Moving to Serbia: The Complete 2026 Guide (Living, Tax, Residency)

Settling in Serbia, one of the most notable choices in recent years for those seeking low taxes, vibrant city life, and proximity to the heart of Europe in the Balkans. The country, which grants Turkish citizens visa‑free entry (up to 90 days), offers a strong alternative for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and families both to start a business and to live. In this guide we examine the path to settlement, taxes, cities, cost of living, and the step‑by‑step process in detail.

Why Serbia? Core Advantages for Settlement

• Low tax: 15% fixed corporate tax and a paušal (flat‑rate) regime for freelancers.
• Visa‑free entry and cultural proximity: a social environment familiar to Turks, easy integration.
• EU candidate: an economy undergoing accession negotiations with forward‑looking value potential.
• Strong IT ecosystem: especially Belgrade, an efficient base for software and digital entrepreneurs.

The Most Common Way to Settle in Serbia: Company + Residence Permit

The most practical route is to establish a DOO (limited company) or a preduzetnik (sole‑proprietor) in Serbia and obtain a temporary residence permit (privremeni boravak) through that structure. Company registration typically takes a few business days, and only a nominal capital is required for a DOO. For freelancers, the preduzetnik + paušal combination minimizes both tax and accounting burdens. You can find all details of the process in our Serbia Company Formation and Residence guide.

Tax: 15% Corporate Tax and Paušal Regime

Serbia has one of the most competitive rates in Europe with a flat corporate tax of 15%. The real differentiator is the paušal regime: self‑employed freelancers under the preduzetnik status pay a low, fixed monthly amount determined by activity code and municipality instead of actual income. For developers, consultants and digital service providers this represents a significant cost and bureaucracy advantage. It applies up to a certain annual turnover limit; choosing the correct activity code from the start is critical. The standard VAT rate is 20%; it is not mandatory below a specific turnover threshold.

Where Should You Live? Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš

• Belgrad (Beograd): Capital, business and technology hub; vibrant nightlife, large foreign and Turkish community, advanced healthcare and education.
• Novi Sad: Second city; calm, university‑ and IT‑focused, family‑friendly.
• Niš: Southern centre; more cost‑effective, an emerging alternative.

Cost of Living, Healthcare and Schools

The cost of living in Serbia is markedly lower than in Western Europe; rent, groceries and services are close to Turkish levels. Private healthcare is affordable and high‑quality; international curriculum schools exist in Belgrade and Novi Sad. A valid health insurance is one of the basic requirements for a residence application. We also complete official steps such as address registration (prijava) together during the process.

Step‑by‑step Process

1. Define goal and structure (DOO or preduzetnik, paušal suitability)
2. Company registration (APR), tax number (PIB) and bank account
3. Tax/paušal registration and accounting setup
4. Health insurance, address registration and temporary residence application
5. Renewals and eventual transition to permanent residence

At every stage of settling in Serbia — from company formation to residency, tax to family planning — we are by your side with the expertise of Resida Global and Emre Gürhan. To get started, review our Serbia Company Formation and Residence page or contact us.