First: Do you need a visa to enter?

Most likely, no. Citizens of the USA, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and over 100 other countries can enter Serbia without a visa and stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. (The exact allowance is set by agreement and varies by nationality, so check your own passport's rules.)

You simply fly in, show your passport at the border, and you're in. No forms to fill in advance, no visa appointment needed.

🌍 Visa-free countries include: USA, UK, all EU countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and most others.

If you're from a country that does require a visa, you'll need to apply at a Serbian embassy before travelling. Marko can advise on this.

How long can you stay without doing anything?

Up to 90 days within any 180-day period — counted from your first entry, not per visit. You can arrive, live normally, and leave; no visa or permit needed for this window (you do still have to register your address — see the White Card below).

Because it's a rolling 180-day window, leaving and re-entering doesn't reset a fresh 90 days. After your 90 days are used, you either leave Serbia or apply for a longer-stay permit (more on that below).

Something people love about Serbia: Your Serbian visa-free allowance is counted completely separately from the EU's Schengen zone. Time spent in Serbia does not count against your Schengen (EU) 90/180 limit. If you split your time between Schengen Europe and Serbia, you essentially get a second window.

The White Card — something everyone must do on arrival

Every person who enters Serbia — tourist or resident — must register their address within 24 hours of arriving. This is called the White Card.

Don't be alarmed — it sounds more complicated than it is:

Don't skip this. Not registering is technically a violation of Serbian law. In practice, you're unlikely to be stopped — but if something goes wrong (accident, police check, hospital visit), not having a registered address creates real problems.

Staying longer than 3 months

If you want to stay in Serbia longer than 90 days, you need to apply for temporary residence — an official residence permit (a physical biometric ID card) that lets you live here for an extended period.

Since Serbia's 2024 reform, permits are granted for up to 3 years at a time and can be renewed. Importantly, if your basis is work or freelancing, residence and the right to work are now combined into a single permit (jedinstvena dozvola) — one application instead of the old two steps (residence permit, then a separate work permit). Applications are submitted online via Serbia's official Foreigners Portal (eforeigner.welcometoserbia.gov.rs).

What reasons can you use to apply?

You need a valid reason. You can't just say "I want to live here." The most common routes foreigners use:

Most popular

Register as a freelancer

Register as self-employed in Serbia and apply for residence on that basis — for work and freelancing this is the single permit (residence + work in one). The popular paušalac setup is the low flat-rate tax status that goes with it; it isn't the permit itself, but it's the route most remote workers use. Marko handles both, usually in a few days.

Own or register a company in Serbia

Set up a small Serbian company (a d.o.o.) and use that as your reason for living here. More formal than a sole trader — see d.o.o. vs paušalac for the trade-offs.

Own property in Serbia

If you own real estate in Serbia, that alone qualifies you for a residence permit. See buying property as a foreigner.

Family ties

Married to or in a family relationship with a Serbian citizen? You can apply on that basis — see family reunification.

Studying in Serbia

Enrolled in a Serbian university or language school? That qualifies too — see education in Serbia.

How to apply — step by step

1
Choose your reason for staying Most foreigners register as a freelancer. A lawyer can do this for you in 2–5 days.
2
Register your address (White Card) You need a registered address in Serbia before you can apply. Your landlord does this at the police station.
3
Submit your application online Applications go through Serbia's official Foreigners Portal (eforeigner.welcometoserbia.gov.rs). Your lawyer handles the paperwork and submits everything for you.
4
Wait for approval (around 30 days) You can stay in Serbia while your application is being processed — you don't need to leave the country.
5
Pick up your ID card You'll receive a physical biometric card (looks like a bank card) that proves your right to live in Serbia.
Most people use a lawyer for this. The process involves Serbian-language government websites and official forms. Marko handles it all for a fixed fee — most clients say it saves them days of stress. Ask about his fees →

Staying permanently

After living in Serbia for 3 continuous years on a temporary permit, you can apply for permanent residency — the right to live in Serbia indefinitely without ever renewing. From there, Serbian citizenship is the next step.

Common questions

Can I just leave and re-enter to reset my 90 days?
Technically yes. Many people do this. But it's not a reliable long-term strategy — border officers can refuse entry if they think you're gaming the system. If you're planning to stay long-term, get a proper permit.

Can I work remotely during my tourist 90 days?
There's no specific rule against it, and thousands of remote workers do this every year. But if you're planning to stay long-term, registering as a freelancer gives you proper legal status and tax clarity.

How much does it cost to get a residence permit?
The government fee is small (a few thousand Serbian dinars — under €30). The main cost is the lawyer — typically €300–500 to handle everything including any company registration. Ask Marko for an exact quote.

Do I need to speak Serbian?
No. Marko speaks fluent English. He handles all the Serbian-language parts of the process.

Last updated: June 2026.

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