Legalization in Serbia

Temporary residence

Temporary residence is granted for up to 3 years and can be renewed, on the basis on which you actually live in Serbia. You choose the basis once, but a lot depends on it: whether you can work, what will be checked at renewal and how quickly you reach permanent residence. We work with every basis:

Employment

A single permit for residence and work, based on a contract with a Serbian employer. We help both you and your employer: labour market test, contract, filing.

Sole proprietor or company

We register you as a sole proprietor (preduzetnik) or set up an LLC (DOO) with the Business Registers Agency (APR) and arrange temporary residence on self-employment grounds. Business activity must start within 90 days, and at renewal the authorities check that the business is real: turnover, taxes, accounting. That is why we stay by your side after you receive your card.

Study

University, school or Serbian language courses. Students may work up to 20 hours a week.

Talent

For specialists with higher education: you need a diploma recognised in Serbia (we take care of the recognition). The first permit is issued for one year; after that, we switch you to employment or your own business.

Startup and investor

An innovative company confirmed by a science and technology park, or an investment made through a Serbian bank. We go through the amount and renewal requirements using your specific case.

Marriage

To a Serbian citizen or to a foreign national holding temporary or permanent residence. If you married abroad and are applying on the basis of marriage to a Serbian citizen, the marriage must first be entered into the Serbian civil registers — we take care of that too.

Common-law partnership

Living together without a registered marriage is also a valid basis. It is proven with statements from both partners and two witnesses before a notary, certificates of marital status and a shared address.

Family reunification

A spouse or partner, children under 18 and, in certain cases, parents and other dependent relatives. Family members of a temporary residence holder can work without a separate permit.

Property

A flat or house you own in Serbia and live in. There is no minimum value, and on this basis you can work without a separate permit.

Serbian origin

If a direct ancestor was a Serbian citizen or an ethnic Serb, we will prove it with documents.

Other grounds

Medical treatment, humanitarian reasons, scientific research, volunteering, religious service. Serbia does not yet have a dedicated digital nomad visa — remote workers are usually best served by a sole proprietorship, their own company or property.

How it works

• Consultation: we choose the basis and draw up a document checklist tailored to you.
• We prepare the documents: translations by a court interpreter, apostilles, certificates, a bank statement, insurance.
• We register your address — the “white card” must be obtained within 24 hours of moving in.
• We file the application online or at the police station where you are registered. While it is being processed, you may legally remain in Serbia.
• Once approved: a biometrics appointment and collection of your card. We go with you as interpreters.
• We track deadlines and remind you about renewal: you must apply no earlier than 3 months before and no later than the last day your current permit is valid.

Permanent residence

Since 2024, you can apply for permanent residence after 3 years of continuous temporary residence — previously it was 5. Permanent residence has no expiry date; only the card is replaced (for adults, every 5 years). It lets you work without any permits and enjoy most rights on an equal footing with citizens.

• Only years with approved temporary residence count; time spent studying counts as half.
• Continuity is preserved if your absences total no more than 10 months and none lasted longer than 6 months in a row.
• You must apply while your current permit is still valid — no earlier than 60 days before it expires. While your application is being processed, you remain in Serbia legally.
• Exempt from the three-year requirement: minor children of Serbian citizens and of permanent residence holders, as well as people of Serbian origin.

Diploma and certificate recognition

Recognition of foreign education is needed to work in your profession, to enrol at university, for the “Talent” permit and to enrol children in school. Professional recognition of diplomas and recognition of school documents are handled by the Qualifications Agency; for continuing your studies, by the university.

Diploma for work

By law, a decision is due within 60 days; for graduates of universities in the global top 500, within 8 days. We file online, prepare the translation and the paperwork, and collect the decision for you.

Diploma for study

The application goes to the university where you will study; its committee may set additional exams. It is important to get it done before admission deadlines.

School certificate

A child can be provisionally enrolled in school while recognition is under way. After 9 grades in Russia, a pupil usually enters the 1st grade of a Serbian secondary school: Serbia has 8 years of primary school and 4 years of secondary school.

Regulated professions

After diploma recognition, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, lawyers, engineers and architects also need an internship, an exam or a licence from their professional chamber. We map out the entire route for you.

Driving licence exchange

Foreign licences are valid in Serbia only for a limited time: 12 months after your temporary or permanent residence is approved, you can no longer drive on them — not even with an international driving permit. If you drive on an invalid licence, it is confiscated on the spot, and your insurer may have grounds to refuse a payout.

• We check whether your licence can be exchanged without exams: this depends on the issuing country.
• We help you obtain the medical certificate.
• We file the application with the police and accompany you. Serbian licences are usually issued for 10 years.
• If an exchange without exams is not possible, we find a driving school for you.

Why it is easier with us

• We work with every basis and know how individual police offices handle cases in practice.
• We check documents before filing: an error in a certificate or translation is a common reason for refusal.
• We go with you to every authority as interpreters.
• We keep track of renewal deadlines for you.