Buying a car in Serbia as a foreigner

Purchase of a car in Serbia by a foreigner - a procedure that requires careful attention to documents, taxes and registration. With proper preparation the process takes from 3 to 10 days. The key is to confirm ownership, arrange compulsory insurance and register the vehicle in the Serbian register. Below are step-by-step instructions, service fees, nuances for holders of боравак and those without it, and typical mistakes that lead to fines or registration refusal.

Who is allowed to buy a car in Serbia

Foreigners can buy cars without citizenship restrictions, but the residence status matters:

• EU/EEA citizens - registration on general grounds.
• Third-country nationals (Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, etc.) - legal residence must be proven (visa, temporary or permanent боравак).
• Persons with боравак - rights are the same as Serbian residents; tax payment on the sale is mandatory.
• Tourists without боравак - they may buy a car only for personal use, but cannot register it in their own name; purchase is possible through a trusted person with боравак or through a Serbian company (e.g., for rental).

Preparing for the purchase: vehicle and document check

VIN code

Check it on the website of the Регистра автомобила Републике Србије. Entering the VIN in the form provides a status report (stolen, pledged, seized). Cost - free, processing time - up to 24 hours.

Technical inspection (преглед)

A valid technical inspection is required for registration. Validity - 1 year for cars older than 3 years. It can be performed at any service centre accredited by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Cost - 2 500-5 000 RSD (21-42 EUR).

Insurance (ОСАГО)

If the seller did not provide a policy, obtain one online at the СОКО site or through an agent. Minimum coverage amount - 1 000 000 EUR.

Purchase contract (Уговор о продаји)

Notarial certification is mandatory; the notary will verify signatures and data consistency. Certification cost - 3 000-6 000 RSD (25-50 EUR). The contract must include:

• Full name, address and passport/ID of seller and buyer;
• Make, model, VIN, year of manufacture, engine number;
• Price (EUR or RSD) and signing date.

If the seller is a legal entity (dealership), an invoice with VAT (20 %) is required.

Registering the vehicle for a foreigner

For holders of боравак (temporary or permanent)

1. Gather documents

• Certified purchase contract (original + copy);
• Passport (original + copy);
• Боравак (original + copy);
• Technical passport (технички преглед) - original;
• Valid ОСАГО policy;
• Receipt of vehicle tax payment (if applicable);
• Registration application (template on the МУП site).

1. Pay taxes and fees

• Vehicle tax (ПДВ) - 20 % of the price if the car is new or imported; for used cars bought in Serbia the VAT is already included.
• Registration fee - 1 500 RSD (12,5 EUR).
• Number-plate fee - 2 000-5 000 RSD (17-42 EUR) depending on plate type.

1. Submission

Go to a МУП office or the service centre Сербия Сервис. Waiting time - 3-5 working days. After approval you receive new plates and a technical passport with your data.

For foreigners without боравак

Registration is possible only through two routes:

1. Via a trusted person with боравак

The trusted person signs the contract on your behalf, registers the car in their name, and issues you a notarized power of attorney (5 000-10 000 RSD / 42-84 EUR). Taxes and registration are paid by the trusted person.

1. Via a Serbian company

The company (e.g., a rental firm) registers the car in its name and provides you with a power of attorney to operate it. You do not become the registered owner, but you can use the vehicle. For sale or export a notarized power of attorney from the owner will be required.

ОСАГО insurance: how to obtain it and cost

Compulsory insurance covers third-party damage; registration is impossible without it.

Where to obtain it

• Online: through insurance company websites:
• СОКО - from 150 EUR/year (class B);
• Дунав осигурање - from 180 EUR/year;
• Кофас осигурање - from 160 EUR/year.
• Offline: at any insurance office or via an agent.

Policy cost in 2026

Vehicle type	Cost (EUR/year)	Deductible (EUR)
Passenger (up to 1.6 L)	150-250	300-500
Passenger (1.6-2.0 L)	200-350	500-800
Motorcycle	80-150	200-400
Light truck (up to 3.5 t)	300-500	1 000-1 500

The policy is valid for 1 year. Upon renewal the price may change according to the insurance history.

Important for foreigners: without боравак the policy is issued in the name of the vehicle owner (i.e., the trusted person or the company). For trips outside Serbia a Зелёная карта - 50-150 EUR depending on the participating countries - is required.

Taxes and fees when buying and registering

VAT (ПДВ)

• 20 % of the price for new or imported cars.
• 0 % for used cars bought in Serbia from a private seller (VAT already included).

Annual motor vehicle tax

Engine volume (L)	Petrol (EUR/year)	Diesel (EUR/year)	Electric (EUR/year)
up to 1.0	30	40	10
1.0-1.4	50	60	20
1.4-2.0	80	90	30
2.0-3.0	120	130	40
over 3.0	200	210	60

Registration fee and number plates

• Registration fee - 1 500 RSD (≈12,5 EUR).
• Plates - 2 000-5 000 RSD (≈17-42 EUR) depending on type (temporary/permanent).

Note: all amounts are current for summer 2026; legislative changes may affect rates.