Moving to Serbia in 2026

Moving to Serbia: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Citizens of many countries enter Serbia visa-free for 90 days in 180, and some nationalities for a shorter period. From entry to the residence card usually takes one and a half to two months, so the residence ground is chosen and documents are gathered before the trip.

1. Days 1-3. Register your address with the police within 24 hours of moving in, get a Serbian SIM card and rent a home for the first month.
2. Days 3-10. Register a company or sole proprietorship with the Business Registers Agency if you go the business route, and open a bank account.
3. Days 10-30. File for the single residence and work permit through the online portal for foreigners; with a pending application you may stay until the decision.
4. Days 30-60. A decision within 15 days by law, longer in practice, then the card is issued.

A family budget depends on its size and the ground, and we work it out in the chat. The rate is about 105 dinars to the dollar in 2026; rent is usually quoted in euros.

Serbia in brief

Serbia is a Balkan country of about 6.6 million people, with Belgrade as its capital. It is a European Union candidate but in neither the European Union nor Schengen. The language is Serbian, close to Russian, many people in cities speak English, and Belgrade and Novi Sad have large Russian-speaking communities. The currency is the dinar, while large sums and rent are quoted in euros.

Serbia attracts newcomers with visa-free entry, mild taxes and residence through your own company within weeks.

How to get residence in 2026

• Your own company or sole proprietorship - the most common route. The company is registered with the Business Registers Agency with minimum capital of 100 dinars, about $1, followed by a single residence and work permit for up to 3 years. Details are on the page Serbian residence through business.
• Employment - the same single permit under a contract with a Serbian employer.
• Investor - a first 6-month permit with €50,000, about $56,100, in a Serbian bank account, then a capital contribution to a company from €5,000. Details are on the page Serbian residence by investment.
• Property, family, study - separate grounds, covered on the page Serbian residence.

Since 1 February 2024 temporary residence has been issued for up to 3 years instead of one. Fees are 430 dinars to apply, about $5, and 23,450 dinars for the permit, about $224.

Rules for specific nationalities

The visa-free period in Serbia depends on the passport.

• Russia. Russian citizens enter Serbia visa-free for 30 days per trip, which is almost never enough for a residence permit, so they choose the ground and gather documents before the trip. On naturalisation they give up Russian citizenship.

Permanent residence and citizenship

Permanent residence can be obtained after 3 years of continuous temporary residence, down from 5. Citizenship on general grounds comes no earlier than after 6 years and requires giving up your previous citizenship; the 2023 law that would have eased the rules was withdrawn, and the 2018 wording applies in 2026. There are routes through marriage and Serbian descent. Details are on the page Serbian citizenship.

Taxes

Income tax on salary is 10%, but with 19.9% employee and 15.15% employer contributions the state takes about 37.6% of labour cost. Corporate tax is 15%, and dividends another 15%. VAT is 20%. Entrepreneurs can pay a flat lump-sum tax. You become tax resident after 183 days a year or with your centre of vital interests in Serbia. Details are on the page taxes in Serbia.

Housing and property

A one-bedroom flat in central Belgrade rents for €600-900 a month, about $670-1,010; prices have risen noticeably since 2022, and Novi Sad and Niš are cheaper. Foreigners can buy homes: resale purchases carry a 2.5% transfer tax, and new builds from developers 10% VAT. We source and check properties on the page property in Serbia.

Business and accounts

A company is registered in a few working days, and opening an account usually takes one to two weeks because of checks. Serbian banks open accounts for foreigners but ask for proof of the source of funds. We help with company registration, a business account and a personal account.

Where to live

• Belgrade - the capital, jobs and a large Russian-speaking community; newcomers choose Vračar, Dorćol, New Belgrade and Zemun. More in the Belgrade guide.
• Novi Sad - the second city on the Danube, calmer and cheaper, with many IT companies.
• Niš - the south of the country, with the most affordable housing.
• Zlatibor and Kopaonik - mountains for remote workers.

Pros and cons of moving

Pros: visa-free entry, residence through your own company within weeks, permanent residence after 3 years, 10% tax on salary and 15% on profit, an accessible language, a large community and free public transport in Belgrade. Cons: Serbia is outside the European Union and Schengen, citizenship requires giving up your previous citizenship, summers are hot and winters smoggy, and the paperwork takes up to two months, so preparation in advance matters.

Moving with children

Children get residence with their parents through family reunification. State schools are free and teach in Serbian, and Belgrade and Novi Sad have Russian and international schools as well as private kindergartens. Paediatricians and private clinics are available, and family health insurance is worth arranging from the first month.

Who Serbia suits

Serbia suits people who want quick, inexpensive legal status next to the European Union: remote workers, entrepreneurs and families with income from abroad. It suits those who need a European Union passport or visa-free Schengen less well. Write in the chat and we will choose a ground, prepare documents before the trip and work out the budget for your family.