Serbia start-up residence for founders

The ground is meant for foreigners who have founded a business entity in Serbia whose activity is recognised as innovative. The recognition comes from a registered science and technology park, which issues a certificate to that effect. This certificate is the document that makes the company eligible for residence on this ground.

Start-up is listed among the temporary residence grounds that can be filed electronically or in person, separately from the employment grounds that lead to a single permit. If you will instead work as an employee or as an ordinary company owner, the self-employment single permit applies.

The request for approval or extension of temporary residence on the start-up ground is accompanied by: a valid passport, or an identity card of a country whose citizens may enter Serbia with one, valid at least three months longer than the period requested; a photograph; the registration statement of the business entity; the certificate of a registered science and technology park confirming that the activity of the entity founded by the foreigner in Serbia is recognised as innovative; and the landlord’s statement agreeing to register your address.

Visa-exempt founders apply in Serbia, either online on the Welcome to Serbia portal with an eID account or in person at the police foreigners’ office of their registered address, booking an appointment by email. Founders from visa-required countries first need a D visa. When filing you pay the request fee of RSD 430 and the approval fee of RSD 23,450; online requests are forwarded only after payment. The biometric card and form fees follow once you are informed of the outcome.

If the request is approved, you give biometric data at the police at the booked time and receive a certificate with your foreigner registration number, which you or your company need to exercise rights and obligations in Serbia, and then the biometric card.

Temporary residence lasts up to three years per decision. You request an extension no earlier than three months before and no later than the day the permit expires, with updated documents; a timely request lets you stay until the decision. You must reside in line with the start-up ground; if it ceases, for example because the company closes, you must contact the police foreigners’ office and change to another ground where possible. Three continuous years of temporary residence open the way to permanent residence.

Temporary residence is refused if the passport is valid less than three months beyond the period requested, general conditions are not met, an entry ban or expulsion applies, security requires it, documents are falsified, or there is justified suspicion that the stay will not be used for its purpose. Under the Law on Foreigners you may appeal within 15 days of receiving the decision; the appeal suspends enforcement.