Documents and legalization in Serbia
Comprehensive step-by-step guides on all documents for life in Serbia: boravak, permanent residence, paušalac, opening a company, vehicle registration, health insurance.
SerbiaHub publishes 145 detailed guides on life in Serbia — boravak, paušalac, documents, vehicle registration, insurance.
Visas (32)
Residence permit (15)
Work (14)
Everyday life (8)
Education (8)
- Kindergartens in Serbia — Types - State (državni): ~43-68€/month, waiting lists, Serbian language - Private (privatni): ~170-510€/month, no waiting, often English gro…
- Schools in Serbia - enrolling a child — System - Primary (osnovna škola): 8 years, ages 6.5-14.5, mandatory, free - Secondary (srednja škola): 3-4 years State schools: free for…
- Higher education and Serbian courses — Serbian language courses - Belgrade: Filološki fakultet, Institut za strane jezike - Novi Sad: Filozofski fakultet - Online: SerbianLesson.c…
- Children and education - parents' experience — Children and Education in Serbia: Practical Experience of Expat Parents Moving to a new country with children is always a challenge, especi…
- Russian schools in Belgrade: a comprehensive guide for expats 2026
- Enrolling a child in a Serbian school: a complete checklist of documents and step-by-step instructions
- Private kindergartens in Belgrade: prices, languages and programs for 2026
- Children's clubs and sections in Belgrade: where to learn chess, ballet and programming in Russian
Healthcare (7)
Housing (7)
Arrival and settling in (6)
- Cost of living in Serbia: how much you need for a month in 2026 — What one month of living costs a single person, from our own rent and grocery data: Belgrade {cost_bg} €, Niš {cost_nis} €, Novi Sad {cost_n…
- Apartment for daily rent in Serbia (stan na dan): how to rent and what to look out for
- What to take with you to Serbia — Documents (required) - Passport - valid for at least 6 months - Passport copies - 3-4 sets for bank, residence permit, rental - B…
- Beli karton (registracija po mestu žitelstva) perevoditsja kak
White cardboard (registration at the place of residence) — What is it? Beli karton is your address registration in Serbia. By law you must register within 24 hours of moving in. How to get it 1…
- Mobile communication and internet — Mobile operators - MTS - largest, best coverage - A1 - good city coverage - Yettel - good data plans Prepaid SIM: ~3-4€, passport only n…
- The First 30 Days in Serbia: A Relocator's Checklist — 30-day plan after moving to Serbia: housing, tax number, residence permit, bank, insurance, taxes. Real prices summer 2026.
Finance (6)
Legal matters (6)
Transport and cars (6)
Culture and leisure (5)
Transport (5)
Cities (5)
- Where to live in Serbia: Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš and Subotica compared — Compare the four largest Serbian cities for expats: rent prices, job market, culture, climate, pros and cons.
- Belgrade for Expats: Neighborhoods, Infrastructure, Cost of Living — Comprehensive expat guide to Serbia's capital: 1.2M people, Cfa climate, BEG airport, district rents, Russian-speaking community.
- Novi Sad for Expats: IT Capital, EXIT, Prices — Detailed guide to Serbia's second city: 260K people, 900 IT companies, ECoC 2022, EXIT festival home, €450 median rent.
- Niche for expats: affordable south, regional airport — Serbia's third city: 179K people, mild winters, INI regional airport with low-cost flights, €410 rent, university hub.
- Subotica for Expats: 10km to Hungary, Cheap Housing — Northern Serbia: 89K people, 10 km to Hungary, €375 median rent, unique Hungarian Art Nouveau, 30% Hungarian population.
Pets (4)
Business and work (3)
Government offices (3)
Other (3)
Blog (1)
Banks and finance (1)
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need for a residence permit?
Passport, PIB, rental contract, health insurance, proof of funds (about €1500 in the account) and a basis (employment contract, sole proprietorship, studies or family). Applications go through eUprava; slots are booked a month ahead.
How do I open a sole proprietorship (paušal) in Serbia?
Registered with the Business Registers Agency (APR) in 1-3 days for about €30. The flat tax is 20-40k RSD per month depending on the activity. A foreigner with a PIB can register; the residence permit comes later.
How much does a residence permit cost?
State fee around €100. Lawyer's services €200-500 if needed. Health insurance €150-400 per year. The first year totals €300-1000 depending on the route.
Can I get a residence permit by buying property?
Technically yes, but in 2024-26 the police often delay or refuse. More reliable routes are employment or registering a sole proprietorship.
When do I become a Serbian tax resident?
After 183 days in a year or when your “centre of vital interests” is here. Residents pay 10-20% tax on worldwide income, non-residents only on Serbian income.
Where do I get tests for paperwork?
Public health centres (dom zdravlja, free with a health card) or private clinics (Bel Medic, MediGroup, €30-100). Results usually take 1-3 days.