Balkans / EU Candidate · Company Formation (d.o.o.)
Investment
€500–€1,500
Presence Required
None required
Residency Timeline
1–2 months
Citizenship Timeline
6 years
Overview
Serbia is an EU candidate country offering one of the most accessible business formation pathways in Europe. Forming a d.o.o. (limited liability company) costs €500–€1,500 in total fees and grants you a temporary residence permit. After 6 years of continuous residency, you qualify for Serbian citizenship — which provides visa-free access to 130+ countries and positions you for eventual EU citizenship as Serbia advances toward EU accession.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Very low cost — €500–€1,500 total for company formation and residency
No minimum physical presence requirement
EU candidate country — citizenship may eventually grant EU access
Belgrade is a thriving tech hub with low cost of living
Territorial tax system — foreign income not taxed in Serbia
Strong expat community and English widely spoken in business
Cons
6-year citizenship timeline
EU accession is not guaranteed — currently in accession negotiations
Serbian passport provides visa-free access to 130+ countries (not as strong as EU passports)
Company must have genuine business activity to maintain residency
Language barrier for daily life (Serbian uses Cyrillic script)
How to Complete the Process
Engage a local agent or lawyer: Use a Serbian business formation agent or lawyer (cost: €300–€800). They handle APR registration, tax number (PIB), and bank account opening. The process takes 5–10 business days.
Register the d.o.o.: Submit registration documents to the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR) online or in person. You'll receive a registration number (MB) and tax identification number (PIB) within 5 business days.
Open a business bank account: Open a business account at a Serbian bank (Raiffeisen, UniCredit, or Erste are popular). Requires in-person visit with company documents and passport.
Apply for temporary residence permit: Apply at the local police station (MUP) with your company registration documents, passport, proof of address, and health insurance. The permit is typically issued within 30 days.
Maintain annual compliance: File annual financial statements with APR, pay corporate income tax (15% flat rate), and renew your residence permit annually. A local accountant costs ~€50–€100/month.
Apply for citizenship after 6 years: After 6 years of continuous legal residency, submit a citizenship application to the Ministry of Interior. You'll need to demonstrate basic Serbian language knowledge and pass a civic integration test.
Requirements Checklist
Register a d.o.o. (limited liability company) with the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR)
Minimum share capital: 100 RSD (approximately €1) — effectively zero
Obtain a temporary residence permit based on business ownership
Maintain the company in good standing (annual tax filings, bookkeeping)
After 6 years of continuous legal residency, apply for citizenship at the Ministry of Interior
Tax System
Tax System
Serbia has a 15% flat corporate income tax rate and a 10% dividend withholding tax. Personal income tax is 10% flat. Serbia has an extensive double taxation treaty network. Foreign-sourced income is generally not taxed if you are not a Serbian tax resident (183+ days/year rule applies).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to live in Serbia to maintain the residency?
No — there is no minimum physical presence requirement for the business-based residence permit. However, you must maintain the company in good standing and renew the permit annually.
Does Serbia tax my foreign income?
Serbia uses a territorial tax system. Foreign-sourced income is generally not taxed in Serbia if you are not a tax resident. However, if you spend 183+ days per year in Serbia, you become a tax resident and worldwide income may be taxable.
Is Serbian citizenship valuable?
Serbian passport provides visa-free access to 130+ countries including the Schengen Area, UK, and most of the Americas. As an EU candidate country, Serbia's citizenship may eventually provide EU access upon accession.
What is the minimum share capital for a d.o.o.?
The minimum share capital is 100 RSD — approximately €1. This is effectively zero, making Serbia one of the most accessible company formation jurisdictions in Europe.
Can I run my existing business through the Serbian company?
Yes — many expats use the Serbian d.o.o. as a vehicle for their existing freelance or consulting work. The company can invoice clients worldwide and pay you a salary or dividends.