Serbia

Bank

Account.

Key legal and procedural aspects of opening a bank account in Serbia.

Overview

This page is intended for international individuals and companies seeking to open a bank account in Serbia remotely, without physical presence, residency, or unnecessary administrative obstacles. It explains how Serbian bank accounts can be opened on the basis of a Power of Attorney, what documentation is required, how compliance is handled, and why Serbia’s regulatory position—particularly its non-participation in the CRS framework—makes it a practical jurisdiction for cross-border banking. The focus is on legally compliant, fully operational bank accounts suitable for international payments, multi-currency use, and long-term banking stability.

Serbia Bank Account for Non-Residents – Comprehensive Legal and Banking Overview (2026)

Opening a Serbia bank account as a non-resident has become a strategically relevant option for international individuals and companies seeking stable, compliant, and flexible banking solutions outside highly regulated European jurisdictions. Serbia offers lawful access to modern banking services, international transfers, and multi-currency functionality, supported by a regulatory framework that remains accessible to foreign clients when the process is handled correctly.

For international users, a Serbia bank account is not an offshore workaround or a limited-purpose structure. It represents a fully regulated banking relationship with licensed Serbian financial institutions, offering digital banking platforms, payment cards, and cross-border transaction capabilities equivalent to those available to resident clients.

Availability of Banking Services for Non-Residents in Serbia

A Serbia bank account may be opened by foreign individuals and foreign legal entities regardless of citizenship or place of residence, subject to compliance with applicable documentation and due diligence requirements. Serbian law does not impose a general residency requirement for account opening, which places Serbia among a shrinking group of European jurisdictions still offering practical banking access to non-residents.

Depending on the intended use, non-residents may choose between foreign currency accounts, local dinar accounts, or integrated multi-currency solutions. In practice, most clients opt for a Serbia bank account that supports EUR, USD, CHF, and GBP, combined with full online and mobile banking access in English.

Regulatory Position and CRS Considerations

A major distinguishing feature of a Serbia bank account lies in Serbia’s regulatory position outside the OECD Common Reporting Standard. Serbia is not a CRS-participating jurisdiction, and Serbian banks are therefore not subject to automatic exchange of financial account information under the CRS framework.

In practical terms, data relating to a Serbia bank account is disclosed only in response to legally valid and specific requests submitted through international legal assistance mechanisms. There is no routine or automatic reporting of account balances or account holder data solely by virtue of CRS rules.

At the same time, Serbian banks operate within a fully compliant international framework. AML and KYC standards are rigorously applied, Serbia is a member of the Egmont Group, and FATCA obligations are implemented through a bilateral agreement with the United States. As a result, a Serbia bank account provides lawful confidentiality rather than secrecy.

Strategic and Geopolitical Context

The strategic relevance of a Serbia bank account is reinforced by Serbia’s specific geopolitical and economic positioning. Serbia maintains strong and well-established commercial ties with the European Union while remaining outside the EU regulatory framework, which allows Serbian banks a greater degree of operational flexibility compared to banks in EU member states. At the same time, Serbia preserves active and functional transactional connectivity with non-EU jurisdictions, most notably Russia and China, where access to Western banking systems is often limited or subject to heightened restrictions.

In practical terms, Serbian banks continue to maintain correspondent banking relationships and transaction-processing capabilities involving Russian and Chinese counterparties that are increasingly unavailable through EU-based banks. This makes a Serbia bank account particularly relevant for international clients whose business activities, ownership structures, or payment flows involve Russia or China, whether directly or indirectly. Serbian banks are able to process certain cross-border transactions, settlements, and corporate flows that would otherwise face delays, enhanced scrutiny, or outright rejection in more restrictive jurisdictions.

For international clients, this positioning allows a Serbia bank account to function as a genuine financial bridge between multiple economic zones. It reduces reliance on a single regulatory or geopolitical environment and provides a degree of diversification in banking access. As a result, clients benefit from improved operational flexibility, continuity of transactions, and broader market connectivity, while remaining within a regulated and legally compliant European banking system.

Remote Opening via Power of Attorney

One of the most practical advantages associated with a Serbia bank account is the ability to complete the entire opening procedure remotely. Non-residents are not required to travel to Serbia, establish residence, or appear before the bank in person.

Through a duly executed Power of Attorney, an authorized legal representative manages all interactions with the bank, including documentation submission, compliance correspondence, and account activation. Once the Serbia bank account is approved, the client receives full access to e-banking and mobile banking platforms, payment cards, and multi-currency functionality.

Accounts for Individual Clients

A Serbia bank account for non-resident individuals is opened exclusively through a structured legal procedure conducted on the basis of a duly executed Power of Attorney, rather than through a standard in-branch or retail onboarding model. The client is not required to be physically present in Serbia at any stage of the process, nor to visit the bank, register residence, or complete any in-person formalities. All interactions with the bank are carried out by an authorized legal representative acting under the Power of Attorney.

Under this framework, the bank’s onboarding is driven by its internal AML and KYC procedures, while the authorized representative manages the entire process on the client’s behalf. This includes preparation and submission of all application forms, coordination with the bank’s compliance department, delivery of identification and address documentation, responses to follow-up compliance questions, and completion of any formal steps required for account activation. The client’s involvement is limited to providing the necessary documentation and executing the Power of Attorney in the prescribed form.

The individual bank account opening process in Serbia is completed through the following stages:

Initial legal assessment of eligibility for remote account opening
Selection of the appropriate Serbian bank based on the client’s profile and intended use
Preparation of the application file and Power of Attorney
Submission of documentation to the bank and compliance review
Responses to any AML/KYC follow-up questions raised by the bank
Approval of the account and activation of e-banking, mobile banking, and payment cards

Banks typically require a valid passport, proof of residential address, and completed bank application form. All documentation is reviewed and submitted without the client’s physical attendance, and any additional compliance inquiries are addressed directly by the representative in coordination with the bank.

The standard documentation required for opening a personal bank account in Serbia includes:

Valid passport of the account holder
Proof of residential address
Completed bank application form
Power of Attorney authorizing the legal representative to act before the bank

Approval timelines for an individual Serbia bank account generally range from several business days to approximately one week following submission of complete and compliant documentation. The exact timing depends on the selected bank’s internal procedures, the client’s jurisdiction and risk profile, and whether enhanced due diligence is required. Where documentation is complete and the profile is straightforward, the account is typically approved and activated promptly, with full access to e-banking, mobile banking, and payment cards provided once onboarding is finalized—all without the client traveling to Serbia or appearing before the bank in person.

Accounts for Foreign Companies

Foreign companies may open a Serbia bank account entirely remotely, without establishing physical presence, local management, or operational activity in Serbia and without any in-person attendance by directors, shareholders, or authorized signatories. The company is not required to register a branch, representative office, or permanent establishment in Serbia for banking purposes. The complete onboarding procedure is conducted exclusively on the basis of a duly executed Power of Attorney, with an authorized legal representative managing the process directly with the selected bank and its compliance department.

All stages of the corporate account opening are handled remotely. This includes preparation and submission of the application file, delivery of corporate documentation, communication with the bank’s compliance and risk teams, responses to AML/KYC inquiries, and coordination of account activation. Directors and shareholders are not required to travel to Serbia, appear before the bank, or participate in any in-branch meetings. Once the account is approved, access to e-banking, mobile banking, and payment services is provided without any physical interaction.

The bank account opening process is typically completed in the following stages:

Initial legal assessment of the company structure and eligibility for remote onboarding
Selection of the appropriate Serbian bank based on jurisdiction, business model, and payment needs
Preparation of the complete application file and compliance package
Submission of documentation to the bank and communication with compliance / AML teams
Responses to any additional KYC or source-of-funds inquiries
Approval of the account and activation of e-banking and payment services

From a compliance perspective, banks require full transparency of the company’s legal and ownership structure. Documentation typically includes corporate registration extracts, constitutional documents, identification of directors and authorized signatories, and complete disclosure of the ownership chain up to the ultimate beneficial owners. Beneficial owners are identified in accordance with Serbian AML legislation and international standards, generally based on ownership or control thresholds. Depending on the company’s jurisdiction, business model, and expected transaction profile, banks may also request additional information regarding business activities, source of funds, counterparties, and anticipated payment flows. All such documentation is submitted and managed remotely through the authorized representative.

The standard documentation required for opening a corporate bank account in Serbia includes:

Extract from the commercial register of the company
Valid passports of the company’s director(s)
Valid passports of the ultimate beneficial owner(s)
Completed bank application form
Power of Attorney authorizing the legal representative to conduct the process

While the compliance review for a corporate Serbia bank account is more detailed than for personal accounts, it remains efficient and predictable when the documentation is properly prepared and aligned with Serbian and international AML and KYC standards. The duration of the process primarily depends on the complexity of the ownership structure, the jurisdiction of incorporation, and the clarity of the supporting documents. Where the corporate structure is transparent and the file is complete, banks are typically able to complete onboarding within a reasonable timeframe, granting the company full access to multi-currency accounts, international transfers, and digital banking services — entirely without physical presence in Serbia.

Strategic Assessment

A Serbia bank account represents a rare combination of attributes that are increasingly difficult to find within the European banking landscape. It brings together lawful banking confidentiality derived from Serbia’s non-participation in the OECD Common Reporting Standard, a fully compliant regulatory environment aligned with international AML and KYC standards, the ability to establish and operate accounts entirely remotely, and a cost structure that remains competitive when compared to both EU and non-EU jurisdictions.

Serbia’s regulatory framework allows international individuals and companies to diversify their banking exposure without resorting to offshore or high-risk jurisdictions. The absence of automatic CRS reporting, combined with robust supervisory oversight by the National Bank of Serbia and adherence to FATCA and international anti-money-laundering mechanisms, positions Serbian banking as a legally sound alternative rather than a regulatory loophole. In this context, a Serbia bank account offers discretion without opacity, and flexibility without compromising compliance.

From an operational perspective, the possibility to open and manage accounts exclusively on the basis of a Power of Attorney, without physical presence, significantly reduces administrative friction. This remote accessibility, paired with full digital banking functionality, multi-currency support, and broad correspondent banking networks, allows clients to manage international payment flows efficiently while maintaining continuity across different markets and regulatory environments.

For international entrepreneurs, corporate groups, investors, and high-net-worth individuals seeking a stable, compliant, and strategically positioned banking solution in 2026, a Serbia bank account stands as a pragmatic and forward-looking choice. It provides not only access to reliable banking services, but also a measured form of regulatory and geopolitical diversification within a European legal framework, making it a sound long-term component of an international banking strategy.

Need legal support? Get in touch — our team is here to guide you every step of the way. When the law gets complicated, we make things clear — and get things done.

Email:

inquiry@injac.rs

Tel:

+381 11 2458 945

Address:

Makenzijeva 17,

11000 Belgrade - Serbia

Contact Us:

Navigating Serbia’s dynamic business environment requires sharp legal insight and reliable support. Injac Attorneys at Law delivers tailored legal solutions across Corporate Law, M&A, Dispute Resolution, Employment, IP, Real Estate, Data Protection, and Tax. Count on us as your trusted legal partner in every transaction.

Serbia

Bank

Account.

Key legal and procedural aspects of opening a bank account in Serbia.

Overview

Serbia Bank Account for Non-Residents – Comprehensive Legal and Banking Overview (2026)

Availability of Banking Services for Non-Residents in Serbia

Regulatory Position and CRS Considerations

Strategic and Geopolitical Context

Remote Opening via Power of Attorney

Accounts for Individual Clients

Accounts for Foreign Companies

Strategic Assessment

Need legal support? Get in touch — our team is here to guide you every step of the way. When the law gets complicated, we make things clear — and get things done.

Email:

inquiry@injac.rs

Tel:

+381 11 2458 945

Address:

Makenzijeva 17,

11000 Belgrade - Serbia

Contact Us:

Email:

inquiry@injac.rs

Tel:

+381 11 2458 945

Address:

Makenzijeva 17,

11000 Belgrade - Serbia

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