Serbia residence permit has become an increasingly popular option among foreigners looking to relocate, and the trend continues to grow each year. The country has become an attractive destination, and it’s easy to see why when you look at the benefits and simple process it offers international residents. The first residence permit in Serbia can last up to three years, and you might qualify for permanent residence after that.
The Serbian government has made the immigration process much easier. Serbia adopted the Unified License model in 2024, which combines the Serbia Residence Permit and Serbia Work Permit into one simple procedure. This change helps company founders, directors, and entrepreneurs who need both residence and work permits in Serbia. A permanent residence permit lets foreign nationals live in the country without any time limits, while temporary permits need renewal. Serbia also offers great tax benefits to newcomers. Companies pay just 15% in corporate income tax, and individuals pay only 10% in personal income tax. Employers can even reduce their taxes and mandatory contributions by 70% when hiring “newly-settled taxpayers”.
This piece covers everything you need to know about getting and keeping your Serbia Residence Permit for 2025. We’ll walk you through visa requirements, application steps, benefits, and limitations.
Visa Entry Requirements for Serbia in 2025
You need to know Serbia’s visa requirements before you apply for a residence permit. Serbian authorities have specific entry rules that change based on your nationality and how long you plan to stay.
Visa-Free vs Visa-Required Countries
Your citizenship determines if you need a visa to enter Serbia. Serbian passport holders can visit 138 countries without a visa or get one on arrival as of 2025. Many foreign citizens can enter Serbia without getting a visa first. You should check your visa status if you’re from a country that needs one.
A valid Schengen, UK, EU, or US visa lets you stay in Serbia up to 90 days without an extra Serbian visa. This rule also works if you have a residence permit from Schengen countries, EU member states, or the United States. You’ll still need proper documents for longer stays.
Airport Transit Visa (Visa A) Conditions
Some travelers need an Airport Transit Visa (Visa A) when passing through Serbian airports without entering the country. This visa lets you stay in international areas of Serbian airports without crossing the border.
You won’t need this visa if you stay in the international transit area during your layover. The Serbian government might ask citizens from certain countries to get Airport Transit Visas for security reasons. The visa stays valid for six months and allows single or multiple transits.
Short-Stay Visa (Visa C) for 90 Days
A Short-Stay Visa (Visa C) lets you enter and stay in Serbia up to 90 days within any 180-day period. People use this visa for tourism, business trips, and brief stays.
Serbia launched digital travel permits (electronic Visa C) in April 2025. This change made the process easier for citizens from 46 countries. Eligible people can now get their visa as a PDF with security features and QR codes. Some applications get approved within an hour after submitting complete documents.
Long-Stay Visa (Visa D) for Residence Permit Applicants
You’ll need a Long-Stay Visa (Visa D) if you want a residence permit in Serbia. This visa allows stays between 90 and 180 days. Foreign citizens who need a visa must get this type before applying for temporary residence.
Your Long-Stay Visa application should match your reasons for wanting temporary residence. You can’t switch from an employment-based application to family reunification without applying for a new visa.
Where and How to Apply for a Serbian Visa
You can apply for a visa in two ways: visit Serbian diplomatic or consular missions abroad or use the Welcome to Serbia portal.
Online applications start with creating an account on the Electronic Identification Portal. You’ll need to provide personal details, explain why you’re traveling, and upload supporting documents.
Basic visa requirements include your completed application form, passport (valid for 90 days after you plan to leave Serbia), photo, visa fee payment, proof of why you’re traveling, invitation letter or where you’ll stay, and travel medical insurance.
Visa decisions usually take 15 days, but might take up to 30 days in special cases.
Serbia Residence Permit and Other Types of Legal Stay in Serbia
Serbia’s legal system defines four different types of stay for foreigners. Each type comes with its own duration, purpose, and requirements.
Tourist Stay: 90 Days in 180-Day Window
The visa-free regime lets foreigners stay in Serbia up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Bilateral or multilateral agreements might specify different terms. The 180-day window starts rolling from your first entry into Serbia. You cannot exceed the 90-day limit during this period. Let’s say you enter Serbia on January 1st – your 180-day term starts then, and you’ll need to count your days carefully to stay within the 90-day limit. This option works best for tourists and short-term visitors who don’t plan to establish residence.
Serbia Residence Permit: Validity and Use Cases
Stays longer than 90 days require a Serbia Residence Permit. The permit lasts up to three years and you can extend it for the same period based on your residence status. New applicants usually get shorter permits, often six months, before they qualify for longer durations in later applications. You can get this permit for many reasons: employment, family reunification, education, investment (including real estate ownership), medical treatment, or other valid reasons under Serbian law.
Permanent Residence Permit Serbia: Eligibility After 3 Years
You can apply for a permanent residence permit after living legally in Serbia for three continuous years. “Continuous residence” means you live in Serbia but can be away for up to ten months total, or one time for up to six months during the three-year period. The application window opens 60 days before your three-year mark and closes when your current temporary permit expires.
Some special cases don’t need to meet the three-year requirement. These include:
- Minors whose parents are Serbian citizens or hold permanent residence
- Individuals of Serbian origin
- Foreigners whose presence benefits Serbia’s national interests
Unified Permit: Combined Residence and Work Authorization
Serbia has introduced a unified permit that combines Serbia Residence Permit and Serbia Work Permit into one document. You no longer need separate applications. This biometric ID card format replaces the old system of passport stickers and paper decisions. The process is much simpler now. The unified permit applies to people seeking residence for:
- Employment contracts
- Company transfers and secondments
- Self-employment
- Professional training
- Entrepreneurship
This all-encompassing approach makes Serbia’s immigration system better. The processing time and paperwork have decreased, which is a big deal as it means that applicants spend less time dealing with bureaucracy.
Legal Grounds for Serbia Residence Permit
Serbia’s legal system accepts several valid reasons to grant Serbia Residence Permit to foreigners. Each option comes with its own requirements and paperwork.
Employment or Self-Employment in Serbia
A job serves as a key way to get a Serbia Residence Permit and Work Permit. Serbia launched a unified permit in February 2024 that combines temporary residence and work authorization into one document. Anyone applying for standard employment must submit a draft employment contract or similar agreement that grants labor rights. Some employers must start a labor market test procedure. Foreign workers with specialized skills might qualify under specific job categories that automatically grant work rights with their residence permit. These include volunteering, accredited foreign journalism, project work with Serbian authorities, and audio-visual production crew roles.
Company Formation or Entrepreneurship
Starting a business opens another path to Serbia Residence Permit. Serbian law recognizes temporary residence based on selfemployment, so setting up a company and becoming its director creates valid grounds to apply. The Serbian Business Registers Agency provides documentation that proves your status as founder or director after registration. This status lets you apply for the unified permit that combines residence and work authorization. The process remains available to many because it needs no minimum capital investment, unlike similar programs across Europe.
Real Estate Ownership in Serbia
Buying property creates a simple route to Serbia Residence Permit. Serbia stands out from many countries because it doesn’t require a minimum investment amount for property-based residence applications. Your ownership papers serve as grounds to apply once you buy property. The rules work both ways – you can buy property in Serbia if Serbian citizens can purchase property in your country. Many people choose this option because Serbia’s property market stays affordable while housing demand grows.
Marriage or Family Reunification
Family connections create strong grounds for residence applications. Close family members who can join include spouses, extramarital partners, children under 18, and sometimes dependent parents or adult children with health issues. Marriage applications need proof of the union. Partners must show evidence of a lasting life partnership for extramarital unions. Family permits can last up to three years with the option to extend for the same time.
Education, Research, or Medical Treatment
Study programs, research work, and medical needs also establish valid grounds for Serbia Residence Permit. Students need acceptance from a Serbian school before they apply. Medical cases require papers from Serbian healthcare facilities that confirm ongoing treatment needs. Research applications must include proof of working with an institution and project details. These permits usually match how long the program or treatment plan lasts.
Application Process and Required Documents
Serbia Residence Permit application process went through major updates in 2025. The traditional paper applications gave way to digital submissions. This new simplified system makes getting the required documents more available to foreigners moving to Serbia.
Online Application via eUprava or Foreigners’ Portal
The Welcome to Serbia portal now handles all Serbia Residence Permit or unified permits submissions. People need an account on the Electronic Identification Portal. Companies that apply for their foreign workers must register on the eGovernment portal. They should give the “Working with Foreign Citizens” role to their staff. This lets them submit applications for up to 50 people at once.
Proof of Funds: Minimum Monthly Income Threshold
You must show you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Serbia. A bank statement from your Serbian account works well. The statement can be in any currency and should show regular income or savings.
Health Insurance Requirements and Accepted Policies
You need valid health insurance to apply for a Serbia Residence Permit. Serbian authorities accept both local and international insurance policies. Your policy should cover at least your first year of stay.
White Card Registration and Address Proof
Every foreigner must get a White Card within 24 hours of arrival in Serbia. Hotels take care of this automatically. People staying in private homes need to register at their local police station. Your Serbia Residence Permit application needs proof of where you live. This can be a rental agreement or a signed statement from your landlord.
Biometric Data Collection and ID Card Issuance
After your application gets approved, you’ll need to show up in person. The authorities will collect your biometric data – photos, fingerprints, and signature. You’ll get your biometric residence card in 7-10 days. This card will show your personal details, legal status, and registered address.
Benefits and Limitations of Serbian Residence Permits
Serbia Residence Permit offer more than just legal stay rights. Permit holders can open bank accounts, earn salaries, and use Serbian health and social insurance services.
Serbia Temporary Residence Permit Benefits for Expats
Life in Serbia costs less than many Western countries. Foreigners who hold a Serbia Residence Permit for three years straight can apply for permanent residence. A permanent status lets you stay as long as you want, makes finding jobs easier, and lets you apply for visas to other countries from Serbia.
Tax Incentives for Newly Settled Foreigners
The tax benefits for newcomers to Serbia are substantial. Companies can get back 70% of their salary tax payments and all mandatory pension contributions for eligible employees. You need to meet two conditions: you shouldn’t have lived in Serbia for more than 180 days in the 24 months before starting work, and your monthly salary must be at least 300,000 RSD (about €2,500). People under 40 who studied abroad can also get a 70% reduction in their tax base.
Access to Healthcare, Education, and Banking
The Serbian healthcare system becomes available through required insurance. Public facility treatment costs are split between employers and workers. Foreign nationals can access free primary and secondary education whatever their age. Banking services are available too – foreigners start as non-residents but become residents after a year.
Limitations: Duration, Renewal, and Exit Rules
The Serbia Residence Permit system has some restrictions. You must renew temporary permits before they expire, and you can submit applications between three months before and the expiration date. Officials might reject applications if they suspect you won’t use the permit as intended. Your application could be denied if you spend less than half your approved time in Serbia without a good reason. Permanent residents who stay away from Serbia for over a year might lose their status.
Conclusion
Serbia makes a strong case for foreigners who want Serbia Residence Permit in 2025. This piece shows why Serbian immigration draws more international residents. The new Unified License model has changed the game by combining temporary residence and work permits into one simplified process.
You can get legal Serbia Residence Permit through multiple paths based on your needs. The options range from employment and entrepreneurship to real estate investment, family reunification, and education. The Welcome to Serbia portal’s digital application system has cut down bureaucratic barriers by a lot.
The numbers make Serbia look even better. Corporate income tax stays at just 15% while personal income tax is 10%. Companies that hire qualified foreign workers can get substantial tax refunds and reduced contributions. This creates benefits for both businesses and international talent.
Foreigners can apply for permanent residence status after living in Serbia for three years straight. This status lets them stay indefinitely with boosted rights. But they need to watch out for certain rules, especially when it comes to time requirements and renewals. Your permit renewal might face problems if you don’t spend enough time in Serbia during your approved stay.
Serbian immigration policies keep improving to bring in skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors. Clear paths to permanent residence, reasonable requirements, and strong economic benefits make Serbia an attractive choice in Southeast Europe. A smooth move to this vibrant Balkan nation needs good planning and a solid grasp of what your chosen path requires.
