From 1996 to the end of 2025, a total of 102,318 persons renounced the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
However, that’s not all. So, each person had to pay almost 900 marks to get that citizenship printout. However, now the way to return BiH citizenship to those who renounced it could be eased. The proposal, which was submitted to the parliamentary procedure by the state representative Jasmin Imamović, would introduce an amendment specifically intended for persons who, for the purposes of acquiring the citizenship of another country, renounced Bosnia and Herzegovina. passport. What it is about and how important it could be for our country were clarified by the proposer Jasmin Imamović.
Speaking about the treatment of those who had to renounce BiH citizenship, and now want to return it, Imamović points out that under the existing law they are treated as someone who is applying for BiH citizenship for the first time.
“As someone who could not find Bosnia and Herzegovina on the map, and they had to give up their citizenship in order to settle their existence where they are. It is hypocritical. Everyone is crying like tears, ‘we are leaving the youth, we are leaving the labor force, we need the labor force, we have to import it’, and on the other hand, when they leave, a wall is erected that is difficult to jump over, an insurmountable wall. De facto, this law barely allows citizenship to those who want to return it,” he emphasizes.
On the other hand, he continues, we have countries that make strategies, and he cites the example of neighboring Croatia, which invests huge resources in return projects and rewards those who return to their home country from the diaspora.
“And here we have that too strict law. (…) In the last ten years, 100,000 people have left us, let’s give them a message to come back. They want to start a business and have to wait three years, who has time to wait three years”, he said.
Clarifying what would be changed by the new law, he states that the applicant would only need to prove that he was not convicted of serious crimes, for crimes committed with intent, which would be the basis for acquiring or returning citizenship for BiH to those who once had it.
Zukić expressed satisfaction with the submission of this initiative, stating that the non-governmental organization she represents has followed the process of the departure of young people, including those who had to renounce their citizenship by acquiring that of another country.
“However, I am glad that the policy focused on the protection of citizens, it is difficult for people, some could not meet these conditions for three years… It was a stepmotherly attitude towards citizens, we hope they are welcome. We are also launching the portal ‘Return to Homeland’, we communicate with people, many of those who have not renounced their citizenship come forward, and this will enable them to return more easily and that we have our people who are both young and educated”, Zukić points out.
When asked if there has been a noticeable decrease in the trend of departures in recent years, she answers that although it has, the fact remains that the total number exceeds 100,000, which, as she pointed out, is an entire city.
Speaking about the procedure that is now before the law, Imamović expresses the hope that his proposal will find support in the House of Representatives, he writes N1 BiH.
“I’m lobbying within the House of Representatives, we simply have to have a return strategy, we take measures, we have to call for an end to hypocrisy. We regret that they are going and we suffer the obstacle that is the BiH Citizenship Law. Today we have the opportunity to remove that obstacle at least in the House of Representatives,” he adds.
