Serbia allows foreigners to obtain a residence permit on the basis of owning and operating a registered company. This is one of the most accessible and legally solid routes to long-term residence in Serbia and the entire process can be managed remotely. Lawyer Serbia handles every step, from company registration to permit issuance.
Who This Service Is For
This pathway is designed for:
- Entrepreneurs and business owners who want a legal base in Europe
- Freelancers and remote workers who want to stay in Serbia beyond 90 days
- Digital nomads seeking a stable, low-tax residence outside the EU
- Foreign nationals who do not own property in Serbia and are not married to a Serbian citizen
If you plan to live and work in Serbia through your own company, this is your route. If your residency plan is based on property ownership instead, our property legal check service is the required first step before submitting your application.
What the Service Includes
Lawyer Serbia manages the full process from start to finish. The service covers:
- Initial consultation and assessment of your specific situation
- Registration of your Serbian company (d.o.o.) with the SBRA, including preparation of all founding documentation
- Guidance on post-formation requirements: business bank account, share capital deposit, beneficial owner registration
- Preparation and submission of your Unified Permit application to the Ministry of Interior (MUP) and the National Bureau of Employment (NBE)
- Collection, certified translation, and apostille coordination of all required documents
- Monitoring of your application through to approval
- Advice on renewals and the path toward permanent residence
What is not included in this service: personal bank account opening, ongoing accounting and tax filings after the permit is issued, and documents you must obtain from authorities in your home country. Lawyer Serbia will advise you precisely on what is needed and how to prepare those documents correctly.
How It Works – Step by Step
Step 1: Consultation
You speak with Lawyer Serbia about your situation, goals, and timeline. The firm assesses whether the company formation route is right for you, and whether a d.o.o. or preduzetnik structure is more appropriate (see below). You receive a clear fee quote and a list of documents to prepare.
Step 2: Serbian Address for Company Registration
Before your company can be registered, you need a Serbian address to serve as the registered office. This can be a virtual address – several providers in Serbia offer registered address services for remote founders. Lawyer Serbia can point you toward suitable options. This step must be completed before company registration begins.
Step 3: Company Registration (D.o.o.)
Lawyer Serbia prepares the founding act and all documentation required for registration with the Serbian Business Registers Agency (SBRA). If you are not in Serbia, you sign a Power of Attorney which Lawyer Serbia uses to complete registration on your behalf. The SBRA registration process takes approximately 5 to 7 business days.
Step 4: Post-Formation Requirements
After the company is registered, several steps must be completed before the permit application can be submitted: opening a business bank account, depositing share capital, and registering the ultimate beneficial owner. Lawyer Serbia guides you through each of these in sequence.
Step 5: Unified Permit Application
Since 1 February 2024, residence and work in Serbia are covered by a single document – the Unified Permit. Lawyer Serbia prepares your complete application package and submits it to MUP and the NBE. MUP processing takes approximately 1 to 2 months.
Step 6: Permit Issuance
Once approved, your biometric residence card is ready for collection. This is the only step that requires you to be physically present in Serbia. You collect your card and are legally authorised to live and work in Serbia through your company.
Total timeline: approximately 2 to 3 months from first consultation to permit in hand, depending on document readiness and MUP processing times.
Can You Do This Remotely?
Yes, almost entirely.
The company formation step, all document preparation, and the Unified Permit application can all be handled remotely through a Power of Attorney. You sign the Power of Attorney in your home country, have it notarised and apostilled, and send it to Lawyer Serbia. The firm manages every submission and follow-up on your behalf while you remain abroad.
The only step that requires you to be physically present in Serbia is collecting your biometric residence card once the permit is approved. This requires a single short visit, typically 1 to 2 days in Belgrade.
For many clients, this is the most important aspect of this service: you do not need to relocate to Serbia before your legal status is secured. You arrive once, to collect a permit that is already approved.
Remote process: company formation via Power of Attorney, Unified Permit application submitted without your presence. Physical presence required only for biometric card collection.
D.O.O. or Preduzetnik Pausalac – Which Structure Is Right for You?
Not every foreign national needs to register a full limited liability company. Serbia also allows foreign nationals to register as a preduzetnik * a sole trader or entrepreneur * which is simpler and cheaper to operate for the right client profile.
A particularly attractive option for freelancers and remote workers is preduzetnik pausalac status (flat-rate taxation). Instead of tracking income and expenses, you pay a fixed monthly tax set by the Tax Administration based on your activity and municipality. Current flat tax amounts typically range from 20,000 to 50,000 RSD per month (approximately 200 to 500 EUR), making this one of the most cost-effective ways to operate legally in Serbia.
Preduzetnik Pausalac Is Typically Better If You:
- Are a freelancer, consultant, or remote worker just starting out in Serbia
- Have individual clients rather than corporate clients requiring company invoices
- Want the simplest possible tax and accounting setup
- Expect annual revenue below 6 million RSD
D.O.O. Is Typically Better If You:
- Want limited personal liability
- Work with corporate clients who require invoices from a registered company
- Plan to have multiple founders or bring in external funding
- Anticipate higher revenue or a more complex business structure
Lawyer Serbia advises you on the right structure based on your income level, activity type, client base, and residency goals. Both structures qualify for the residence permit process.
Document Checklist
Documents You Prepare
- Valid passport (original and copy)
- Power of Attorney — signed, notarised, and apostilled in your home country (required if proceeding remotely)
Documents Lawyer Serbia Prepares
- Founding act and SBRA company registration documents
- Unified Permit application form and supporting package
- All certified Serbian translations of your documents
- Complete submission package to MUP and NBE
Fees and Pricing
Lawyer Serbia charges a fixed fee covering the complete service from company formation through permit issuance. The exact fee depends on your specific situation and is confirmed at the initial consultation stage.
To receive a quote, contact Lawyer Serbia with a brief description of your situation, nationality, preferred company structure, and timeline. Most enquiries receive a response within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work for foreign clients while holding this permit?
Yes. The Unified Permit allows you to work through your Serbian company, including invoicing foreign clients. This is one of the key reasons foreign entrepreneurs and freelancers choose this route, you can continue serving your existing client base while legally residing in Serbia.
What if my company has no revenue in the first months?
The Unified Permit is not conditional on revenue. Your company must be legally registered and active, but there is no minimum income requirement at the application stage. Lawyer Serbia will advise you on maintaining your company in good standing during this period.
Can I bring my family to Serbia on this basis?
Yes. Once your Unified Permit is issued, your immediate family members can apply for residence in Serbia on the basis of family reunification. Lawyer Serbia can advise on the family reunification process as a separate matter.
How long before I can apply for permanent residence?
Under recent amendments to Serbian law, you can apply for permanent residence after three years of continuous temporary residence in Serbia, reduced from the previous five-year requirement. This makes the company formation route an even more attractive long-term path for foreign nationals.
What happens if my application is refused?
Lawyer Serbia will advise you on the grounds for any refusal, the options for reapplication, and any alternative pathways available in your specific situation. The firm’s role does not end at submission, you are supported through the full process.
Do I need to be in Serbia during the application process?
No. The company registration and Unified Permit application can both be handled remotely through a Power of Attorney. The only step requiring physical presence is collecting your biometric residence card once the permit is approved, a single short visit to Serbia.
About the Author
This page was prepared by Lawyer Serbia, a Belgrade-based law firm specialising in legal services for foreign nationals and the Serbian diaspora. The legal content on this page is the responsibility of the firm’s principal attorney.
Milica Jeremic | Attorney at Law
- Bar Association of Serbia – Registration No. 963
- More than 10 years of practice in Serbian immigration and corporate law
- International clients from the US, Germany, Australia, Canada, the UK, and beyond
- Client success cases available upon request – details are anonymised to protect client privacy
Get in Touch
Contact Lawyer Serbia at info@lawyerserbia.com or use the button below to go to the contact page. Most enquiries receive a response within one business day.
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