Bosnia And Herzegovina Citizenship By Descent

• Published date: 09 July 2021
• Subject Matter: Immigration, General Immigration
• Law Firm: Odvjetnicki ured Ljubic
• Author: Odvjetnicki ured Ljubic

1. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA AS A MIGRATION COUNTRY

Bosnia and Herzegovina is traditionally defined and marked as a migration country, both before and after the modern declaration of state. People born at the state territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Yugoslavian period also enjoyed State citizenship so after all, they were declared as citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as successors of Yugoslavian State country (firstly known as Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The migrations during the second part of 20^th and ongoing 21^th century, are labeled as political, economic and voluntary migrations as well as forced migrations during and after the 1991-1995 war.

But during this rigid COVID-19 pandemic period we are all witnessing, many ask themselves how to become a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and considering option to spend some time in less stressful environment.

2. HOW TO BECOME A CITIZEN OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA?

Although there is a continuous trend of renunciation of citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are extremely delighted when someone goes the opposite way.

This bring us to frequently asked question - does Bosnia and Herzegovina allow dual citizenship?

Generally speaking, the answer is positive in case you obtain BIH citizenship by descent, but of course complete answer depends on various circumstances, with legislative of your origin country as one of many. When there is bilateral Agreement on citizenship in force, we can speak about guaranteed enjoy of dual citizenship institute (we elaborated this particular case with Croatia in article here), but we can't rule out also many other countries with whom holding dual citizenship by descent is possible with no exception.

3. THE LAW ON CITIZENSHIP OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA DETERMINANTS

Acquiring citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina by descent is by far the easiest way to do so.

In order to make application and acquire the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina by descent/origin, it is necessary to meet one of the following determinants listed below:

a) whose both parents were citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the time of the child's birth, regardless of the place of his birth;

b) one of whose parents was a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the time of the child's birth and the child was born in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

c) whose one parent was a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the time of the child's birth, and the child was born abroad, if he or she...