Country Overview
Bosnia and Herzegovina
At a glance
Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?
Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?
Legal Gender Recognition Possible?
LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?
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Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1996 in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and since 1998 in Republika Srpska, with the Brčko District following in 2003. The age of consent is uniformly set at 14, irrespective of gender or sexual orientation.
The Law Against Discrimination, as amended in 2016, covers sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics in all aspects of public life, including education, employment, health care, and provision of services. However, same-sex unions are not recognized. Single people can adopt children, but joint or second-parent adoption by a same-sex partner is not permitted. Transgender people may change their legal gender marker, but only after undergoing surgery.
In 2021, the government adopted the “Action Plan to Improve the State of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of LGBTI People in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2021-2025),” aiming to enhance legal protections and societal acceptance for LGBTIQ communities. Despite these advancements, LGBTIQ persons continue to face societal challenges, including discrimination, harassment, and social ostracism. The inaugural Pride Parade in Sarajevo in September 2019 marked a significant milestone as it was the first in the country and occurred without incidents of violence. Bosnia ranks 144 out of 175 on the Global Acceptance Index, indicating that social acceptance of sexual and gender diversity is well below the global median.
*Outright research indicates that the bodily autonomy of intersex people is not respected and protected in this country.
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