How to buy a house in Serbia and obtain residency?

Advantages of buying real estate in Serbia

If you decide to purchase property in Serbia, one of the main benefits will be obtaining a residence permit. This makes the country particularly attractive for those looking to settle in a new place. Serbia is known for its hospitality, and citizens of several countries, including Russia, do not need a visa to travel there.

Simple process for obtaining a residence permit

The process of obtaining a residence permit is usually quite straightforward. To get a residence permit based on property ownership, there are no strict requirements regarding the minimum purchase price; it is only important that the property is suitable for living.

Basic conditions for obtaining a residence permit

The presence of a property purchase document is an additional advantage, not a primary requirement for obtaining a residence permit. The main requirements for applicants are:

• Registration at the place of residence.
• Confirmation of sufficient funds for living in the country.

In practice, it's usually enough to have about...2000 euros per person per yearHowever, the specific figures may vary. It is important to remember that purchasing real estate is not mandatory; it is acceptable to provide documents for long-term rental of housing.

Procedure for submitting documents

When applying for a residence permit in Serbia, you will not need to gather documents from your home country, such as:

• Income statements.
• Certificates of no criminal record.

All the necessary documents can be gathered in Serbia in just one day. To do this, you need to provide:

• Property rights to housing.
• Medical insurance.
• Documents certified by a court translator (marriage certificates and birth certificates of children).
• Bank statement.
• Brief biographical information.

The cost of obtaining a residence permit is approximately150 euros for each family member.

Banking services for non-residents

Non-residents can open accounts in Serbian banks. After a year of residence, you will have the opportunity to change your account status to resident. Initially, the residence permit is issued for a period ofsix months to one year...a year. Please note that to extend it, you need to be in Serbia for more than...181 days in a year.

Transition to permanent residence

After five years of living in the country, you will be able to apply for indefinite permanent residency. By obtaining this status, you can apply for Serbian citizenship, but in this case, you will have to renounce your citizenship of your home country. Exceptions are made for situations where citizenship is obtained through marriage — in that case, you do not have to give up your previous passport.

Medical insurance

When you obtain your first residence permit, you will also be able to get state health insurance and access medical services on par with Serbian citizens. The cost of the policy for the unemployed is about15 euros a month for the whole family.

The level of medical care in the public system is generally adequate and often meets the standards accepted in Russia. My personal experience shows that the local clinic fully met my expectations, and the childbirth covered by insurance was of the same quality as in Moscow clinics, for which one would have to pay more in private institutions.1000 euros.

Property ownership rights

It should be emphasized that foreigners have the full right to own real estate and adjacent land plots in Serbia. Thus, living in this country opens up new horizons for comfortable existence and is a great choice for those looking for a new place to live away from home.

It is important to note that the purchase of land plots for agriculture, as well as plots without structures, is strictly prohibited. However, if the ownership of the land is acquired by a legal entity whose founder is a citizen of a foreign state, these prohibitions lose their effect. Based on our experience, we strongly recommend avoiding transactions through agencies that serve Russian-speaking clients. Often, such firms, taking advantage of the inexperience of our compatriots, inflate the prices of properties by 30-50% above the actual market value.

Are there reliable professionals among Russian realtors? Yes, such specialists do exist. However, unfortunately, we were unable to find an honest agent and encountered an unscrupulous person, which led us to search for suitable housing on our own.

Choosing a city to live in

The first step in our search was to determine the city where we intended to settle down. In the end, we chose a small resort town with European charm, located in a picturesque protected area on the banks of the Danube – Sremski Karlovci. This place has convenient transportation links, thanks to the nearby highway, train station, and just 60 km to the international airport.

Information about Sremski Karlovci

To clarify, Sremski Karlovci is a historic settlement with a population of approximately 10,000 people, located 8 km from Novi Sad and 80 km from Belgrade. The town is known for its cultural heritage and interesting educational institutions, as well as its traditions in winemaking and horticulture.

Real estate search strategy

Our search strategy involved going around the entire city and checking out real estate listings. In the end, we found several properties that caught our attention, noted down the contact details, and reached out to the owner of the hotel where we were staying. She happily agreed to help and called the property owners to arrange a meeting.

Communication with the property owner

When we finally saw the house, it completely satisfied us: a reasonable owner and a fair price. After that, we decided to consult a lawyer whose office was nearby. We explained our intentions regarding the purchase of the house and asked her to check all the necessary documents, as well as to prepare the sales contract.

Within a day, the lawyer visited the local authority, collected the required copies of documents, and confirmed that everything was in order.

Completion of the deal

Right after that, we headed to the court (at that time, the notary system in Serbia was not functioning) to notarize the preliminary agreement, for which we made a small advance payment. This document clearly stated that we were to complete the purchase within a month.

Housing prices in the tourist village

In our small tourist village, property prices range from 20,000 to 150,000 euros. There are also more expensive options, but selling them can be quite challenging. The lowest price, around 20,000 euros, implies purchasing a share in a house that requires significant renovation costs. If your budget is around 30,000 euros, you can buy a house of up to 100 square meters, which will be quite suitable for living. At the upper price range, you can find restored houses from the Austro-Hungarian period, with areas starting from 200 square meters.

Utility costs

It is worth noting that in Serbia, the cost of gas and gasoline significantly exceeds that in Russia, even though these resources come from Russia to the Serbian market. However, electricity here is considerably cheaper than in most Eastern European countries. Many residential buildings are heated with firewood, but the heating season is much shorter here — from March to October, daytime temperatures are noticeably summer-like.

Our heating expenses

We own a house with an area of 200 square meters, and our heating expenses (including gas and solid fuel for the boiler) amount to approximately 400-500 euros per year. As for electricity, we spend between 20 to 30 euros a month on it. For services like internet, mobile communication, and television, we pay about 35 euros monthly.

Personal experience of buying a home

We would also like to share our personal experience of buying property in Serbia. Many foreigners, especially from Russia, work remotely. In Russia, we were involved in publishing books and educational activities.

• We conducted corporate training sessions on strategy.
• Collaborated with the MBA school "Skolkovo";
• They published literature on the game of Go, as well as on strategy and historical topics;
• We organized two expeditions to Mongolia and China to study ancient strategic games.

Our YouTube channel and seminars

While in Serbia, we are creating content for our YouTube channel called "Master Go," which is dedicated to physical rehabilitation and wellness. We conduct wellness seminars and retreats for Russian-speaking participants from around the world, including the USA, Norway, Germany, Israel, and other countries.

Job search in Serbia

Since we have never worked for hire in Russia, the question of finding a job in Serbia does not apply to us. However, for those who want to get a job here, it is important to consider that the employer needs to confirm the uniqueness of the applicant and the absence of similar specialists among local citizens.

The job market for immigrants

Immigrants, including Russian speakers, mainly find job opportunities in the information technology sector, as many Western IT companies are present in Serbia. Many of those who moved from Russia also work from home. Some of them previously lived in Montenegro or Taiwan, but as their children grow, they choose to relocate to larger cities in Serbia, such as Belgrade or Novi Sad, because the local education level meets European standards.

Conclusion

As a result of my journey through the process of obtaining a residence permit in Serbia, I was impressed not only by the simplicity of the paperwork but also by how open this country is to foreigners. Living here, I have had the opportunity not only to enjoy the beauty of Serbian landscapes but also to experience the warm atmosphere that prevails among the locals. Visa-free entry for Russians, as well as the ease of obtaining the necessary documents, ideal living conditions, and the ability to quickly integrate into a new community — all these factors played a key role in my decision to settle in this country.

Choice of residence

I chose a small but very cozy place — Sremski Karlovci. This place wonderfully combines ancient architecture with modern comfort, and its proximity to major cities like Novi Sad and Belgrade makes it even more attractive for living. Here, I not only managed to buy a house, but also, thanks to the local culture, traditions, and the kindness of the people, I felt at home. Real estate in this region is available at quite reasonable prices, making it an ideal option for those looking to take a step towards a new life.

Choosing partners for the deal

Over time, I realized how important it is to have a good lawyer and to approach the choice of a real estateagency correctly. Personal experience taught me to be cautious when selecting partners for a deal, as the success of the entire venture largely depends on this. Unfortunately, I encountered unscrupulous agents along the way, but thanks to determination and proactivity, we were able to navigate all the pitfalls.

Result

Undoubtedly, the process of obtaining a residence permit through the purchase of real estate in Serbia has become not just a legal procedure for me, but also an important milestone in my life that has opened new horizons. It is a wonderful step for those seeking tranquility in a beautiful place, wishing to become part of a friendly community, and starting a new chapter in their lives. Serbia has become not just a new home for me — it is a place where I can build my own future, exploring new opportunities and enjoying every moment in this amazing country.