Leave Laws
Last updated on March 13, 2026.
Paid Time Off (PTO) in Bosnia
A note on the territorial division and the duties under the Constitution
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a decentralized state and consists of two major independent entities:
-
The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federation of B&H)
-
Republika Srpska (RS).
The leave laws presented apply to both parts of Bosnia. However, laws are presented in separate sections when regulations differ between these two entities.
A third unit of Bosnia, the Brčko District, has almost identical leave laws as in Republika Srpska, although some legislative acts are not entirely the same. Due to its relatively small size (accounting for just 2% of Bosnia’s total population), it is not covered in this article. The Federation of B&H is decentralized into 10 cantons.
Vacation Leave Quota
20 days
Workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina are entitled to at least 20 days of paid vacation. This vacation entitlement is identical to those of neighboring countries, such as Serbia’s leave laws.
Duration of vacation can be up to a maximum of 30 days. However, vacation may last even longer than 30 working days if this is regulated by a collective agreement, according to the nature of the job and working conditions.
An underage employee is entitled to at least 24 days of leave.
Employees are entitled to their vacation leave after six months of continuous service at the company.
(Vacation leave - Godišnji odmor in Bosnian)
Carry Over
Allowed. Carried-over leave expires June 30 of the following year.
Employees may take their vacation in 2 parts, but the first part must be a minimum of 12 uninterrupted days within the given calendar year, and the rest of it can be carried over.
Employees who don’t take all their vacation days within the given year can transfer these leftover days to the following year. However, they must take these vacation days by June 30 next year.
PTO Cash Out
Not allowed.
Employees are not allowed to give up their vacation time and demand pay instead of the vacation days they are entitled to. However, suppose an employee doesn’t take their vacation because of something the employer did wrong, like refusing their vacation request. In that case, the employee can demand monetary compensation for the vacation time they didn’t use.
Payout
During vacation leave, an employee is entitled to 100% salary compensation.
Sick Leave in Bosnia
Sick Leave in the Federation of B&H
The first 42 days are paid by the employer; then by the Health Insurance Fund.
An employer is responsible for paying an employee’s salary during the first 42 days of sick leave. The employer continues to provide salary compensation to the employee even after those 42 days. Still, they are entitled to reimbursement for these payments from the relevant health insurance fund.
A medical board decides if an employee’s sick leave needs to be extended beyond 42 days.
Payout
During sick leave, an employee receives 80% of regular salary. In case of work-related injuries, they receive 100% of their salary.
Sick Leave in Republika Srpska
The first 30 days are paid by the employer; then the Health Insurance Fund.
An employer pays sick leave compensation for up to 30 days. Sick leaves longer than 30 days are covered by the Health Insurance Fund of the Republic of Srpska, except in cases of work-related injuries and occupational diseases.
Payout
The salary during sick leave ranges from 70% to 100% of the salary, depending on the type of illness.
Maternity Leave in Bosnia
Maternity Leave in the Federation of B&H
365 days with 100% paid leave.
Pregnant female employees are entitled to one year of fully paid maternity leave. Maternity leave starts 28 days before the expected date of birth.
An employee may choose to take shorter maternity leave, but they are required by law to take at least 42 days of leave after childbirth.
(Maternity leave - Porodiljsko odsustvo in Bosnian)
Payout
The pay rate for maternity leave differs among cantons, ranging from 50% to 100% of the employee’s average wages.
Maternity Leave in Republika Srpska
365 days with 100% paid leave.
Female employees are entitled to 1 full year of paid maternity leave. Maternity leave starts 28 days before the expected date of birth.
Working mothers may take shorter maternity leave, but they are legally obligated to take at least 60 days of maternity leave after the birth of their child.
Payout
Employees on maternity leave receive 100% of their average wages in the last twelve months.
Paternity Leave in Bosnia
Not required by law.
There is no statutory entitlement to paternity leave in either of the two major parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bereavement Leave in Bosnia
Online data unavailable; check official or offline legal materials.
Jury Duty Leave in Bosnia
Online data unavailable; check official or offline legal materials.
Military Leave in Bosnia
Employees on mandatory military service or training are entitled to leave and have the right to return to their former or a similar position upon completion.
Voting Leave in Bosnia
Online data unavailable; check official or offline legal materials.
Public Holidays in Bosnia
11 public holidays
All three entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina share most of their public holidays. However, the definite list differs for a few holidays. The lists of holidays provided below are for two major entities.
The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 & 2 | New Year’s Day |
| January 6 & 7 | Orthodox Christmas Day |
| March 1 | Bosnian Independence Day |
| Movable (Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Sunday) | Easter for Members of the Catholic Church: 3 days (#) |
| Movable according to the Islamic calendar | Eid al-Fitr (Ramazanski bajram) for Muslims |
| May 1 & 2 | Labor Day |
| Movable (Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Sunday) | Easter for Members of the Christian Orthodox Church: 3 days (#) |
| May 9 | International Victory Day |
| Movable according to the Islamic calendar | Eid al-Adha (Kurban-bajram) for Muslims |
| November 25 | Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| December 24 & 25 | Christmas for Members of the Catholic Church |
Republika Srpska
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 & 2 | New Year’s Day |
| January 6 & 7 | Orthodox Christmas Day |
| January 9 | Republic Day |
| Movable (Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Sunday) | Easter for Members of the Catholic Church: 3 days (#) |
| Movable according to the Islamic calendar | Eid al-Fitr (Ramazanski bajram) for Muslims |
| May 1 & 2 | Labor Day |
| Movable (Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Sunday) | Easter for Members of the Christian Orthodox Church: 3 days (#) |
| May 9 | International Victory Day |
| Movable according to the Islamic calendar | Eid al-Adha (Kurban-bajram) for Muslims |
| November 21 | Day of The General Framework Agreement for Peace |
| December 24 & 25 | Christmas for Members of the Catholic Church |
(#) Once in a few years, dates for Catholic and Orthodox Christmas coincide.
Sources
-
Labour law in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, https://cms.law/en/int/expert-guides/cms-expert-guide-to-labour-law-in-central-eastern-europe/federation-of-bosnia-and-herzegovina
-
Definitive Guide to Hiring in Bosnia and Herzegovina, https://www.globalexpansion.com/countrypedia/bosnia-and-herzegovina
-
Jasmina Bišćević Tokić: Izmjene zakona u FBiH o bolovanju su na štetu zdravstvenog Fonda i radnika, https://www.faktor.ba/vijest/jasmina-biscevic-tokic-izmjene-zakona-u-fbih-o-bolovanju-su-na-stetu-zdravstvenog-fonda-i-radnika/196220
-
Local Employment Regulations - Bosnia and Herzegovina, https://www.atlashxm.com/countries/bosnia-herzegovina
-
Payroll and Benefits Guide - Bosnia and Herzegovina, https://www.papayaglobal.com/countrypedia/country/bosnia-and-herzegovina/
Visit our Leave Laws page to find out everything about laws in various countries.
This material is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For current and accurate guidance, please consult legal counsel in your jurisdiction.
Get started
