The Serbia Serbia Residency by Investment program is an attractive option for foreign investors looking for a route to citizenship in this enchanting Balkan country. While there is no direct Serbian citizenship by investment program, the residency by investment option offers a pathway to citizenship.
Potential investors can enjoy a cheap cost of living, political stability, and a versatile banking system, all making Serbia a valid choice for foreign citizenship.
In this guide to Serbia Residence Program you will learn about:
What is Serbia residency by investment?
The Serbia residency by investment program allows foreign nationals to make affordable investments, including purchasing real estate, to gain Serbian residency.
After three years of continuous residence, foreigners can obtain permanent residence status. The naturalization process to acquire Serbian citizenship takes a total of six years.
The minimum residency period for citizenship necessitates three years with a temporary Serbia residence permit and three years with a permanent residence permit, in addition to a minimum stay in the country before being eligible for citizenship.
Serbia Residency Through Real Estate
The Serbia residence permit by real estate is a legitimate option to obtain permanent residence status after three years and eventually acquire citizenship in Serbia. The Serbia residency by investment program was introduced to attract foreign investors by providing a real estate investment option to qualify for a temporary residence permit in Serbia.
Types of property
The Serbia Residency by Investment program allows foreign nationals to invest in three different property types, including:
- Apartments
- Residential buildings
- Business premises and business buildings
A big benefit of the program is there is no minimum investment requirement to qualify for a Serbian residence permit. Additionally, the property can be anywhere in Serbia. After making the required investment, a foreign national can gain legal residency in less than one month.
Serbia Residency by Investment Requirements
There are various requirements to apply for the Serbia Residency by Investment, including:
- Being over 18
- Holding a clean criminal record
- Obtain valid health insurance for the duration of stay in Serbia.
- Hold a valid passport
- Have no pending tax obligations
- Register the property
- Opening a Serbian bank account
- Obtaining a permanent residence permit after three years
- At least three years of residency with permanent residence status and a minimum of six months stay in the country each year
Unlike most other countries in Europe, the Republic of Serbia has no language requirement to become a permanent resident or Serbian citizen.
Serbia Residency Through Real Estate Document Requirements
The Serbian real estate market presents a lucrative opportunity for foreign nationals seeking residence in Serbia. Serbia’s investor visa programs allow foreigners to gain a Serbian temporary residence permit through real estate investment.
To be eligible for residency in Serbia through real estate investment, you must comply with specific requirements, including registering your property, drafting a purchase agreement, paying taxes, and opening a personal bank account in Serbia.
The following documents are required for Serbia’s investment program
- Official copies of a passport
- 5×5 cm passport photos
- Legalized birth certificates
- Legalized marriage certificates (if applicable)
- Proof of funds
- Proof of employment and salary
- Proof of address
- Evidence of fees paid
Serbian real estate investment is an attractive option for foreigners, not only because of the affordable property prices and growing economy but also because it offers a route to obtaining Serbian citizenship.
Serbia Residency by Investment Application Process
- Reciprocity check: Verify if your country has an agreement with Serbia allowing foreign nationals to buy property.
- Property search: Find a property that fits your budget and needs, whether residential or commercial.
- Legal due diligence: Ensure the property has no debts or disputes. Hiring a local attorney is recommended.
- Sales agreement: Negotiate and notarize the sales contract after selecting a property.
- Payment & registration: Complete payment, register the property with the land registry (cadastre), and pay applicable taxes.
- Required documents: Gather all necessary paperwork.
- Travel to Serbia: Be present in Serbia for the purchase and application process.
- Open a bank account: Set up a Serbian bank account for property transactions.
- Temporary residence: Apply for a temporary residence permit through the Ministry of Interior (processing time: up to 60 days)
- Biometrics & permit issuance: Provide biometrics to receive your residence permit.
- Residency maintenance: Stay in Serbia for at least 183 days per year. After three years of property ownership and meeting financial requirements, you may apply for a five-year residence permit.
- Permanent residency: After five years with a long-term permit, you can apply for permanent residency.
- Family reunification:< Eligible family members can obtain residency through co-ownership or reunification.
The Benefits of Serbian Residency by Investment
1. A stable economy
It may come as no surprise that the country has long been in the eye of foreign investors looking to develop their business interests in Europe. The Serbian Dinar has maintained full price stability against the US dollar despite economic downturns and global uncertainties. This reflects the resilience of the country’s financial system and its adept management in navigating challenging economic conditions.
Serbia’s GDP per capita has increase from $7,733 in 2020 to $11,361 in 2023, with projections set to increase in 2024 and beyond.
2. Favorable tax regime
Foreigners relocating to Serbia can reduce their tax burden through Serbia’s favorable tax regime. Serbia imposes a flat tax rate of 10 to 20 percent, depending on the source of income, making the country an ideal destination to become a tax resident.
3. Low cost of living
Serbia residents enjoy a very low cost of living. Living costs can be lower than one-third of the cost in the United States. For example, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the United States is $1,680, whereas the same apartment costs $410 on average in Serbia. Living expenses in Serbia are also much lower than in most other European countries.
4. A strong passport
According to our Global Passport Index, a Serbian passport provides numerous travel benefits, including visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to 148 countries worldwide. Desirable visa-free travel options include EU countries, Japan, and China.
5. Chance to discover the Serbian way of life
Serbian residency provides stunning scenery, including the mountains of the Dinaric Alps or the lush forests of the Carpathians. The country is also known for its friendly people, rich cultural heritage, fascinating architecture (which includes medieval monasteries and fortresses), and underrated local cuisine.
6. Potential EU citizenship
Serbia is currently in the process of applying for EU membership, new Serbian citizens can expect to acquire EU citizenship in the not-too-distant future. This will grant access to the EU’s visa-free regime and unlock numerous benefits of free movement, employment opportunities, and enhanced diplomatic privileges within the European Union.
Overall, Serbia citizenship is a simple process. Serbia is on our list of the easiest countries to get citizenship. Programs like the Serbia residency by investment scheme offer expats relatively affordable routes to obtaining Serbian citizenship, along with a host of benefits.
Serbian Citizenship for Family Members
The Serbian residency by investment program includes eligibility for family members. This means that, like the main applicant, family members can receive temporary residence permits, permanent residency, and permanent citizenship after six years.
Eligible family members include a spouse, dependent children up to 25, and parents over 65. It is important to note that certain fees are required for the residency program and to access Serbia citizenship for each family member.
Ways to Obtain Serbian Citizenship
Besides the Serbian investor visa and gaining Serbian citizenship by naturalization, you can also obtain Serbian citizenship through:
- Citizenship by birth: Serbia grants citizenship by jus soli (right of soil) and jus sanguinis (right of blood). A person born in the Republic of Serbia who has resided in the country for at least two years can request citizenship.
- Citizenship by descent: Those with a Serbian parent may be able to obtain Serbian citizenship by descent.
- Citizenship by marriage: A foreign national married to a Serbian spouse for at least three years and who has received Serbian permanent residency is eligible for citizenship in the Republic of Serbia .
- Citizenship by exception: The Republic of Serbia has a discretionary program that may grant Serbian citizenship by exception to individuals deemed to have contributed significantly to Serbian society. Considerations can include contributions to education, business, as well as the possession of substantial assets in the Republic.
Serbian Dual Citizenship
The government of Serbia previously required foreign nationals to renounce their original citizenship before they could get Serbian citizenship. However, Serbia’s new citizenship law now permits Serbian citizens by birthright and naturalizing Serbian citizens to acquire a second citizenship without losing their Serbian citizenship rights.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
