{"id":39754,"date":"2023-07-05T11:49:54","date_gmt":"2023-07-05T09:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/the-power-of-real-estate-in-securing-your-temporary-residence-in-serbia\/"},"modified":"2025-06-06T15:54:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T13:54:49","slug":"serbia-residence-permit-by-real-estate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/serbia-residence-permit-by-real-estate\/","title":{"rendered":"Serbia Residence Permit by Real Estate"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"39754\" class=\"elementor elementor-39754 elementor-33670\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8272351 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8272351\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24591a05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"24591a05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"av_textblock_section av-9uj8o6w-dc3f8ea32036abbfdd5767a8deaf450d\"><div class=\"avia_textblock\"><p>In recent years, Serbia\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/data.stat.gov.rs\/Home\/Result\/09020101?languageCode=en-US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stable economic growth<\/a> has made it an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investors. Alongside the growing number of international companies <a href=\"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/branch-office-serbia\/\">opening branches in Serbia<\/a>, more foreigners are choosing to purchase property and establish a long-term presence. For many, obtaining a Serbia residence permit by real estate has become a practical and appealing pathway to both residency and investment in the country.<\/p><p>Besides coming to enjoy life in Serbia, there is an additional reason why would one decide to become the owner of an apartment or house in Serbia. Namely, it is possible to obtain a Serbian residence by real estate. For those who do not wish to expand their business activities in Serbia but are instead coming for leisure or exploring this country, a real estate purchase is a great way to ensure a stable legal ground for obtaining a temporary residence permit which legally enables a longer stay in Serbia than the regular tourists.<\/p><p>So far, we&#8217;ve analyzed residence permits for foreigners from various angles \u2013 we&#8217;ve written about company formation (and obtaining<a href=\"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/serbia-residence-permit-by-company-formation\/\"> residence in Serbia by company formation<\/a>), which gives you the opportunity to obtain a unified permit (for residence and work). This time, we will focus on a very interesting topic. In this blog, we will discuss the key details and requirements for obtaining temporary residence in Serbia through real estate purchases. We believe that you will desire even more to come to Serbia if we tell you that based on the Residence Permit obtained through real estate purchase, you also gain the right to work.<\/p><p>Below, we will examine topics such as the possibility for a foreigner to buy real estate in Serbia, as well as the requirements and conditions for applying for temporary residence on that basis.<\/p><\/div><\/section><div class=\"hr av-9kmwqmw-b588dd3dbdd3e679da530afa975a43b7 hr-invisible avia-builder-el-12 el_after_av_textblock el_before_av_heading \">\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"av-special-heading av-8zfp69k-af54fb426c026d1e2d8b140474e76d6c av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote modern-centered avia-builder-el-13 el_after_av_hr el_before_av_textblock av-inherit-size av-linked-heading\"><h2>Can Foreigners Buy Real Estate in Serbia?<\/h2><\/div><section class=\"av_textblock_section av-8bn0jx4-d2a60ac9c64ed35b7e5b445ce2a09ac2\"><div class=\"avia_textblock\"><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Generally, yes, <a href=\"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/can-foreigners-buy-property-in-serbia\/\">Serbia allows foreigners to buy real estate<\/a>, but certain conditions must be fulfilled.<\/p><p>Firstly, foreigners can only purchase certain types of real estate:<\/p><ul><li>apartment<\/li><li>residential building<\/li><li>business premises and business building, if conducting business activities in Serbia.<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>On the other hand, foreigners cannot purchase agricultural land unless in certain specific situations, which require some additional preconditions to be fulfilled. If you are interested in <a href=\"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/can-foreigners-buy-property-in-serbia\/\">buying agricultural land in Serbia,<\/a> do not worry \u2013 we got you covered on that topic, as well.<\/p><p>Additionally, there are some limitations based on reciprocity agreements. The general rule is that foreigners are permitted to purchase property in Serbia if Serbian residents are permitted to do so in their home country. This principle ensures a level playing field for all investors, and it protects the interests of both Serbian citizens and foreign investors.<\/p><p>For instance, if a citizen of Germany can buy real estate in Serbia, then a Serbian citizen can buy real estate in Germany under the same conditions.<\/p><p>How can you know whether there is reciprocity? There are two ways:<\/p><ol><li>If Serbia and the concerned nation have reached a bilateral agreement that governs the matter of foreigners buying real estate, the legal reciprocity criterion is satisfied.<\/li><li>If there is no such agreement, it should be determined whether there is a factual reciprocity between the two states. What does that mean? Although the two countries have not concluded an explicit agreement on this topic, the competent authorities of the two countries can determine that there is factual reciprocity by analyzing the regulations of the foreign country and exchanging official notes between the two involved countries. In our country, information on whether there is reciprocity with a particular country can be obtained by consulting the domestic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mpravde.gov.rs\/tekst\/812\/uzajamnost-.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ministry of Justice<\/a>.<\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/section><div class=\"hr av-7xl6od4-bd1c840d7e855032ec90353d4b13fc50 hr-invisible avia-builder-el-15 el_after_av_textblock el_before_av_heading \">\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"av-special-heading av-7ss1tnc-541ff7c490b7d12dd1d6eef115c6b58b av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote modern-centered avia-builder-el-16 el_after_av_hr el_before_av_textblock av-inherit-size av-linked-heading\"><h2>\u00a0<\/h2><h2>No Reciprocity? How Foreigners Can Still Buy Property in Serbia<\/h2><\/div><section class=\"av_textblock_section av-7an1lco-6073d44c74463fe19446187cbc2688cb\"><div class=\"avia_textblock\"><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>In case there is no reciprocity (legal or factual), unfortunately, you as a natural person will not be able to purchase real estate and consequently obtain Serbian residency by owning real estate.<\/p><p>If your primary goal is to invest in the company in Serbia, there is, however, a way to \u201cindirectly\u201d buy real estate in Serbia by setting up a Serbian company and purchasing the property through that company. However, it is crucial to understand that in this case, it would not be possible for the company founder to obtain temporary residence on the ground of the ownership over real estate, since the founder would not be the direct owner of the property. In this case, you would own the share in the company and the company would own the real estate.<\/p><p>If after some time you decide to apply for temporary residence in Serbia, you, as a founder can do that anyhow since you own a share in the Serbian company. The difference is that your legal ground will not be the ownership over real estate, but <a href=\"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/temporary-residence-permit-serbia-company-formation\/\">temporary residence in Serbia by company formation<\/a>, which we previously wrote about.<\/p><p>In case you decide to go down this road, it is important to note that setting up a Serbian company requires some legal expertise and knowledge of the local business environment. Therefore, it is essential to work with a <a href=\"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/serbia-company-formation\/\">qualified legal representative<\/a> who can help with the registration process and ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.<\/p><\/div><\/section><div class=\"hr av-6ihatmg-03bc10d5a545aa6bff9cc2dd341d511c hr-invisible avia-builder-el-18 el_after_av_textblock el_before_av_heading \">\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"av-special-heading av-6b7vdw8-8422cfeafc59b3a76a994d250f1f5a7d av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote modern-centered avia-builder-el-19 el_after_av_hr el_before_av_textblock av-inherit-size av-linked-heading\"><h2>\u00a0<\/h2><h2>Serbia Residence Permit by Real Estate: Step-by-Step Guide<\/h2><\/div><section class=\"av_textblock_section av-5xlvn14-272bda5af83f89c4da98f90284662bc6\"><div class=\"avia_textblock\"><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Let\u2019s go back to assuming that you do fulfill the conditions for purchasing property in Serbia. Ascertaining that you are eligible for purchasing real estate in Serbia is a first move towards buying real estate in Serbia and getting a Serbian residence by real estate. However, there are a few more steps to complete before you are granted a temporary residence permit on these legal grounds.<\/p><p>The next step required for this procedure logically would be the purchase of the real estate. As we mentioned in our previous blogs, the <a href=\"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/foreigner-buying-property-in-serbia\/\">purchase of immovable property<\/a> in Serbia implied that you must notarize the contract of sale before a public notary. However, after signing the sale and purchase agreement for real estate, you are not yet the official owner of the property. You will be registered as the owner only after the change of ownership is processed in the Real Estate Cadastre, which is the competent authority for this procedure. The Real Estate Cadastre issues a decision regarding the change, and fortunately, you do not need to wait for this to happen. When applying for temporary residence on this basis, you only need to submit the notarized contract of sale to the relevant authorities, not the decision confirming the change of ownership in the Real Estate Cadastre.<\/p><blockquote><p><em>In practice, this means that usually, signing and notarizing the purchase agreement for real estate is sufficient to apply for temporary residence, even though you will not be officially registered as the owner until the Real Estate Cadastre issues a decision.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><p>In practice, this means that usually, signing and notarizing the purchase agreement for real estate is sufficient to apply for temporary residence, even though you will not be officially registered as the owner until the Real Estate Cadastre issues a decision.<\/p><p>After notarizing the real estate purchase agreement and completing the payment of the purchase price, the next step is to address the immigration status. You need to submit an application for temporary residence along with the necessary documentation electronically. The competent authority in this case is the Ministry of Internal Affairs, based on the location of the real estate you purchased and where you plan to reside. After submitting the application, you will need to wait for 15 days to officially receive approval for temporary residence.Finally, have in mind that one of the legally prescribed requirements for the residence permit to be approved is that a foreigner lives in the purchased real estate. That said, the authorities would probably not look favorably on leasing the purchased property and living in another apartment in Serbia.<\/p><\/div><\/section><div class=\"hr av-5hqbiag-7d790a86f90787f108de29c2be8d477c hr-invisible avia-builder-el-21 el_after_av_textblock el_before_av_heading \">\u00a0<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"av-special-heading av-51wue60-832072bcd740a9721939433927640a19 av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote modern-centered avia-builder-el-22 el_after_av_hr el_before_av_textblock av-inherit-size av-linked-heading\"><h2>Serbia Residence Permit by Real Estate: Things to Keep in Mind<\/h2><\/div><section class=\"av_textblock_section av-47jz454-7c67818367bafdbf6923ba6539b07a58\"><div class=\"avia_textblock\"><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Once you obtain your first temporary residence by real estate, can remain calm for a certain time and peacefully live at your home in Serbia. However, there are a few additional requirements that need to be fulfilled for you to ensure you will be able to apply for permanent residency when the initially approved temporary residence period expires.<\/p><p>One of the main requirements concerns the minimum number of days that a foreigner must stay in Serbia when they obtain a temporary residence permit. Having in mind that usually the temporary residence is approved for three years, this means that foreign investors can be absent from the country multiple times for up to 10 months or once for up to 6 months during the duration of their temporary residence, i.e., over three years. In the case of longer absence than stipulated, you will not be able to apply for permanent residency.<\/p><p>A question often raised regarding this topic is whether there is an official minimum value of real estate purchased in Serbia for obtaining a Serbian residence by real estate. In other words, how much money must be spent for real estate for it to be considered a \u201cstrong enough\u201d legal ground for a foreigner to get residence in Serbia?<\/p><p>Unfortunately, there is no certain response to this question given that there is no regulation or official opinion clarifying this matter. With that in mind, it is usually advised to purchase real estate whose value would be recognized as reasonable for decent living by an average person. The price of the property will depend on its location, size, and condition.<\/p><\/div><\/section><div class=\"hr av-42pj3w8-53ecedbb78860bdb04051de250ca32c3 hr-invisible avia-builder-el-24 el_after_av_textblock el_before_av_heading \">\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"av-special-heading av-c0brzs-52e2484f6df00b33afdb914b3e4640e1 av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote modern-centered avia-builder-el-25 el_after_av_hr el_before_av_textblock av-inherit-size av-linked-heading\"><h2>Is It Possible to Buy Real Estate Before Arrival in Serbia?<\/h2><\/div><section class=\"av_textblock_section av-2ygxbx4-f0c8d436aa455c3e17c8753c59f2d273\"><div class=\"avia_textblock\"><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Yes, it is possible to purchase real estate in Serbia without personal presence. In fact, this is a common practice among foreigners who want to obtain temporary residence through real estate purchase in Serbia. The process of buying real estate before arriving in Serbia involves cooperation with a lawyer<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/real-estate\/\">experienced legal representative<\/a> specialized in real estate in Serbia who will be authorized by the buyer located abroad to represent them in the entire procedure of buying the property. This typically includes:<\/p><p>Signing the real estate sale and purchase agreement and conducting other activities before the notary public<\/p><p>Assisting in the transfer of the real estate purchase price, if necessary<\/p><p>Submitting the necessary documents to the tax authorities to comply with the tax obligations arising out of the purchase of the property.<\/p><p>To sum up, you can buy a property in Serbia without having to leave the country where you are currently located. After you become the homeowner, you can come to live in Serbia and apply for a temporary residence permit at any time.<\/p><p>Before commencing with the purchase procedure, it is necessary to conduct research on the local real estate market and identify the right property matching your needs. After finding suitable real estate, it is essential to perform legal due diligence on the property and check whether there are legal issues that could endanger the purchase. Because of this, wisely use recommended steps while selecting a home and carrying out your due diligence.<\/p><\/div><\/section><div class=\"hr av-2oon5a0-32d289a624f9da44f92713c7516f1e7c hr-invisible avia-builder-el-27 el_after_av_textblock el_before_av_heading \">\u00a0<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"av-special-heading av-78bnbs-ebaba36cacfa8f0df0f568db747d943d av-special-heading-h2 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote modern-centered avia-builder-el-28 el_after_av_hr el_before_av_textblock av-inherit-size av-linked-heading\"><h2>Why Get a Serbia Residence Permit by Real Estate?<\/h2><\/div><section class=\"av_textblock_section av-1ha7afs-d7b715f35ebc1db319acf26bd7c79e66\"><div class=\"avia_textblock\"><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Finally, what are the benefits of obtaining a <a href=\"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/serbia-residence-permit\/\">residence permit<\/a> in Serbia by purchasing real estate? There are numerous advantages to acquiring a temporary residence permit in Serbia, particularly through the acquisition of real estate:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Business opportunities<\/strong>: Serbia is an attractive destination for business, and foreigners who reside here can take advantage of the country\u2019s growing economy and business opportunities.<\/li><li><strong>Quality of life<\/strong>: It is often said that Serbia offers a high quality of life at a lower cost than many other European countries. Foreigners frequently decide to settle in Serbia so they can enjoy all that Serbia has to offer, including its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and friendly people.<\/li><li><strong>Education:<\/strong> Serbia has a strong educational system, with many excellent universities and schools. Foreigners who obtain a temporary residence permit can take advantage of these opportunities for themselves and their families.<\/li><li><strong>Real estate investment<\/strong>: Serbia\u2019s real estate market is booming, and buying property can be a profitable investment.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In recent years, Serbia\u2019s stable economic growth has made it an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investors. Alongside the growing number of international companies opening branches in Serbia, more foreigners are choosing to purchase property and establish a long-term presence. For many, obtaining a Serbia residence permit by real estate has become a practical and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":67598,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[103,129],"class_list":["post-39754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rights-of-foreigners","category-real-estate-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39754","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39754"}],"version-history":[{"count":59,"href":"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39754\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67612,"href":"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39754\/revisions\/67612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67598"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39754"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zuniclaw.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}