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
- Go to the MUP of your district with your foreign passport. You can find the MUP of your district on the map - filter by city and district, with address and route.
- 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)
- A notarised izjava from the owner, in which he authorises the registration.
- A copy of the owner's personal ID, the ownership document, your foreign passport and two forms for each person.
- 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.