Investment property: Serbia
Serbia: we match a property to your budget and goal, check the paperwork and close the purchase for you.
Serbia is an EU candidate with a market concentrated in Belgrade and Novi Sad: demand in recent years has been fueled by the IT sector, a wave of relocation and the Belgrade Waterfront project that reshaped the capital's center. Foreigners can buy apartments, houses and commercial property on the basis of reciprocity with their home country - this works for citizens of most states, including Russia; restrictions mainly concern agricultural land. An important advantage: ownership of residential property is a legally recognized ground for a Serbian temporary residence permit, with no official minimum property value.
We select a property for your goal - rental, personal living or a base asset for residency, check the property in the cadastre along with its ownership history and encumbrances, manage the notarized transaction and help obtain a residence permit based on property ownership if that is part of the plan.
Serbian residence based on home ownership
The Law on Foreigners (Articles 40 and 54) expressly names ownership of real estate as a ground for temporary residence. It covers a house or flat in Serbia owned by the foreigner, in which they live. The law sets no minimum value. Temporary residence is granted for up to 3 years and renewed for the same period while the ground remains.
We will calculate online the full purchase cost for your budget: taxes, fees and transaction costs.
Documents and steps
- Proof of ownership from the real estate cadastre.
- Passport, health insurance, proof of means of support.
- An application to the police at your place of residence; on entry you can obtain a D visa for the purpose of property ownership.
More on residence on our Serbia residence page.
Taxes on purchase and ownership
- Transfer tax - 2.5% of the price on a resale purchase. By law the seller pays, but in practice usually the buyer, so it is set in the contract.
- New build - on the developer's first sale, 10% VAT is already in the price and no transfer tax applies: the two are never charged together.
- Annual property tax - from 0.4% for individuals, higher for expensive properties, calculated by the municipality.
- Capital gains tax on sale - 15%.
How the deal works
- We check the property in the real estate cadastre: owner, encumbrances and building permit.
- The contract is signed before a notary, payment goes through a bank.
- The notary sends the contract to the cadastre, and title is registered to you.
- We file the transfer tax return and, if needed, the residence application based on ownership.
A foreign buyer needs a passport, a Serbian tax number issued by the tax administration, and a Serbian bank account for payment: property is not paid for in cash.
What we do
- Property shortlist for your investment goal
- Legal due diligence on the property
- End-to-end transaction support
- Ownership structuring (company, trust)
- Property management and letting
See also
Company formation · Business account · Personal account · All country programs
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy property in Serbia?
Does buying property in Serbia grant residency?
Where do I start with buying property in Serbia?
How much must property cost for Serbian residence?
How long is Serbian residence through property granted for?
What taxes apply when buying a flat in Serbia?
Want to buy property in Serbia?
We check the reciprocity rule for your citizenship, shortlist apartments in Belgrade or Novi Sad and review the documents. Every country is in the searchable catalogue.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
Free consultation