Obtaining a Serbian passport

Serbian citizenship can be obtained by birth, descent, on the basis of international treaties, through marriage and naturalization. The last option is the most common, allowing to obtain a passport of the republic after 3 years of residence in it. For ethnic Serbs, the procedure of legalizing the status is much simpler, because in this case there is no need to meet the residency requirement. The process and conditions of acquiring Serbian citizenship are regulated by the Law on Citizenship and the Constitution, and the requests are considered by the Ministry of Interior Affairs.

A country with a rapidly growing economy and quality of life is becoming an increasingly popular destination for immigration. Serbia is also a candidate for EU membership, which in the future will allow its citizens to automatically become EU passport holders. Other advantages for immigrants are visa-free travel, favorable investment conditions, low cost of living and real estate relative to the average income. Below we will talk about the pros and methods of obtaining Serbian citizenship, as well as possible alternatives for foreigners.

Advantages of Serbian citizenship

Serbian passport is a promising document, the owners of which in the future will be able to significantly expand the range of their rights and opportunities, as the state is actively moving towards joining the European Union. Among the key advantages, that citizenship of the Balkan republic provides, are the following:

1. visa-free travel to 137 countries, including China, Argentina, Brazil and Schengen states;
2. the prospect of obtaining EU citizenship after the country joins the association;
3. favorable investment and business opportunities due to comprehensive state support and a stable economy;
4. access to free medicine, social assistance, including unemployment and childcare benefits;
5. the right to vote and stand for election;
6. the ability to buy and rent any real estate, and to take out loans, including mortgages, at more favorable rates compared to non-residents of the country;
7. free education in state universities;
8. low living costs compared to most European Union countries (according to the Cost of Living Index, Serbia ranks 10th among European countries in 2025).

According to feedback from immigrants who have obtained a Serbian passport, one of the main disadvantages of the state policy is the restriction on second citizenship upon naturalization. If you are considering different immigration options with the possibility of retaining the residence of your country, it is worth consulting international law lawyers. Specialists will choose the optimal basis for obtaining European citizenship in the shortest possible time and in accordance with your individual preferences. Migration experts will provide reliable support at all stages of the path to a second passport.

Main ways of obtaining a Serbian passport

To become a citizen of Serbia, you can choose any available option, including repatriation, naturalization, investment with the prospect of obtaining a national identity card.

Naturalization

To acquire Serbian citizenship through naturalization, you must have resided in the country for at least 3 years prior to your request. Among the most common grounds for obtaining a residence permit with the prospect of acquiring a passport of the Republic are the following:

1. Work. In order to work in the territory of the Republic, it is necessary to obtain a single permit (jedinstvena dozvola). The condition for issuance of a residence permit may be an employment contract concluded with a Serbian employer, self-employment registration, diploma or other certificate of qualification. The request is submitted online by the company that employs the foreigner. The permit is valid for up to 3 years with the possibility of prolongation for a similar period. After 3 years of residency, a request for permanent residence and citizenship can be submitted.
2. Founding a startup. Starting a company in Serbia and carrying out innovative activities confirmed by the Science and Technology Park (NTP, Naučno-tehnološki park) allows you to obtain a residence permit. The first permit is issued for one year. To prolong the document, it is necessary to prove that the established company has generated income of 8 540 EUR or is still active in innovation activities. Another reason for prolongation can be the proof of employment relationship with at least one Serbian citizen for a period that exceeds the period of the requested residence permit.
3. Highly qualified professional activity. Subject to the recognition of a foreign higher education diploma by the Serbian Qualification Agency, a residence permit valid for one year can be obtained. In order to extend the permit, it is necessary to submit a contract of employment in the territory of the Republic, a certificate of registration of a legal entity, a certificate of income or other proof of the purpose of stay.
4. Study. A student residence permit can be obtained by enrolling in an educational institution in Serbia for education or language study. It is also necessary to show proof of insurance and funds to cover expenses during the stay. Minor students will need parental consent. The permit is issued for the duration of the course or language study, but not more than 3 years. It is worth considering that only half of the time spent in the country with a student residence permit counts towards the period required to obtain a residence permit.
5. Marriage. Staying in a union with a Serb for 3 years allows you to apply for citizenship under a simplified procedure, provided that you obtain a permanent residence permit in advance. The permanent residence permit is issued on the basis of a marriage certificate issued by the competent authorities of the Republic. In order to obtain a local passport, Serbia must be recognized in writing as one's country of origin, and it is not necessary to renounce one's previous citizenship.
6. Family reunification. Serbs, as well as foreigners holding temporary or permanent residence permits in the Republic, may request a residence permit for their family members (spouse, partner, children, other relatives in their care). To obtain a permit, it is necessary to present civil status certificates indicating kinship, proof of health insurance, sufficient income and suitable housing. The residence permit is issued for a period not exceeding the period of validity of the host country's permit, with the right to extend it.

Investments

The main requirement for the residence permit is to have at least 50,000 EUR in a bank account registered in Serbia. The primary residence permit is issued for six months. To extend the document for another year it is necessary to confirm the investment of 5 000 EUR in the authorized capital of an existing Serbian company.

The purchase of real estate in the country is also a basis for issuing a residence permit for a year, and the legislation does not set a minimum threshold for the value of the object. In order to issue a permit, you must provide proof of ownership of the object that you have purchased in Serbia.

The residence permit in case of investment or ownership of real estate has no limit on the number of extensions, if the conditions of issuance of the primary document are preserved. On the basis of a temporary permit, it is possible to obtain a residence permit valid for up to 3 years. The request for citizenship is submitted within the framework of standard naturalization.

Repatriation

Direct descendants of Serbs can apply for permanent residence without meeting the condition of continuous residence in the country or apply for citizenship immediately. The advantages of this method of immigration are the possibility of becoming a holder of a second passport and the absence of the need to learn the Serbian language.

Also, descendants of Serbs can first obtain a residence permit, which is valid for a year. The main condition for granting the permit is documentary proof of origin. To the application must be added a certificate of baptism in the Serbian Orthodox Church, establishing belonging to the nation. To extend the residence permit, it will be necessary to prove the expediency of further stay on the territory of the republic by presenting an employment contract, certificate of purchase of real estate, another document.

Requirements and procedure for obtaining Serbian citizenship

The way to the Serbian passport takes, as a rule, at least 3 years, during which the foreigner is obliged to reside on the territory of the state. To make a request for citizenship, it is necessary to collect a dossier including the following documents:

1. birth certificate;
2. a receipt for the payment of the fee;
3. permanent residence permit in Serbia;
4. marriage certificate;
5. identity card issued by the country of residence;
6. decision on the release from foreign citizenship or a confirmation from a competent foreign authority guaranteeing that the release from the status will take place.

Children may be included in the application. A child over 14 years of age must sign a consent to acquire Serbian citizenship. All documents issued by foreign authorities must be translated and legalized.

The process of obtaining a Serbian passport by naturalization will consist of the following steps:

1. Submitting a visa request. To enter the Republic and stay in its territory for more than 90 days it is necessary to apply for a long-term visa type D. The request is submitted to the Serbian Consulate abroad with the payment of a fee (32 EUR). In addition to the visa application form, it is necessary to submit a passport, 3.5 x 4.5 cm photo, health insurance policy, proof of the purpose of stay in the country (employment contract, certificate of self-employment registration, etc.). The request is considered for up to 30 days. The status of the application can be checked online at the Welcome to Serbia portal. The visa is valid from 90 to 180 days.
2. Issuance of a temporary residence permit. The application for a temporary residence permit is submitted online or at the Police Department of Serbia with the payment of a fee (186 EUR). The dossier includes visa, passport, photo, proof of housing (own or rented) in the country. You will also need additional information confirming the purpose of your stay in the country (employment contract, certificate of professional qualification, etc.). After receiving approval for the issuance of a residence permit card it is necessary to visit the Police Department in person and submit biometric data. The validity of the permit is up to 3 years with the possibility of extension.
3. Obtaining a permanent residence. After 3 years of continuous residence in Serbia, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. Among the conditions for issuance of the permit are: proof of income, residence permit, passport and health insurance policy, registration of the address of residence in the country. In addition, you may need an employment contract, certificate of pension insurance payments and other data indicating the purpose of your stay in Serbia. The application is submitted to the Police Department with the payment of a fee (137 EUR). After receiving the approval for the issuance of a residence permit, it is necessary to submit biometric data (except for children under 12 years of age).
4. Citizenship obtainment. After 3 years of residence on the territory of the Republic, you have the opportunity to apply for Serbian citizenship, provided you renounce residency of your country in most cases. Also, an adult applicant must provide certificates of absence of criminal record and tax debts, a receipt of payment of the fee (202 EUR). The request is submitted to the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs or to the competent representation of the country abroad. The processing time depends on the completeness of the dossier and averages about one year.
5. Passport and identity card issuance. Based on the certificate of citizenship, you can simultaneously apply for an ID card and a Serbian passport by going to the MIA office by appointment through the euprava.gov.rs portal. The applicant provides an ID card, a receipt for the payment of the fee (3 EUR), a 5 x 5 cm photo, a birth certificate, and submits biometric data.

Professional specialists can provide you with a customized solution for obtaining a European passport in a simplified way in the shortest possible time. With the help of lawyers, you can become an EU citizen in 4-14 months. Obtaining an EU passport allows you to live and work in any EU member state, as well as in Serbia.

How much time and money are needed to obtain a Serbian passport

The amount of money and time required to apply for Serbian citizenship depends on the immigration basis chosen. In addition to the state fees, it is important to consider the cost of preparing documents, as well as the cost of living for a certain period of time before it will be possible to apply for a passport. Monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in Serbia will cost from 357 EUR, a three-bedroom apartment from 950 EUR. Expenses for a family of four will be about 2110 EUR per month, for one person you will need an average of 618 EUR.

You will also have to pay for translation and notarization of documents (from 4 EUR per page). To obtain a visa you will have to take out a health insurance policy, the price of which depends on various factors, including your age and the amount of coverage - it will be about 50 EUR. Next, we will look at the administrative fees and the timeframe for Serbian citizenship obtainment depending on the method of immigration:

1. Naturalization – residency requirement: from 3 years, €557;
2. Investment – minimum residency requirement: 3 years, €932;
3. Marriage – residency requirement: from 3 years, €374;
4. Descent – no residency requirement, €205.

Choosing investment as a basis for immigration, you should also take into account the need to have 50 000 EUR in your bank account and to invest in the economy of the country in the amount of 5 000 EUR or more to extend your residence permit, so this method of obtaining a Serbian passport is the most expensive. The final price of citizenship of the republic will also depend on your lifestyle, the city you choose to live in, and other individual conditions.

What doesn't work: how you can't get a Serbian passport

Although Serbia offers many different ways to acquire citizenship, you may encounter many myths about how you can bypass the rules or speed up the process. Misconceptions about applying for a national passport in the republic arise from a lack of reliable information and ignorance of the provisions of the current legislation. The most common myths you may encounter are summarized below:

1. Marriage of convenience - a guaranteed path to a Serbian passport. Marriage to a Serb allows you to apply for residence permit, but you must be in a relationship for at least 3 years to acquire citizenship. At the same time, the authorities carry out a thorough verification of the authenticity of the union, including the partnership. If the marriage is recognized as fictitious, temporary residency will not be granted. Also, a union of convenience does not allow further reliance on Serbian citizenship, leads to the revocation of the visa and ban on entry into the country.
2. Citizenship can be bought. The misconception that it is possible to buy a passport is the most common. In fact, none of the countries in Europe offers the possibility to buy citizenship. Even if you invest in the Serbian economy, you can only apply for a residence permit, while the national passport of the Republic is acquired through standard naturalization, provided that all legal conditions are met.
3. The possibility of obtaining a Serbian passport after giving birth in the territory of the state. Unlike the United States or North American countries, Serbia applies the principle of the right of blood (jus sanguinis) rather than the right of soil (jus soli). A child is granted citizenship if at least one of the parents is Serbian. An exception exists for children found in the country if their origin is unknown or they are abandoned. You can also apply for citizenship if you were born on the territory of the country and have lived in Serbia for at least 2 years prior to the application.

In order to successfully obtain Serbian citizenship, it is important to follow only the procedures stipulated by the legislation of the country, as well as to adhere to the application deadlines. Attempts to circumvent the rules will result in loss of time and money, deportation, long-term ban on entry into the country, as well as significant fines and even criminal prosecution.

To choose the most appropriate relocation program, you should seek the assistance of migration specialists. The lawyers will provide you with a customized solution to legally obtain citizenship in the best way within 4-14 months.

Get EU citizenship under a simplified procedure

Default Description

Leave a request

Dual citizenship in Serbia: whether it is allowed to have more than one passport

According to the legislation, Serbia does not allow second citizenship for naturalized foreigners. A passport of the Republic can be obtained only if proof of renunciation of the status in the native country is provided. There is an exception only for repatriates, as well as foreigners married to Serbs.

It is also worth considering the difference between the concepts of second and dual citizenship. In the first case, we are talking about the presence of two passports, when each country recognizes a person only as its resident, imposing certain obligations on him/her. Dual citizenship implies the presence of an agreement concluded between the states. Then a bipatride has rights in two countries at the same time, including the ability to choose the place of military service and tax residency. Since 2003, Serbia has had a dual citizenship treaty with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Where it is faster and easier to obtain a second passport: an overview of alternatives

Serbia is not the best choice for those who want to become a holder of a second citizenship, because during naturalization it is necessary to renounce the previous status of their country. Obtaining citizenship of an EU country opens up many more opportunities, including the right to live, work, do business in any state of the association. In particular, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia offer simplified immigration procedures. Participation in one of them is the easiest and fastest way to an EU passport.

The process of obtaining citizenship involves the preparation and legalization of documents, as well as passing migration procedures, so it is important to enlist the support of specialists familiar with all the nuances of the legislation. Experts will choose the most suitable way for you to obtain European citizenship, help you to collect a complete dossier, and accompany you at every stage. To learn more about this, make an appointment for a free consultation right now.