Home

About Us

Our Team

Practice Areas

Legal Insights

Career

Contact

Immigration to Serbia

Obtain residence and work permits for company founders, directors, and employees — with clear guidance on visa requirements, application procedures, and the pathway to permanent residence and citizenship.

Overview

This page is intended for foreign nationals who are establishing or operating a business in Serbia and need to formalise their legal right to reside and work in the country. It covers visa requirements for entering Serbia, the temporary residence permit system, the unified permit procedure (combining residence and work authorisation), the specific pathways to residence through company formation, employment, and property ownership, and the route from temporary to permanent residence and ultimately to Serbian citizenship.

Serbia significantly reformed its immigration framework in 2024, introducing the unified permit (objedinjeno odobrenje) that combines temporary residence and work authorisation in a single administrative procedure. This replaced the previous system where residence and work permits were separate applications, handled by different authorities. The unified permit is now the standard document for foreign nationals who intend to both reside and work in Serbia, and all applications are submitted electronically through the Welcome to Serbia portal (welcometoserbia.gov.rs).

For foreign company founders, directors, and employers sending staff to Serbia, this guide provides the practical framework for ensuring that all personnel have lawful residence and work status from day one of operations.

Immigration to Serbia

Entry Requirements: Who Needs a Visa

The first question for any foreign national planning to come to Serbia is whether a visa is required for entry.

Visa-Free Entry

Citizens of most European countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, the UAE, Turkey, and many other countries can enter Serbia without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Citizens of the Russian Federation can enter visa-free for up to 30 days within a 60-day period. Additionally, holders of valid Schengen visas, EU residence permits, UK visas, or US visas can enter Serbia visa-free for up to 90 days, regardless of their nationality.

The visa-free period is sufficient for most initial business activities: attending meetings, signing documents, initiating company registration, visiting properties, and beginning the residence permit application process. However, the visa-free stay does not authorise employment. Foreign nationals who intend to work in Serbia must obtain either a Visa D (long-stay visa) or a temporary residence permit with work authorisation before commencing any work activity.

Visa D (Long-Stay Visa)

Foreign nationals from countries that are subject to the Serbian visa regime must obtain a Visa D before entering Serbia to apply for a residence permit. The Visa D is a long-stay visa valid for 90 to 180 days that permits entry and stay while the residence permit application is processed. The basis for the Visa D must match the intended basis for the residence permit — for example, a Visa D issued for employment cannot be used to apply for residence on the basis of property ownership.

Since April 2025, Serbia has introduced electronic Visa C for citizens of 46 countries, simplifying the short-stay visa application process. Visa D applications can also be submitted electronically in certain cases, though many applicants still apply through Serbian embassies and consulates abroad.

Address Registration (White Card)

Every foreign national entering Serbia must register their temporary address with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels and accommodation providers register guests automatically. Foreign nationals staying in private accommodation (rented apartments, private homes) must register themselves or be registered by their host. The registration results in a confirmation known informally as the “white card” (bela karta), which is required for most administrative processes in Serbia, including bank account opening and residence permit applications.

Temporary Residence Permit

A temporary residence permit is required for any foreign national who intends to stay in Serbia for longer than the visa-free period (or longer than the Visa D validity period). The permit is issued for a period of up to three years (extended from the previous one-year maximum under the 2024 amendments), depending on the basis for residence and the specific circumstances of the applicant.

Grounds for Temporary Residence

Serbian law prescribes specific grounds on which temporary residence may be approved. For business clients, the most relevant grounds are:

  • Company formation and business activity — A foreign national who is a founder, shareholder, or director of a Serbian company can apply for temporary residence on the basis of the company’s registration. This is the most common pathway for foreign entrepreneurs establishing businesses in Serbia. No minimum investment is required.
  • Employment — A foreign national employed by a Serbian company (or assigned to a Serbian branch or subsidiary by a foreign employer) can apply for the unified permit combining residence and work authorisation. The employer typically initiates or supports the application.
  • Property ownership — A foreign national who owns real estate in Serbia can apply for temporary residence on the basis of property ownership. There is no minimum property value requirement.
  • Family reunification — A foreign national who is a spouse, parent, or dependent child of a Serbian citizen or a foreign national with approved temporary or permanent residence can apply for residence on the basis of family reunification.
  • Other grounds — Other grounds include study, scientific research, medical treatment, religious service, and humanitarian reasons.

Application Process

All temporary residence applications are submitted electronically through the Welcome to Serbia portal. The applicant (or their employer, in the case of employment-based applications) creates an account on the portal, completes the online application form, uploads the required documentation, and submits the application. The required documentation typically includes a valid passport (with at least three months’ validity beyond the requested residence period), proof of the basis for residence (company registration decision, employment contract, property ownership certificate, or other applicable documentation), proof of accommodation in Serbia (rental agreement or property ownership), proof of health insurance (public system registration, private insurance, or international policy), proof of sufficient financial means (Serbian bank account statement showing regular income or adequate savings), and a passport-sized photograph.

Processing times vary but are generally two to four weeks for straightforward applications. The applicant receives a residence permit card with biometric data upon approval, which serves as both identification and proof of legal residence status in Serbia.

Unified Permit: Residence and Work in One Procedure

The unified permit is Serbia’s integrated permit that combines temporary residence and work authorisation in a single document, issued through a single administrative procedure. Introduced in its current form in 2024, the unified permit replaced the previous dual-track system where residence and work permits were separate applications handled by different authorities.

Who Needs a Unified Permit

The unified permit is required for foreign nationals whose residence in Serbia is based on employment in the broad sense — including employment under an employment contract, engagement under a management agreement (for company directors), self-employment, secondment or intra-company transfer, seasonal work, and training or professional development. If the foreign national’s residence involves any form of work activity, the unified permit is the applicable document.

Labour Market Test

For employment-based unified permits, the employer must conduct a labour market test through the National Employment Service (NSZ) before the application is submitted. The employer registers the vacancy, and the NSZ searches its register for suitable domestic candidates. If no suitable candidate is identified within the prescribed period, the test is satisfied and the unified permit application can proceed.

Several categories of foreign workers are exempt from the labour market test, including company founders and directors (who are applying on the basis of their own company), intra-company transferees, workers in shortage occupations (a list to be published by the government), and certain other categories prescribed by law. The exemptions significantly simplify the process for the most common categories of foreign business clients.

Application Procedure

The unified permit application is submitted exclusively electronically through the Welcome to Serbia portal. The application can be submitted by the foreign national directly (through their personal account on the portal) or by the employer on behalf of the foreign national (through the employer’s account on the eGovernment portal, using the “Working with Foreign Citizens” role).

The employer route is available for applications involving up to 50 employees in a single submission, which is particularly useful for companies relocating teams to Serbia. The documentation requirements are the same as for temporary residence, plus employment-specific documents (employment contract or management agreement, labour market test result or evidence of exemption).

For employment law guidance, see: Employment Law in Serbia.

For director engagement options, see: Director’s Agreement in Serbia.

Need residence and work permits for your team?

We manage the complete immigration process: visa coordination, document preparation, electronic application submission, and follow-up with the Ministry of Interior — for individual founders or full team relocations.

Schedule a Consultation

Residence Through Company Formation

Company formation is the most common pathway to residence for foreign entrepreneurs in Serbia. The process is straightforward: the foreign national registers a Serbian company (typically a DOO), is registered as founder and/or director, and then applies for a temporary residence permit (or unified permit, if they will be actively working in the company) on the basis of the company’s registration.

Key practical points for this pathway:

  • No minimum investment is required. The company can be capitalised at the minimum RSD 100 (less than EUR 1), though adequate capitalisation for actual business operations is advisable.
  • The company must be registered with the SBRA before the residence permit application is submitted. The registration decision is a required document in the application file.
  • A corporate bank account should be opened and funded before the residence application, as the bank statement serves as proof of adequate financial means.
  • Health insurance must be arranged — either through employment in the company (which triggers mandatory public health insurance registration) or through private/international insurance.
  • The permit is initially issued for up to three years and is renewable.

For foreign founders who are sole shareholders and directors of their Serbian company, the choice between an employment contract and a management agreement with the company affects the residence permit application process, health insurance coverage, and social security registration.

For company formation guidance, see: Company Formation in Serbia.

Residence Through Employment

Foreign nationals who are employed by Serbian companies apply for the unified permit, which combines residence and work authorisation. The employer plays an active role in the process: initiating the labour market test, preparing the employment documentation, and often submitting the application on behalf of the employee.

For companies relocating teams to Serbia (such as IT companies establishing development centres), the process can be managed in parallel with subsidiary formation, employment contract preparation, and payroll setup. Injac Attorneys coordinates all elements of the relocation — corporate, employment, and immigration — as a single integrated engagement, ensuring that employees can begin working as soon as all formalities are completed.

The 2024 legislative amendments simplified the process by reducing costs, streamlining documentation requirements, and introducing the concept of shortage occupations that are exempt from labour market testing. For companies hiring in IT, engineering, and other high-demand fields, these changes have materially reduced the administrative burden of employing foreign workers.

Residence Through Property Ownership

Foreign nationals who own real estate in Serbia can apply for temporary residence on the basis of property ownership. This pathway is available regardless of the property type (residential or commercial) and regardless of the property value — there is no minimum investment threshold.

The application requires proof of property ownership (cadastre extract showing the applicant as registered owner), proof of health insurance, proof of adequate financial means, and the standard documentation (passport, photograph, address registration). The residence permit issued on this basis does not include work authorisation — if the property owner also wishes to work in Serbia, a separate work-related basis must be established (such as company formation or employment).

For property acquisition guidance, see: Real Estate & Investment in Serbia.

Permanent Residence

After three years of continuous temporary residence in Serbia, a foreign national may apply for permanent residence (stalno nastanjenje). The application is submitted in person to the competent police authority and is assessed based on the following conditions:

  • The applicant has lawfully resided in Serbia for at least three consecutive years on the basis of approved temporary residence, while actually living in Serbia during that period. Multiple absences totalling up to ten months, or a single absence of up to six months, are permitted.
  • The applicant has adequate financial means to support themselves (and any dependents) without recourse to social assistance.
  • The applicant has registered accommodation in Serbia.
  • The applicant has health insurance.

Permanent residence is approved by a decision and results in the issuance of a foreigner ID card (lična karta za strance) valid for five years, renewable. Permanent residents have free access to the Serbian labour market — no work permit is required. They can work for any employer, start a business, or be self-employed without additional authorisation.

Permanent residence can also be granted without the three-year temporary residence requirement in certain special cases, including: foreign nationals of Serbian descent, minor children of Serbian citizens or permanent residents, and spouses of Serbian citizens (after a prescribed period of marriage and residence).

Serbian Citizenship

Serbian citizenship can be obtained through naturalisation after a period of legal residence. The standard pathway requires five years of approved permanent residence (or a total of approximately six years from the initial temporary residence through permanent residence to citizenship eligibility). The conditions for naturalisation include:

  • At least 18 years of age and legally competent.
  • Approved permanent residence in Serbia.
  • Knowledge of the Serbian language sufficient for everyday communication (assessed during the application process).
  • No criminal proceedings pending and no conviction for a criminal offence that would make the applicant ineligible.

Serbian citizenship is granted by a decision of the Ministry of Interior. Serbia permits dual citizenship — the applicant is not required to renounce their existing citizenship. As of 2026, the Serbian passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 130 countries, including all Schengen area countries, making it one of the stronger passports in the Western Balkans region.

For high-net-worth individuals and significant investors, alternative pathways to citizenship may be available under specific conditions. Injac Attorneys advises on all available pathways based on the client’s individual circumstances.

Need immigration support for Serbia?

We handle visa coordination, document preparation, residence and work permit applications, renewals, and the pathway to permanent residence and citizenship — for individual founders, families, and full team relocations.

Schedule a Consultation

Immigration for Specific Client Profiles

The following summarises the most common immigration pathways for Injac Attorneys’ typical business clients:

Foreign Founder / Director

Register a company → open a bank account → arrange health insurance → apply for unified permit (if working) or temporary residence (if passive ownership). Employment contract or management agreement determines the specific application route. Permit issued for up to three years, renewable. Pathway to permanent residence after three years and citizenship after approximately six years.

Foreign Employee Being Relocated

Employer conducts labour market test (or confirms exemption) → prepares employment contract → submits unified permit application via eGovernment portal → employee enters Serbia and provides biometric data → unified permit issued. For team relocations, multiple applications can be submitted simultaneously.

Russian Citizen Entrepreneur

Visa-free entry for 30 days → register white card within 24 hours → register company → open bank account → apply for unified permit or temporary residence → permit issued for up to three years. Specific banking considerations apply. Pathway to citizenship after approximately six years.

For detailed guidance, see: Company Formation for Russian Citizens.

Property Investor

Purchase property → register ownership in cadastre → arrange health insurance → apply for temporary residence based on property ownership. No minimum investment. Permit does not include work authorisation. Can be combined with company formation for work access.

Common Questions and Practical Considerations

Can I Work While My Application Is Pending?

A foreign national whose unified permit application has been submitted and is pending may work during the processing period, provided they have entered Serbia lawfully and the application was properly submitted. This ensures continuity for employees who are already in Serbia and whose previous permit is expiring.

Can I Change the Basis for Residence?

A foreign national with approved temporary residence on one basis (e.g., property ownership) who wishes to change to a different basis (e.g., employment) must submit a new application on the new basis. The change is not automatic and requires a fresh application with the documentation corresponding to the new basis.

What If My Permit Expires While I Am Abroad?

If a foreign national’s temporary residence permit expires while they are outside Serbia, they may need to obtain a new Visa D (if they are from a visa-required country) before re-entering Serbia and submitting a new residence application. Citizens of visa-exempt countries can re-enter visa-free and submit a new application from within Serbia. Planning around permit expiry dates is essential to avoid gaps in legal status.

Family Members

Spouses, dependent children, and in some cases parents of foreign nationals with approved temporary or permanent residence in Serbia can apply for residence on the basis of family reunification. Family members’ permits are linked to the principal applicant’s permit and are valid for the same period.

Key Takeaways

  • Visa-free for most nationalities — Most nationals of developed countries can enter Serbia visa-free for up to 90 days. Russians have 30-day visa-free access.
  • One permit, one procedure — The unified permit combines residence and work authorisation in one procedure, submitted electronically since 2024.
  • Three business pathways — Company formation, employment, and property ownership are the three primary pathways to residence for business clients.
  • No minimum investment — No minimum investment is required for residence through company formation or property ownership.
  • Clear pathway to citizenship — Permanent residence after 3 years, citizenship after approximately 6 years. Dual citizenship is permitted.
  • Strong passport — The Serbian passport provides visa-free access to 130+ countries including all Schengen states.
  • Register immediately on arrival — Register your address within 24 hours of arrival. This is mandatory and required for all subsequent procedures.

Up to 3 Years

Temporary permit.

Unified Permit

Residence + work.

~6 Years

To citizenship.

130+ Countries

Serbian passport.

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.

Home

About Us

Our Team

Practice Areas

Legal Insights

Career

Contact

Email:

inquiry@injac.rs

Tel:

+381 11 2458 945

Address:

Makenzijeva 17,

11000 Belgrade - Serbia

Linkedin

© 2026 Injac. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service