Wondering how to get a Serbian passport? You are not alone. Whether it's about reconnecting with your roots, expanding a business, or building a life in Serbia, a growing number of foreigners are exploring how to obtain Serbian citizenship, and with it, the right to a Serbian passport.
That is exactly why the specific question comes up more and more often - how to obtain Serbian citizenship in the fastest and legally safest way, without unnecessary risk or wasted time.
Serbian citizens can travel visa-free (for example, to Schengen countries) or under a simplified visa procedure to more than 130 countries around the world. In addition, Serbia offers a stable business environment, competitive tax conditions, and is in the process of joining the European Union, all of which add to the interest in business expansion: how to get a Serbian passport?
Once you understand how to obtain Serbian citizenship, it becomes easier to weigh all the benefits of a Serbian passport – from travel, to investment, to long-term life and business planning.
In this guide, we will provide an overview of the legal grounds for acquiring Serbian citizenship, which represent the first and most important step toward obtaining a Serbian passport, whether on the basis of origin, naturalization, marriage, or investment. We will explain the requirements that must be met, the course of the procedure, and the most common obstacles applicants face, so that you are fully prepared.
If you are just starting your research and wondering where to begin, and specifically how to obtain Serbian citizenship, this article is designed as a practical guide through all the relevant options.
How to Obtain Serbian Citizenship – Who Is This Guide For?
This guide is intended for anyone seriously considering how to obtain Serbian citizenship – whether you are part of the diaspora, already living in Serbia, married to a Serbian citizen, or planning an investment and long-term stay in the Republic of Serbia.
Who Can Apply for a Serbian Passport?
In brief: Only persons who hold citizenship of the Republic of Serbia are entitled to a Serbian passport. The Law on Citizenship recognizes four formal grounds for acquiring citizenship: origin, birth on the territory of Serbia, naturalization, and international treaties.
Before addressing the question of how to get a Serbian passport, it is necessary to clarify who can even apply for one. Only persons who hold citizenship of the Republic of Serbia are entitled to a Serbian passport, which means that acquiring citizenship is the first and key step in the entire process of obtaining a Serbian passport.
In other words, the answer to how to obtain Serbian citizenship always starts with checking whether you already have, or can acquire, one of the grounds for Serbian citizenship provided for by law.
The legal basis for acquiring citizenship is governed by the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Serbia (hereinafter: the Law), which recognizes four formal ways of acquiring citizenship:
By origin (if one or both parents are Serbian citizens),
By birth on the territory of the Republic of Serbia,
By naturalization (most often after several years of lawful residence in Serbia),
On the basis of international treaties.
However, looking not only at the statutory provisions but also at the practice of the authorities in applying them, it is possible to identify the most common typical situations and factual circumstances that point to a ground for acquiring Serbian citizenship, and subsequently a passport. So, if you are wondering how to get a Serbian passport, you probably fall into one of the following categories:
Persons of Serbian origin, including those whose parents, grandparents, or even more distant ancestors were Serbian citizens;
Foreign nationals lawfully residing in Serbia who meet the requirements for applying for admission to citizenship (naturalization);
Spouses of Serbian citizens, provided certain requirements regarding the duration of the marriage and residence are met;
Persons admitted to citizenship for special reasons, such as a contribution to national interests (e.g., prominent athletes, scientists, or investors).
If you recognize yourself in one of these categories, there is a real possibility that you meet the requirements for acquiring citizenship, which is a precondition for filing an application and obtaining a Serbian passport.
Each of these categories has its own specific answer to how to obtain Serbian citizenship – below, we address them individually, so you can more easily identify your legal ground.
How to Obtain Serbian Citizenship and a Serbian Passport?
In brief: In practice, there are six typical routes to Serbian citizenship: origin, naturalization, marriage to a Serbian citizen, belonging to the Serbian people, reacquisition of citizenship, and admission on the basis of national interest. Each of these has its own specific requirements, advantages, and timeframes.
Now that we have clarified who can apply for a Serbian passport, the next key step is to address acquiring citizenship of the Republic of Serbia. Having clarified who may potentially be eligible for a Serbian passport, it is time to explain how such persons can actually acquire citizenship of the Republic of Serbia – which is the first and most important step in this process.
In practical terms, the question of how to obtain Serbian citizenship comes down to choosing the right ground (origin, residence, marriage, special interest) and properly preparing the documentation required for each of these grounds.
Below, we present some of the most common and, in practice, most relevant grounds on which people in real-life situations most often obtain the right to citizenship, and subsequently a Serbian passport. Each category is explained through a combination of statutory provisions and concrete examples from practice.
The goal is that, after reading, you will be able to assess for yourself which path represents the most realistic answer for you to the question of how to obtain Serbian citizenship.
Serbian Citizenship by Descent
One of the most common ways to obtain Serbian citizenship is citizenship based on descent. This ground is particularly significant for persons who have Serbian roots and whose parents are Serbian citizens, regardless of whether they were born and raised outside the territory of Serbia. The Law recognizes the right of descendants of Serbian citizens to become citizens of Serbia, even if they have spent their entire life abroad.
For many members of the diaspora, citizenship by origin is precisely the most logical answer to how to obtain Serbian citizenship without a long period of residence in Serbia or having to release from their existing citizenship.
Children under the age of 18 can automatically acquire citizenship if both parents are Serbian citizens at the time of the child's birth, or if one parent is a Serbian citizen and the child is born on the territory of Serbia. If the child is born abroad and one parent is a Serbian citizen, acquiring citizenship is still possible, but subject to an additional condition. The parent who is a Serbian citizen must register the child with the competent diplomatic-consular mission before the child turns 18.
For example: Ana was born in Canada; her father, Marko, is a Serbian citizen, while her mother is a Canadian citizen. Although Ana has never lived in Serbia, her father registered her with the Consulate of the Republic of Serbia in Toronto in time and filed an application for her entry in the register of citizens of the Republic of Serbia. The application was approved, and Ana is now registered as a citizen of the Republic of Serbia, which gives her the right to apply for a Serbian passport, as well as to enjoy other benefits in the country, such as residing without any restrictions, attending school, or acquiring real estate in Serbia.
For persons over the age of 18 who were born abroad, the possibility of acquiring citizenship based on origin still exists, but under stricter conditions. Such persons may apply for admission to citizenship, provided they do so before turning 23. This time limit is particularly important for second-generation members of the diaspora, whose parents failed to obtain citizenship for them in time, but who now wish to restore their connection with their origin.
It is particularly important to point out that persons who acquire citizenship based on origin are legally considered citizens from birth. This status allows them to exercise all the rights and benefits enjoyed by other citizens of Serbia, including the right to reside, work, receive an education, access healthcare, and, of course, obtain a Serbian passport.
If you believe you have Serbian origin and are wondering how to get a Serbian passport, this legal ground represents an excellent opportunity to formally restore your connection with Serbia and exercise the many rights that come with it.
For this group, the answer to how to obtain Serbian citizenship is often the simplest – through proving one's origin and properly filing an application with the competent authorities or consular missions.
Admission to Citizenship
For foreign nationals who have built their lives in Serbia and wish to formalize their legal and civic ties with the state, admission to citizenship of the Republic of Serbia is one of the most common ways of obtaining a Serbian passport. This route is particularly suitable for people who have already been living in Serbia for many years and are ready to take a step toward full integration into society.
If you have already been living and working in Serbia for years, the natural question is how to obtain Serbian citizenship on the basis of residence – and that is precisely the essence of admission to citizenship (naturalization).
In addition to having previously obtained the right to permanent residence, an applicant must meet additional basic requirements in order to apply for citizenship of the Republic of Serbia through admission:
be at least 18 years of age and not have been deprived of legal capacity;
have had uninterrupted residence in the Republic of Serbia for at least three years prior to filing the application;
provide evidence of having been released from their previous citizenship, or submit a statement that such release will be granted if they are admitted to citizenship of the Republic of Serbia;
submit a written statement declaring that they consider the Republic of Serbia to be their country.
This procedure is the most common choice for people who have chosen Serbia as their place of residence, whether for employment, family reasons, or personal ties.
It is important to emphasize that the competent authorities of the Republic of Serbia have discretionary power when deciding on admission to citizenship, particularly when assessing whether the applicant might pose a risk to national security. The Ministry of Internal Affairs decides on each case individually, and although meeting the statutory requirements is a necessary precondition, the final decision depends on the authority's discretionary assessment of the specific case.
The Law also provides for certain exceptions and flexibility for persons coming from countries that do not allow dual citizenship, or where release from citizenship is not realistically achievable. In such cases, it is sufficient for the foreign national to submit a statement renouncing their existing citizenship, which only takes legal effect at the moment citizenship of the Republic of Serbia is acquired. Stateless persons are exempt from this obligation.
In each of these situations, the key is to properly set a strategy for how to obtain Serbian citizenship through naturalization, with minimal risk of the application being rejected due to formal deficiencies.
Serbian Citizenship Based on Marriage and Serbian Origin
For people who share personal or family ties with Serbia, the path to acquiring citizenship can be considerably shorter and simpler. Whether it is marriage to a Serbian citizen or proving one's belonging to the Serbian people, the Law provides for simplified procedures that reflect the closeness of these ties to the state.
Many foreign nationals wondering how to obtain Serbian citizenship therefore first check whether they meet the requirements based on marriage or Serbian origin, precisely because these routes are often faster in practice.
Citizenship Based on Marriage
If you are married to a citizen of the Republic of Serbia, you may acquire the right to citizenship, and consequently to a Serbian passport, through a simplified admission procedure. This option is becoming increasingly common among foreign nationals who start a family in Serbia or move to the country for personal reasons.
To exercise the right on this basis, you need to meet the following requirements:
you have been married to a Serbian citizen for at least three years, and
you have been granted permanent residence in the Republic of Serbia at the time the application is filed.
One of the main advantages of this ground for acquiring citizenship is that the foreign spouse may keep their existing citizenship. In other words, there is no obligation to be released from one's previous citizenship, which makes this process considerably more flexible.
For example: Emma, a German citizen, married Luka, a Serbian citizen, in 2020. After spending some time abroad, they move to Serbia, where Emma obtains the right to permanent residence in 2024. Already in 2025, after more than three years of marriage, Emma applies for Serbian citizenship based on marriage.
It is important to note that the spouse who is a Serbian citizen must hold that status at the time the application is filed, and the marriage must be valid. If necessary, the competent authority may request additional evidence of cohabitation or other circumstances confirming the genuineness of the marriage.
For spouses, the answer to how to obtain Serbian citizenship is to focus on proving the duration of the marriage, lawful residence, and actual cohabitation.
Acquiring Serbian Citizenship Based by Descent
If you are wondering how to get a Serbian passport and have family ties with Serbia, you are not alone. For many people of Serbian origin, the path to citizenship is not just a legal matter, but also a return to their cultural roots and an opportunity to restore a sense of belonging.
The good news is that the legal system of the Republic of Serbia recognizes this specific connection and provides simplified conditions for acquiring citizenship for people of Serbian origin, without requiring them to release from their existing citizenship or to live in Serbia.
One of the most common grounds for acquiring citizenship applies precisely to emigrants and their descendants. The Law recognizes the right to citizenship for descendants of those who left the territory of the Republic of Serbia, which most often occurred in the period after World War II or during the 1960s. Regardless of whether your grandfather moved to Canada or your parents emigrated to Australia, you may still be entitled to citizenship of the Republic of Serbia.
It is enough that you are of legal age, have full legal capacity, and submit a written statement declaring that you consider the Republic of Serbia to be your country. This satisfies the basic requirements for acquiring citizenship, and indirectly for obtaining a Serbian passport. The biggest advantage of this category is that there is no need to release from your existing citizenship or to reside in Serbia.
The Law also recognizes the right of spouses of emigrants to apply for citizenship under similar conditions. This solution allows entire families to restore their connection with their Serbian origin together.
A special benefit is also available to persons who declare themselves as members of the Serbian people, even if they have never lived in Serbia. Under the provisions of the Law, they are allowed to acquire citizenship of the Republic of Serbia without any obligation to reside in the country and without the need to release from their existing citizenship. The requirements are clear: proof of Serbian origin, legal age, and a statement declaring that you consider the Republic of Serbia to be your country.
So, if you are wondering how to get a Serbian passport and have a family, ethnic, or cultural background from Serbia, this category may represent the most suitable and direct path to citizenship of the Republic of Serbia.
For the diaspora and their descendants, this ground often represents the most concrete answer to how to obtain Serbian citizenship without being conditioned on residence or on breaking existing citizenship ties.
Reacquiring Serbian Citizenship
If you are researching how to get a Serbian passport and previously held citizenship of the Republic of Serbia, the Law provides a simplified path to reacquiring Serbian citizenship.
Specifically, a person who was released from Serbian citizenship, most often in order to acquire the citizenship of another country, may apply for admission to citizenship of the Republic of Serbia without having to meet the strict requirements otherwise imposed in the admission procedure (such as several years of residence in Serbia).
This option is particularly significant for those who, due to legal obstacles in foreign countries, had to renounce their Serbian citizenship at some point. Regardless of your current country of residence, you have the right to formally restore your legal relationship with Serbia.
To file an application, you need to be of legal age, have full legal capacity, and submit a written statement declaring that you consider the Republic of Serbia to be your country. You must also provide evidence of your previous citizenship (e.g., an old passport, an extract from the register of citizens, or a release decision). This procedure is one of the fastest and most accessible ways to reacquire Serbian citizenship, and consequently the right to a Serbian passport.
For former Serbian citizens, this may well be the most direct answer to how to obtain Serbian citizenship again, without the usual requirements of long-term residence and naturalization.
Admission to Citizenship Based on the Interest of the Republic of Serbia
For certain individuals who do not meet the standard statutory requirements for naturalization, but who possess exceptional qualities or make contributions of importance to Serbia, there is a special mechanism for acquiring citizenship - admission on the basis of the state's interest.
Article 19 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Serbia gives the Government of the Republic of Serbia discretionary power to admit to citizenship foreign nationals whose admission, and the fact that a given person is a citizen of the Republic of Serbia, would be considered to be in the interest of the state.
This option has been recognized and used for prominent athletes, artists, scientists, innovative entrepreneurs, and other professionals whose work contributes to the development of the Republic of Serbia on the international stage. Examples include Olympic athletes, scientists with a significant contribution in their field, or business leaders whose companies strengthen Serbia's economic position.
The admission procedure on this ground is initiated by a proposal that most often comes from domestic institutions, such as ministries, sports federations, and universities. The proposal highlights the candidate's importance to the interests of the state.
Although this is an extremely selective and rarely used procedure, this legal option represents a powerful mechanism for people looking into how to get a Serbian passport while also wishing to contribute to Serbia's development through their knowledge, talent, or professional engagement.
For this specific category, how to obtain Serbian citizenship often depends on domestic institutions recognizing your contribution as strategically important to the Republic of Serbia.
The Process of Obtaining a Serbian Passport
In brief: A passport is issued only after citizenship of the Republic of Serbia has been acquired. Once the admission decision has been issued, entry must be made in the civil registry books and the register of citizens, and only then is the right to have a passport issued acquired.
If you are wondering how to get a Serbian passport, it is essential to understand that the passport is issued only after you have successfully acquired citizenship of the Republic of Serbia. Acquiring citizenship is therefore the first and most important step in this process. The procedure for deciding on admission to citizenship is carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, or by Serbia's diplomatic-consular missions abroad, depending on the applicant's place of residence.
Each legal ground for acquiring citizenship (whether based on origin, naturalization, marriage, or special interest) has its own requirements and specific procedural rules. Although the documentation differs depending on the ground chosen, all applications are subject to administrative procedure and assessment by the competent authorities, with one important caveat – admission is decided by the competent authority at its discretion.
After the application is filed, the decision-making period can vary considerably. In simpler cases, a decision may be issued within a few months, while more complex proceedings may take years. The duration of the procedure is affected by the legal ground, the specific circumstances of the applicant and the case itself, as well as the workload of the competent authority.
Once the decision approving admission to citizenship has been issued, entry must be made in the civil registry book and the register of citizens of the Republic of Serbia. Only then is the right to have a Serbian passport issued acquired. The passport itself can then be obtained in Serbia or at diplomatic-consular missions of the Republic of Serbia abroad.
So, the practical answer to how to obtain Serbian citizenship is: first successfully complete the citizenship-acquisition procedure, and only then apply for the issuance of a Serbian passport.
When the Document Becomes Part of Your Identity
In brief: Applicants most often face administrative uncertainty, errors in documentation, and issues related to dual citizenship. A good strategy and expert legal support are key to avoiding unnecessary delays and application rejections.
Learning how to get a Serbian passport is not just about understanding the law, but also about taking the right steps through a process that often involves complex administrative procedures and documentation. Although Serbia offers several routes to acquiring citizenship, each of them carries its own specific requirements and procedure that must be carefully followed.
In practice, applicants often face the following challenges:
Administrative uncertainty: Decision-making times vary, especially when documentation issued by foreign authorities is submitted, or when the facts of the case are complex.
Errors in documentation: Delays are common due to incomplete, improperly translated, or improperly legalized documentation.
Issues related to dual citizenship: Although Serbia allows dual citizenship, it is not uncommon for the applicant's home country to not allow the same arrangement. For this reason, the legal consequences need to be carefully considered.
This is precisely why it is important to go through the entire process with a sound strategy. For those with Serbian roots, long-term residence in Serbia, or personal and business interests in the country, obtaining a Serbian passport is a realistic and achievable goal.
Regardless of whether you are still at the planning stage or already filing your application, it is good to have a clear picture of how to obtain Serbian citizenship, what evidence needs to be gathered, and what the entire administrative procedure looks like from start to finish.
Still, making right decisions at every stage of the procedure is key to avoiding unnecessary delays. In this regard, support from experienced professionals can be of decisive importance, ensuring that your application is properly drafted and in line with the Law. With the right advice and support, the path to acquiring Serbian citizenship can be much clearer and easier.
Ultimately, the answer to how to obtain Serbian citizenship comes down to a combination of good planning, knowledge of the legal grounds, and quality legal support - and with that, a Serbian passport becomes not just a document, but an important part of your personal and professional identity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Serbian Citizenship and the Serbian Passport
Does a child born abroad automatically acquire Serbian citizenship if one parent is Serbian?
Not automatically. If the child is born abroad and one parent is a Serbian citizen while the other is a foreign national, the parent who is a Serbian citizen must register the child with the competent diplomatic-consular mission before the child turns 18. An adult whose parent was a Serbian citizen at the time of their birth may only apply for entry in the register of citizens, provided they do so before turning 23.
Does a foreign national who acquires citizenship based on marriage to a Serbian citizen have to release from their previous citizenship?
No. One of the main advantages of acquiring citizenship based on marriage is that the foreign spouse may keep their existing citizenship. There is no obligation to be released from a previous citizenship, provided that the marriage has lasted at least three years and the applicant has been granted permanent residence in the Republic of Serbia.
Do emigrants and their descendants need to reside in Serbia to acquire citizenship?
No. Emigrants and their descendants, as well as members of the Serbian people, can acquire Serbian citizenship without any obligation to reside in Serbia and without giving up their existing citizenship. It is enough that they are of legal age, have full legal capacity, and submit a written statement declaring that they consider the Republic of Serbia to be their country.
Is obtaining Serbian citizenship guaranteed once all formal requirements have been met?
No. The competent authorities of the Republic of Serbia have discretionary power when deciding on admission to citizenship, particularly where there is concern that the applicant might pose a risk to national security. The Ministry of Internal Affairs decides on each case individually, so meeting the statutory requirements is a necessary, but not a sufficient, precondition for a positive decision.
How long does it take to obtain a Serbian passport after acquiring citizenship?
The duration depends on the legal ground chosen and the specific circumstances of the case. In simpler cases, a decision on admission to citizenship may be issued within a few months, while more complex proceedings can take years. A Serbian passport can only be requested once the admission decision has been issued and the person has been entered in the domestic records.
Reviewed by: Milica Pravilović, Senior Associate · View profile
Updated by: Marija Medić Racić, Senior Associate · View profile
Related people
