Bringing Your Family to Serbia: Spouse & Children Residence Permits

If you are a Serbian citizen, or a foreigner who already holds temporary or permanent residence, your close family — spouse or partner and minor children — can get residence in Serbia through family reunification (spajanje porodice). It is usually the next step once one person in the household is settled.

Who can sponsor family members?

A Serbian citizen
A foreigner with an approved temporary residence permit
A foreigner with permanent residence
A foreigner who has been granted asylum in Serbia

In other words: get yourself legal first, then bring the family. If you are not there yet, start with how to stay in Serbia legally.

Who counts as "close family"?

Your spouse (and, in defined cases, a common-law partner)
Your minor children (including the other partner's minor children in the household)
In specific situations, dependent relatives — for example a parent who depends on you and has no adequate care in their home country

Genuine relationships only. The authorities check that a marriage is real and not arranged purely to obtain residence. Bring proper proof of your relationship and shared life.

How long is the permit valid?

A family-reunification permit is generally granted for up to the same period as the sponsor's residence and is renewable. When the family member is joining a temporary resident, their permit is typically tied to the sponsor's permit and runs alongside it. Since the 2024 reform, temporary residence can be issued for up to three years at a time, which benefits family members too.

Independent residence later. After several years living in Serbia on a reunification basis, a family member can usually apply for residence in their own right — so they are no longer dependent on the sponsor's status. There are also protections for cases like the death of the sponsor or domestic violence. Ask Marko when this becomes available in your case.

The documents you'll need

Family cases are won and lost on paperwork. Typically you'll need:

Proof of the family relationship — marriage certificate, birth certificates for children
Those foreign documents apostilled and translated into Serbian by a court-certified translator
The sponsor's proof of residence status
Proof of accommodation and means of support, valid passports, and address registration (the White Card) for each person

The process, in short

Sponsor gets settled You hold valid residence (or are a Serbian citizen) — the basis for the family's application.

Prepare and legalise documents Marriage/birth certificates apostilled and translated — the part that takes the most lead time, so start early.

Register address and apply Each family member registers their address and applies for the reunification permit. A lawyer prepares and submits the file.

Permits issued Family members receive residence aligned with the sponsor, and can renew alongside you.

Bringing your spouse or kids over? Marko handles family-reunification permits for foreigners — from getting the documents legalised correctly to filing for each family member — in fluent English, at local rates. Message Marko on WhatsApp with who you want to bring and your own status.

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Eligibility, validity and document requirements change and depend on your case — always confirm with a licensed professional.

Last updated: June 2026.

Official sources: Welcome to Serbia (official Foreigners Portal) · Ministry of the Interior (MUP)