Startup Registration in Serbia

Why Serbia Is a Attractive Place for Startups

Serbia ranks 47th in the Doing Business 2025 rating (World Bank) for ease of doing business, outpacing most Eastern European countries.

Advantages for startups

• Corporate tax 10 % for companies recognized as innovative or startup.
• Zero VAT on export of services (client outside the country).
• Electronic registration via the eUprava portal - 5-10 days.
• Access to the EU: candidate status simplifies entry into European markets.
• Talent: more than 30 000 IT specialists graduate each year, and salaries are 30-40 % lower than in Germany or France.

According to the Startup Genome Report 2025 Serbia is among the top-20 European countries by ecosystem growth rate, behind only Germany and France.

Key Startup Support Programs in 2026

1. Inicijativa Digitalna Srbija (IDS)

Flagship government initiative focused on digitalisation of the economy and support for IT, fintech and agrotech. Budget - 50 m EUR per year (30 % grants, 70 % concessional loans).

Eligibility criteria

• Registration in Serbia ≤ 5 years.
• Turnover ≤ 500 000 EUR per year.
• Team ≥ 3 people (or equivalent FTE).
• Project in digitalisation, AI, blockchain, fintech or sustainable development.

Support amounts

Type	Amount	Conditions
Grant	up to 50 000 EUR	covers up to 50 % of expenses
Concessional loan	up to 200 000 EUR	2 % interest, term up to 5 years
Tax holidays	3 years	upon meeting IDS conditions

How to apply

1. Register on the IDS portal and fill out the questionnaire.
2. Attach a business plan and financial statements for the last 12 months.
3. Wait for the commission's assessment (≈ 30 days).
4. Sign the grant or loan agreement.

Example: in 2025 the startup AgroAI received a 45 000 EUR grant for an AI-powered agricultural land monitoring platform.

2. Startit Program

Largest incubator, supported by the Ministry of Digital Economy, operating in 15 cities including Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš.

Eligibility

• Company age ≤ 3 years.
• Team ≥ 2 people.
• Project in IT, fintech, biotech or creative industries.

What the startup receives

• Grants up to 20 000 EUR.
• Access to 50+ European experts.
• Free coworking spaces in Belgrade and Novi Sad.
• Opportunity to attract up to 100 000 EUR from partner funds.

Application process

1. Fill out the form on the Startit website.
2. Attend an interview with a curator.
3. Sign the participation agreement.

Example: in 2025 HealthTech Hub completed the Startit program and raised 75 000 EUR from the South Central Ventures fund.

3. Innovation Fund Serbia (IFS)

State fund with a budget of 25 m EUR in 2026, providing grants and early-stage investments.

Support types

Type	Amount	Conditions
Proof of Concept (PoC)	up to 50 000 EUR	concept validation
Seed Funding	up to 200 000 EUR	for a 5-15 % equity stake
Acceleration Grant	up to 30 000 EUR	fast market entry

Selection criteria

• Prototype or working product.
• Team with sector experience.
• Scaling potential beyond Serbia.

How to apply

1. Register on the IFS portal.
2. Submit an application describing the project and financial forecasts.
3. Wait for the council's assessment (≈ 45 days).

Example: in 2025 Blockchain Solutions received 150 000 EUR from IFS to develop a supply-chain management platform.

Tax Incentives for Startups in 2026

Corporate tax 10 %

For innovative and startup companies the rate drops from 15 % to 10 % when:

• Turnover ≤ 1 000 000 EUR per year.
• ≥ 50 % of revenue comes from innovative products/services.
• Team ≥ 3 people (or equivalent FTE).

Status verification

1. Submit an application to the Republican Tax Administration (ПУП).
2. Attach the business plan and financial statements.
3. Receive the innovative company certificate (≈ 15 days).

VAT exemption on export of services

No VAT (20 %) payable provided that:

• The client is registered outside Serbia.
• The service is not linked to real estate in the country.
• A contract and work completion certificate are supplied.

Tax holidays

Startups that have completed IDS or Startit may obtain a corporate tax exemption for 3 years if:

• Turnover ≤ 500 000 EUR per year.
• ≥ 70 % of revenue comes from innovative products.

Incentives for investors

• Tax credit - up to 30 % of the investment amount (maximum 50 000 EUR per year).
• Capital gains tax exemption when holding the share for more than 3 years.

Startup Registration: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

1. Choose the legal form

• DOO (Društvo sa ograničenom odgovornošću) - the equivalent of an LLC, statutory capital 1 EUR (practically 100 RSD).
• P.I. (Preduzetnik) - sole proprietor, no statutory capital but unlimited liability.
• Startup Company - special status requiring proof of innovation through ПУП.

Recommendation: for a team, DOO is usually best - it simplifies raising investment and limits personal liability.

2. Prepare documents for DOO

Document	Where to obtain
Articles of association	Template on the eUprava site
Founders' resolution	Minutes of the founders' meeting
Proof of capital payment	Bank statement (minimum 100 RSD)
Registration application	Online form in eUprava
Tax ID (PIB)	Poreska uprava portal

3. Electronic registration

1. Log into eUprava with a digital signature.
2. Complete the DOO registration form, upload the articles and resolution.
3. Pay the state fee ≈ 50 EUR (≈ 5 000 RSD).
4. Wait for confirmation (5-10 working days).

After receiving the registration extract you immediately get:

• Tax ID (PIB).
• Registration number in the Commercial Register.
• Ability to open a bank account.

4. Post-registration steps

• Register with Poreska uprava to obtain a tax certificate.
• Enroll in Poreska uprava as an innovative company (if you plan to use the 10 % tax rate).
• Open a bank account (recommended at Banca Intesa or UniCredit).
• Register in the eUprava system for filing reports and obtaining licences (if needed).

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Note: most procedures can be completed fully online, without a visit to МУП. With the right set of documents, registration takes no more than a week.