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Bosnia and Herzegovina has a skilled workforce and lower labor costs than Western Europe. Globalization's impact on human resource management is reshaping the job market, fueling a surge of professionals in IT, engineering, and other fields. Successful business expansion in this region necessitates a thorough understanding of local employment legislation.
Leave policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina vary across regions. The country is divided into two main entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and the Republika Srpska (RS). Each has its labor laws.
A clear understanding of the leave policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina can help your business ensure compliance, manage work schedules effectively, and establish a healthy workforce. This blog breaks down the types of leave your employees are entitled to and the laws governing them.
Let’s get started.
Earned leave in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina labor laws support work-life balance with a 40-hour work week. The employees here have the right to paid annual or vacation leave. The rules are as follows:
Employees are eligible for earned leave after one year of continuous service. Vacation leave may be divided into two parts: a minimum 12-day portion taken within the same calendar year, with the remainder available later.
Unused vacation days may be carried over to the following year but must be used by June 30th. However, since no compensatory leave exists, employees cannot trade their vacation time with PTO cash out.
Maternity Leave in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The maternity leave policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina varies between the FBiH and Republika Srpska. However, both regions provide 365 days of paid leave for new mothers.
Maternity Leave in the Federation of B&H:
Pregnant employees in FBiH get one full year of maternity leave with 100% pay.
After maternity leave, the mothers in FBiH can work part-time until the child turns one. The father can also work part-time, but only if the mother returns to full-time work.
If the mother has twins, a third child, or more, she can work part-time until the child turns two. However, some cantons, based on local laws, may allow longer part-time work.
Maternity Leave in Republika Srpska:
The maternity leave in RS is also one full year with 100% pay.
Parental Leave in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The parental leave policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina includes maternity and paternity leave.
Apart from this, there is no specific statutory leave entitlement for parental or childcare leaves in either of the major areas.
Paternity Leave in Bosnia and Herzegovina
In both regions, the fathers can take paid paternity leave for certain days under certain conditions.
In addition, fathers in Bosnia and Herzegovina can take paternity leave after the first six weeks following childbirth. In such cases, the mother must agree in writing to give up that part of her maternity leave. The leave entitlement here is as follows:
During this time, their salary or wages vary based on their regions.
However, in both areas, the biological or adoptive father takes up the responsibility of a mother if she dies or is incapable of looking after a child.
Adoption Leave in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Adoptive and foster parents in Bosnia and Herzegovina have similar leave rights as biological parents. The only exception is that they do not get paid breaks for breastfeeding.
One parent (adoptive, foster, or legal guardian) can stop working until the child turns three. This leave is unpaid, and pension contributions are not covered. However, the employer continues to pay for health insurance during this period.
Fathers cannot take maternity leave if they adopt or foster a child.
Public Holidays in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina has national, religious, and entity-specific holidays.
The number of public holidays varies across the country:
- Republika Srpska: Around 11 holidays
- Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Around 10 holidays
- Brčko District: Around 9 holidays
Employees in FBiH get two paid days off for religious holidays and two optional unpaid days. A substitute day off is usually given if a public holiday falls on a weekend.
National holidays (as observed in all of BiH):
Religious holidays:
Different religious groups observe holidays depending on their region's dominant religion.
Entity-specific Bosnian holidays:
The substitute Bosnia Herzegovina holidays apply when a holiday falls on a weekend.
Sick Leave Policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The sick leave policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina is covered by labor laws in both the FBiH and RS.
Employees who are sick get 42 days off and must provide a medical certificate to claim the leave. If sick leave exceeds 42 days, a medical board decides whether an extension is necessary.
The different rules for each entity are:
Sick Leave in FBiH:
- Employees receive at least 80% of their salary during sick leave.
- If the illness is due to a work injury, pregnancy, or organ transplant, they receive 100% of their salary.
- The employer pays the first 42 days of sick leave.
- After 42 days, the state refunds the employer for the payments.
Sick Leave in RS:
- Employees receive at least 70% of their salary.
- The employer pays the first 30 days.
- After 30 days, the state takes over payments through the Health Insurance Fund.
There are some upcoming changes in the sick leave policy as of 2024. The proposed change would reduce employer-paid sick leave from 42 days to 15 days. After 15 days, the Health Insurance Fund would take over payments. However, this change is still under discussion and has not yet been finalized.
Casual Leave in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have an explicit law for casual leave. However, employees can use their annual leave for personal reasons, as they are given 20 paid leaves per year.
Unpaid Leave in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Unpaid leave is limited in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Employees can take unpaid leave only in specific cases, mainly for religious or traditional reasons.
This leave is in addition to the 20 days all employees receive in paid annual leave. In the FBiH, workers can take up to 4 days of unpaid leave, whereas in the RS, the limit is 3 days. Unpaid leave is usually not granted for personal reasons unless the employer allows it.
Other Leaves
Employees in Bosnia and Herzegovina have access to different types of leave beyond annual, sick, and maternity leave. These include childcare leave, bereavement leave, and flexible working arrangements.
- Childcare leave and career breaks: Parents can take unpaid leave until their child turns three or use it as a sabbatical. The employment contract is suspended during this period, but the parent will still have health insurance. However, pension contributions are not covered.
- Breastfeeding breaks: Mothers who return to work before the child turns one can take two paid daily breaks. Although, in FBiH, the duration is not specified, while in RS, it is 60 minutes daily. Similarly, in Brčko District, the mother gets two breaks of 60 minutes per day.
- Time off for family events: Employees can take paid leave for special life events, such as:
- In BD, parents of children with severe illnesses can take time off during treatments and receive a full salary.
- In RS, parents can take up to 4 months of leave if their child has a severe medical condition like cancer.
- Leave to care for a sick family member is paid by the employer but refunded by the health fund in FBiH.
- Flexible working for parents:
After maternity leaves, the parents of the child can avail themselves of the flexible working opportunities with payments:
Easily Navigate the Leave Policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Skuad
Every leave policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina is different from the other. So, understanding and managing all of it alone can be complex.
Skuad makes this process simple. With Skuad, you can easily manage leave policies, payroll, and compliance across 160+ countries. Our unified EOR platform helps you onboard new hires quickly, administer secured benefits, and ensure full legal compliance.
With Skuad, you won't need to worry about payroll or complex employment laws. Book a demo, sit back, and focus on your business growth!
FAQs
How long can a US citizen stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
U.S. citizens can stay up to 90 days within 6 months without a visa.
What is the leave policy in Europe?
Leave policies vary by country in Europe. The European Union commonly gives employees four paid weeks of leave per year, which increased to six weeks in 2022.
What are the working hours in Bosnia?
Standard working hours are 40 hours per week, usually over five days.
What is the basic salary in Bosnia?
The minimum wage in the FBiH increased to 1,000 BAM per month in 2025 from 619 BAM per month in 2024.
How many PTO days do you get in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Employees are entitled to at least 20 working days of paid annual leave per year.
What is the annual leave policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The standard annual leave lasts from 20 to 30 days, with the potential for more based on specific conditions.
