Moving to Serbia — info you need to know

Want to figure it out yourself, or have someone do it for you?

Do it yourself
Explore the guides

Explore the guides

Everything you need, organised by topic.

Browse guides
Done for you
Marko Majkic

Speak with Marko

500+ clients helped

All the legal stuff sorted, so you don't have to figure it out alone.

Talk to Marko

Save yourself the research. Marko has done this 500+ times.

How people actually move to Serbia

The steps look simple on paper — here is what trips people up in practice.

The process
The reality
1

Arrive visa-free

Most nationalities enter without a visa and stay 30–90 days with no paperwork at all.

Countries that do not require a visa

Timing is unforgiving

Miss the 24-hour white card registration and the clock resets. Run out of days during permit processing, and you must leave Serbia.

2

Register your address

Within 24 hours of arriving, register at the police station. Your landlord usually does this — takes one trip.

Your landlord has to cooperate

You need a registered lease and a signed declaration from your landlord. Some might refuse or don't know the process.

3

Register a company

Gives you legal status, a tax number, and the right to work and invoice from Serbia.

A lot of the paperwork is in Serbian

Company registration involves multiple government offices, Serbian-language forms, and specific document requirements.

4

Get a residence permit

Apply online — Marko can handle the entire application for you. Processing takes about 30 days. Permit valid for up to 3 years.

The MUP queue

The foreigners' police office has limited hours, long waits, and officers who rarely speak English. Missing an appointment can cost you weeks.

Most of the documents are in Serbian

A few things have English translations. Most forms and documents don't — and one small error can lead to rejection.

Marko has helped

LM
NorwayLars M.
Company registration
★★★★★

"Marko registered my company in Serbia and handled all the paperwork. The whole process was smooth and he was very responsive on WhatsApp throughout. Great service."

JR
UKJames R.
Residence permit
★★★★★

"Marko helped me with a completely stress-free process of getting my residence permit. I had no idea where to start and he handled everything in English. Could not have done it without him."

AK
GermanyAnna K.
Freelancer registration
★★★★★

"I was nervous about the whole bureaucracy process in a foreign country. Marko made it simple — he explained everything clearly and the pausalac registration was done faster than I expected."

MT
USAMichael T.
Residence permit
★★★★★

"As an American I was worried about the 30-day limit. Marko sorted out my TRP quickly and I've been living legally in Belgrade for over a year now. Highly recommend."

SB
FranceSophie B.
Residence permit
★★★★★

"I tried to navigate the Serbian system alone and got nowhere. One WhatsApp message to Marko and suddenly everything made sense. He is exactly who you need."

Common questions

Things people ask before moving

Do I need a visa to enter Serbia? +

Most likely no. Citizens of the EU, Canada, Australia, Norway, and over 100 other countries can enter without a visa and stay 90 days. US and UK citizens get 30 days per entry — not 90. Russian citizens get 30 days. Full visa guide →

How much does it cost to live in Serbia? +

A single person can live comfortably in Belgrade for €700–1,000/month. A couple for €1,200–1,600/month. Outside Belgrade, subtract 20–30%. Full breakdown →

Can I work remotely from Serbia? +

Yes. During your visa-free period (90 days for most nationalities, 30 days for US and UK citizens) you can work remotely without registering anything. For longer stays, register as a freelancer (pausalac). Serbia's freelancer tax is a fixed monthly amount — typically €80–250 total regardless of income — one of the best setups in Europe. Full guide →

How do I stay in Serbia longer than 3 months? +

Apply for a Temporary Residence Permit before your visa-free period expires. The most common basis is registering as a freelancer. A lawyer handles the application — processing takes about 30 days and you can stay in Serbia while it is being processed. How it works →

What is the White Card? +

The White Card is a mandatory address registration every foreigner must complete within 24 hours of arriving in Serbia. Hotels do it automatically. If you are in a private apartment, your landlord registers you at the police station. It is the foundation for everything else — bank accounts, permits, company registration. Full guide →

Do I need to speak Serbian? +

No. In Belgrade, English is widely spoken by younger people. You can manage daily life without Serbian. That said, learning basic phrases is appreciated and makes life easier. The government processes (permits, registration) are in Serbian — which is why most expats use a lawyer to handle them.