Bosnia and Herzegovina sees record‑high housing prices, Trebinje tops Sarajevo

Housing prices in Bosnia and Herzegovina have continued to climb sharply in early 2026, pushing home ownership out of reach for many families. A typical family apartment of 50‑60 m² now requires more than 250,000 KM, while premium new‑build units in cities such as Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka and Tuzla exceed 5,000 KM per square metre.

In the first quarter of 2026, Trebinje recorded the highest average price for new apartments at 4,577 KM per m², surpassing Sarajevo’s 4,226 KM. Banja Luka followed with 3,881 KM, and East New Sarajevo at 2,875 KM. Across the country, the average price of a new flat was 3,701 KM per m², up 20.4 % from the same period a year earlier. The market remained active, with 957 new apartments sold – an 80.9 % increase year‑on‑year – generating a total transaction value of about 146.4 million KM. Banja Luka led sales with 189 units, followed by Prnjavor (118), Trebinje (94), Prijedor (89) and East Ilidža (87).

Economists warn that wage growth has not kept pace with property prices, forcing many residents to abandon purchase plans, rely on long‑term mortgages, or shift to increasingly costly rentals. Investment from the diaspora and buyers treating housing as a safe asset continues to fuel demand despite the affordability squeeze.