The application for a permanent residence permit is submitted to the Belgrade City Police Department - Foreign Nationals Directorate and regional police departments, depending on the address of residence of the foreign citizen. 

The application for a permanent residence permit must be submitted in person, and the application must be accompanied by complete documentation

Conditions for granting a permanent residence permit

A foreign national has the right to apply for permanent residence after five years of continuous approval of temporary residence in the Republic of Serbia unless otherwise provided by law. Before applying for a permanent residence permit, a foreign citizen must be granted temporary residence on one of the grounds provided for a temporary residence permit.

In some cases, a permanent residence may also be granted to a foreign citizen:

• who has spent at least three years continuously on the territory of the Republic of Serbia based on permitted temporary residence on the basis of family reunification with a citizen of the Republic of Serbia;

• a minor who has obtained a temporary residence permit in the Republic of Serbia, if one of the parents is a citizen of the Republic of Serbia or a foreigner who has been granted permanent residence;

• another foreign national who has been granted temporary residence if required for reasons of humanity or in the interests of the Republic of Serbia.

Documents required for a permanent residence permit

When applying for a permanent residence permit, you must add:

• valid personal passport;

• proof of financial solvency;

• proof of health insurance;

• registration of the address of residence in the Republic of Serbia (registration of the address is the address of residence at which the foreign citizen was granted temporary residence);

• proof of payment of the established administrative fee;

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In addition to the aforementioned documents, depending on the grounds on which a foreign citizen was previously granted temporary residence in the Republic of Serbia, and which are the grounds for applying for permanent residence, some of the following documents must be attached:

• certificate of ownership of real estate (extract from the land register, etc.);

• proof of employment in the Republic of Serbia;

• proof of kinship with a citizen of the Republic of Serbia or a foreign citizen holding an approved permanent residence (birth certificate);

• marriage certificate issued no earlier than 6 months before the date of application and certificate of citizenship of the spouse, if the spouse is a citizen of the Republic of Serbia;

• marriage certificate with a foreign citizen who received the right to permanent residence under the national legislation of the country where the marriage was concluded;

• proof of origin from the Republic of Serbia (birth certificate of the applicant, birth certificate of one or both parents of the applicant).

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Additionally

Proof that a foreign citizen has a means of funds for living is considered to be:

• salary certificate (payroll, etc.);

• an employment contract, an urgent temporary employment contract, or other contract confirming the employment of a foreign citizen in the Republic of Serbia in accordance with labor legislation;

• confirmation of pension insurance payments;

• a certificate or extract of funds in the bank account of a bank registered in the Republic of Serbia in the amount of the minimum wage in the Republic of Serbia.

Proof of a foreigner's health insurance is considered to be:

• European Social Security Card, and other documents confirming that a foreign national is insured in their country of origin under the provisions of the Republic of Serbia on health insurance;

• a foreigner's health insurance policy agreed with a medical insurance company in Serbia;

• confirmation of the availability of funds that can cover the cost of emergency medical care or treatment of chronic diseases;

• health insurance card of the Republic of Serbia.

Evidence that has not been issued by the competent authorities of the Republic of Serbia must be translated by an authorized court interpreter. Applications of a foreign citizen, which are proof of fulfillment of the relevant legal conditions for the provision of temporary or permanent residence, must be notarized.

More details on the list of documents can be found on the website.

Before obtaining a residence permit in Serbia, you first need to get a "white card". The law provides for the following requirements regarding the terms of obtaining this document:

• if the person stays at the hotel – 24 hours;

• if the person lives with a citizen or tax resident of Serbia – 48 hours.

If a person has stayed with another person, they must come to the police station together and obtain a "white card". Persons who do not have this document can be fined 5000-25000 dinars.

After the consultation, you can ask us additional questions. We are interested in the complete resolution of your case.  Get a full range of legal services conveniently and quickly - order a consultation right now!

The following categories of persons can apply for Serbian citizenship:

• newborn children of Serbian citizens;

• foreigners who have a permanent residence permit in the country;

• spouses of Serbian citizens who have been in the country with a residence permit for three years;

• emigrants from Yugoslavia who plan to return to Serbia;

• persons of Serbian nationality.

Renunciation of first citizenship is optional for persons receiving a Serbian passport:

• persons receiving citizenship for special services to the country;

• ethnic Serbs who arrange repatriation;

• spouses of citizens of the country;

• investors and entrepreneurs;

• persons applying for citizenship based on family reunification.

Conditions

To obtain citizenship, first of all, a foreigner must:

• reside in the country permanently, for 5 years; or

• stay in the country for 2.5 years with a working residence permit; or

• be legally married to a Serbian citizen for three years.

 More information can be found on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.