Living costs
Student budget in Sarajevo, item by item
Rent, food, transport, utilities and one-off costs, with prices in convertible marks and euros.
The cost of living in Sarajevo for students is about €450 to €700 per month (880 to 1,370 KM), including a room in a shared flat, food, transport, phone and some free time. A studio of your own pushes the total to €800 to €1,000. Tuition comes on top.
Cost of living in Sarajevo for students: the monthly total
The cost of living in Sarajevo for students is roughly €450 to €700 a month in 2026. That is the range we see across the students we place every year, from first-years in a four-person flat in Novi Grad to final-year medics with their own studio near the Clinical Center. Rent decides most of it. Food, transport and phone add up to a fairly stable €220 to €300. A strict budget in Novi Grad gets you down to about €410; a studio in Centar takes you close to €1,000.
All prices below are in convertible marks (KM) and euros. The mark is pegged to the euro at 1 € = 1.95583 KM, so a euro budget stays predictable. Shops and landlords quote in KM; many landlords accept euros in cash.
| Monthly item | Frugal | Average | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Room in shared flat, Novi Grad: 300 KM (€155) | Room in shared flat, Novo Sarajevo: 420 KM (€215) | Studio in Centar: 800 KM (€410) |
| Utilities (share, year average) | 60 KM (€30) | 100 KM (€50) | 180 KM (€90) |
| Food and groceries | 300 KM (€155) | 390 KM (€200) | 490 KM (€250) |
| Public transport | 0 to 30 KM (€0 to 15) | 40 KM (€20) | 60 KM (€30), incl. taxis |
| Phone and internet | 15 KM (€8) | 25 KM (€13) | 70 KM (€35) |
| Health insurance | 30 KM (€15) | 40 KM (€20) | 50 KM (€25) |
| Leisure, gym, trips | 80 KM (€40) | 160 KM (€80) | 270 KM (€140) |
| Total per month | about 800 to 830 KM (€410 to 425) | about 1,175 KM (€600) | about 1,920 KM (€980) |
Typical 2026 prices for international students. Round up by 10% for your first two months, when you buy more than you plan to.
Student accommodation in Sarajevo: dorm, shared flat or studio
Student accommodation in Sarajevo comes in three forms: public dormitories, rooms in shared flats and studios. For most international students, a room in a shared flat gives the best balance of price, comfort and contact with classmates.
Public dormitories (Studentski centar Sarajevo)Cheapest option, very few places+
Studentski centar Sarajevo runs the public halls in Bjelave and Nedžarići, with room for about 2,000 students. The price is the lowest in the city, but places go mostly to students from Bosnia and Herzegovina, rooms are shared by two or three, and the buildings are old. In practice, very few of our international students end up here.
The International University of Sarajevo has its own residences in Ilidža, with separate halls for men and women. Annual fees start at about €1,850 for a four- or five-bed room, which works out at roughly €185 to €205 a month over the academic year, plus a €100 refundable deposit.
Room in a shared flatOur standard recommendation, €155 to €280+
Most students share a two- or three-bedroom flat in a socialist-era block or a newer building. You get your own room, share the kitchen and bathroom, and split heating and internet. Rent for one room runs from 300 to 550 KM (€155 to €280) depending on the district.
This is the option we arrange for our students. We manage rooms in shared flats near the campuses, with a written contract, furniture and a fixed monthly price, so you arrive to a bed that is ready rather than spending your first week on viewings.
Studio or one-bedroom flatPrivacy, €255 to €460 plus bills+
A furnished studio (garsonjera, 25 to 40 m²) costs 500 to 900 KM (€255 to €460) a month before utilities. Couples and older students who work at home prefer this. In winter, add 120 to 200 KM (€60 to €100) for heating and electricity if they are not included.
Rent in Sarajevo by district
Rent in Sarajevo falls as you move west, away from the old town. The city runs along one tram line, so a cheaper district rarely means a long commute.
| District | Room in shared flat | Studio (furnished) | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centar (Koševo, Ciglane, Marijin Dvor) | 400 to 550 KM (€205 to €280) | 700 to 900 KM (€360 to €460) | University of Sarajevo, medicine near the Clinical Center |
| Stari Grad (Baščaršija, Bistrik) | 380 to 520 KM (€195 to €265) | 600 to 850 KM (€305 to €435) | Atmosphere, old houses, steeper streets |
| Novo Sarajevo (Grbavica, Čengić Vila) | 350 to 450 KM (€180 to €230) | 550 to 750 KM (€280 to €385) | Middle ground, tram and campus nearby |
| Novi Grad (Alipašino Polje, Dobrinja, Otoka) | 300 to 400 KM (€155 to €205) | 500 to 650 KM (€255 to €330) | Lowest rents in the city |
| Ilidža (Stup, Hrasnica road, centre) | 300 to 420 KM (€155 to €215) | 500 to 700 KM (€255 to €360) | IUS, Burch and SSST, walking to class |
Food and groceries: a sample student basket
A student who cooks most meals spends about 300 to 450 KM (€155 to €230) a month on food in Sarajevo. Bingo, Konzum and Amko are the usual supermarkets; the Markale and Ciglane markets are cheaper for fruit and vegetables.
| Item | Price in KM | Price in € |
|---|---|---|
| Bread, 500 g | 1.20 to 2.00 | 0.60 to 1.00 |
| Milk, 1 litre | 2.00 to 2.50 | 1.00 to 1.30 |
| Eggs, 10 | 3.50 to 4.50 | 1.80 to 2.30 |
| Chicken breast, 1 kg | 12 to 15 | 6.10 to 7.70 |
| Rice or pasta, 1 kg | 2.50 to 4.00 | 1.30 to 2.00 |
| Apples or tomatoes, 1 kg (market) | 2.00 to 4.00 | 1.00 to 2.00 |
| Burek or pita from a bakery | 3 to 5 | 1.50 to 2.60 |
| Ćevapi, portion of 10 | 10 to 14 | 5.10 to 7.20 |
| Lunch menu near campus | 10 to 14 | 5.10 to 7.20 |
| Coffee in a café | 2.50 to 3.50 | 1.30 to 1.80 |
Eating out is cheap compared with Western Europe, and that is where budgets slip. Ten café coffees and four ćevapi dinners a week add 200 KM (€100) to a month without you noticing.
Transport in Sarajevo
Public transport in Sarajevo is run by GRAS (trams, trolleybuses, buses) and Centrotrans on some suburban lines. A single ticket costs under 2 KM (about €0.90). Tram line 3 runs from Ilidža through Novo Sarajevo and Marijin Dvor to Baščaršija in about 35 to 40 minutes.
- University of Sarajevo students: the canton subsidises city transport for students, and enrolled students can get a free pass at the GRAS office in Ćumurija with a photo and a certificate of enrolment.
- Other students: budget 30 to 55 KM (€15 to €28) a month for a monthly pass or tickets.
- Taxis: a ride across the city costs 10 to 20 KM (€5 to €10). Ride apps work and are popular for late returns.
Students living in Ilidža and studying at IUS, Burch or SSST often walk or cycle and spend almost nothing on transport during the week.
Utilities, heating and phone
Utilities in Sarajevo cost 60 to 180 KM (€30 to €90) a month for a student share, and winter doubles the bill. Many central blocks have district heating charged per square metre all year; other flats heat with electricity or gas, so the January bill can be 150 to 250 KM (€75 to €130) for a whole flat.
- Electricity, water and rubbish: 40 to 80 KM (€20 to €40) per person outside winter.
- Home internet: about 40 to 55 KM (€20 to €28) per flat, so 15 to 20 KM (€8 to €10) per person.
- Prepaid SIM (BH Telecom, m:tel or HT Eronet): 10 to 25 KM (€5 to €13) a month for a generous data package.
Health insurance and medical costs
International students in Sarajevo need health insurance valid in Bosnia and Herzegovina for their residence permit. A private policy for students costs about 300 to 600 KM (€150 to €300) a year, which is €15 to €25 a month. A visit to a private doctor costs 50 to 80 KM (€25 to €40); public clinics are cheaper but slower. Pharmacy prices for common medicines are lower than in Germany or Switzerland. We explain which policy fits your permit in our student visa guide for Bosnia.
Leisure and free time
Sarajevo is a city where you can have a social life on a small budget. Students meet over coffee rather than in bars, and the mountains start at the edge of town.
- Cinema ticket: 8 to 12 KM (€4 to €6)
- Gym membership: 50 to 80 KM (€25 to €40) a month
- Beer in a bar: 4 to 6 KM (€2 to €3)
- Day ski pass on Jahorina or Bjelašnica: about 70 to 90 KM (€35 to €45)
- Sarajevo Film Festival screenings in August: from about 10 KM (€5)
One-off arrival costs
Plan €600 to €1,000 for your first month on top of the monthly budget. Most of it is paid once.
| One-off cost | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Rent deposit (usually one month) | 300 to 800 KM (€155 to €410) |
| First month's rent in advance | 300 to 800 KM (€155 to €410) |
| Address registration and residence permit fees | about 150 to 250 KM (€75 to €130) |
| Bedding, kitchen basics, small furniture | 150 to 400 KM (€75 to €205) |
| Textbooks and, for medicine, a white coat and kit | 100 to 300 KM (€50 to €155) |
| Airport transfer and first-week taxis | 40 to 80 KM (€20 to €40) |
Translations and recognition of your school documents also come before departure. You find them in our overview of tuition fees in Bosnia.
Living costs in Bosnia for students: Sarajevo vs other cities
Sarajevo is the most expensive student city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but only by €50 to €150 a month. The difference is almost all rent.
| City | Living costs per month | Universities with English programmes |
|---|---|---|
| Sarajevo | approx. €450 to €700 | University of Sarajevo, IUS, Burch, SSST |
| Banja Luka | approx. €450 to €650 | University of Banja Luka |
| Mostar | approx. €500 to €700 | University of Mostar |
| Tuzla | approx. €400 to €600 | University of Tuzla |
| Foča | approx. €400 to €550 | University of East Sarajevo, Foča |
Mostar comes close to Sarajevo because tourism pushes summer rents up. Foča is the cheapest place to study medicine in English in the country, with tuition and living costs both low. If you are comparing medicine programmes across Bosnia, our sister company has a detailed overview of medical studies in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Student budget Sarajevo: money-saving tips from our students
A realistic student budget in Sarajevo is €600 a month, and students who follow these habits regularly stay closer to €450.
Seven tips that actually save moneyCollected from students in their second and third year+
- Sign a contract for the full academic year. Monthly lets cost 15 to 25% more.
- Choose a flat with district heating included, or ask for last winter's bills.
- Shop for vegetables at the market on Saturday morning, not in the supermarket.
- Cook in batches with flatmates. Four people sharing one pot of grah or pasta eat for under 3 KM each.
- Use the student menus in faculty canteens and the bakeries around campus for lunch.
- Pay in KM, not euros, in shops. Rounding at the till usually goes against you.
- Buy the season ski pass early in autumn if you plan to ski more than six days.
Which universities are where in Sarajevo
Sarajevo has one large public university and three private English-taught universities, plus the University of East Sarajevo on the Lukavica side. Where you study should decide where you live.
- University of Sarajevo: main campus on Zmaja od Bosne in Centar; the Faculty of Medicine and Clinical Center around Koševo. Best districts: Centar, Novo Sarajevo.
- International University of Sarajevo: campus in Ilidža. Best districts: Ilidža, Stup.
- International Burch University: campus in Ilidža. Best districts: Ilidža, Stup.
- Sarajevo School of Science and Technology: campus at Hrasnička cesta in Ilidža. Best districts: Ilidža, Novi Grad.
All four are state-accredited. You can compare all 21 in our university finder, read the complete guide to studying in Bosnia, or check which institutions to avoid in our article on non-accredited universities in Bosnia.
FAQ: cost of living in Sarajevo for students
How much money do I need per month to study in Sarajevo?
Most international students need €450 to €700 a month (880 to 1,370 KM) for rent, food, transport, phone and free time. With a studio of your own, plan €800 to €1,000. Tuition is paid separately.
How much is rent in Sarajevo for students?
A room in a shared flat costs 300 to 550 KM (€155 to €280) a month. A furnished studio costs 500 to 900 KM (€255 to €460). Novi Grad and Ilidža are the cheapest districts, Centar the most expensive.
Can international students live in the Studentski centar dorms?
The public halls in Bjelave and Nedžarići are cheap but have few places, which go mostly to students from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most international students live in shared flats. IUS runs its own residences in Ilidža from about €1,850 a year.
Is public transport free for students in Sarajevo?
Enrolled students of the University of Sarajevo can get a free city transport pass at the GRAS office with a photo and an enrolment certificate. Other students pay about 30 to 55 KM (€15 to €28) a month. A single ticket costs under 2 KM.
How much are utilities in winter?
Utilities for a student share are 60 to 180 KM (€30 to €90) a month. In January, a flat heated by electricity can reach 150 to 250 KM (€75 to €130) in total. Flats with district heating have a fixed monthly charge all year.
Is Sarajevo more expensive than other Bosnian student cities?
Yes, slightly. Sarajevo costs about €450 to €700 a month, Banja Luka €450 to €650, Tuzla €400 to €600 and Foča €400 to €550. The difference is mainly rent.
Do you help with student accommodation in Sarajevo?
Yes. We manage rooms in shared flats near the campuses and arrange them for our students with a written contract and furniture. You know your monthly rent before you travel.
Related guides
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Last updated: 20 October 2026 · Study in Bosnia editorial team