Working Remotely from Serbia – What You Actually Need to Know

Can you work remotely from Serbia?

Yes — and it's one of the most popular countries in Europe for remote workers right now.

Serbia has a combination that's hard to find elsewhere: low cost of living, fast internet, a welcoming attitude toward foreigners, and a genuinely good tax setup for freelancers. Belgrade in particular has a growing expat and remote-worker community.

€700

Comfortable monthly budget for a single person in Belgrade

3 months

You can stay and work without any registration at all

~€120/mo

Typical all-in tax for a Belgrade freelancer earning €2k+

The short version — what most remote workers do

First 3 months: Just arrive and work. No registration needed. You're legally here as a visitor.
If you want to stay longer: Register as a freelancer (takes a few days, a lawyer does it all). This gives you a legal basis for staying AND a very good tax rate.
After that: Pay a fixed monthly tax, live your life. Renew your residence permit every 1–3 years.

The tax setup — why Serbia is so attractive

Serbia has a freelancer registration system called a paušalac (pronounced "pow-sha-lats"). Don't worry about the word — here's what matters:

        Instead of paying a percentage of what you earn, you pay a flat fixed amount each month. The government looks at your profession, where you live, and your age — then sets your monthly amount. For most service-based freelancers in Belgrade, this comes to around €80–250 per month total, covering everything: income tax, health insurance, and pension contributions combined.
      

The key thing: this amount doesn't change if you earn more. If you earn €2,000/month, you pay the same as if you earn €5,000/month. The more you earn, the lower the effective percentage.

Compare this to, say, Germany (up to 45% income tax) or the UK (up to 40%) and you can see why Serbia has become popular.

One rule to know: You can't earn more than 6 million Serbian dinars per year (roughly €50,000) through this system. If you earn more than that, you'd need a different setup — ask Marko about it.

Do you need to register at all?

For the first 90 days: no. You can arrive, use your foreign bank cards, work on your laptop, and go home. No legal action required.

Registering as a freelancer makes sense if:

You want to stay longer than 3 months
You want to open a local bank account (useful for paying rent, bills, etc.)
You want a clear legal status in Serbia
You want to issue proper invoices to clients
You want to take advantage of Serbia's low tax rates officially

How to register as a freelancer — step by step

Contact Marko A WhatsApp message is enough to start. He'll ask about your situation and explain exactly what's needed in your case.

Register your address (White Card) Your landlord registers your apartment at the police station — a routine step that usually takes one trip.

Marko registers you as a freelancer He handles the government registration, gets you a tax number, and sets up your status. This usually takes 2–5 working days.

Apply for a residence permit Your freelancer status gives you the right to apply for a residence permit — up to 3 years at a time. Marko handles the application.

Pay your monthly tax, live your life Once set up, you just pay a fixed monthly amount. No complex accounting needed. Marko can also help with the annual tax return if needed.

What about coworking spaces?

Belgrade has a growing number of coworking spaces, mostly in the city centre and New Belgrade areas. They're generally very well-equipped, affordable (€80–200/month for a desk), and attract a mix of Serbian startup types and international remote workers.

Popular options include Impact Hub Belgrade, Startit Centre, and various newer spaces in the Savamala and Dorćol neighbourhoods. Most have fast internet, meeting rooms, and at least some English-speaking members.

Common questions

Do I pay tax in my home country too?
This depends on your nationality and home country's tax rules. Americans are taxed on worldwide income regardless of where they live — and there's no tax treaty between Serbia and the US, so US citizens need specialist advice. Most EU and UK citizens can typically become tax resident in Serbia and pay only Serbian taxes. Ask Marko or a tax specialist in your home country.

Can I invoice foreign clients while registered in Serbia?
Yes. You invoice your clients normally. The money comes in, you pay your Serbian monthly tax, the rest is yours.

How much does the registration cost?
Marko's fee is typically €300–400 all-in for the freelancer registration plus residence permit application. Ask him directly for a current quote.

What if I want to hire people or set up something bigger?
If you're thinking about hiring employees or running a proper business, you'd want to register a company (called a d.o.o. in Serbian) rather than a sole trader. Marko can advise on the difference.