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Serbian Passport

Belgrade · Serbia · Serving Clients Worldwide

  • Visa-Free Countries: 135+ including Schengen
  • Dual Citizenship: Yes, allowed
  • Apply Abroad: Yes, at any Serbian embassy
  • Physical Presence in Serbia: Not required

The Serbian passport gives you visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 135+ countries and territories, including the entire Schengen Area. If you have Serbian citizenship – or are eligible to claim it through Serbian citizenship by descent – this page explains everything you need to know about how to get a Serbian passport, where you can apply abroad, and what travel rights it gives you.

Lawyer Serbia assists diaspora clients across the US, Germany, Canada, Australia and the UK in obtaining Serbian citizenship and their first Serbian passport. The process can be managed remotely. Your physical presence in Serbia is not required.

What Is the Serbian Passport?

The Serbian passport is the official travel document issued to citizens of the Republic of Serbia by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It confirms both identity and citizenship and allows Serbian nationals to travel internationally and access consular assistance abroad.

Serbia introduced biometric passports in 2008. The passport was redesigned in April 2026 with updated security features. It is issued in burgundy red, consistent with the EU standard.

  • Issued by: Ministry of Internal Affairs (via Serbian Police)
  • Validity: 10 years (adults 18+) / 5 years (ages 3–14) / 3 years (under 3)
  • Visa-free access: 135+ countries and territories
  • Global ranking: 30th (Henley Passport Index, 2026)
Serbian biometric passport — burgundy red cover issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs

What Does a Serbian Passport Give You?

Visa-Free Travel to 135+ Countries

As of 2026, Serbian passport holders can enter 135+ countries and territories without a visa or with a visa on arrival. This places Serbia 30th in the world on the Henley Passport Index.

Key destinations accessible without a visa include:

  • The entire Schengen Area – 27 European countries including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland
  • Japan
  • Turkey and most of the Western Balkans
  • Russia and China
  • Many countries across Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia

The Serbian passport bridges East and West in a way few passports do. Visa-free access to the Schengen Area, Russia, China, and much of the Western Balkans makes it one of the more geographically versatile travel documents available.

A Second Passport for Dual Citizens

Serbia permits dual citizenship. If you hold another nationality and acquire Serbian citizenship – whether by descent, marriage, investment, or naturalisation –  you are entitled to a Serbian passport in addition to your existing passport. You are not required to renounce your current nationality.

Future EU Benefits

Serbia is an EU candidate country. Serbian citizens who obtain their passport before accession will automatically benefit from EU citizenship rights if and when Serbia joins the European Union.

How to Get a Serbian Passport

A Serbian passport can only be issued to someone who already holds Serbian citizenship. If you do not yet have Serbian citizenship but may qualify through descent, the first step is the citizenship application.

Applying Inside Serbia

Applications are submitted in person at the police administration office in your municipality of residence. You will need:

  • A completed application form
  • Proof of Serbian citizenship (citizenship certificate)
  • A valid ID card or existing passport
  • Biometric data – photograph and fingerprints taken at the police station

Processing times are typically two to four weeks for standard applications.

Applying Abroad – From the Serbian Diaspora

If you live outside Serbia, apply at the Serbian embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence. Applications are accepted at Serbian diplomatic missions in over 45 cities worldwide, including:

  • United States: Washington, New York, Chicago
  • Canada: Ottawa, Toronto
  • Australia: Canberra, Sydney
  • Germany: Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf
  • United Kingdom: London
  • Switzerland: Bern, Zurich
  • Austria: Vienna, Salzburg

Renewing a Serbian Passport

Renewals follow the same process as first applications. Your previous passport is collected at the time of application. If your passport is lost or damaged abroad, contact the nearest Serbian diplomatic mission immediately.

Documents required for Serbian citizenship by descent application — birth certificates and family records

If You Do Not Yet Have Serbian Citizenship

Many people searching for information about the Serbian passport have not yet obtained citizenship — they are establishing whether a Serbian passport is achievable and what route is available to them.

If you have Serbian ancestry, you may already be entitled to Serbian citizenship by descent under Article 23 of the Law on Citizenship, which applies the jus sanguinis (right of blood) principle. Children and grandchildren of Serbian emigrants can claim citizenship without needing to reside in Serbia, and without giving up their current nationality.

Alternatively, if you are setting up a business in Serbia, you may qualify for a Serbia residence permit through company formation, which creates a pathway to long-term residency and ultimately naturalisation.

In all cases, citizenship comes first. The passport is issued once citizenship is confirmed.

Why Lawyer Serbia

We are a Belgrade-based law firm specialising exclusively in legal services for foreigners and members of the Serbian diaspora. As the leading English-speaking lawyers in Serbia, we work entirely in English and manage the full process remotely – from eligibility assessment through to citizenship approval and passport guidance.

  • Every case is handled by a qualified Serbian lawyer with expertise in citizenship and immigration law
  • Full remote service – we have assisted diaspora clients in the US, Germany, Canada, Australia, the UK, Switzerland, Austria and beyond
  • 100% English-language service – all communication with us is in English
  • Qualified attorneys registered with the Serbian Bar Association

Serbian Passport - Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a Serbian passport if I live abroad?

Yes. Applications are accepted at Serbian embassies and consulates worldwide. You do not need to travel to Serbia to apply.

How long is a Serbian passport valid?

Ten years for adults aged 18 and over. Five years for children between ages 3 and 14. Three years for children under 3.

Does Serbia allow dual passports?

Serbia permits dual citizenship, meaning you can hold a Serbian passport alongside a passport from another country. You cannot hold two Serbian passports simultaneously.

Can I travel to EU countries with a Serbian passport?

Yes. Serbian passport holders can enter all Schengen Area countries without a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Do I need to be in Serbia to apply for citizenship by descent?

No. The citizenship by descent application process can be initiated through a Serbian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Lawyer Serbia handles the process remotely on your behalf.

What is the first step if I want a Serbian passport but do not have citizenship yet?

Contact us with your family background. We will assess your eligibility and outline the document requirements and timeline specific to your case. No obligation.

Ready to Get Your Serbian Passport?

Send us your details and we will assess your eligibility and provide a clear picture of the steps, documents, and timeline for your specific case. No obligation.

We assist clients in the US, Germany, Canada, Australia, the UK, Switzerland, Austria and beyond entirely remotely, entirely in English.