Temporary stay in Serbia in 2026
If you plan to stay in Serbia for more than 90 days, you will likely need a temporary residence permit.Whether you are coming for work, studies, family reasons, or any other purpose, it is essential to understand the application process and the requirements you must meet. In this text, you will learn who can apply, what documents are required, how long the process takes, and how to avoid potential obstacles.. If you want to go through the whole process stress-free and secure your stay in Serbia, continue reading! In addition, it is important that you have help in the process Attorney for Immigration Law.
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Types of Stay in Serbia
Depending on the reason for your arrival in Serbia, there are several types of residence permits. The main categories include:
- a) Short-term stay up to 90 days
- b) Stay up to 180 days
- c) Temporary residence
- Permanent residence
a) Short-term stay up to 90 days
A short-term stay of up to 90 days allows foreigners from countries with a visa-free regime with Serbia to stay in the country without a visa. The allowed duration of stay depends on the country of origin.
For example, citizens of the European Union can stay in Serbia for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. On the other hand, citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in Serbia for up to 30 days but may re-enter Serbia to stay for another 30-day period.
A phenomenon that has emerged in Serbia due to this regulation is the so-called "Visa Run." A Visa Run is when a foreigner leaves Serbia for a few hours and then re-enters to reset their stay period for another 30 days.
Due to this practice, many people live in Serbia without officially regulated residency. However, while this may seem like an easier way to resolve your stay, it is important to note that this type of residence does not grant you fundamental rights such as the right to work, the right to education, health insurance, and other essential services.
Stay up to 180 Days
A stay of up to 180 days applies to foreigners who are in Serbia based on a D Visa. Foreigners who obtain this visa can stay in Serbia for a period between 90 and 180 days. Additionally, for citizens of countries that require a visa to enter Serbia, the D Visa is a prerequisite for obtaining a temporary residence permit in Serbia.
You can find all the details about visas in our comprehensive guide.
c) Temporary residence
Temporary residence allows foreigners to stay in Serbia for a period ranging from 6 months to 3 years.
Required Documentation for Obtaining Temporary Residence in Serbia
To apply for temporary residence in Serbia, the following documents are required:
- Valid passport,
- Recent photo (passport-sized, biometric format),
- Proof of administrative fee payment,
- White card (registration of residence),
- Health insurance,
- Documentation proving the basis for temporary residence.
The above-listed documents are mandatory for all applicants for temporary residence, while additional documents depend on the specific basis for the application.
Thus, in addition to the general documentation, the applicant must provide documents specific to the reason for their temporary residence.
What Are the Fees for Temporary Residence in Serbia?
The administrative fees for obtaining temporary residence in Serbia amount to approximately 22,000 RSD.
What Is a White Card?
A white card, or foreigner’s residence registration, is a document issued by the police, proving that a foreigner is registered to stay at a specific address in Serbia. Obtaining a white card does not mean that the foreigner has been granted temporary residence in Serbia, but it is a prerequisite for submitting the application.
It is crucial to note that a foreigner must obtain a white card within 24 hours of entering Serbia. Failure to do so may result in a fine.
You can find all the details related to renting an apartment by foreigners in Serbia at our blog.
Grounds for Obtaining Temporary Residence in Serbia
1. Temporary Residence and Work Permit Based on Employment
A foreigner employed in Serbia has the right to obtain a temporary residence permit and a work permit, also known as a unified permit.
A unified permit allows both residence and employment in Serbia and is issued for a period of up to 3 years.
Recent amendments to the Law on Foreigners now allow foreigners holding a unified permit to change their employer during the validity period of the permit.
Required Documentation:
- Employment Agreement,
- Extract from the employer’s Rulebook on systematization,
- Labor Market Test,
- Employer’s company registration extract from the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR).
Self-Employment
Self-employment is a form of employment where a foreigner who establishes a company in Serbia has the right to obtain a temporary residence permit and a work permit (unified permit).
Two categories of individuals engaged in business activities in Serbia are eligible for temporary residence: entrepreneurs and members of other business entities (most commonly limited liability companies – LLC or DOO in Serbian).
You can find a detailed guide for setting up a company on our website blog.
Entrepreneurs are natural persons who carry out business activities in Serbia and who are registered in the register of entrepreneurs at the Agency for Business Registers. The advantages of an entrepreneur are the easier and cheaper process of opening and closing an entrepreneurial business, the disadvantages are that the entrepreneur is responsible for all the company's obligations with his personal property. You can find all the details related to the establishment of an entrepreneurial shop in our Guide to establishing an entrepreneurial business.
On the other hand, a unified permit based on employment can also be obtained by individuals who are founders of business entities in Serbia, most commonly LLCs (DOO).
The choice of business structure, whether as an LLC or an entrepreneur, depends on the nature of the foreigner’s business activities. Answers to all questions regarding this choice can be found on our blog.
Required Documentation:
- Employer’s company registration extract from the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR).
3. Assignment of Employees to Work in Serbia and Intra-Company Transfers
A very common scenario arises when an employer collaborating with foreign companies, or whose owner is a foreign company, wishes to hire a foreign national already employed by that foreign company due to a shortage of domestic workers. Depending on whether these two companies are merely in a business relationship or have a corporate connection, we distinguish between:
1. Assignment of an Employee to Work in Serbia
The assignment of an employee to work in Serbia is based on a Business-Technical Cooperation Agreement between the foreign employer and the employer in Serbia. Under this agreement, the employee is sent to Serbia to perform specific tasks.
A common example of such an assignment occurs during the installation of certain machinery and equipment, where the employee temporarily works in Serbia.
It is important to note that a foreign national assigned to work in Serbia, despite having temporary residence in the country, continues to receive their salary from their employer in their home country and remains insured there.
Required Documentation:
- Employment Agreement,
- Business-Technical Cooperation Agreement
- Assignment act
Intra-Company Transfer
Temporary residence based on intra-company transfer is very similar to that based on the assignment of foreign nationals. The key difference is that intra-company transfer requires a corporate connection between the foreign and domestic employer. This connection exists when both employers are owned by the same company or when one company owns the other.
As with the assignment of an employee to work in Serbia, under intra-company transfer, the employee remains employed in their home company, continues to receive a salary from it, and remains insured in their home country.
Required Documentation:
- Employment Agreement,
- Proof of corporate connection between the companies
- Assignment act,
3. Family Reunification
Temporary residence for family reunification is granted to a foreign national whose immediate family member is a Serbian citizen or a foreigner with regulated residence in Serbia.
Eligible family members include parents and children, spouses, and unmarried partners.
The Law on Foreigners does not differentiate between whether the family member with whom the foreign national seeks reunification is a Serbian citizen or a foreigner with regulated residence in Serbia.
Required Documentation:
For family reunification between parents and children:
- Birth certificate, translated into Serbian.
For family reunification between spouses, where one is a Serbian citizen:
- Marriage certificate from the Republic of Serbia.
For family reunification between spouses, where one is a foreign national with approved temporary residence:
- Marriage certificate, translated into Serbian.
For unmarried partners:
- Proof of single marital status,
- Statements from two witnesses confirming the existence of the unmarried partnership,
- Statements from the unmarried partners themselves.
4. Property Ownership
Property ownership is also a valid basis for obtaining temporary residence in Serbia. Foreign nationals who own residential real estate, such as a house or an apartment, may qualify for temporary residence.
A detailed guide on purchasing real estate in Serbia can be found on our our blog..
It is essential to note that if multiple foreign nationals intend to purchase a single property and obtain temporary residence based on ownership, the property must be suitable for all buyers to live in.
Required Documentation:
- Extract from the Real Estate Cadastre
- Real estate sale and purchase agreement.
Application for Temporary Residence in Serbia
The process of applying for Temporary Residence is conducted through the Welcome to SerbiaApplicants must create an account, provide personal details, and upload required documents.
After successfully creating an account, you will proceed to the section for submitting a Temporary Residence Permit application, where you first enter all the necessary information required to establish your identity, as well as the purpose and basis of your travel to the Republic of Serbia. This includes details such as your place of residence, marital status, reason for traveling to Serbia, place of stay, and similar information.
After that, you will upload the necessary documents required for the approval of your temporary residence application.
How Long Does It Take to Obtain Temporary Residence in Serbia?
The legal deadline for a decision on temporary residence is 15 days from the date of submission. However, since multiple authorities are involved in the process, the waiting time may sometimes be longer.
Regardless of when the authorities decide on your residence permit, you are allowed to stay legally in Serbia until a decision is made.
Biometric Foreigner’s Card in Serbia
Once the temporary residence application is approved, you will receive a notification via eSanduče (electronic mailbox) regarding the date for providing biometric data for your foreigner’s card.
Within 7 days after submitting biometric data, the police department issues the biometric foreigner’s card.
Obtaining of temporary residence in Serbia in 2026 can be a straightforward process if you prepare in time and have the correct documentation. Whether you are coming for work, studies, family reunification, or property ownership,it is essential to understand the rules, procedures, and deadlines to avoid unnecessary obstacles.
Although the process has been digitized and part of the application is completed online, many applicants face legal and administrative challenges,especially in cases of more complex residence grounds. For this reason, it is always advisable to consult an experienced lawyer for immigration law who can ensure that your application is correctly submitted and prevent potential rejection.
