What Can the Serbian Diaspora Do on the eGovernment Portal?

Updated: October 2026. | Next review: May 2027.

The digitalization of services provided by the administrative authorities of the Republic of Serbia is well underway. On the path to complete digitalization of this sector, a large number of tasks can now be completed electronically, and this opportunity is increasingly available to both Serbian citizens and foreigners.

After introducing the option for foreign citizens to apply online for a visa D (long-stay visa) for employment purposes, which facilitates their access to administrative authorities in the Republic of Serbia, the next step towards complete digitalization has been taken. The well-known digital platforms (eGovernment, eInspector, ePayment) are now available to Serbian citizens who are residing outside of Serbia as well. The aim of these platforms is to expedite and streamline numerous administrative procedures. What used to require visiting government offices and waiting in lines can now be done with just a few clicks.

Collaboration Protocol

TL;DR: Under Collaboration Protocols signed by Serbian ministries and the Office for Information Technologies and eGovernment, Serbian citizens abroad gained digital access to government services without the need for physical presence. ALL citizens with a valid biometric document can become eCitizens through the ConsentID application.

To enable Serbian citizens living abroad to access government services digitally, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications signed a Collaboration Protocol at the end of last year. At the same time, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office for Information Technologies and eGovernment signed the Collaboration Protocol “eGovernment Scheme,” which initiated implementation earlier this year.

The implementation of the Protocol represents a significant step forward in the digitalization and modernization of the administration in the Republic of Serbia. It ensures equal rights and opportunities for citizens living and working outside of Serbia, aligning them with those who reside within the country. The physical presence of citizens in the diaspora is no longer necessary for exercising their rights.

Starting from February 1st, all citizens of the Republic of Serbia who possess a valid biometric document (ID card or passport) can become “eCitizens” by using the ConsentID application.

How Can Diaspora Citizens Become eCitizens?

TL;DR: Citizens abroad obtain the parameters or QR code for activating ConsentID at the nearest Serbian diplomatic or consular mission. All it takes is installing the app, one visit to the mission, and then free access to all eGovernment services.

If Serbian citizen resides abroad, they can obtain the parameters or QR code for activating the ConsentID mobile application at the nearest diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Serbia. The list of diplomatic/consular missions can be found here.

To start using the ConsentID application, citizens living abroad need to take three simple steps:

• Install the ConsentID mobile application.
• Visit an embassy to obtain the parameters for activating the mobile application.
• Gain free access to all eGovernment services.

In other words, all that is needed is a mobile phone and a visit to a diplomatic-consular mission for citizens of the Republic of Serbia worldwide to be able to use government services online.

Services Available in Just a Few Clicks

TL;DR: Through eConsulate, eGovernment, ePayment and eInbox, the diaspora can obtain an electronic signature, schedule consular services and document issuance, pay property tax, and request certificates and vital records extracts. eCitizenship and eConsent are also available, as well as electronic applications for the unified residence and work permit.

Through their phones or tablets, eCitizens living abroad will be able to perform a wide range of administrative procedures that previously required them to visit Serbia. By accessing portals such as eConsulate, eGovernment, ePayment, and eInbox, the Serbian diaspora can now complete various actions. Some of the available possibilities include:

• Obtaining an electronic signature on the eID portal, allowing citizens to sign documents online. We have covered this topic in more detail in our blog on electronic signatures.
• Scheduling appointments for consular services at diplomatic missions.
• Accessing the Local Tax Administration portal to view tax obligations, receive tax assessment notices, pay property taxes, and submit tax declarations.
• Requesting certificates of tax certificates
• Scheduling appointments for passport and/or ID card issuance. While the appointment for ID card issuance can be scheduled online, please note that the application itself can only be submitted within the territory of the Republic of Serbia, based on the place of residence. On the other hand, applications for biometric passports can be submitted at diplomatic missions.
• Registering foreign residents in the Republic of Serbia is an electronic service that does not require the applicant’s presence in Serbia as well.
• Requesting extracts from the register of vital records, including birth, marriage, and death certificates.

In addition to these new services, eCitizens living in the diaspora also have access to eCitizenship and eConsent on the eGovernment portal. To use these services, users need to be logged in to the eGovernement portal using the ConsentID mobile application or a qualified electronic certificate. Once this requirement is met, citizens from the diaspora can easily utilize the new electronic services of the Republic of Serbia’s administration.

• eCitizenship allows citizens worldwide to request a certificate of citizenship in either paper or electronic form.
• eConsent includes seven new services, including services that enable parents to provide online statements or consents in procedures related to their minor children.

The full list of statements/consents that can be given electronically within eConsent includes:

• Statement/consent for admission to the citizenship of the Republic of Serbia for a minor child;
• Statement/consent for registering the residence of a minor child, a citizen of the Republic of Serbia;
• Statement/consent for issuing an ID card to a minor child, a citizen of the Republic of Serbia;
• Statement/consent for issuing a passport to a minor child, a citizen of the Republic of Serbia;
• Power of attorney for collecting the passport;
• Consent of the owner of real estate (apartment or house) for the registration of the residence of an adult person, a citizen of the Republic of Serbia, at the address of the property owned or co-owned;
• Revocation of statement/power of attorney/consent.

Foreigners also have the option of applying for the unified permit electronically, in just a few steps. In fact, electronic application is the only way to obtain it, which is yet another step towards the complete digitalization of our country.

First of all, applicants need to register on the unified Portal for Foreigners. The application is submitted by completing the application form available on the Portal. Once the application has been successfully submitted, all notifications and instructions for further steps are delivered to the applicant's eInbox.

Regardless of where they are, Serbian citizens can now use the services of state authorities electronically. This allows them to deal with state authorities more efficiently and easily, saving both time and money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can become an eCitizen from abroad?

All citizens of the Republic of Serbia who possess a valid biometric document (ID card or passport) can become eCitizens by using the ConsentID application, regardless of whether they reside in Serbia.

How do diaspora citizens activate the ConsentID application?

They need to install the ConsentID mobile application and visit the nearest diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Serbia to obtain the parameters or QR code for activation. After that, they gain free access to all eGovernment services.

Which services can the Serbian diaspora use through eGovernment?

Among other things, citizens can obtain an electronic signature on the eID portal, schedule consular services, pay property taxes through the Local Tax Administration portal, schedule appointments for passport or ID card issuance, and request birth, marriage and death certificates.

Can an ID card application be submitted from abroad?

No. The appointment for ID card issuance can be scheduled online, but the application itself can only be submitted within the territory of the Republic of Serbia, based on the place of residence. Applications for biometric passports, on the other hand, can be submitted at diplomatic missions.

What is eConsent?

eConsent is a service on the eGovernment portal that includes seven new services, including those that enable parents to provide online statements or consents in procedures related to their minor children, for example for issuing an ID card or passport. Users must log in to the eGovernment portal with ConsentID or a qualified electronic certificate.

How do you apply for the unified residence and work permit?

The unified permit has replaced the old system of two separate permits, and the only way to apply for it is electronically. A foreign applicant registers on the unique web portal for foreigners and fills out the online application form, and all notifications and instructions are delivered to the applicant’s mailbox in the Portal.