Immigration to Serbia for Ukrainians
This is the main status for foreigners who plan to stay in Serbia for more than 90 days.
The most common grounds are:
- work
- business activities
- study
- family reunification
- real estate ownership
- other valid grounds in accordance with the law
The first permit is usually issued for a period of up to 1 year and can be extended as long as the grounds for stay remain valid.
How Ukrainians can obtain a temporary residence permit in Serbia
1. Select the reason for your stay.
Before submitting your application, you must determine the reason why you plan to stay in Serbia for more than 90 days. This will determine the list of documents, the duration of the permit, and the possibility of its further extension.
2. Prepare a package of documents:
- foreign passport;
- confirmation of your registered address of stay;
- a document confirming the purpose of your stay (contract, certificate from the university, business documents, etc.);
- confirmation of sufficient funds (depending on the reason);
- medical insurance.
3. Submit an application:
- to the Ministarstvo unutrašnjih poslova department at your registered address;
- or online through the official portal for foreigners.
4. After approval, you must undergo a biometric procedure (fingerprints, photo, electronic signature) and obtain a temporary residence card.
- The processing time for an application is usually up to 30 days, but may be longer in case of additional checks.
❗️ The state fee for a temporary residence permit is approximately 23,120 RSD (approximately €200). Translations of documents and medical insurance are paid additionally.
Where can I find the official forms?
The official requirements and electronic application forms are available on the state portal for foreigners at this link.
The application is completed directly in the electronic system — a separate PDF form is usually not required.
📌 The basis for your stay must correspond to your actual place of residence. A fictitious address or formal basis may result in the refusal or cancellation of your permit.
❗ Medical insurance is mandatory for residence in Serbia — you can apply for a policy online through Visit Ukraine.
Permanent residence (stalni boravak) is the next step after several years of legal residence in Serbia. This status allows you to live in the country without renewing permits and enjoy most socio-economic rights.
Opportunities after obtaining permanent residence in Serbia
- Permanent right to reside in the country
- Free access to the labor market without a separate permit
- The ability to change employers without re-registering the basis for residence
- Stable migration status
- The right to apply for citizenship in the future
When can you apply?
The general rule is after 5 years of continuous legal residence on the basis of temporary residence.
📌 Only actual residence with a valid permit is counted towards this period. Long stays outside the country may interrupt the continuity of residence.
Basic requirements
- proven continuous residence in Serbia
- actual residence at the registered address
- no serious offenses
- fulfillment of tax and financial obligations
- legitimate grounds for residence throughout the entire period
💡 Advice from Visit Ukraine
To avoid mistakes and go through the procedure without stress, we recommend contacting specialists.
Visit Ukraine's immigration lawyers will help you:
- choose the right basis for residence;
- check or compile a package of documents;
- meet deadlines and requirements;
- maintain legal residence status.
The most common way to obtain citizenship is through naturalization, i.e., obtaining citizenship after prolonged legal residence in the country.
Basic conditions
As a rule, the applicant must:
- have permanent residence (stalni boravak);
- have lived in Serbia for at least 3 years after obtaining permanent residence;
- actually reside in the country;
- have no serious criminal record;
- prove integration (usually through knowledge of the language and actual residence).
📌 In most cases, the applicant also submits a written statement recognizing Serbia as their country.
Other grounds for acquiring citizenship
- origin (if one of the parents is a citizen of Serbia)
- marriage to a citizen of Serbia
- special services to the state (exceptional cases)
📌 The purchase of real estate alone is not a basis for obtaining citizenship or a residence permit.
💡 To ensure a safe move to a new country, we recommend consulting a specialist. Our qualified specialists with legal education will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.