Serbia is a rapidly developing country that is about to become an EU member, and it is a popular destination for relocation now. It is not that hard to acquire a Serbian residence permit, and you will be able to apply for citizenship in some time. Serbia is a great country for living, investing, starting your business, enjoying stunning nature, taking advantage of low taxes, and much more. Of course, there are some disadvantages you should know about, and we will discuss them in this short post as well for you to see whether they are critical. If not, welcome to Serbia!
We would like to invite you to our portal where you will find a lot of information about Serbia. It would be natural to find out what the expat life is like, for example, if you think of registering a business in Serbia. You will find much more on Serbian personal and corporate banking (which is excellent, by the way), local real estate, the best business to start, and much more. You can also book a free session with our expert to discuss your situation and make sure that Serbia matches your needs and requirements. If you need any help with relocation, starting a business, or opening an account, we can help at a reasonable fee.
Advantages
Serbia is a European country (even though it is not an EU member yet), and if you like the European lifestyle, it is just what you need! This is also a country of delicious local cuisine, breathtaking natural landscapes, and hospitable locals who are friendly to foreigners. The good news is that all these features come at a low fee as Serbia is one of the least expensive countries to live in Europe!
The citizens of most countries do not need to apply for a visa to enter Serbia, except for Africans and people who live in the Middle East. Here are the allowed terms of stay without a visa:
- Europeans, North Americans, Australians, New Zealanders, and citizens of many South American countries are allowed to live in Serbia for 90 days within a 180-day term.
- There are several countries, including China and Russia, whose residents can stay for no more than 30 days.
- Finally, if you are a citizen of Hong Kong, you can stay for no more than 14 days.
Here are the benefits you can take advantage of in Serbia:
- The level of personal security is sufficiently high.
- The locals are very amicable, and no nationals of other countries have ever been treated with hostility.
- If you are a Serbian resident, you will enjoy low taxes.
- The Serbians are very hospitable if they invite you to their homes.
- Freelancers who work remotely will definitely feel well here.
- There are very few administrative barriers to obtaining a residence permit (which will later lead to permanent residence and citizenship).
- The cost of living is not high at all, especially if you are used to European prices.
- The business sector is being actively developed in Serbia, and there are many opportunities for setting up companies or buying ready-made ones.
- The Serbian passport is strong enough: you will have visa-free access to 134 countries (35 of these will require an e-visa or visa-upon-arrival, which is still very convenient).
Sounds interesting? Please click on the above link to contact our expert if you have something to discuss at this stage. Meanwhile, let’s turn to the downside.
Disadvantages
There are some aspects of life in any country that you will have to put up with rather than enjoy, and Serbia is no exception. However, all you need to do is to be prepared in advance. Here they are:
- You will find a lot of bureaucratic procedures in any sphere of Serbian life that may be sometimes frustrating. You may come across administrative hurdles when you open an account, register a company, or simply interact with local authorities. Want to avoid all this? Simply rely on a competent local lawyer who will do that for you. If you need to, we can help.
- It will not be that easy to find a local well-paid job if you are an expat as the unemployment rate is quite high. On the other hand, any specialist with technical expertise will easily find a job, especially in a large city. If you are a carpenter or an electrician with sufficient qualifications, you will be in demand in the local labor market.
- The pace of life may sometimes seem extremely slow, and nobody is even trying to be punctual. You will never find a Serb who is in a hurry, and being late is normal – even for an important meeting! It may be frustrating for entrepreneurs who are used to up-to-the-minute time management.
- In the wintertime, there is a lot of smoke coming out of chimneys in numerous places as furnace heating is widely spread in Serbia. However, the authorities are aware of the problem and intend to solve it at some point of time in the future.
Found something critical? You can discuss it with us. We will propose other immigration programs that may suit your needs better than this one. And if these disadvantages do not seem very serious, you may start packing your bags!
Why Opt for Serbia, Anyway?
And still – why do people relocate to Serbia with such willingness? Well, it is a safe, quiet, and comfortable country. In Belgrade, you will find any amenities you are used to in other European capitals. And if you like rural areas, they are very beautiful in Serbia.
If your primary goal is to ensure reliable protection for a large amount of assets, Serbia may not be the best choice. However, if a quiet life in a highly-civilized country is exactly what you need, you can start thinking of relocation.
We can help you communicate with local authorities on-site if you need to as we have a local office in Belgrade and our representative will accompany you, for example, to the bank where you will open an account. Get in touch with us if you need support in buying real estate, obtaining a residence permit, or starting a business. If you are still not sure, talk to us to make a decision – we are just one click away!
