WORKING HOURS DURING HOLIDAYS IN BANJA LUKA

In anticipation of the New Year, Orthodox Christmas, and the Day of Republika Srpska, the Banja Luka City Administration has announced changes to the working hours for legal entities and entrepreneurs operating in the city, as well as on-call services for registrars within the City Administration.

PHOTO: SeeSrpska

According to the Law on Holidays of Republika Srpska, the Law on the Day of Republika Srpska, and the Decision on Observing and Celebrating the Day of Republika Srpska, the following dates are non-working days:

January 1 and 2, 2025 (Wednesday and Thursday)

January 9, 2025 (Thursday) – Day of Republika Srpska

On these public holidays, government bodies, organizations, local self-government units, companies, institutions, and other entities will not operate. This also applies to individuals professionally engaged in service and production activities.

Paid Leave for Religious Holidays

For Orthodox Christian employees, the following dates are recognized as paid leave under the Law on Holidays of Republika Srpska ("Official Gazette of Republika Srpska," No. 43/07):

January 6, 2025 (Monday) – Christmas Eve

January 7, 2025 (Tuesday) – Christmas Day

Non-Working Days and Registrar On-Call Services

Due to the observance of these holidays, the City Administration of Banja Luka will not operate on January 1, 2, 6, 7, and 9, 2025. However, for urgent matters—specifically, death cases requiring immediate registration in the Registry of Deaths to facilitate the transport of remains outside Bosnia and Herzegovina—telephone on-call services for registrars will be available.

Registrars can be reached on January 1, 2, 6, 7, and 9 between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM at the following phone number: 051 244 444. Calls will be redirected to the on-duty registrar.

Working Hours During Holidays

The City Administration has issued a decision outlining working hours for legal entities and entrepreneurs engaged in trade, crafts, and service activities in Banja Luka during the holiday season.

January 1, 2025 (Wednesday):

From 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM: Legal entities and entrepreneurs involved in the production and sale of bread, pastries, fresh pasta, and cakes; retail outlets such as "convenience stores," and stores located in bus and train stations as well as at gas stations.

From 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM: Retail stores selling funeral equipment.

January 2, 2025 (Thursday):

The same businesses as above may operate.

Additionally, other legal entities and entrepreneurs providing trade, craft, and service activities, as well as shopping centers, may operate from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with shopping centers permitted to extend their hours until 10:00 PM.

Extended Hours for Hospitality Venues

Hospitality establishments will be allowed extended working hours during the holiday period, continuing until January 31, 2025.