Serbia residence permit by business investment

How it works

The investor category was introduced by a 2020 government decree, as amended in 2022. It suits a foreigner who invests in an already registered Serbian company or in its tangible and intangible fixed assets. This can be your own limited liability company or another company you join as a partner.

• First permit - for 6 months. You need a statement showing at least $56,200 (50,000 euros), in an account with a bank registered in Serbia. You do not have to spend the money straight away.
• Renewal - for a year. You must prove a contribution to the share capital of an already registered company of at least $5,620 (5,000 euros).

Required documents

• Application
• Receipts confirming payment of state fees
• A 3.5×4.5 cm photo on a white background
• A copy of your passport
• A copy of the apartment lease, a copy of the landlord's identity card and proof of ownership
• Health insurance
• An extract from the register confirming the company's registration
• A statement showing at least $56,200 (50,000 euros) in a Serbian bank account

Other routes - work, your own company, property, family, study and a recognised degree - are on the page Serbia residence permit: all routes.

Dollar amounts use the market rate of 20 October 2026, 1.1229 dollars per euro, rounded up.

Getting investor residence step by step

1. Entry: Russian citizens do not need a visa for Serbia.
2. Register your address with the police within 24 hours of moving in - without it the application will not be accepted.
3. Open a Serbian bank account and transfer at least $56,200 (50,000 euros).
4. Company: register your own company or join an existing one.
5. File the application with the Ministry of Interior with documents and fees.
6. Receive a 6-month residence card, then make a capital contribution from $5,620 (5,000 euros) and renew for a year.

Renewal must be filed no earlier than three months before and no later than the last day of validity: a late filing breaks the continuity of residence.

How much it costs in 2026

State fees for the first permit come to about $280: filing about $5, the residence decision about $225, card issuance about $25 and, since 12 September 2026, card production about $20. Company registration, the capital contribution, translations and insurance are extra.

Can you work on investor residence

Residence in this category does not by itself give the right to employment: a work permit is issued under the general rules on employing foreigners. The director of your own company usually gets an employment contract and a work permit. This route is covered on the Serbian residence through business registration page.

Company and investor taxes

A Serbian company's profit is taxed at 15%, dividends at another 15%, for a total burden of 27.75% on distributed profit. A director's salary is taxed at 10% plus social contributions. More on the Serbia taxes page.

The path to permanent residence and citizenship

You can apply for permanent residence after 3 years of continuous residence: before the 2023 amendments it was 5 years. Residence counts as continuous if over those years you were away from Serbia for no more than 10 months in total or no more than 6 months at a time. Citizenship requires giving up your previous citizenship; more on the Serbian citizenship page.

Where to get the documents

• Account balance statement - from the Serbian bank where the account is held.
• Company registration extract - from the Serbian Business Registers Agency.
• Address registration - with the police within 24 hours of moving in, usually done by the landlord.
• Health insurance - from a Serbian insurer for the whole permit term.
• Lease and the landlord's proof of ownership - from the landlord.

How to get approved the first time

• less than $56,200 (50,000 euros) in the account on the filing date;
• the capital contribution was not made to an already registered company or is below $5,620 (5,000 euros);
• no police address registration;
• the renewal was filed after the last day of validity, which breaks the continuity of residence and the count to permanent residence.

What changes in 2026

Since 12 September 2026 a separate fee of about $20 has been charged for producing the residence card. From 1 November 2026 neighbouring Montenegro introduces visas for Russian citizens, making visa-free Serbia noticeably more convenient for them. The investor requirements themselves follow the 2022 version of the decree: $56,200 (50,000 euros) in the account and $5,620 (5,000 euros) in capital.

Comparison with neighbouring countries

Serbia requires the least investment and gives the shortest path to permanent residence.

How Murblz helps investors in Serbia

We open a Serbian bank account, register a company or arrange your entry into an existing one, prepare documents and handle the filing with the Ministry of Interior, and track renewal deadlines and the count to permanent residence. All grounds for residence are compared in our article Serbian residence in 2026. The first consultation is free.

Advantages of residence by investment

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