How to Legally Rent Out an Apartment Short-Term in Serbia (Categorization, Taxes, eTurista)

# How to Legally Rent stan na dan in Serbia

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.

## 1. Categorisation of the Property

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.

## 2. Guest Registration (eTurista / "бели картон")

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.

## 3. Taxes and Fees

- **Tax by decision** (porez po rešenju) is calculated by the tax office based on the number of places and the category (art. 84b of the Law on Personal Income Tax). It is paid in installments throughout the year.
- **Боравишна такса** (tourist fee) - a small amount per guest per night, transferred to the municipality.
- The declaration must be submitted within **15 days** after receiving the categorisation decision.

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.

## 4. How to List the Property

Register as an owner and [add a listing](https://serbiahub.com/housing). 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.

## What Happens with Illegal Renting

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.

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