Published: 01.07.2026
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.
For students, this creates a longer route to permanent residence: three years on a student permit count as only one and a half years. Applicants must also change to another residence basis before applying, so employment, self-employment or another eligible status needs to be planned in advance. The rule is particularly important for people treating education as both a study option and a long-term migration route. It is worth considering before enrolment because it affects both the timetable for regularisation and the documents needed later.