Step-by-step guide to obtaining residence in Serbia through employment in 2026
If you moved to Serbia for work, proper paperwork - the key to legal residence. The employer initiates the process, but part of the documents you will have to gather yourself. Below is what you need to do, how long it will take, and how to act in case of a refusal.
Who is responsible for the paperwork and what the employer does
In 2026 the main document remains the temporary residence permit (privremeni boravak) on the basis of employment. The employer handles the application, but must:
- Submit an application to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia (Ministarstvo unutrašnjih poslova, MUP) on behalf of the employee.
- Provide the employment contract, notarised or otherwise compliant with Serbian law.
- Confirm payment of taxes and social contributions for the employee (if the company already operates in Serbia).
- Ensure medical insurance for the entire validity period of the permit.
The employer cannot delegate these duties to third parties - the application must be filed only by the legal entity named in the contract. If the company hires you remotely, it needs a Serbian branch or representative office.
What you need to prepare
Below is the list of documents you hand over to the employer for inclusion in the application package (relevant for summer 2026):
- Passport - valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended expiry date of the permit.
- Photographs - 2 pcs, 35×45 mm, colour, on a white background, without corners or ovals.
- Application for the permit - filled out in Serbian using the MUP form (template - www.mup.gov.rs).
- Employment contract - original + copy, signed by the employer. If the contract is in a foreign language, a notarised translation into Serbian is required.
- Employer registration confirmation - extract from the Commercial Entities Register (APR) or a similar document.
- Certificate of no criminal record - issued in the country of last residence (for Russian citizens - from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, for Ukrainian citizens - from the respective authority). Validity - no more than 6 months at the time of filing.
- Medical insurance certificate - valid on Serbian territory. Issued by private insurers (e.g., DDOR Novi Sad, Generali Osiguranje) or the state Republican Health Insurance Fund (RIOMS).
- Proof of residence - rental agreement or cadastral extract (for owners). For rentals the contract must be registered with the Cadastral Office (Katastrska uprava).
- Receipt of state fee payment - in 2026 - 60 EUR (or equivalent in dinars at the NBS rate on the payment day). Paid at any Serbian bank or via payment systems (e.g., Banca Intesa, UniCredit Bank).
All documents not in Serbian require notarisation and an official translation.
State fee: who pays and how to pay
The state fee for a temporary permit - 60 EUR. It can be paid:
- At banks (e.g., Raiffeisen Bank, Erste Bank, Komercijalna banka) via a payment order with service code 1100.
- Through online banking if you already have a Serbian account.
- At payment terminals (e.g., Sberbank, Posta Srbije).
Attach the receipt to the document package. If the application is rejected, the fee is not refunded, but it can be used for a re-submission.
Processing times and actions in case of refusal
The average processing time is 30-45 days. If the authenticity of documents is being checked, the period may extend to 60 days.
If MUP refuses, you receive a written notice stating the reason. Common reasons for refusal are:
- Incomplete document package.
- Employment contract not complying with Serbian law (e.g., salary below the minimum).
- Insufficient medical insurance.
- Existing criminal record or invalid passport.
You have 15 days to appeal to the Administrative Court of Serbia (Upravni sud). Usually a lawyer specialised in migration law is required. Alternatively, you can correct the deficiencies and submit a new application.
What to do after receiving the permit
After approval you obtain a temporary residence permit (privremeni boravak) valid for 1 year. It can be renewed for the same period as long as the employment contract remains valid.
First steps
- Register your place of residence - within 30 days of entry. Go to the local branch of the Cadastral Office or MUP with the permit and proof of residence. After registration you receive a Serbian identification number (JMBG).
- Open a bank account - you need JMBG, passport and proof of residence. Banks (e.g., AIK Banka, OTP Bank) require a minimum deposit of 100 EUR.
- Arrange permanent medical insurance - if you previously had temporary coverage, switch to a permanent policy through RIOMS or a private insurer.
- Renew the permit - submit documents through the employer 30 days before expiry. Without renewal you must leave the country.
Nuances for freelancers and remote workers
For those working remotely for a foreign company, employment-based filing is more complex. In 2026 two options are provided:
- Self-employed status (preduzetnik) - register a sole-proprietorship in Serbia, pay taxes as an entrepreneur, and apply for a temporary residence under the "entrepreneurial activity" category. State fee - 60 EUR, processing time - 30-45 days.
- Digital nomad visa (visa D7) - applicable if your income from foreign sources exceeds 3 average salaries in Serbia (≈ 1 800 EUR per month). The visa is issued for 6-12 months with the possibility of extension. Details - www.mfa.gov.rs.
Both options require proof of income (bank statements, contracts) and medical insurance.
Useful links