Bosnia and Herzegovina rolls out instant payment system and free e‑signature service

The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CBBiH) has launched a domestic instant‑payment platform that operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Initially, Intesa Sanpaolo Bank BiH, Raiffeisen Bank BiH and Sparkasse Bank BiH joined the scheme, covering roughly a quarter of the banking sector’s assets. The service enables near‑real‑time transfers between accounts, with fees lower than those of the existing clearing system. The system was developed on a European model with technical support from the Bank of Italy and funding of €2 million from the European Union.

In parallel, the Agency for Identification Documents, Evidence and Data Exchange (IDDEEA) is offering qualified electronic signatures to citizens and authorized professionals at no cost. The e‑signature carries the same legal weight as a handwritten one and can be used to sign documents online, reducing the need for physical visits to public institutions. The agency has established registration points across Bosnia and Herzegovina and integrates the signature into a mobile app that also provides access to personal records and vehicle data. Both initiatives are part of a broader digitalisation push aimed at improving efficiency for individuals and businesses.