Serbia is a popular destination for relocation, and there are many reasons for that. First of all, it is a beautiful Balkan country with stunning natural views you are sure to enjoy! It is rapidly developing, and entrepreneurs from all over the world come here to take advantage of the upward trend. This is a European country that is planning to join the EU in 2025 (so you may obtain an EU passport in some time!). However, the prices are still lower than on average in Europe, so you can enjoy quite high living standards at a reasonable fee. There is no fast-track pace to citizenship (like citizenship by investment), but you will not face many difficulties obtaining a residence permit here. In short, this is a highly recommendable destination!
Need additional details about Serbia before you make a decision to relocate or start a business here? We will be happy to see you on our portal devoted entirely to Serbia where you are sure to find more info on this remarkable country. You can also get in touch with our expert to discuss all the issues, challenges, and details. We can help you with many administrative matters in Serbia, from relocation and obtaining a residence permit to buying real estate, opening a local bank account, or establishing a company. We have a representative office in Belgrade, so we will be able to help you on-site, too!
Serbia in 2023
You no longer need a PCR test to enter Serbia, and you will be welcome in this hospitable country no matter where you come from. If you want to relocate to Serbia and get a residence permit, there are several options here: you can get a job with a Serbian company, marry a local citizen, set up a business here, or buy real estate. The latter is especially attractive as the country does not set a lower threshold: real estate prices start from 10,000 US dollars, and you will get a permit anyway! If you lived in the state for 5 years, you will have the right to apply for permanent residence which will give you visa-free access to the European Union.
Visa-Free Access to Serbia
If you are a citizen of the countries below, you will not need a visa to stay in Serbia for some period of time (from 30 to 90 days):
- Post-USSR countries: Kazakhstan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and the Republic of Belarus.
- Asian countries: Japan, UAE, Hong Kong, Israel, Turkey, Korea, Singapore, and Macau.
- San Marino, Norway, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Andorra, Monaco, Vatican, Macedonia, Albania, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
- USA, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Cuba, Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Uruguay, and Costa Rica.
- Australia and New Zealand.
- EU member states.
- Tunisia and Seychelles.
There are many ways to make your stay in Serbia longer than 30 or 90 days, and we are going to discuss them below.
Long-Term and Short-Term Stay in Serbia
Non-residents can currently stay in the country for a period from 30 days to 1 year depending on the document they have:
- An international passport gives you 30 to 90 days of lawful stay in the country.
- Visa C will allow for an up to 90-day stay every 180 days.
- Visa D holders can stay in Serbia for 90 to 180 days a year.
- Passengers in transit do not need any special document, but they are required to change the means of transport and leave the Serbian territory within 24 hours.
- A residence permit will make it possible to reside in the country for up to 1 year and then renew it for the same term.
Making your Serbian Stay Longer
Let’s look at the ways that help non-residents to reside in Serbia for a long time:
- Visa run. This is an absolutely legal trick known to all foreigners living in Serbia, and the good news is that it can be repeated as many times as you want to! You simply cross the border to a neighboring country (Bosnia or Montenegro) and re-enter Serbia, thus resetting the term of your stay to zero. That way, you can stay in Serbia for an indefinite period of time even if the only document you have is an international passport that allows for a 30-day visa-free stay! This method has its drawback, however: you must cross the border at a definite date.
- Short–term visa C. The visa that gives you 90 days of legal stay in Serbia every 6 months will only be extended if you have a very good reason for that, so be prepared to attach convincing documents to the application.
- Long-term visa D. This kind of visa may be issued if you sign a work agreement with a Serbian employer, want to get a local residence permit or possess real estate in the country. It can be extended if you can provide the documents that confirm meeting the above requirements.
- Extending the residence permit is the most convenient option, of course. The reasons for the extension may include starting a business in Serbia, real estate ownership, studies, work in Serbia, and so on.
If you want to obtain a Serbian residence permit, and later the right to permanent residence and maybe even a local passport, we will be happy to help you with any aspect that will make the process of settling down in a new place easier for you. Let’s look at what we can do for you:
- Open a local bank account and get a payment card.
- Rent an apartment in a safe and comfortable district to live in Serbia on a permanent or temporary basis.
- Buy real estate. We have a catalog of attractive offers for you, and we can support the transaction to the final stage.
- Get a residence permit if you decide to set up/re-domicile a company.
Click on the above link to discover different aspects of Serbia and make the most of this wonderful country. Feel free to use the live chat on the portal to talk to our experts to ask any questions, share your doubts, and receive professional advice.
