How to obtain Serbian citizenship in 2025

Serbia is a landlocked country in south-eastern Europe. It borders North Macedonia to the south, Bulgaria and Romania to the east, Hungary to the north, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the west, and Montenegro and Albania to the south-west. The country is known for its rich customs and traditions and for the diverse mix of nationalities among its people. Its capital and largest city is Belgrade.

How to obtain Serbian citizenship

Option 1. By birth or descent

To acquire citizenship by birth, at least one of the following conditions must be met: both parents are Serbian citizens, or one parent is a Serbian citizen and the child is born on Serbian territory.

To acquire citizenship by descent, it is enough for at least one parent to be a Serbian citizen.

Option 2. Marriage to a Serbian citizen

Citizenship can be obtained through family reunification. However, by the time the application is filed, the couple must have been married for at least three years.

Option 3. Naturalization

To obtain Serbian citizenship through naturalization, you first need three years on a temporary residence permit to get permanent residence, then three more years living with permanent residence.

Option 4. Investment

Investment opens a path to citizenship by way of a residence permit. Funds can be placed in real estate (with the condition that the investor actually lives there), in a business, or in the country's economy.

Advantages of Serbian citizenship

• Visa-free entry to more than 135 countries, including the Schengen area, China and Japan.
• A low cost of living.
• A mild climate.
• Low taxes: 10% personal income tax and 15% corporate tax.
• The ability to open a bank account in Europe.
• A high standard of healthcare.

Drawbacks of Serbian citizenship

• Naturalization requires giving up your previous citizenship.
• Employment can be difficult: wages are low and knowledge of Serbian is required.

The path to Serbian citizenship in 2026

In total the usual path takes about 6 years: 3 years of temporary and 3 years of permanent residence.

Special grounds

• Marriage to a Serbian citizen. You may apply after 3 years of marriage with permanent residence.
• Serbian origin. Ethnic Serbs and diaspora members obtain citizenship by a simplified procedure without long residence.
• By birth. A child acquires citizenship if at least one parent is a Serbian citizen.

How to start with residence

The most common start for a foreigner is temporary residence through registering one's own company in Serbia: a limited liability company (d.o.o.) is registered quickly, and corporate profit tax is 15%. More on the Serbia residence through business page.

Murblz registers the company, prepares residence documents and tracks renewals and continuity of residence so the path to citizenship is not interrupted.

Documents and processing time

• Application form, valid passport and photos.
• Birth certificate and, if married, marriage certificate, apostilled and translated into Serbian.
• Criminal record certificate.
• Proof of permanent residence and address in Serbia.
• A written statement that you consider Serbia your country.
• Fee receipts: about RSD 23,000-25,000, roughly $220-240.

Documents are filed with the Ministry of Interior at your place of residence or via a Serbian diplomatic mission abroad. Processing takes from several months to a year and a half.

Taxes for a Serbian resident

• Salary tax - 10%.
• Corporate profit tax - 15%.
• Dividend tax - 15%.
• VAT - 20%.

You become a tax resident with your centre of business and vital interests in Serbia or after more than 183 days in the country within 12 months.

Temporary versus permanent residence

Temporary residence is tied to a ground - work, business, study, family or property - and must be renewed while keeping that ground. Permanent residence is indefinite, and it is the years on it that count towards naturalisation. So avoid breaking temporary residence with long absences and apply for permanent status on time.

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