Digital nomads and remote workers in Serbia

No, not as a separate visa. People who work online usually stay as visitors first, and if they want to stay longer they get temporary residence on another basis, most often work in their own Serbian company.

If your passport is visa-free for Serbia, up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It is a rolling window, not 90 days per calendar year. Check your own passport on the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs list, because the rules differ by country.

Yes. Every foreigner has to be registered within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels do it for you. With a private apartment or Airbnb, the host should do it; if not, you go to the local police station with your passport.

For a short stay, this is how most nomads work. Once you stay longer, live here most of the year and pay rent here, the question becomes residence and tax, not just days. Plan that before you sign a long lease.

You need temporary residence on a legal basis. For people who work online, the most common route is a Serbian company (d.o.o.), employment in it, and a single permit for residence and work. Other bases exist, such as owning property in Serbia, family or studies.

Yes. You sign a power of attorney at a notary at home, add an apostille, and send the original. Registration takes about 5 working days after the original arrives in Belgrade.

For most foreigners who don't have residence yet, a company (d.o.o.) is the simpler start, because it can be registered remotely and becomes the basis for residence. A sole proprietorship can make sense later, once you live here.

Plan for a licensed accountant every month, the bank fee, the registered address if you don't have an office, and the annual financial statements. Taxes: 15% on profit, and tax and contributions on the salary you pay yourself.

As a rule, if you stay in Serbia 183 days or more in a 12-month period, or if Serbia becomes the centre of your business and life. A tax resident is taxed in Serbia on worldwide income, so check the tax treaty with your home country first.

There are incentives for newly arrived residents employed in Serbia, with conditions on previous residence and salary. Whether they fit you depends on your situation, so check before you set up the salary.

A non-resident personal account is possible, but banks ask a lot of questions and each bank decides differently. It is much easier once you have a Serbian company or residence. For a company account, banks usually want to meet the director in person once.

Company registration takes about a week. The single permit application is filed online once the company and your employment are in place, and the decision usually comes within a few weeks. The police decide; we prepare and file.

If you are employed by your own Serbian company, you are in the public health insurance system through your contributions. As a visitor, bring travel insurance.

Belgrade has more coworking spaces, nightlife and flights. Novi Sad is smaller, calmer and a bit cheaper. The legal side is the same in both.

Less than Western Europe, but central rents have risen a lot in the past few years. Internet is fast and coworking is easy to find. Look at a few neighbourhoods before you sign a 12-month lease.

Yes. Family reunification is a separate residence basis once you have your own residence. Marriage and birth certificates need an apostille and a sworn translation.

Temporary residence is renewed. After five years of continuous temporary residence you can apply for permanent residence, if you meet the conditions.

Legally, no. In practice the problems are in the details: the founding act, translations, apostilles, the bank and the timing of residence. My job is to make sure everything after registration actually works.

Company registration €370, registered address in Belgrade €480 a year, Visa D application €550 per person, temporary residence €850 per person. State, notary and translation fees are extra and listed upfront. The first written reply is free.

Then you usually apply for a Visa D at the Serbian embassy first, based on your Serbian company, and apply for residence after you arrive. It takes longer, so start early.