A Practical Guide to the Way of Life in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Life in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Healthcare in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Although Bosnia-Herzegovina does have a free, public healthcare system that expatriates are allowed to use, many foreigners living in Bosnia-Herzegovina choose to take out private medical insurance. This is because the public system is underfunded and understaffed, and many of the doctors will not speak English. Although there are some private medical facilities in Bosnia-Herzegovina, mainly located in Sarajevo and other large cities, many expatriates opt for international medical insurance, so that they can travel to a nearby European nation with a better standard of healthcare, like Croatia, for major operations or more delicate treatment. Some expatriates may even return to their home country if possible. Prescription medicines are readily available in pharmacies, but any specialist medication should be bought in advance in case it is hard to find.

Transportation in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Expatriates living in Bosnia-Herzegovina will need to apply for a Bosnian license if they wish to drive on the country’s 21,846 km of roads. The speed limits in Bosnia-Herzegovina are 60 km/h (37 mph) within inhabited places and 130 km/h (81 mph) on motorways. Bosnia-Herzegovina also has an established public transportation network, which includes 1,032 km of railways. The rail network is managed by two companies, ŽRS and ŽFBH, and operates across the country; there are also direct links to Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro. However, whilst public transportation will be readily available in Sarajevo and other large urban areas, it may not be in rural regions. Therefore, expatriates are advised to check the transportation network for their particular region of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Education in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Bosnia-Herzegovina has a free, public education system for children aged between six and 15. However, as many public schools will only teach in Bosnian, Serbian, or Croatian, many expatriates living in Bosnia-Herzegovina choose instead to send their children to an international school, where they can be taught in English and obtain internationally recognized qualifications. The teaching standards in international schools are often higher than in public schools. Currently, the only international schools in Bosnia-Herzegovina are located in Sarajevo, the capital city, the most notable of which are the QSI International School of Sarajevo, the International School of Bosnia, and the International School of Sarajevo. Bosnia-Herzegovina has a long tradition of higher education that dates back to the 16th century. This tradition is continued today by the country’s excellent university system, which is comprised of eight universities, including the University of Sarajevo and the University of Banja Luka.