Serbia Residency by Investment: The Ultimate Guide by Experts

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. A cheap cost of living, political stability, and a versatile banking system have made Serbia a valid choice for foreign citizenship.

In this guide to Serbia citizenship you will learn about:

• Serbia Residency by Investment
• Serbia residency through real estate
• Serbia Residency by Investment requirements
• Serbia Residency by Investment document requirements
• Serbia Residency by Investment application process
• The benefits of Serbian Residency by Investment and more

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 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 residence permit in Serbia. 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: Confirm if your country has an agreement with Serbia allowing you to buy property, as this is required for foreign nationals.
• Property search: Find properties that match your budget and preferences, whether residential or commercial.
• Legal due diligence: Check for legal issues, like debts or disputes, associated with the property. It’s recommended to hire a local attorney.
• Sales agreement: After selecting a property, negotiate and draft a sales contract, which must be notarized in Serbia.
• Payment and registration: Complete payment, register the property at the land registry (cadastre), and pay any required taxes.
• Gather necessary documents: Collect all required paperwork.
• Arrive in Serbia: Be present in Serbia for the application and transaction processes.
• Open a Serbian bank account: Set up a local bank account to facilitate transactions.
• Temporary residence application: Apply for a temporary residence permit with the Ministry of Interior; approval takes up to 60 days.
• Biometrics and residence permit: Complete biometrics to obtain your residence permit.
• Residency maintenance: Maintain residency by living in Serbia at least 183 days a year. After three years of 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, allowing an indefinite stay.
• Family reunification: Eligible family members can apply for residency based on your property ownership, either by co-ownership or through reunification.

The Benefits of Serbian Residency by Investment

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Can I obtain a Serbian passport after having residency by investment?

You may wonder whether you can obtain a Serbian passport through Serbian residency by investment. You can obtain a Serbian passport by investing in Serbia, provided you meet all the requirements. These include:

Serbian passports allow holders to enjoy the benefits of being a Serbian citizen. Such benefits include the right to live and work in the country, visa-free travel within the European Union, and access to the country’s excellent education system and public services.

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

There are three specific circumstances where a child can claim citizenship by descent:

• A person whose parents were Serbian citizens at the time of their birth.
• A person born in the Republic of Serbia had at least one Serbian parent at the time of their birth.
• A person born abroad with at least one Serbian parent at the time of their birth and the other parent was unknown, or the other parent was a foreign citizen, and the person chose to claim citizenship at 23 years old.

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 the Republic of Serbia citizenship.

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. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Serbia Residency by Investment

How to get Serbian citizenship by investment?

To obtain citizenship by investment in Serbia, you must invest in real estate or establish a business in the country. This investment must be maintained for three years until you’re eligible to apply for permanent residence and citizenship after an additional three years of residency.

How much does it cost to get Serbian citizenship?

There is no minimum investment requirement for the Serbia residence permit by investment program. Foreign nationals must either invest in property or establish a Serbian business to qualify for temporary residency before eligibility for permanent residency in three years and citizenship in a total of six years.

Can an American have dual citizenship with Serbia?

The United States is among the countries that allow dual citizenship. Serbian law also allows dual nationality, so an American can legally hold US and Serbian dual citizenship.

How do you get citizenship in Serbia?

There are various routes to Serbian citizenship, including by birth, marriage, descent, exemption, and investment. While there isn’t a direct Serbia citizenship by investment program, by investing in real estate or a Serbian business you can obtain temporary residence for three years before applying for permanent residence for an additional three years and then obtaining citizenship after a total of six years.

What are the advantages of Serbia residency by investment?

The benefits of the Serbia residency by investment program includes investing in a stable economy, access to a favorable tax regime, a low cost of living, a strong passport, and the potential to obtain EU citizenship in the near future. 

How much does Serbia residency by investment cost?

There is no minimum investment amount for the Serbia investor visa for real estate. Some costs you many incur along the way include transfer tax at 2.5% of the property value, notary fees between €300 to €500, real estate agent fee of around 2% of the property value, and registration fees of about €50.

Does Serbia offer a Golden Visa program for investors?

No, Serbia does not currently have a Golden Visa program. There is however Serbia Residency by Investment and Serbia Residency Through Company Formation programs.

What is Serbia residency through company formation, and how can I apply for it?

Like the real estate program, the Serbia Residence Permit by Company Formation offers foreign nationals a pathway to Serbian residency. The program is available for those that want to start a company in Serbia.

How does Serbia's residence permit by investment work in 2024?

To obtain residency in Serbia by investing in real estate, you must be a citizen of one of the 70+ countries with a reciprocity agreement with Serbia. Requirements include completing a property purchase agreement, registering the property with the local land registry, paying the necessary taxes, and opening a Serbian bank account for financial transactions. This process allows you to apply for a temporary residency permit, which can be renewed annually and may lead to permanent residency.

What types of real estate investments qualify for Serbia's residence permit?

There are a range of property types available, including apartments, residential buildings, and business buildings. Foreign nationals  cannot buy agricultural land unless it is under specific circumstances and approves.

Can I get permanent residency in Serbia through real estate investment?

Yes, you can obtain permanent residency in Serbia once you have had temporary residency for three years through the Residency by Investment program.