Why obtain a Serbian residence permit? Well, there is no fast-track path to Serbian citizenship, and the scheme we offer here is in no way an official citizenship-by-investment opportunity. However, you can get a local residence permit if you want to live in a European country, extend it several times, then obtain the right to permanent residence, and receive a Serbian passport in five years. Serbia is about to join the EU (it is planning to complete the procedure in 2025), so you may get an EU passport by that time! As for the tax residence, you will have to live in the country for most of the year to get it. The local taxes are low by European standards, so this is a great opportunity to reduce your tax burden.
If you need more detailed information, we will be delighted to see you on our portal where you will read more on Serbian residency. You are welcome to explore the portal to take advantage of our knowledge base of articles on international business, banking, asset protection, tax optimization, investment (including citizenship- and residence-by-investment offers), and more. You will also have the possibility to schedule an individual meeting with our expert to discuss your needs and get professional advice. We will help you complete all the formalities related to buying real estate in Serbia and obtaining a residence permit at an affordable fee.
Obtaining a Residence Permit in Serbia: Conditions
The laws of the Republic of Serbia give foreigners the right to obtain a local residence permit if they reside in the country or have a business or any kind of vital interests there. And if you spend 183 days a year in Serbia, you will qualify for a tax residency certificate. All you need to do is submit an application to the local tax authorities to prove that you comply with the requirements.
One of the ways to confirm your “vital interests” is the purchase of Serbian real estate, which is a very practical method: you will not need much hassle to obtain a residence permit. What is more, there is no minimum threshold set for this kind of investment, so you can buy any property to qualify. The lowest-priced offers start at 10,000 euros!
The standard application procedure will take at least one month, but you should be prepared to wait for 8 weeks. During this period, you will need to visit Serbia once or twice. The initial residence permit is provided for half a year, and then you will be able to extend it for another year. The number of extensions is not limited.
Documents Required for Tax and Legal Residence
The procedure starts with buying a piece of real estate. If you choose to hire a licensed immigration agent to assist you in finding the properties available for sale, you will reduce the risks to a minimum and select the top option available. There are some fees and charges payable in addition to the property cost: for instance, 3% of the transaction amount has to be paid to the real estate agent.
Further steps will require you to hire a Serbian lawyer and provide a limited power of attorney to him/her to successfully complete all procedures to purchase Serbian property for you. If the power of attorney is issued in another country than Serbia, you will need to have it translated into Serbian (by sworn translators) and apostilled.
When you submit a package of documents for a temporary residence permit (also known as the White card), you will need to be present in person. The good news is that it will not take long: you will need to spend no more than one day in Serbia.
Here is a list of documents to be submitted to obtain a residence permit that will be stamped in your passport:
- A passport copy (there is no notarization requirement)
- Certificate of ownership to confirm that you possess a piece of real estate in Serbia
- Proof of subsistence (a usual way to get it is to open a local bank account and deposit 1,000 euros in it)
- A Health and Social Security certificate (you need to get it in advance from any insurance company based in Serbia and abroad)
- Your CV (if it is in other language than Serbian, you will need to provide a translation)
- 2 passport-sized photos
The application procedure usually lasts for 2 to 3 days, including the interview. You submit the documents and wait for two weeks to pass the Customer Diligence Procedure. During this period, your passport will be kept in the Serbian police department.
The tax residency certificate can be obtained through your investment migration agent, so you don’t need to be present in person.
Obtaining Legal/Tax Residence
First of all, you need to decide how much you are ready to invest in Serbian real estate and find an appropriate lot (the price starts from 10,000 euros. However, you may want to buy an apartment to rent out, and in this case, we recommend consulting our expert to find the best offer of this kind).
The procedure will take from one to two months, and you will need one or two personal visits to Serbia for no more than 14 days.
Here are the main steps:
- You conclude an agreement with a local immigration agent and provide a power of attorney.
- You buy the selected real estate.
- Get a property deed and a bank statement.
- Make two 4×3 cm photos.
- Prepare your CV in Serbian.
- Get local health insurance.
- Acquire the White card at the local police department.
- Visit the Immigration office for an interview.
- Obtain a TIN.
- Receive a work permit.
- If you have lived in Serbia for at least 183 days, the Tax Office will issue a certificate of tax residency to you.
Here are the expenses you will need to incur:
- Utility bills cost about 300 euros a year
- The personal health insurance also costs 300 euros a year
- You will have to pay the property tax that amounts to no more than 0.4% of the property market value (usually less)
- Occasional expenses may amount to 600 euros a year.
Conclusion
Interested in Serbian tax or legal residency? Save your time and money by engaging a licensed agent in Serbia who will provide a package of professional services to you (follow the above link to see what is included in it). Contact us to set the ball rolling straight away!
