Published: 11.10.2026

• 2026-10-11Ethnic Serbs living abroad may apply for Serbian citizenship through a simplified procedure

  Under Article 23 of Serbia’s Citizenship Law quoted by the source, an adult member of the Serbian people living outside Serbia may be admitted to citizenship without renouncing another nationality by submitting a written declaration that Serbia is considered their country. The source also states that citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina do not pay an admission fee.

• 2026-10-02EU Plans to Introduce ETIAS for Travel to Europe in Late 2026

  The EU Delegation to Serbia says that ETIAS, the EU’s planned pre-travel authorization system, is expected to be implemented in late 2026. Travelers eligible for visa-free entry will need to take the new travel-document requirements into account.

• 2026-09-23Serbia’s Single Permit Combines Work and Residence Authorization

  Serbia’s main work authorization is a Single Permit combining work and residence authorization, issued for up to three years. Visa-required nationals are advised to obtain a D visa before travelling to Serbia to reduce in-country waiting times.

• 2026-09-07Foreigners Can Open Serbian Bank Accounts Without Residence Permits, Subject to Bank Approval

  Serbian rules allow non-resident foreigners, including those without a residence permit, to open dinar and foreign-currency accounts. In practice, applicants usually need to appear in person and provide proof of address and source of funds, while approval depends on the individual bank’s internal policies.

• 2026-09-04Serbia’s Permanent Residence Path Described as Available After Three Years

  According to the source, foreigners may apply for permanent residence after three years of residence in Serbia with a temporary residence permit on most grounds. Time spent on a student residence permit does not lead to permanent residence; listed grounds include employment, business, family reunification, investment, property ownership and other categories.

• 2026-08-07Serbian Tax Residency Is Linked to Residence and Center of Interests

  According to the sources, Serbian tax residency may apply to people whose main residence and center of interests are in Serbia or who spend at least 183 days there in a year. Residents are taxed on worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed on Serbian-source income and income connected with work in Serbia.

• 2026-07-31Serbian Citizenship by Descent Is Available Without Residence in the Country

  According to the source, applicants with a documented Serbian family connection may apply for citizenship without residing in Serbia, passing a language exam, or renouncing their existing nationality. Applications may be filed in Serbia or through a Serbian embassy or consulate abroad.

• 2026-07-24Serbia Fast-Tracks Citizenship for Some Russian Nationals Amid EU Concerns

  Sources report that some Russian nationals received Serbian citizenship through an accelerated procedure based on a presidential decision in Serbia’s interests. The European Commission is urging Belgrade to tighten controls and conduct more thorough screening because a Serbian passport provides visa-free access to the EU.

• 2026-07-22Foreigners in Serbia Must Register After Each Entry

  After entering Serbia, a foreign national must obtain a registration certificate, known as a “white card,” within 24 hours. Failure to register may result in a fine of RSD 5,000 to 150,000; the document is also used for opening a bank account, applying for residence, and leaving the country.

• 2026-07-16Russian Bank Clients Face Enhanced Due Diligence Linked to EU Measures

  The source reports that, from January 29, 2026, EU obliged entities apply enhanced due diligence to Russian clients under European anti-money-laundering rules. For Russian passport holders in Serbia, account access may depend on citizenship, actual residence, source of funds, and intended transactions.

• 2026-07-14Serbia Discusses Impact of the EU Entry/Exit System on Border Residents

  Serbia said it is addressing bilaterally the problems arising from the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). The 180-day-per-year stay restriction particularly affects people living near the EU border who regularly travel to EU countries for work or other purposes.

• 2026-07-14EU Entry/Exit System Creates Travel Difficulties for Serbian Citizens and Border Residents

  Serbian authorities said they are addressing bilaterally the problems arising after the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) was introduced. The European Commission confirmed that EES does not change the Schengen stay rule of up to 90 days in any 180-day period unless a long-stay visa or specific arrangement applies.

• 2026-07-01Serbia Generally Requires Three Years of Continuous Lawful Residence for Permanent Residence

  Sources state that permanent residence in Serbia is generally available after three years of continuous lawful residence. Citizenship is described as requiring roughly three additional years after permanent residence, although the conditions depend on the applicant’s basis and circumstances.

• 2026-07-01Serbia’s Work-Residence Holders May Have 30 Days After Job Loss to Change Status

  A 2026 guide on Serbian residence permits states that a permit linked to employment generally lasts for the duration of the employment contract. According to the source, after dismissal a foreigner has 30 days to find another job or change the basis of residence; otherwise the permit may be canceled.

• 2026-07-01Russian Citizens Can Enter Serbia Visa-Free for Up to 30 Days

  Russian citizens may stay in Serbia visa-free for up to 30 days, but this status does not permit employment. Longer stays require a residence permit or a long-term visa; leaving and re-entering is described as a visa run, but visa-free residence itself does not provide a basis for permanent residence.

• 2026-07-01Time on a Serbian Student Residence Permit Counts Half Toward Permanent Residence

  According to the sources, time spent in Serbia on a student residence permit counts only half toward permanent residence. Before applying for permanent residence, holders of this status must change the basis of their residence, for example to employment or self-employment.

• 2026-06-19International Students in Serbia Need Residence Authorization for Long-Term Study

  Citizens of many countries can enter Serbia visa-free for up to 90 days, but students planning longer studies must obtain temporary residence after arrival. Foreign nationals must also register their address with the local police within 24 hours, while working requires both temporary residence and a work permit.

• 2026-06-14Serbia Proposes Equal Fees for Payments by Foreign and Serbian Cards

  Under a new draft law, limits on bank fees would also apply to cards issued abroad when they are used at Serbian points of sale and Serbian websites. At the time of publication, the draft was in the public-consultation stage, which ended on 11 June 2026.

• 2026-06-10Serbia Extends Temporary Protection for Ukrainian Citizens Until March of the Following Year

  Temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens is available in Serbia, with the current extension running until March of the following year. According to the source, applications are assessed individually and processed more slowly than in some neighboring countries.

• 2026-06-07European Commission Calls on Serbia to Tighten Visa and Naturalisation Controls

  The European Commission expressed concern about the growing number of Russian citizens acquiring Serbian citizenship because a Serbian passport provides visa-free access to the EU. The document also calls on Serbia to strengthen the screening of visa applications and align its visa policy more closely with that of the EU.

• 2026-06-07European Commission Urges Serbia to Strengthen Visa Screening and Raises Concerns Over Citizenship Granted to Russian Nationals

  The European Commission considers visa-free entry of Russian citizens to Serbia and the growing number of Serbian citizenships granted to them a potential EU security risk. It also called on Serbia to strengthen screening of visa applications from countries associated with irregular migration or security risks; Serbia’s president said the country does not plan to introduce visas for Russian citizens.

• 2026-06-02No Official Decision Yet to End Serbia’s Visa-Free Regime with Russia

  Serbia continues to allow visa-free entry for Russian citizens, and no official decision to introduce visas has been made. The sources report possible EU pressure to reduce the issuance of Serbian residence permits, permanent residence permits and citizenship to Russians; tighter checks of documents and applications are also mentioned as a potential measure.

• 2026-05-29National Visa D Is Used for Long-Term Stay and Residence Applications

  According to the source, foreigners planning to immigrate to Serbia can apply for a national D visa. It allows a stay of up to 180 days and the submission of a residence-permit application; setting up a business or registering as a sole proprietor is also listed as a basis for residence.

• 2026-05-10Serbia’s Central Bank Confirms Foreign-Currency Payments from Overseas Online Buyers

  The National Bank of Serbia confirmed that Serbian companies may receive foreign-currency payments from non-resident customers for online sales of goods and services. According to the source, this is not a new legal framework: Serbian foreign-exchange rules already allowed such transactions, while practical use was limited because many banks did not support multicurrency card acceptance.

• 2026-04-13Some foreign nationals may enter Serbia without a Serbian visa if they hold a visa or residence permit from certain countries

  Foreign nationals holding a valid Schengen, UK, EU or US visa, or a residence permit from the Schengen Area, the EU or the US, may enter, transit or stay in Serbia for up to 90 days in a six-month period. Those staying longer must apply for a Single/Unified Permit before the 90-day period expires; visa-free status does not authorize employment.

• 2025-11-07EU Restricts Multiple-Entry Schengen Visas for Russian Citizens

  From November 7, 2025, Russian citizens will generally receive only single-entry Schengen visas instead of multiple-entry visas. Exceptions apply, among others, to close family members of EU citizens or EU residents, transport workers, and certain applicants meeting specific criteria.