Бели картон (registration at place of residence)

## What is a bели картон?

bели картон - this is the registration of a foreigner at their place of residence in Serbia. If you do not have a residence permit (ВНЖ/ПМЖ), it is mandatory for every entry into the country.

## Two types

- **From the police (MUP)** - issued at the district police department, has a blue wet stamp and is accepted everywhere, including banks.
- **Online** - issued by the housing owner through eUprava (only if the owner has a Serbian passport) or by a hotel upon check-in. Some banks do not accept such cards, and a stamp cannot be placed on them at MUP.

## Why you need it

- To arrange a long-term lease and register at a new address (the previous card is required).
- For opening a personal bank account and changing non-resident status to resident.
- As a certificate of no criminal record.
- For a medical insurance policy (DMS).
- When exchanging a driver's licence for a Serbian one.

## The 24-hour rule

- Registration is mandatory if you plan to stay in the country **more than 24 hours**. For transit of less than a day, a card is not needed.
- When **changing your place of residence**, the new card should be obtained within 24 hours.
- If you have already applied for a residence permit and **have not left** Serbia, a new card after 30 days is not required; if you leave - it is required.
- Trips within the country of less than 15 days (vacation, work without moving) also do not require a new card.

## What happens if you don't get one

At the border they check the date of your entry. Without a valid card you may be sent back on a visa-run or even to court on the same day; the fine usually starts from **500 € per person**, with possible deportation or entry ban. A card listed at an address other than your residence creates problems when applying for a residence permit.

## How to obtain it

### With the housing owner
1. Go to the MUP of your district with your foreign passport. You can [find the MUP of your district](/places?category=government) on the map - filter by city and district, with address and route.
2. The owner brings his passport, property ownership document and fills out two forms together with you (one for each person). It is better to print them in advance - the police sometimes do not have blank forms.

### On your own (by power of attorney)
1. A notarised izjava from the owner, in which he authorises the registration.
2. A copy of the owner's personal ID, the ownership document, your foreign passport and two forms for each person.
3. The owner has the izjava notarised without your presence.

If the owner cannot or does not want to participate, the card can be obtained through a hostel/hotel - it will be valid until you receive a card at your own address.

## Nuances

- The card is indefinite, but **ceases to be valid when crossing the border**.
- Keep all old cards - they are sometimes requested even if you have a residence permit.
- Go only to the MUP of your district; the office operates 24/7.
- All fields are filled out in Latin script, name and surname - as in the foreign passport.
- Some MUP branches (e.g., Vračar, Rakovica in Belgrade) refuse to issue the card and direct you to online issuance by the owner.