Bosnia & Herzegovina

Hoodlum offers expert film fixer services in Bosnia & Herzegovina, facilitating international productions of every scale with a full range of services, including location scouting, obtaining permits, full range of logistic support and connecting production teams with local talent and experienced crew.

Ultimate Filming Guide for Bosnia & Herzegovina

Capital

Sarajevo.

Main Cities

Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar, Tuzla, Zenica.

Local Languages

Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian (all official).

Currency

Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark (BAM).

Climate

Continental

General Visa Requirements:

Foreign nationals working on film or audiovisual productions in Bosnia and Herzegovina may require a work visa and temporary residence permit, depending on nationality and duration of stay. Citizens of many countries may enter visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, but visa-free entry does not automatically permit paid work or filming. Professional filming activities typically require work authorization through a local production partner.

Required Documents:

Valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity
Completed visa application form, if applicable
Proof of visa fee payment
Letter from the production company detailing:
- Film project and objectives
- Locations and shooting schedule
- List of crew members and equipment
Official invitation letter from a registered Bosnian production company or sponsor
Work authorization approval issued through local authorities
Proof of health insurance valid in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Accommodation confirmation
Customs declaration for professional equipment, if applicable

Visa Application Process:

Apply online: https://bosnia-evisa.com/

Processing Time:

Visa and work authorization processing generally takes 10 to 20 working days.

Cost:

Visa costs generally range from USD 60 to USD 120, depending on visa type and nationality.

Accreditation Requirements:

Foreign film and media crews are required to obtain official accreditation prior to filming. Accreditation is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and/or entity-level authorities, depending on the filming location, including the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, and Brčko District.

Required Documents:

Valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity
Completed accreditation application form
Letter from the production company detailing:
- Film project and objectives
- Locations and shooting schedule
- List of crew members and equipment
Proof of health insurance
Official invitation from a local partner
Script, treatment, or detailed synopsis
Equipment list, including camera, sound, lighting, and drones if applicable

Processing Time:

Accreditation processing generally takes 10 to 20 working days.

Cost:

Accreditation costs generally range from USD 100 to USD 250.

Issuing Organization:

Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have a single centralized national film authority. Permits are issued at local and entity levels depending on filming locations. Primary authorities include municipal governments, cantonal authorities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska authorities, police departments for public spaces, and local production companies that facilitate approvals.

Required Documents:

Film permit application
Script or storyboard
Synopsis of 1 to 2 pages
Production schedule and shooting timeline
List of crew members and roles
Equipment list
Proof of insurance for crew and equipment
Location details and maps
Traffic or public space usage plans, if applicable

Processing Time:

Film permit processing generally takes 7 to 15 working days, with longer lead times for sensitive or multi-location shoots.

Cost:

Film permit fees generally range from USD 100 to USD 500, depending on the municipality and scope of the production.

Location Scouting / Location Permits Information:

Private locations are typically handled through location research, site visits, technical assessment, photography, negotiation with property owners, and a written location agreement.

Location Scouting / Permitting Cost & Processing Time

Location fees typically range from USD 50 to USD 300 and are negotiated directly with owners.

Drone Regulations:

Drone filming is regulated and permission-based in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Registration of drones is required, a licensed drone operator is recommended, liability insurance is mandatory, and privacy laws are strictly enforced. Flights are restricted near airports, military and police facilities, government buildings, and borders.

Drone Importation Regulations:

Drone importation may require customs and technical documentation, depending on the shipment and intended use.

Permit Issuance:

The issuing authority is the Bosnia and Herzegovina Directorate of Civil Aviation.

Timing:

Processing generally takes 10 to 25 working days.

Cost:

No official fee stated.

Carnet Status:

Bosnia and Herzegovina is an ATA Carnet country. ATA Carnet is strongly recommended for film equipment.

Required Documents:

ATA Carnet

Or:

Detailed equipment list with values
Commercial invoice, if applicable
Passports of crew members
Visa or work permits
Proof of insurance
Letter of introduction describing the production

Issuing Organization:

The Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the relevant customs authority.

Timing:

Customs clearance generally takes 2 to 6 hours at the airport or border crossing.

Cost:

With an ATA Carnet, no import duties generally apply. Without a Carnet, temporary import duties may apply, including up to 17% VAT plus customs fees.

General Overview:

Bosnia and Herzegovina is generally safe and film-friendly, particularly in Sarajevo and other major cities.

Security Requirements:

Some rural or mountainous areas may contain unexploded landmines
Filming should be restricted to cleared and approved locations only
Police presence may be required for public spaces
Police presence may be required for road closures
Police presence may be required for crowd scenes
Local security coordinators are recommended for remote shoots

Rebates/Incentives:

Limited regional incentives may be available depending on the entity and local funding scheme. There is currently no nationwide rebate system in place.