Trebinje: a stone town under Leotar Mountain, one border from Dubrovnik

Community

Trebinje is in Republika Srpska, one of Bosnia's two entities, and it leans toward Serbia: Serbian officials came for the opening of the town's new hospital in January 2026. Social life runs through the old town's cafes, the green market where local farmers sell cheese and honey, and the wineries around Tvrdoš Monastery. A few months of language lessons before you arrive will make every errand easier.

Register your address within 48 hours of arriving, with the local police or the Service for Foreigners' Affairs. If you rent privately, you and your landlord go in together. The State Department says skipping it can mean fines, deportation or trouble leaving.

Healthcare

The new hospital, Sveti Arhiđakon Stefan 9. januar (Holy Archdeacon Stefan, January 9), opened January 5, 2026. We couldn't confirm which departments it runs or how it bills foreigners, so ask before you need it. Across Bosnia, care isn't free even in public facilities, and the State Department says to expect paying out of pocket, often in cash. It strongly recommends supplemental insurance that covers medical evacuation, says mental health services are limited even in big cities, and caps controlled medications (ADHD stimulants and opioids included) at a 7-day supply. It names Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar for generally safe tap water but not Trebinje, so ask your landlord.

Internet and remote work

Home internet runs about $20 a month. The city's development agency runs a coworking center on the first floor of the bus station, with 12 workstations, two rooms for calls and meetings, and 24/7 card access. It was set up for people in tech and creative work, and our source dates from December 2024. Confirm access and price with the agency before you rely on it.

LGBTQ expats

Same-sex relationships are legal in Bosnia, but the State Department says discrimination is common and that violence and harassment have occurred. It also notes that elected officials in Republika Srpska have proposed restricting LGBTQI+ activities, including at schools. We found no Trebinje-specific reporting. Spend a trial stay here and talk with Bosnian LGBTQ groups before you sign a lease.

Black Americans

We couldn't find a published account of daily life for Black Americans in Trebinje, and the State Department's Bosnia page doesn't address race. Ask in Black expat groups that cover the Balkans, and visit before you commit.

Limited mobility

Expect a tough time with a wheelchair. The State Department says accessible infrastructure is generally unavailable outside Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar, and Trebinje sits at the foot of a mountain, so some streets climb. Look for a ground-floor or elevator apartment on level streets near the center, and test your daily routes on a visit first.

Retiring here

If you're living on Social Security or a pension, know this up front: Bosnia doesn't offer a retirement visa. The Service for Foreigners' Affairs lists no pension ground for temporary residence, but owning property in the country is one. A permit lasts up to a year and can be renewed, and after five unbroken years of temporary residence you can apply for permanent residence. What you get is a slow, affordable town with Dubrovnik close by; what you give up is dry winters and easy English. Start with our Bosnia and Herzegovina guide and temporary residence page, or compare countries that do have a pension route on our retirement visa page.