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.
Comfortable monthly budget for a single person in Belgrade
Visa-free window for most nationalities — you still register your address on arrival
Typical all-in tax for a Belgrade freelancer earning €2k+
The short version — what most remote workers do
- First 90 days: Arrive and work as a visitor — no residence permit needed. (You do still register your address within 24 hours of arrival: the White Card. A hotel does it for you; a landlord or host does it otherwise.)
- 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. Your residence-and-work permit is now issued for up to 3 years at a time, and renews.
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:
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.
Do you need to register as a freelancer?
For a short visit within your 90 days: no — you can arrive, use your foreign bank cards, work on your laptop, and go home without registering a business. (One thing is still required of everyone, though: registering your address within 24 hours of arrival — the White Card. It's free and usually handled by your hotel or landlord.)
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
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.
Last updated: June 2026.
Official sources: Welcome to Serbia (official Foreigners Portal) · Serbian Tax Administration