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 3 months.

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. Full list here β†’

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?

90 days. That's roughly 3 months. You can arrive, live normally, and leave β€” no paperwork required.

After 90 days, you either need to leave Serbia or apply for a longer-stay permit (more on that below).

Something people love about Serbia: Unlike EU countries, Serbia's 90-day rule runs completely separately. Time spent in Serbia does not count against your Schengen (EU) 90-day limit. If you split your time between Europe and Serbia, you essentially get a second 3-month window.

The White Card β€” something everyone must do on arrival

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

Don't be alarmed β€” 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 β€” 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 a Temporary Residence Permit. This is an official document β€” a physical ID card β€” that allows you to live in Serbia legally for an extended period.

Since 2024, permits can be granted for up to 3 years at a time, and can be renewed. Applications are submitted online.

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 a sole trader in Serbia (the Serbian term is pauΕ‘alac) and use that as your legal basis for staying. Very common among remote workers. Marko handles the whole registration in a few days.

Own or register a company in Serbia

Set up a small Serbian company and use that as your reason for living here. More formal than sole trader, but gives you more options.

Own property in Serbia

If you own real estate in Serbia, that alone qualifies you for a residence permit.

Family ties

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

Studying in Serbia

Enrolled in a Serbian university or language school? That qualifies too.

How to apply β€” 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 the Serbian government website. 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 β€” 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 β€” most clients say it saves them days of stress. Ask about his fees β†’

Staying permanently

After living in Serbia for 3 continuous years on a temporary permit, you can apply for permanent residency β€” the right to live in Serbia indefinitely without ever renewing.

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 β€” 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 β€” under €30). The main cost is the lawyer β€” 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.