Frequently Asked Questions
Question: I have received an invitation to visit a friend in Belgrade, but I am not sure if I need a visa for entering Serbia?
Answer: Please see the following link to find the information on visa regime of the Republic of Serbia with the country whose citizenship you hold https://www.mfa.gov.rs/en/citizens/travel-serbia/visa-regime.
Question: How long does it take for a visa to be approved?
Answer: In most cases, a visa procedure takes 15 days from the date of application. In exceptional cases and for justified reasons, the procedure may take up to 30 days.
Question: I am a citizen of China, but I currently reside in Prague. I have a valid Schengen visa. As a Chinese citizen, who holds a valid Schengen visa, am I allowed to stay in Serbia 30 or 90 days?
Answer: As a Chinese citizen, you may stay in Serbia up to 30 days. On the other hand, since you have a valid Schengen visa, you are allowed to stay up to 90 days, depending on the validity period of a Schengen visa.
Question: I am a citizen of Egypt, with a residence in Germany. Do I need visa to enter Serbia?
Answer: No, you do not need visa. Holders of foreign passports who have a valid visa or residence permit in the countries of the Schengen area, EU or USA, or a valid visa of UK, may, without prior visa application, enter, transit or stay in the Republic of Serbia up to 90 days during a 180 days period, but not exceeding the expiring date of the said visas or residence permits.
Question: As a citizen of India, I have signed a contract of employment in Serbia. Am I allowed to stay in Serbia on basis of a valid Schengen visa, since I also have one?
Answer: Even though you have a valid Schengen visa, you may not use it to enter Serbia in order to register your stay on basis of employment. To do that, you need to apply for “D type” visa at the nearest diplomatic-consular mission of the Republic of Serbia.
Question: What documents do I need if I want to travel to Serbia with a pet?
Answer: You may enter in Serbia with a pet. Please see the following link to find the information regarding requirements.
Question: Are there any customs’ restrictions when it comes to import of certain items and money in Serbia?
Answer: The answer to your question, as well as other helpful information on customs’ formalities can be found here.
Question: I work and live in USA, where I was also born, as well was my parents. My grandfather, however, was born in Serbia and was a citizen of Yugoslavia. I am interested in whether I could apply for a Serbian citizenship and passport?
Answer: If your ancestor was born on territory of the Republic of Serbia and you have a documented proof of that, you can apply for a Serbian citizenship at the nearest diplomatic-consular mission of the Republic of Serbia. The staff will inform you on necessary documentation you need to present when applying. Once you acquire citizenship, you will be able to apply for a Serbian passport.
Question: Does a foreign public document need to be legalized for use in Serbia?
Answer: Foreign public documents shall be legalized for use in Serbia only if so required by the law. The procedure for legalization varies from country to country. The legalization of foreign public documents, for use in Serbia, is carried by the issuing state body and a diplomatic-consular mission of the Republic of Serbia, accredited in the respective country. Therefore, we advise you to contact a diplomatic-consular mission of the Republic of Serbia in country of your residence. The staff will provide you with a necessary information on legalization of a specific document that you want to use in Serbia.
Question: I am a citizen of Austria but I do not have a valid passport. Can I to travel to Serbia with my ID?
Answer: Yes, as long as your ID is valid. Citizens of the member states of the European Union, the Swiss Confederation, the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Iceland can also enter the Republic of Serbia with a valid ID card.
Question: I live abroad, how can I get a verification on registered Real Estate that I have bought/inherited in Serbia?
Answer: Citizens of the Republic of Serbia, as well as and foreign citizens who are in the procedure of registration of the real estate in Serbia, will receive their verifications from the competent offices of the Real Estate Public Register - Cadastre in electronic form via unique electronic mailbox. In addition to the stated manner of delivering these administrative acts, The Law on the procedure of registration in the real estate and power lines also provides the possibility of delivery through a postal operator and posting on a web presentation of the Real Estate Cadastre.
On the Portal eGovernment - https://euprava.gov.rs/, citizens may find information on how to create their account, in order to exercise their rights regarding the registration of the real estate in Serbia in а most effective way and free of charge. At the same time, they can access other available public services. This is particularly important since starting from 1st of May 2021, all decisions/verifications of the competent offices of the Real Estate Cadastre will not be delivered to the citizens living abroad in paper form via diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic of Serbia. It will be done exclusively in electronic form and by registered mail through the postal operator.
According to the stated Law, delivery will be deemed complete on the day of receiving the decision/verification on one of the mentioned ways (via electronic mailbox or registered mail), or upon the expiration of 30 days from the day of announcing the decision on web presentation of the Real Estate Cadastre (https://rgz.gov.rs/). The decision is announced on the web presentation on the same day when it is sent to the electronic mailbox or handed over to the postal operator.
Question: As a foreign national, is it possible for me to own a Real Estate in Serbia?
Answer: Foreign natural and legal persons who perform activities in Serbia may, under conditions of reciprocity, acquire the right of ownership over real estate necessary for them to perform that activity, and a foreign natural person who does not perform activities in the Republic of Serbia may, under reciprocity, acquire rights of ownership of an apartment and a residential building. For information regarding reciprocity you may contact the Ministry of Justice – https://www.mpravde.gov.rs/en/kontakt.php