Articles on: Europe

Serbia — Temporary Residence for Remote Workers: Everything you need to live and work remotely

Knowledge Base – QUESTRAVEL

By Víctor Pizarro, Co-founder of QUESTRAVEL

Why Serbia?

In the heart of the Balkans, Serbia is increasingly popular with digital nomads thanks to its low cost of living, solid connectivity, and a cosmopolitan vibe in Belgrade and Novi Sad.

While Serbia does not yet have a formal “Digital Nomad Visa,” it offers a very practical alternative: temporary residence for remote workers. This status allows foreign nationals to reside in Serbia while working online for clients or employers outside the country.

What is Serbia’s remote-work residence?

It’s a temporary residence permit granted to remote professionals who can prove stable, foreign-sourced income. Serbia views this pathway as a way to attract indirect foreign investment and support its growing tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Who regulates and processes it

  • Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia (Министарство унутрашњих послова / MUP)

Processing is coordinated with local migration offices.

Covered under the Law on Foreigners (2018) with amendments in 2020 and 2021, which provides for temporary residence on the basis of remote work.

Duration & renewals

  • Initial validity: up to 1 year
  • Renewal: annually, up to 3 consecutive years
  • Next step: eligibility to apply for permanent residence after this period

Core eligibility requirements

  • Non-EU / non-Schengen citizen
  • Remote employment with a foreign company or self-employment with international clients
  • Minimum monthly income: approx. €1,500 (showing more strengthens the case)
  • Health insurance valid in Serbia
  • Valid passport for the entire stay
  • Registered Serbian address (rental agreement or official lodging)
  • Clean criminal record

Step-by-step application

  1. Prepare documentation: remote employment contract/invoices, proof of income, health insurance, criminal record certificate, passport.
  2. Complete the temporary residence form.

👉 Ministry of Interior – Applications: https://www.mup.gov.rs/wps/portal/en

  1. Submit at the local migration office.
  2. Pay the administrative fee (about €100).
  3. Processing time: roughly 30–60 days.
  4. Collect your temporary residence permit upon approval.

Key advantages

  • Very affordable compared with the EU
  • Vibrant emerging tech scene in Eastern Europe
  • Strategic location for easy travel across Europe and into Asia
  • Renewable path with the option to seek permanent residence after 3 years

Official references

The QUESTRAVEL experience

At QUESTRAVEL, the main hurdles in Serbia are usually sworn translations into Serbian and proper legalization (apostilles) of contracts and certificates—not the income threshold itself. Small administrative mismatches can delay approvals, so we build a clean, fully compliant file from the start.

💡 If Serbia is your next base, book a consult at fromquestravel.com and let’s build your step-by-step application plan.



Updated on: 03/11/2025