Running a business is recognized as the purpose of residence, on the basis of which you can regulate your stay in Serbia. When you start a business in the Republic of Serbia, depending on the business model, you become a member of a company or an entrepreneur, which will also define the basis of residence. This basis is more closely called self-employment, and it falls under employment as a purpose of residence. If you want to establish a company or entrepreneurial store in Serbia and stay in the country for a longer time, you need to have a long-term residence visa, visa D, or a single permit, i.e. a permit for temporary residence and work.

To find out more about whether you need a visa, which type of visa you need, or whether you need a temporary residence permit, visit My Guide to Entry, Visas and Residence. This guide will provide you with information on how you can regulate your stay and if you need to submit a request, you will learn which documentation you need to prepare.

Establishing a company, i.e. a legal entity, implies legal and financial responsibility. However, just establishing a company, although it represents a valid purpose of residence, does not guarantee that you will be granted a visa, i.e. a permit for temporary residence and work. Therefore, it is important that you have legal support and an authorized person who can regulate all administration and other legal obligations on your behalf in case your visa application is rejected.

If you have not started a business yet, and you want to know more about the process of registering a company, the Business Registers Agency is the place to register a company, and you can read more about the registration procedure here.