Guide
Opening a company in Serbia for foreigners
Foreign nationals and companies can set up a business in Serbia on the same terms as locals, and we run the whole process from choosing the form to registration and banking, remotely if needed.
If you are moving your business to Serbia or starting fresh here, the good news is that the rules treat you exactly like a local founder. There is no special "company for foreigners" and no extra permission to ask for. The real decision is which setup fits your plan: a new Serbian company (usually a d.o.o.) that stands on its own, a branch that operates in your parent company's name, or a representative office that can only do research and groundwork and cannot trade. Below we explain in plain terms what each one means, what you need to prepare, and how we handle the paperwork, including the parts that can be done without you ever leaving your country.
What you should know
- You can own 100% of the company and be its only director. Serbia sets no nationality limits and no minimum investment beyond the symbolic 100-dinar capital.
- You do not have to come to Serbia. With a special power of attorney, notarized in your country and (where needed) apostilled, we register the company, obtain the tax ID and help open the bank account on your behalf.
- Pick the right vehicle. A d.o.o. is a separate company that protects your personal assets and can trade freely. A branch is not a separate entity, trades in your parent firm's name, and is taxed here as a resident. A representative office can only research and prepare the market, cannot trade, and cannot hold its own account.
- Expect about one to two weeks and roughly 68 euros in state fees. APR usually issues the registration decision within a few working days once the file is complete; notary, translation and bank-account steps add the rest. Since May 2023 the application is filed electronically only.
- You only need a residence or work permit if you plan to work in Serbia yourself, for example as an employed director; pure ownership needs neither. Forming a company can also be a basis for temporary residence, and for that route a starting capital of around 250 euros is usually recommended.
- Plan for tax on money leaving the country. Dividends, interest and royalties paid abroad carry a withholding tax (as a rule 20%), which a double-taxation treaty between Serbia and your country often reduces.
| Setup | Best for | Can it trade? | Liability |
|---|---|---|---|
| New company (d.o.o.) | Most foreigners doing real business in Serbia | Yes | Limited, your personal assets are protected |
| Branch of a foreign company | Extending an existing foreign firm into Serbia | Yes | The parent company is liable |
| Representative office | Market research and groundwork only | No | Cannot trade or hold its own account |
How we handle it
- 01 Advice and choosing your setup We start with a short talk about what you actually want to do in Serbia, then recommend the setup that fits: a new d.o.o., a branch or a representative office. We explain the differences in liability, taxation and the right to trade in plain language before you commit.
- 02 Preparing your documents We draft the founding documents and tell you exactly what to bring: usually just your passport, plus, for a corporate founder, a register extract and articles with an apostille and a certified Serbian translation.
- 03 Director, address and power of attorney We help you appoint a director and secure a registered address (seat) in Serbia. You sign a notarized power of attorney in your own country and we run the whole registration for you, no trip required.
- 04 Registration and tax ID We file the application electronically with APR (mandatory since 2023) and follow it to the registration decision, your company number and PIB, usually within a few working days.
- 05 Bank account and first obligations We help open your business bank account and set up your tax records from day one, including withholding tax on any payments abroad and, if you plan to work here, the residence and work-permit route.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner open a company in Serbia without living here?
Yes. Foreign individuals and companies form a business on the same terms as locals, and mere ownership needs no residence or stay in Serbia. You do not even have to come here: with a notarized power of attorney we complete the whole registration for you. Residence and a work permit are needed only if you also want to work here, for example as an employed director.
How much does it cost to open a company in Serbia?
The APR state fee to register a d.o.o. online is about 8,000 dinars (around 68 euros). On top of that come notary certification and, for foreign documents, a certified translation, so a typical setup runs to a few hundred euros depending on how much needs translating. The share capital itself can be as little as 100 dinars.
How long does it take?
Once your documents are complete, APR usually issues the registration decision within a few working days. Counting document preparation, translation and opening a bank account, plan for about one to two weeks in total.
What documents does a foreigner need?
For an individual founder a passport is enough, plus a chosen director and a registered seat (address) in Serbia. If the founder is a foreign company, you also need a register extract and constitutive documents with an apostille and a court interpreter's translation. Electronic registration with APR, obtaining a PIB, and opening a bank account follow.
Can I get a residence permit by opening a company?
Yes, forming a company is one of the common grounds for temporary residence in Serbia. For that route a starting capital of around 250 euros is usually recommended rather than the symbolic minimum, and the permit is tied to the company genuinely operating.
What tax applies when I send profit abroad?
Dividends, interest and royalties paid abroad are subject to withholding tax, as a rule 20%. The rate can be reduced by applying the double-taxation treaty between Serbia and your country.
Can I open a franchise in Serbia as a foreigner?
A franchise is not a separate legal form. In practice you set up a normal Serbian company (usually a d.o.o.) which, under a franchise agreement with the foreign brand owner, operates under their brand and standards for a fee.
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