Short-term rental of accommodation in Serbia is considered угоститељска делатност (hospitality activity) and falls under the Tourism and Hospitality Law. The owner has clear obligations - below is a step-by-step checklist on how to arrange everything without problems.
You need to obtain a decision on categorisation (rešenje o kategorizaciji) from the local administration - opština or grad where the apartment is located. The authority will check at least: area, bathroom, basic equipment, and then assign a star rating. Renting out on a short-term basis is not allowed without a valid decision.
Each guest must be registered in the eTurista system (linked to MUP). Registration must be completed within 24 hours after check-in. For Russian-speaking tourists "делаю бели картон" - this is a real advantage, because many look specifically for such options.
If you live in the same apartment that you rent out, an additional tax payment may be required - check the details with the tax office.
Register as an owner and add a listing. In the form choose Rent → Short-term, specify the price per night, capacity, minimum stay, and tick the fields RU - "делаю бели картон" and "говорю по-русски". These filters will immediately attract a Russian-speaking audience.
Lack of categorisation and guest registration is considered an administrative violation: the individual receives a fine, and an unregistered guest receives a fine upon departure. Proper registration eliminates both risks and opens access to major booking platforms.