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Immigration to Serbia: Your Expert Guide for Essential Permits (2024)

In this piece, we will explore the requirements and essential authorizations for immigration to Serbia. The relevant legal framework comprises the Law on Foreigners, the Law on the Employment of Foreigners, as well as numerous regulations and other subordinate acts. Notably, recent legislative changes have significantly liberalized the regime governing the stay and work of foreigners in Serbia.

The regulatory amendments have streamlined and simplified the procedures for obtaining necessary approvals for immigration to Serbia. These approvals are now granted for more extended periods, and the process of obtaining citizenship has also been facilitated. This liberalization trend of immigration to Serbia is a direct result of the increasing number of foreign nationals choosing to live and work in Serbia. With ongoing legal changes and further liberalization, this trend is expected to continue in the future.

A foreigner, as defined by current regulations, has the right to enter, reside, and work in Serbia under specific conditions. The requirements vary depending on the intended duration of stay.

 

Immigration to Serbia: Short-Term Stay – Visas

Short-term stays in Serbia are permitted for some foreigners solely based on a valid passport. However, citizens of certain countries must also obtain a visa. Serbia permits citizens from the following countries to stay in Serbia for a short period, with only a valid passport needed:

immigration to serbia

For citizens of countries not listed above, a visa is mandatory for entry, stay, or transit through Serbia. It is crucial to note that the visa must be obtained before entering the country.

There are three main types of visas for legal residence in Serbia:

    1. Airport Transit Visa (Visa A): Allows one or more passages through the international transit area of the airport without entering Serbia.
    2. Short Stay Visa (Visa C): Grants approval for entry, transit, or stay in Serbia for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
    3. Long Stay Visa (Visa D): Allows entry, transit, or stay in Serbia for a duration ranging from 90 to 180 days.

 

The application process for visa issuance is conducted through diplomatic and consular representations of Serbia. Online visa application through the eConsulate platform has further streamlined the application process.

 

Immigration to Serbia: Long-Term Stay in Serbia

A foreigner planning to stay in Serbia for a period exceeding visa requirements can do so by obtaining temporary residence approval or permanent residency.

Temporary Residence

Temporary residence permits are granted to foreigners intending to stay in Serbia for more than 90 days. Approval for temporary residence is based on several grounds, including employment, opening a business, property ownership, family reunification, education, language learning, or scientific research.

The request for approval or extension of temporary residence is submitted personally or electronically to the competent authority, accompanied by appropriate documentation proving eligibility.

The application for the extension of temporary residence can be submitted no earlier than three months and no later than the expiration of the temporary residence period. Timely submission allows the foreigner to remain in Serbia until the completion of the process. Temporary residence can be granted for up to three years, with the possibility of extension.

Temporary Residence for Employment

Foreigners intending to work in Serbia or undergo professional specialization, training, or internship can apply for a unified permit. The unified permit, introduced in recent legal amendments, combines the previous separate processes for obtaining temporary residence and work permits. This has significantly expedited and simplified the process for obtaining permits for the stay and work of foreigners in Serbia.

The application for the issuance or extension of a unified permit is submitted electronically through a unified portal, with a decision made by the competent authority within 15 days.

The unified permit can be issued for a validity period of up to three years and is extendable for the same duration.

Temporary Residence through Company Registration

Another form of temporary residence is based on self-employment through the establishment of a company in Serbia. Anyone, regardless of citizenship, can be a founder of a company in Serbia, where there are no restrictions on the nationality of the founders. Serbia stands out as a favorable environment for company establishment, offering low costs and a relatively low corporate tax rate. For more details on the advantages and necessary steps for establishing a company, refer to our dedicated article on opening a company in Serbia.

The application for issuance or extension of the unified permit is submitted electronically, through the unified portal. The competent authority makes a decision on the submitted request within a period of 15 days.

The unified permit can be issued for a validity period of up to three years and may be extended for the same period.

Temporary Residence Based on Property Ownership

Foreigners can obtain temporary residence based on property ownership, allowing them to reside in Serbia by investing in real estate. Serbia permits foreign nationals to buy certain types of real estate, including houses, apartments, residential and commercial buildings, provided they engage in business activities in the country. However, foreigners cannot purchase agricultural land, except in specific situations. The reciprocity principle applies, allowing foreigners to buy real estate in Serbia if Serbian citizens are allowed to do the same in their home country.

Purchasing real estate is a complex legal process with potential risks. To mitigate these risks, it is advisable to engage the services of a law firm specialized in real estate law.

After successfully purchasing real estate, a foreigner has the right to apply for approval of temporary residence. Approval under this basis automatically grants the right to work in Serbia.

Temporary Residence Based on Family Reunification

Temporary residence based on family reunification can be granted to a family member of a foreigner who has already been granted temporary residence or permanent residency in Serbia for various legal reasons (employment, property ownership, etc.).

Temporary residence based on family reunification is granted until the expiration of the validity period of the temporary residence of the foreigner seeking family reunification. Approval under this basis also grants the right to work in Serbia.

Permanent Residency

Permanent residency is a permit for the long-term stay of a foreign national in Serbia. It can be granted to a foreigner who has continuously resided in Serbia for three years based on an approved temporary residence. Continuous residence includes effective presence in Serbia, with the possibility of multiple absences of up to ten months or a single absence of up to six.

 

Immigration to Serbia: Citizenship of the Republic of Serbia

Foreigners can acquire the citizenship of the Republic of Serbia through one of the legally prescribed methods. By descent, by birth on the territory of Serbia, by admission to citizenship, or based on international agreements.

Acquiring citizenship by admission implies that after the expiration of three years from the approval of permanent residence, the foreigner obtains the right to request admission to Serbian citizenship. It is necessary to be at least 18 years old, have a release from foreign citizenship, and submit a written statement declaring that they consider the Republic of Serbia their homeland.

 

The information in this document does not constitute legal advice on any particular matter and is provided for general informational purposes only.

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