Our customers want to know more and more about Serbia! And no wonder: the beautiful Balkan country is developing at a tremendous speed, it is on the verge of joining the EU, and the prices here are still much lower than on average in Europe. Excellent education, business, and citizenship opportunities attract expats from all over the world looking to explore this budding hub. Obtaining a Serbian residence permit for the whole family is not that difficult, and the path to citizenship is quite straightforward. And, who knows, it may be an EU citizenship by that time!
We would like to invite you to our portal where we pay special attention to Serbia: read more about Serbia citizenship through residence permit, relocation, business, banking, investments in local real estate, and the relaxed lifestyle you are sure to enjoy. Our articles are written by practical specialists who help people relocate to Serbia, obtain a residence permit there, start a business, open a personal or corporate account, and much more.
You can book an individual session with our expert to get answers to all questions, share your doubts, and look at the existing options to make a well-informed decision. We will do most of the administrative work for you, including translation of documents into Serbian and interaction with local authorities. We can help you not only online but also on-site as we have a local office in Belgrade. Contact us and take advantage of all the benefits of Serbia without much hassle!
Residence Permit and Citizenship in Serbia
Many customers ask us how long it will take to become a Serbian citizen. And here are some important facts you should know:
There is no “fast track” to Serbian citizenship! You may sometimes see websites that offer “Serbian citizenship by investment”, but this seems to be a scam: there is no citizenship-by-investment program in Serbia. You have to obtain a residence permit and comply with certain requirements to receive the right to permanent residence and, finally, a Serbian passport.
If you follow a standard procedure, you apply for a residence permit. If you also want to become a Serbian tax resident, you can do so 1 year after the residence permit has been approved.
Serbia grants temporary and permanent residence permits.
You first obtain a temporary residence permit for 6 months that can be renewed for no more than one year – for you or all your family members. You can specify different purposes in documents for obtaining a residence permit: investment, business, work, education, international security, and so on.
The temporary residence permit needs to be held for 1 year before you can apply for a permanent residence permit. You submit a minimum package of documents, but they need to be error-free. This kind of permit is granted for 5 years.
As for citizenship, you can apply after residing in Serbia for at least 3 years. However, the standard term after which most residents obtain a passport is 5 to 10 years, and it depends largely on the reason why you relocate to Serbia.
Contact us to get a Serbian residence permit really quickly!
Why Serbia?
There are a lot of reasons why Serbia may become the country where you will find your home. Let’s look at some of them.
Geography and Status
Serbia is a bridge between East and West, and you will easily get to any major European city from here as its international airport provides regular flights all over Europe.
The country is a candidate for EU membership, which is one of the biggest incentives for many potential residents. Serbia is a member of OSCE, the UN, and the Council of Europe.
Climate and Nature
If you enjoy a clear difference between seasons, with warm summers and cold winters, Serbia is a country for you! The peak summer temperature is 21°C, and in winter it drops to 0°C.
Serbia is covered by mountains by 75%, and you will be delighted to discover its stunning views, natural parks, rivers and lakes, and forested hills. There are relatively few tourists, which may be a great advantage to some of you.
Taxation System
The taxes in Serbia are among the lowest in Europe, which is one of the reasons for immigration. You will become a tax resident if you live in the country for at least 183 days a year.
Here are some tax rates for individuals to illustrate:
- The salary tax amounts to 10% on gross salary.
- Social security contributions take up 35% of the monthly salary.
- Your income from self-employment activities will be taxed at 10%.
- The capital gains tax (on the sale of real estate, for example) equals 15%.
- Tax on income from investments (a deposit with a bank, for instance) amounts to 10%.
And if you are interested in a corporate tax rate, it equals 10% (reductions are available).
Healthcare in Serbia
Public healthcare services are provided to all residence permit holders. However, private medical services in Serbia are among the best ones in the region, and many expats prefer using them as the prices are quite reasonable.
Local Real Estate
Real estate prices in Serbia are quite affordable, especially if you choose a small town or a rural district. And if your choice is Belgrade, there are more and less affordable options here as prices vary by district: the further away from the city center, the lower is the price. The districts located on the outskirts may be more or less developed, which also influences the cost. The development industry is very active in Serbia, so everyone will find something to choose.
Cost of Living
If you take any country in Central Europe, the prices in Serbia will be three times lower. Expats are usually relieved to find out in the first months of their Serbian life that goods and services are reasonably priced. Hence, this is another reason to relocate.
Would you like to find out how many countries you can visit with a Serbian passport without a visa? Please follow the above link to read the full text of the article and discover more. You can also book a one-on-one session with our consultant and make your first step to Serbian citizenship today!
