciation of BiH citizenship, in which Article of the Law?
Lawyer: Renunciation of BiH citizenship is governed by Article 19 of the Law on Citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of BiH, no. 4/97 with later amendments). Paragraph 1 gives the right of renunciation to an adult BiH citizen living abroad; paragraph 2 governs renunciation for a minor child; paragraph 3 provides that citizenship ceases upon delivery of the decision to the party. The obligation to hand over the BiH passport for permanent deposit follows from the Law on Travel Documents of BiH. The matter is supplemented by the Rulebook on the procedure for the acquisition and termination of BiH citizenship.
Question: Can I withdraw my application for renunciation of BiH citizenship after I have filed it?
Lawyer: Yes. In practice the application for renunciation of BiH citizenship can be withdrawn up until the first-instance decision of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH is issued. The withdrawal is made by a written statement placed in the case file. After the decision has been issued, only an appeal (within 15 days of delivery) or an administrative dispute before the Court of BiH is possible; withdrawal is no longer available.
Question: What happens if I renounce BiH citizenship and the foreign state subsequently does not grant its own?
Lawyer: In that situation the person may in legal terms become stateless, which carries significant legal consequences. That is why the Law on Citizenship of BiH provides that renunciation is not possible without proof of a guarantee from the foreign state (in Austria the Zusicherung), which prevents statelessness. If the person does not acquire the citizenship of the state that issued the guarantee, the decision on renunciation may be annulled at his request (Article 20 of the Law), and there is also the possibility of reacquiring BiH citizenship with at least one year of approved temporary residence in BiH or with approved permanent residence (Article 12a of the Law).
Question: Can I start the renunciation procedure at the Embassy of BiH abroad?
Lawyer: Yes. The declaration of renunciation of BiH citizenship may also be made at a diplomatic or consular mission of BiH (an embassy or consulate) in the country of residence. In practice we recommend that the client only certifies the power of attorney for the lawyer at the mission, while everything else is conducted before the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH in Sarajevo, because that is where the civil status records are kept and where the decisions are issued.
Question: What should I do if I lost the conditions for naturalisation in the foreign state after renouncing BiH citizenship?
Lawyer: This situation is rare, because renunciation of BiH citizenship presupposes a prior guarantee from the foreign state. If the conditions nevertheless fall away (for example you lost your residence permit, or the legislation changed), it is possible to seek annulment of the decision on renunciation at the request of a person who did not acquire the citizenship of the state that issued the guarantee (Article 20 of the Law), and there is also the possibility of reacquiring BiH citizenship with at least one year of approved temporary residence in BiH immediately before the request, or with approved permanent residence (Article 12a of the Law). The procedure is complex and requires a legal analysis of the specific situation.
Question: What is the significance of Constitutional Court decision U 9/11 of 28 September 2012 for the renunciation procedure?
Lawyer: By decision no. U 9/11 of 28 September 2012 (Official Gazette of BiH, no. 85/12) the Constitutional Court of BiH declared unconstitutional the provisions of the Law on Citizenship of BiH on the termination of citizenship by operation of law for persons who voluntarily acquire a foreign citizenship. After that decision and the amendments to the Law of 2013 (Official Gazette of BiH, no. 87/13), BiH citizenship no longer ceases automatically upon acquisition of a foreign citizenship, but only by renunciation, release, revocation or an international agreement. For clients this means that BiH citizenship should be renounced only where the foreign state expressly sets this as a condition of naturalisation.
Question: What is the difference between a decision that is final in the procedural sense and one that is final in the substantive sense?
Lawyer: A decision becomes final in the procedural sense when no appeal remains available in the administrative procedure: upon the issuing of the second-instance decision, or upon expiry of the 15 day appeal deadline without an appeal. Finality in the substantive sense arises only when the decision can no longer be challenged by a claim in an administrative dispute either: upon expiry of the 60 day deadline for the claim, or upon a decision of the Court of BiH. BiH citizenship itself, under Article 19 paragraph 3 of the Law, ceases on the day the decision is delivered to the party.
Question: What about military service before renunciation of BiH citizenship?
Lawyer: Compulsory military service in Bosnia and Herzegovina was abolished by the Law on the Armed Forces of BiH of 2005, with a complete transition to a professional army. There are therefore no military obstacles to starting the procedure of renunciation of BiH citizenship, and no need for the client to serve in the armed forces in BiH before the procedure.
Question: Is a child born abroad automatically a citizen of BiH?
Lawyer: Under Article 6 of the Law on Citizenship of BiH, a child whose parents are both BiH citizens at the time of birth acquires BiH citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis), regardless of the place of birth. If only one parent is a BiH citizen, special conditions apply (place of birth, registration of the entry, and others). For legal effects, however, entry in the BiH register of births and in the register of citizens is also required: this is not automatic and must be actively carried out before a registry office in BiH.
Question: Is the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH competent for the renunciation procedure?
Lawyer: Yes. Renunciation is decided by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, sector for citizenship and travel documents (Article 30 paragraph 1 of the Law on Citizenship of BiH); the declaration may also be made at a diplomatic or consular mission of BiH, but the decision is issued by the Ministry. Release and naturalisation, by contrast, are decided by the competent entity authorities, subject to review by the Ministry (Article 30 paragraph 2 and Article 31 of the Law).
Question: Why is my decision on renunciation of BiH citizenship written in the Cyrillic script?
Lawyer: The Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH uses both the Cyrillic and the Latin script in its work, as well as the three official languages in BiH (Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian). A decision issued in the Cyrillic script has exactly the same legal validity as one issued in the Latin script. For the purposes of foreign authorities (Austria, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Croatia) a translation by an authorised court interpreter is sufficient, with an Apostille where required.
