The Cost of Moving to Serbia: Real Numbers and Budget

Key Expense Items: What to Budget For?

Moving to Serbia, like to any other country, involves a number of mandatory expenses that must be considered when creating a budget. Understanding the cost structure allows you to allocate funds wisely and avoid financial difficulties at the initial stage. All expenses can be conditionally divided into three large groups: legalization, housing, and initial household needs.

Each of these categories has its own specifics and weight in the overall budget for relocating to Serbia. For example, expenses for document processing are a top priority, while housing costs can vary greatly depending on the decision to buy or rent property. It's important to remember that the figures provided are approximate and may change depending on the city, personal needs, and the current economic situation.

The main categories of expenses when moving include:

• Document processing: government fees, services of lawyers, translators, and notaries.
• Housing: purchase or rental, including related taxes, commissions, and deposits.
• Initial setup: utility connections, purchase of furniture, appliances, and groceries.
• Transportation costs: cost of tickets and shipping personal belongings.

Cost of Legalization: Documents and Residence Permit

One of the first and most important stages of moving is legalizing your stay in the country. Obtaining a residence permit (VNZh or 'boravak') involves a number of mandatory payments. The main costs are for government fees, and the services of translators and lawyers who help with preparing and submitting documents.

The cost of a residence permit in Serbia consists of several components. You need to prepare notarized translations of documents, pay for medical insurance, and a government fee for processing the application. Many people prefer to use legal consultants to minimize the risk of rejection and speed up the process, which also adds an expense item to the overall budget.

Below is a table with approximate costs for obtaining a residence permit for one person. Prices may vary depending on the region and the specific specialist.

Thus, the total cost of a residence permit in Serbia for one person is usually between 700 and 1,500 euros, depending on the chosen basis and the need for additional legal services.

Buying Real Estate: From Selection to Closing

Purchasing your own home is a significant step that requires serious financial investment. The cost of real estate in Serbia depends heavily on the city and district. The most expensive apartments are in the capital, Belgrade, while in Novi Sad, Niš, or Subotica, prices can be significantly lower.

In addition to the main cost of the property, the buyer needs to budget for additional expenses. These include the property transfer tax, notary services (as all real estate transactions in Serbia are certified by a notary), and a possible real estate agency commission. These associated costs can amount to 5-7% of the property price.

The average cost per square meter in new buildings and on the resale market can differ significantly. Here are some approximate price guidelines for housing in different Serbian cities.

Thus, to buy a 50 sq. m apartment in Belgrade, a budget of at least 100,000 euros is required, not including additional expenses.

Renting Housing: The First Step to Adaptation

For many immigrants, renting a home is the optimal solution for the initial period. It allows you to get to know the city better, choose a suitable neighborhood, and not tie up a large sum of money in real estate. The rental market in Serbia is quite active, especially in large cities.

When signing a rental agreement, it is standard practice to pay a security deposit, which is usually equal to one month's rent. The deposit is returned to the tenant at the end of the contract term, provided no damage has been done to the property. If an agency was used to find the housing, its services will also need to be paid for — typically, the commission is 50% of one month's rent.

Thus, when renting an apartment, you need to have a sum that covers several initial payments:

• Payment for the first month's rent.
• Security deposit (equal to one month's rent).
• Real estate agency commission (if applicable).

For example, if you rent an apartment for 500 euros per month, the initial costs will be around 1,250 euros (500 + 500 + 250).

Initial Household Living Expenses

After settling the housing issue, the setup stage begins. These initial living expenses in Serbia include everything necessary for a comfortable start. Even if the apartment is rented furnished, there is often a need to buy small appliances, dishes, bedding, and other household items.

Mandatory monthly expenses include utility payments ('infostan'), electricity, internet, and mobile communication. The cost of these services is relatively low by European standards, but they should be included in the monthly budget. You should also account for the costs of the first trip for groceries, household chemicals, and hygiene products.

An approximate list and cost of initial household expenses might look like this:

In total, you should budget between 300 and 700 euros for the initial setup and household needs in the first month, not including rent.