Care homes in Bosnia and Herzegovina

1. Which laws apply to opening care homes?

Principal regulation: Institutions Act and the Social Welfare Act, where applicable. Legislation is adopted on the state level (Bosnia and Herzegovina); entities level (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska); as well as on the condominium level (Brcko District). Additionally, in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, legislation is also adopted on the cantonal level.

2. Is the care home operator required to have a presence in the local jurisdiction?

No, but performance by foreign persons are regulated under applicable regulations.

Care homes are incorporated as a social welfare institution and can be public or private.

4. How are the governing bodies of the care home regulated? 

Depending on the establishment form, care homes can have a director, management board, and supervisory board in accordance with the applicable regulations.

The director must fulfil requirements specified in the relevant regulations and is appointed for a four-year term by the founder, with the possibility of one or more re-appointments in accordance with the applicable regulations.

5. Is a concession or approval by any regulatory authority required to open a care home?

No concession necessary, but the following approvals are required:

  • The decision of the competent authority confirming the fulfilment of minimal technical conditions for the premises, accommodation of a specific number of beneficiaries, and professional staff;
  • The decision of the competent Ministry confirming incorporation of the care home with the Social Welfare Act, Institutions Act, and other relevant special regulations;
  • Subsequent confirmations by the competent Ministry are required in the event of any spatial expansion or increase in the number of customers.

6. Is a care home restricted in the performance of activities on the local market?

Care homes are incorporated solely for the performance of specific social services as prescribed by relevant regulations.

Care homes can acquire, encumber or dispose of their real estate or other property with the consent of their founders.

7. Are there any restrictions on how care homes may use their profits?

Public care homes use all profit for re-investing in maintenance of their services and further development of business activities.

Private care homes use profit for maintaining the performance of the care home and optional development of business activities. The founder has the right to decide how any extra profit will be used.

8. Does the government provide any type of subsidy?

The government can subsidize fees for beneficiaries in care homes in circumstances when Social Welfare Centres refer beneficiaries to the care home, in accordance with the relevant regulations.

9. Is there a supervisory authority in relation to the activities of the care home?

The relevant ministry of social affairs supervises the care home and can perform on-site inspections.

The care homes are obligated to submit annual statistical reports to the founder and relevant ministry with the information on its business activities, number of customers, number of employees, etc.

10. What is the number of inhabitants?

3,301,000 (source: World Bank)

11. What is the number of inhabitants older than 65 (in %)?

17.201% (source: World Bank)

12. What is the number of care homes?

110

13. Is there a waiting list?

1-30 days

14. What institutions regulate and monitor the health and social care services?

N/A