Before you leave home
Documents
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay
- Make 3–4 photocopies of your passport (you will need them for various registrations)
- Birth certificate — get an apostille stamp if you plan to stay long-term
- Bank statements from the last 3 months (shows you can support yourself)
- Any professional qualifications or diplomas (useful for freelancer registration)
Talk to a lawyer before you go
The single most useful thing you can do before arriving is send Marko a WhatsApp message explaining your situation — your nationality, how long you want to stay, and whether you plan to work. He can tell you exactly what documents you need and what to expect. First reply is free.
💬 Message Marko nowAccommodation
- Book an Airbnb or short-stay apartment for your first 2–4 weeks. Do not try to find a permanent place before arriving.
- Join the Facebook group "Expats in Belgrade" before you leave — it is the best source of real-time advice and apartment listings.
- Read the Belgrade neighbourhood guide so you know which area feels right for you.
Money
- Set up a Wise account before you arrive — it is the easiest way to manage money across currencies without getting hit by bank fees.
- Let your home bank know you are travelling to avoid cards being blocked.
- Bring some euros or dollars in cash — you can exchange them for dinars at any exchange office (menjacnica) in Serbia.
Serbia uses the Serbian dinar (RSD), not euros. Most things are paid in dinars. Rough rate: 1 euro = about 117 dinars. ATMs are everywhere and accept foreign cards.
When you arrive — first 24 hours
The White Card — do this immediately. Every person arriving in Serbia must register their address within 24 hours. If you are in a hotel, the hotel does it automatically. If you are in an Airbnb or private flat, your host must register you at the nearest police station. Do not skip this.
- Confirm with your host that they have registered you (or that you will do it together at the police station)
- Keep the White Card slip — you will need it for almost everything that follows
- Get a local SIM card — available at the airport and at any mobile shop. Telekom, A1, and Yettel all have good coverage.
- Withdraw some dinars from an ATM
First week
- Explore the neighbourhoods you are considering for longer-term rental
- Check Belgrade expat Facebook groups for apartment listings
- Message Marko to get your freelancer or company registration started if you plan to stay longer than 3 months
- Set up Wise if you have not already — connect it to your home bank account
First month — getting set up properly
1
Find a permanent apartment
Use Facebook groups and halooglasi.com. When you find one, make sure your landlord agrees to register you for the White Card.
2
Register as a freelancer (if staying longer than 3 months)
Marko handles this in 2–5 days. You get a tax number and official self-employed status — the basis for your residence application and for opening a bank account. (This is your tax setup; the right to reside and work is the separate permit in the next step.)
3
Apply for your residence & work permit
Since 2024, residence and the right to work come as one combined permit (the single permit / jedinstvena dozvola), submitted online via Serbia's official Foreigners Portal and issued for up to 3 years. Marko submits it for you; you can stay in Serbia while it is processed.
4
Open a Serbian bank account
Once you have company/freelancer registration documents, go to Raiffeisen or OTP Bank. Bring your passport, White Card, and registration documents.
5
Get health insurance (optional but recommended)
If registered as a freelancer, you already have public healthcare access. Private health insurance costs €40–100/month and gives faster, English-friendly service.
Ongoing
- Pay your monthly freelancer tax on time (your accountant or Marko can advise)
- Renew your White Card registration if you move apartments
- Note your residence/work permit expiry date — it's now issued for up to 3 years; apply for renewal at least 1 month before it expires
- File your annual tax return (typically due in spring — Marko can help)
Last updated: June 2026.
Official sources: Welcome to Serbia (official Foreigners Portal) · Ministry of the Interior (MUP)