JMBG (Unique Master Citizen Number): The JMBG (Jedinstveni matični broj građanina) is the unique 13-digit personal identification number assigned to all citizens and permanent residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina at birth or upon registration.
The JMBG (Jedinstveni matični broj građanina), meaning "Unique Master Citizen Number", is a 13-digit numerical identifier assigned to every citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to foreign nationals with permanent residence in BiH. It is embedded in national identity cards and passports, and is required for almost all official interactions with state institutions, banks, employers, and healthcare providers.
The 13-digit JMBG encodes information about the holder: the first seven digits represent the date of birth (in DDMMYYY format), the next two digits are the region code (indicating the municipality of registration at birth), followed by a three-digit sequence number differentiating individuals born on the same date in the same region, and a final check digit calculated from the preceding 12 digits.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the JMBG is used across a wide range of contexts: opening bank accounts, signing employment contracts, filing tax returns, registering vehicles, concluding notarised property transactions, and accessing social and health insurance entitlements. Without a valid JMBG, it is effectively impossible to transact formally in BiH.
Foreign nationals intending to live and work in BiH for extended periods must register their stay with the relevant police station and obtain a temporary or permanent residence permit. Upon obtaining permanent residency, a JMBG is issued. For shorter stays, foreign nationals use their passport number and foreign tax identification number for official purposes. Notaries require the JMBG of all parties for property transactions.
The JMBG registry is administered jointly by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH and the entity-level population registers (matični registri). Errors in JMBG records must be corrected through the registry office (matični ured) in the municipality where the person was registered at birth. Corrections can take time, particularly for older records that have not yet been digitised.
Key Facts About JMBG (Unique Master Citizen Number) in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- The JMBG is a 13-digit number encoding date of birth, region code, sequence number, and a check digit.
- It is required for opening bank accounts, signing contracts, registering property, and accessing public services.
- Foreign nationals with permanent residency in BiH are also assigned a JMBG.
- The JMBG is embedded in BiH national identity cards and biometric passports.
- Errors in JMBG records must be corrected through the matični ured in the municipality of original registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the JMBG required for all property transactions in BiH?
Yes. Notaries in Bosnia and Herzegovina require the JMBG of all parties for any notarially certified document, including property sale contracts, mortgage deeds, and powers of attorney. Foreign nationals without a BiH JMBG must use their passport details together with a locally assigned foreign tax identification number.
What should I do if my JMBG contains an error?
Errors in the JMBG must be reported to and corrected by the matični ured (registry office) in the municipality where you were originally registered. You will need to provide your birth certificate and other supporting documents. Once corrected, new identity documents incorporating the correct JMBG must be issued. The process can take several weeks and may require legal assistance if the error is in an older analogue record.
Can a foreign company be assigned a JMBG in BiH?
No. The JMBG is issued only to natural persons. Legal entities (companies) are identified by a different number — the Identifikacijski broj (ID number or JIB) issued by the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH (Uprava za indirektno oporezivanje). This JIB is required for all tax and customs transactions and for registration in the court register.