Company formation in Serbia is mainly associated with a tedious and complicated procedure with a lot of paperwork. The biggest problem is that the procedure can be time-consuming. However, since we live in a world of modernization and continuous technological improvement, does it always have to be that way?
Online registration of entrepreneurs in Serbia has transformed what used to be a slow, paperwork-heavy and time-consuming procedure into a fast, digital, and streamlined process. Traditionally, company formation in Serbia was associated with visiting multiple counters, collecting documents, and spending days – sometimes even weeks – navigating various administrative steps. But with the rise of digital tools and the commitment to modernization, things have changed significantly.
Today, online registration of entrepreneurs in Serbia allows individuals to establish an entrepreneurial agency quickly, efficiently, and entirely electronically. The process has been simplified to the point where most steps can be completed from home, using only a computer, a qualified electronic signature, and a payment card.
Why Online Registration of Entrepreneurs in Serbia Matters
Opening an entrepreneurial agency (preduzetnička radnja) is now one of the most accessible ways to start a business. The introduction of electronic submission for the registration of entrepreneurs has drastically reduced administrative burden.
Since 2018, Serbia has continuously upgraded its digital infrastructure, and online registration of entrepreneurs in Serbia is one of the most visible results of that effort.
In 2018, electronic registration was introduced.
In 2018–2019, new amendments to the Company Law allowed online incorporation of single-member and multi-member LLCs.
In 2023, full digitalization was completed – making online registration of entrepreneurs in Serbia the only method of registration.
This digital transformation means that natural persons who wish to establish an entrepreneurial agency can now do so faster, cheaper, and more securely than ever before.
What You Need for Online Registration of Entrepreneurs in Serbia
To successfully complete the online registration of entrepreneurs in Serbia, you must prepare several key elements:
1. SBRA User Account
You need to create an account in the Centralized Registration System managed by the Serbian Business Registers Agency (SBRA). Once logged in, you gain access to the portal containing the e-form for online registration of entrepreneurs in Serbia.
2. Payment Card (Visa / MasterCard)
The application is considered submitted only once the administrative registration fee is paid electronically. This is an important step — without payment, the system will not allow the application to be processed.
3. Qualified Electronic Certificate (Electronic Signature)
This is the most important requirement.
The same qualified electronic signature must be used to:
access your account,
sign and notarize documentation,
submit the e-registration form.
Without this certificate, online registration of entrepreneurs in Serbia is not possible.
How the Online Registration of Entrepreneurs Works
Once your documents are uploaded and electronically signed, the SBRA will process the application. Communication is entirely electronic:
You receive the decision on incorporation
or the decision on rejection
directly to your official business email address.
The SBRA’s decision includes:
qualified electronic signature of the registrar
a time stamp
full legal validity in electronic form
After this step, the process is complete — and your newly established entrepreneurial agency can begin performing its registered business activity.
Do Institutions Accept Online Documents?
Yes. Even though the Decision on incorporation is issued electronically, all banks, government bodies, and institutions must accept electronically signed documents.
If needed, a paper copy can be issued by the SBRA for an additional fee, but this is usually unnecessary thanks to the legal validity of electronic documents.
This compatibility makes the online registration of entrepreneurs in Serbia reliable not only during formation, but also later when dealing with tax authorities, banks, and administrative institutions.
Additional Benefits of Online Registration of Entrepreneurs in Serbia
A major advantage is the automatic electronic validation of health insurance cards.
Originally, online validation applied only to specific groups of insured persons (employees, students, Roma community members, monks, and victims of violence). However, since February 2018, this benefit has been expanded – and now includes entrepreneurs as well.
This means:
No waiting at counters
No manual submission of documents
Automatic transmission of contribution-payment data from the Tax Administration to the National Health Insurance Fund
Entrepreneurs can check the validity of their health insurance card directly on the NHIF website — a process that takes less than a minute.
Common Mistakes During Online Registration of Entrepreneurs in Serbia
Even though the process is simple, there are common issues that beginners face when completing the online registration of entrepreneurs in Serbia:
Incorrect personal details in the application form
Wrong selection of business activity code (Šifra delatnosti)
Expired or improperly installed electronic certificate
Attempting to upload unsupported document formats
Forgetting to pay the administrative fee
With proper preparation, all of these issues can be avoided – making the entire process seamless and quick.
Why Entrepreneurs Prefer Online Registration
The growing popularity of online registration of entrepreneurs in Serbia comes down to several factors:
Registering from anywhere — including from abroad
No need for notaries or in-person visits
Faster issuance of the SBRA Decision
Lower administrative costs
Full transparency at every step
This approach is especially suitable for freelancers, IT professionals, consultants, service providers, and anyone who needs to start a business quickly and independently.
