Every country has different rules and regulations concerning paid and unpaid leave from work. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the situation is even more complicated because the rules are different in each of the main entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and Republika Srpska (RS).
In this section, we’ll take you through the various types of leave you may come across as an employer in Bosnia, including annual leave, sick leave, maternity, paternity, and parental leave. By the end of the section, you’ll know everything you need to know about leave and time off in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the different types of leave available, eligibility criteria, and which ones are paid by the employer
Employees in Bosnia and Herzegovina are entitled to annual leave for holidays and relaxation each year. They are also entitled to time off work if they are sick or injured. Read on to learn about annual leave and sick leave in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including how entitlements differ across the different regions within the country.
In both the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and Republika Srpska (RS), employees are entitled to at least 20 days of paid annual leave per year. There are also specific regulations that apply in each region.
For example, in FBiH, employees become eligible for leave only after six months of continuous service with the same employer. In RS, employees engaged in harmful or dangerous work are entitled to an additional 10 days of annual leave per year, and minors are entitled to a minimum of 24 days of leave.
Employees in both regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina are also entitled to sick leave if they are unable to work. All sick days are paid. In FBiH, employers are responsible for paying the employee’s salary for the first 42 days of leave. After this period, they must continue to pay but can receive a refund from the health insurance fund.
In RS, the employer must continue paying the employee for the first 30 days of sick leave. After this time, they can receive payment from the health insurance fund for a maximum of 12 months. If the employee is on sick leave because of a work-related injury or illness, the employer is responsible for paying their remuneration for the entire duration of the leave.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, maternity, paternity, and parental leave policies differ across its entities. Read on for what you need to know as an employer.
Employees in Bosnia and Herzegovina are entitled to up to 12 months of paid maternity leave. In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and in the Brčko District (BD), employees must take at least 42 days of leave following the birth of the child. In RS, they must take at least 60 days of leave. Maternity leave must be taken in one continuous block.
After returning to work, women can choose to work part-time at 50% of their normal hours until their child turns two years old. Alternatively, they can continue to work full-time while the father works part-time instead.
Employees on maternity leave in Bosnia and Herzegovina are entitled to maternity pay of between 50–80% of their normal wages, depending on the region. In RS and BD, employees are entitled to an additional six months of leave for the birth of twins and for every child from the third child on. Under these circumstances, they are entitled to full maternity pay at 100% of their normal wages.
In FBiH, fathers are entitled to up to seven days of unpaid leave related to the birth of a child. In RS and BD, the entitlement is three days only. However, in all entities, the mother can choose to transfer a portion of her maternity leave rights to the father after the mandatory post-birth leave.
There are no statutory provisions for parental leave in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Employees in Bosnia and Herzegovina are entitled to adoption leave under similar conditions to maternity leave. Specifically, they can take up to 52 weeks (one year) of paid leave on the adoption of a child. This leave can only be used by one of the adoptive parents. To be eligible for adoption leave, employees must have worked for their employer for at least 12 months prior to the beginning of the leave. Employees must inform their employer of their intention to take adoption leave at least 30 days before the child is placed in their care.
Employees in Bosnia and Herzegovina may also be entitled to other types of leave, depending on the region where they are located. Employers can also choose to provide additional types of leave, even if these aren’t mandated by law. Read on to learn more about some of the other leave types in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Employees are entitled to a certain amount of paid leave per calendar year for personal events such as marriage, a spouse giving birth, illness or death of an immediate family or household member, and voluntary blood donation. The specific entitlement is up to seven days in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and up to five days in Republika Srpska (RS) and the Brčko District (BD).
Employees elected or appointed to public office are entitled to leave from work for the duration of their mandate. The specifics regarding compensation during this period are typically outlined in employment contracts or collective agreements.
Employees fulfilling mandatory military service or attending military exercises are entitled to leave. Upon completion, they have the right to return to their previous position or a similar role.
Employees pursuing further education or professional development may be granted leave to study or take exams. The specific conditions depend on the employer’s policies and the collective agreements that apply.
Employees may request unpaid leave for personal reasons. Approval is at the discretion of the employer, and the duration is typically determined through mutual agreement.
Public holidays in Bosnia and Herzegovina are designated at both the national and entity levels. That means that some holidays are celebrated across the entire country, while others are only observed in certain regions. There are also religious holidays, including Eid al-Fitr and Good Friday, which may be observed depending on the predominant religion in each area.
Public holidays in Bosnia and Herzegovina are generally recognised as non-working days, and employees are entitled to paid time off during these holidays. This means that employees receive their regular salary without any deductions for the duration of the public holiday.
If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, labour laws state that they should receive additional compensation. The actual rate of remuneration depends on the entity where the employee is located and the terms outlined in collective agreements or individual employment contracts. It could take the form of increased hourly pay or compensatory time off to be taken at a later date.
Below are the public holidays celebrated across the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2025:
Additionally, each region celebrates its own public holidays. In 2025, these were:
As an employer in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you need to understand your employees’ rights and entitlements. But keeping up with them can be a lot of work.
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