Since 17 May 2023, online company registration in Serbia is not an option for tech-savvy founders: it is the only legally valid method of incorporating a business entity. The Serbian Business Registers Agency (BRA) no longer accepts paper documentation for LLC or joint-stock company formation. Everything is electronic.
That sounds straightforward. In practice, however, this is exactly where foreign founders get stuck: how do you sign the founding document electronically if you do not have a Serbian qualified certificate? Who can submit the application on your behalf? Can you really complete the entire incorporation process without ever visiting the country?
This blog answers all of those questions precisely. A full overview of legal forms, costs, and tax obligations is available in our blog on company formation in Serbia.
Contents
- What Changed in May 2023
- Electronic Signature: When Do You Need One?
- The Role of an Attorney in Online Registration
- Steps for Online Company Registration in Serbia
- Remote Company Formation: Options for Foreign Founders
- Virtual Office as the Company's Registered Address
- Opening a Corporate Bank Account After Registration
- Beneficial Owner Registration and the Director's Electronic Signature
- Why Foreign Founders Choose Serbia
- Costs of Online Company Registration 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Changed in May 2023
Before mandatory online registration was introduced, incorporating a company in Serbia required two physical steps: notarising the founders' signatures on the founding document before a public notary, and personally submitting a paper registration application to the BRA. The notary was a mandatory link in every incorporation.
From 17 May 2023, all of that changed. The Companies Act and its implementing regulations now explicitly require that all documentation submitted to the BRA be in the form of an electronic document bearing a qualified electronic signature. Paper filings are no longer accepted, even with a notarial seal.
For founders already living in Serbia who hold an electronic signature, this is a clear benefit. For foreign founders without a Serbian certificate, the new rules created a specific organisational challenge, one that is solved through a power of attorney to an attorney, as described in detail below.
Electronic Signature: When Do You Need One?
Company registration in Serbia requires a qualified electronic signature. But it does not have to be yours. That is the key distinction most founders miss at the outset.
Qualified electronic certificates in Serbia are issued by authorised certification bodies, including the Ministry of Interior (MUP), Post of Serbia, and PTT. To personally obtain a Serbian certificate, you must be physically present in Serbia and appear before the certification body. For many foreign founders, this is an unnecessary cost and a logistical obstacle.
There is a practical alternative. Attorneys registered in the Serbian Bar Association hold their own qualified electronic certificate and are authorised by law to certify any original document in their possession using that certificate. This means an attorney can sign and submit the entire incorporation documentation without the founder spending a single day in Serbia.
A detailed overview of how electronic signatures work in a business context, what types of certificates exist, and where they are obtained is available in our blog on electronic registration of entrepreneurs in Serbia.
The Role of an Attorney in Online Company Registration
Attorneys have a specific, legally defined role in the online company registration system in Serbia. On the basis of a special power of attorney, an attorney can draft the founding document and all supporting documentation, certify the founder's original documents using their own qualified electronic certificate and thereby convert them into electronic form, sign the founding document on behalf of the authorising founder, submit the registration application to the BRA, and monitor the procedure through to receipt of the incorporation decision.
For a founder living outside Serbia, an attorney with a qualified electronic signature is the only practical way to complete incorporation without travelling. A useful analogy: the attorney holding your power of attorney functions like a representative sitting in front of the counter on your behalf, except that, in this case, the entire process stays in the digital space and requires neither party to be physically present.
Engaging an attorney also eliminated the need for the notary as a separate mandatory step, which on average reduced both the time and the cost of the procedure.
Steps for Online Company Registration in Serbia
Below are the key operational steps for online company registration in Serbia. For a complete overview of all phases, including choosing a legal form and post-incorporation obligations, see our blog on company formation in Serbia.
Step 1: Choose the Legal Form and Check the Company Name
Before initiating any documentation, define the legal form (sole entrepreneur, LLC, JSC), ownership structure, and who will serve as director. The company name must be unique in the BRA register and can be checked before formally starting the procedure. Details on the name selection and reservation process are covered in our blog on choosing a business name in Serbia.
Step 2: Determine the Registered Address
The company must have a registered business address in Serbia. For founders operating from abroad or those not planning a physical office, a virtual office is a standard and fully legal solution that satisfies all BRA and Tax Administration requirements. More on this in the dedicated section below.
Step 3: Sign the Special Power of Attorney and Have It Certified
If you are incorporating through an attorney, you execute a special power of attorney authorising them to sign the founding document and submit the application to the BRA. The power of attorney must be certified by the competent authority in your country and, where required, apostilled or legalised for use in Serbia. Specific requirements vary by country of signature and the bilateral agreements Serbia has with that state.
Step 4: Draft and Sign the Founding Document
The attorney prepares the founding document: the Decision on Incorporation for a single-member LLC, or the Memorandum of Association for a multi-member LLC. It must be signed with a qualified electronic signature. On the basis of the power of attorney, the attorney does this on your behalf and certifies the documentation using their own certificate.
The content of the founding document is not a mere formality. The clauses you include define governance rules, profit distribution, and protection of the company's know-how from day one. In multi-member companies, mutual rights and obligations can be further regulated in a shareholders' agreement, which is particularly important in startup and joint venture arrangements. More on corporate structuring is available in our guide to company formation in Serbia.
Step 5: Submit the BRA Registration Application Electronically
The application is submitted exclusively through the BRA e-filing portal using the applicant's qualified electronic signature. The attorney submits on your behalf. The BRA issues its decision within 3 to 5 business days of a complete application. The decision is delivered in electronic form and carries the same legal force as a paper document.
Step 6: Open a Corporate Bank Account
Following the BRA decision, the company must open a current corporate account. Without an active account, the company cannot make or receive any payments. The process for founders not residing in Serbia requires specific preparation. Details, a list of banks, and the exact steps are available in our blog on opening a non-resident bank account in Serbia.
Step 7: Beneficial Owner Registration and the Director's Electronic Signature
Within 15 days of the date of incorporation, the director must register the beneficial owner in the Central Beneficial Ownership Register maintained by the BRA. To complete this registration, the director must hold their own qualified electronic certificate issued in Serbia. Financial penalties for missing this deadline are substantial and applied automatically.
Remote Company Formation: Options for Foreign Founders
Remote company formation, completing the entire process without visiting Serbia, is fully possible. At Zunic Law, we handle this routinely for clients from dozens of countries. There are two operational paths, depending on how the founder wishes to sign the incorporation documentation.
Option A: Signing the Founding Document Before a Notary Abroad
The founder signs the founding document before a notary in their country of residence. The document is then duly legalised for use in Serbia: either by apostille under the Hague Convention or by full legalisation, depending on whether the relevant country is a Hague signatory. On the basis of that document and a general or special power of attorney, the attorney submits the application to the BRA.
This option works well when the founder has easy access to a notary at home and wishes to personally sign the founding document before having the attorney represent them before the BRA.
Option B: Special Power of Attorney to Sign the Founding Document
The founder does not sign the founding document at all. Instead, they sign a special power of attorney authorising the attorney to sign the founding document on their behalf. The power of attorney is certified and legalised abroad, and the attorney in Serbia then signs the founding document using their own qualified electronic certificate and submits the BRA application.
This option is particularly practical when there are multiple founders located in different countries who cannot simultaneously present for notarisation, or when the founder simply wants minimal personal involvement in the administrative process.
One point that foreign founders consistently overlook: forming a company in Serbia does not automatically confer the right to reside there. Residence status is regulated through a separate procedure before the Ministry of Interior. A full guide is available in our blog on temporary residence in Serbia.
Virtual Office as the Company's Registered Address
Every company in Serbia must have a registered business address. For founders who are not planning a physical office, a virtual office in Serbia is a standard and fully legal solution that satisfies all formal requirements of the BRA and the Tax Administration.
A virtual office provides a registered address, a mailbox, receipt and forwarding of correspondence, and notification of received mail. For founders providing intellectual services (IT, consulting, law, finance), this address is entirely sufficient for operational purposes, as employees and management do not need to be physically present.
Two things to know before signing a virtual office agreement. A virtual address does not prove that the director physically resides in Serbia: if the director intends to apply for a temporary residence permit based on their company position, the relevant authorities will require additional evidence of genuine business activity. Additionally, some Serbian banks ask more questions when opening an account for a company registered at a virtual address, particularly when the founder is a foreign national. This does not make account opening impossible, but it may take longer and require more documentation.
Opening a Corporate Bank Account After Registration
Following the BRA decision, the director's first operational task is opening a corporate current account. The company cannot receive or make any payments until the account is active.
For founders not residing in Serbia, this is the step that requires the most advance preparation. Some Serbian banks require the director to be physically present when opening the account; others accept an authorised representative with appropriate documentation. Conditions differ by bank and by client profile. A detailed overview of documentation requirements, a list of banks, and the specific steps for non-resident founders are available in our blog on opening a non-resident bank account in Serbia.
Beneficial Owner Registration and the Director's Electronic Signature
This is the step most commonly delayed in the rush of incorporation. The deadline is 15 days from the date of entry in the register.
Every newly incorporated company in Serbia is required to register its beneficial owner in the Central Beneficial Ownership Register maintained by the BRA, in accordance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act. A beneficial owner is the natural person who directly or indirectly controls the company or holds an ownership interest above 25%.
To complete this registration, the director must hold their own qualified electronic certificate issued in Serbia. This is typically the moment when foreign directors obtain a Serbian electronic signature, since without it they cannot discharge the legal obligation. The certificate issuance procedure requires physical presence in Serbia or certain alternatives that the legal team can organise depending on the specific circumstances.
Why Foreign Founders Choose Serbia
Incorporating a company in Serbia is not only a procedural convenience. Behind it lies a set of real economic advantages that make Serbia one of the more attractive destinations for foreign investors in the region.
According to data published by the National Bank of Serbia, Serbia attracted €4.5 billion in foreign direct investment in 2024, a 12% increase year-on-year. That figure reflects several concrete benefits.
Serbia has a corporate income tax rate of 15%, one of the lowest in Europe. For the IT sector and innovative businesses, additional tax incentives and non-refundable grants are available, including benefits for employing foreign nationals and young returnees from abroad. Incorporation costs and ongoing administrative costs are lower than in most countries in the region. Labour legislation is flexible for foreign companies hiring locally.
Serbia is not an EU member state, but it has free trade agreements with the EU, Russia, Turkey, and the CEFTA region, giving companies incorporated in Serbia access to a market of over one billion consumers.
Costs of Online Company Registration in Serbia 2026
The costs of incorporating a company in Serbia online are low by regional standards. Here is the breakdown for 2026:
| Item | Amount (approx.) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BRA fee for LLC (online registration) | 5,900 RSD (~€50) | Official fee, payable upon submitting the application |
| BRA fee for sole entrepreneur (online) | 2,900 RSD (~€25) | Details in our blog on electronic registration of entrepreneurs |
| Apostille/legalisation of power of attorney (abroad) | €50–200 | Depends on country and document type |
| Virtual office (monthly) | €30–100/month | Details in our blog on virtual office in Serbia |
| Legal fees (attorney's fee) | By agreement | Contact the team for an estimate |
Unlike several neighbouring jurisdictions, Serbia does not require a minimum share capital to be deposited in a blocked account. The formal minimum for an LLC is 100 RSD, a symbolic amount. For founders intending to apply for a temporary residence permit, a minimum capital of €250 is recommended as a signal of genuine business intent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online company registration in Serbia possible without visiting the country?
Yes. The entire process, from signing the power of attorney to receiving the BRA decision, can be completed from abroad. The founder signs a special power of attorney before a notary in their country, and the attorney in Serbia handles all steps of the online company registration using their own qualified electronic signature.
Does remote company formation in Serbia take longer than registering in person?
Not necessarily. The timeline depends on how quickly the certified documentation arrives from abroad and the completeness of the BRA application. Once the documentation is complete, the BRA issues its decision within 3 to 5 business days regardless of whether the founder is physically present or not.
Can I use a foreign electronic signature for BRA registration?
No. The BRA accepts only qualified electronic certificates issued by authorised certification bodies in the Republic of Serbia. EU and other foreign certificates, regardless of their compliance with relevant standards, are not accepted for submitting a registration application.
What is a special power of attorney for company formation?
A special power of attorney is a legal document by which the founder authorises an attorney to sign the founding document and submit the application to the BRA on their behalf. Unlike a general power of attorney, it defines the exact authority being delegated. It must be certified and, where required, apostilled or legalised for use in Serbia.
Can a company with a virtual registered address obtain a temporary residence permit for the director?
Registering a company at a virtual address alone does not guarantee approval of a temporary residence permit. The relevant authorities require evidence of genuine business activity. We recommend consulting the legal team before incorporation if regulating the director's residence is part of the plan.
How much does online company registration in Serbia cost in 2026?
The BRA administrative fee for online LLC registration is 5,900 RSD, approximately €50. Total realistic costs, including legal assistance, legalisation of documents, and a virtual office, range from €500 to €1,500 depending on the complexity of the case and the founder's country of origin.
What is the deadline for registering the beneficial owner after incorporation?
15 days from the date of entry in the BRA register. The registration is completed by the director through the BRA portal using their own qualified electronic signature. Missing the deadline triggers automatic financial penalties.
Can an attorney open a corporate bank account on behalf of the director?
It depends on the bank. Some Serbian banks require the director to be physically present when opening a corporate current account; others accept an authorised representative with appropriate documentation. The legal team can recommend a bank that suits the founder's profile and prepare the required documentation.
Can a foreign national be the sole founder and director of an LLC in Serbia?
Yes. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership of Serbian business entities. A foreign founder can hold 100% of an LLC and simultaneously serve as its sole director. If that director plans to actively work in Serbia, they will require a unified temporary residence and work permit.
The online registration process in Serbia is procedurally clear-cut, but requires precise documentation management, especially when the founder is a foreign national without a Serbian electronic signature. The Zunic Law team handles these procedures on a daily basis for clients from a wide range of countries, including more complex structures involving multiple founders or cross-border ownership chains.
For questions about a specific situation or to start the process, visit our services page or contact us directly.
