Buying your first property is one of the biggest financial steps in a person’s life. Following the introduction of the possibility of obtaining a VAT refund for the purchase of a first property in Bosnia and Herzegovina, many citizens have gained the opportunity to recover a significant portion of the money invested in their first apartment or house.

However, between the legal right to a VAT refund and the money that needs to be returned to the citizen lies what often turns out to be the biggest challenge — paperwork.

This is precisely why PrvaNekretnina.ba was launched: a specialised service designed to help citizens navigate the VAT refund process as simply, safely, and efficiently as possible, with as few administrative complications as possible.

How Does PrvaNekretnina.ba Work?

The idea behind the service is simple: citizens should not have to become experts in tax regulations in order to exercise a right they are entitled to.

Once a citizen contacts us, we first analyse their specific case — when the property was purchased, from whom it was purchased, who the buyer is, who will live in the property, what its size is, what documentation is available, and whether all legal requirements for a VAT refund have been met.

We then review the documentation and determine whether anything is missing.

Only after we have a complete overview of the case do we prepare the application and the necessary documentation for submission to the competent authority.

Our goal is not simply to “fill out a form.” The goal is to prepare the case in such a way as to minimise the possibility of subsequent requests for additional documentation, the return of paperwork, and unnecessary loss of time.

What Has Proven to Be the Biggest Problem in Practice?

Since the beginning of our service, we have noticed something interesting: citizens generally understand the basic concept of a VAT refund, but problems tend to arise when it comes to the details.

The most common question is a simple one:

“Am I entitled to a VAT refund?”

However, the answer depends on a number of specific circumstances.

Citizens are often unsure which date is legally relevant, which documents serve as proof of the purchase and payment, how to demonstrate that the eligibility requirements have been met, what happens when a property is purchased by spouses, how household members are taken into account, and what property area is actually eligible for a refund.

Another common problem is that people often start collecting documents before determining exactly what they need.

They then visit different institutions, obtain various certificates and confirmations, and only later discover that a particular document is missing or that the document they obtained is not sufficient for their specific case.

One Document Can Create a Major Problem

In tax procedures, details are extremely important.

It is not enough to simply say: “I bought my first property.”

That right must be supported by the appropriate documentation.

In practice, problems may therefore arise with purchase agreements, invoices issued by developers, proof of payments made, information concerning household members, residence records, previous ownership of property, and other documents that may be relevant to the decision-making process.

We particularly advise citizens not to assume that every case is the same.

Two people may purchase apartments in the same building, from the same developer, and on almost the same day, yet their tax positions may still be different.

The Most Common Mistake — “I’ll Try It Myself First…”

Of course, citizens have the right to handle the procedure independently.

The problem arises, however, when professional assistance is sought only after an application has already been submitted with incomplete or incorrectly prepared documentation.

It is much easier to prepare a case correctly from the beginning than to later explain certain circumstances, obtain additional evidence, or correct information that has already been submitted.

That is why PrvaNekretnina.ba follows a simple principle:

First, verification — then documentation — and only then, the application.

Administration Should Not Take Away From the Joy of Buying Your First Home

Behind every case we handle is not just a tax application.

There is a person or a family who may have spent years saving for their home. Someone may have taken out a 20- or 30-year mortgage. For some, it is the beginning of a life together; for others, it is their first major investment in life.

That is why we believe that after purchasing their first home, citizens should not have to spend weeks worrying about which document is missing or which institution they need to visit.

That is where PrvaNekretnina.ba takes over.

We review the case, explain the citizen’s rights, prepare a precise list of the required documentation, verify the documents, and prepare the case for exercising the right to a VAT refund.

Our philosophy is very simple:

Your first property should be a reason for happiness — not a reason to worry about paperwork.

That is why PrvaNekretnina.ba was created as a place where citizens can get clear answers to the most important questions: Do I qualify for a VAT refund? What do I need? And what should I do next?