Serbia Permanent Residence 2025: How to Obtain Citizenship in 3 Years Through Real Estate

Introduction: Serbia as a New Center of Attraction

In recent years, Serbia has been rapidly becoming the main 'Plan B' for many who are looking for a comfortable and safe country for life and business in Europe. This trend received a powerful boost from revolutionary amendments to the Law on Foreigners (Sl. glasnik RS, br. 62/2023), which came into force at the end of 2023.

These changes have made Serbia even more accessible and attractive. The new rules have significantly simplified and expedited the legalization process for those who have decided to link their future with this country. Owning real estate has now become not just a basis for a temporary residence permit, but a direct and fast track to permanent status and, ultimately, a Serbian passport.

Legal Breakdown: The Path to a Passport Shortened from 5 to 3 Years

The key innovation that caused a stir among expats is the reduction of the required residency period to obtain permanent residence (stalno nastanjenje) from five to three years. This was made possible by the updated Article 67 of the Law on Foreigners.

Previously, applying for permanent residence required continuously renewing a temporary residence permit for five years. Now, this period is only three years. The basis for the initial temporary residence permit, according to Article 40 of the same law, can be the ownership of any residential real estate in Serbia, with no minimum value requirement.

These two articles together create a unique opportunity. By purchasing real estate, a foreigner obtains a temporary residence permit, and after just three years of legal residence, the path to permanent residence and Serbian citizenship opens up. This is one of the fastest paths to naturalization in Europe today.

The Main Condition: What is 'Continuous Residence'

The central concept in the process of obtaining permanent residence is "continuous residence." The law interprets this quite leniently, which is a major advantage for those with a mobile lifestyle. For your residence to be considered continuous, you must comply with certain rules regarding absence from the country.

During the entire three-year period preceding the application for permanent residence, you can be absent from Serbia for a total of no more than 10 months. Additionally, there is a limit on the duration of a single trip: you cannot leave the country for more than 6 months at a time. Violating either of these rules can lead to the cancellation of your "residency period" and the need to restart the three-year count.

• Keep a precise record of all entries and exits from the country, saving passport stamps or electronic confirmations.
• Sum up all the days spent outside Serbia in the last 3 years before the planned application date.
• Ensure that the total sum does not exceed 300 days (approximately 10 months) and that no single period of absence lasted more than 180 days (6 months).

Instructions for Applying for Permanent Residence: From Portal to Biometrics

The application process for permanent residence in Serbia is fully digitalized and is carried out through the state portal eUprava. This makes the procedure transparent and convenient, eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy. The entire process can be broken down into a few simple steps.

1. Registration and application submission. You need to create an account on the eUprava portal and fill out the electronic application form for permanent residence.
2. Uploading documents. All necessary documents are scanned and attached to the online application.
3. Payment of the state fee. The fee is paid online or through a bank, and the receipt is also attached to the application.
4. Scheduling biometrics. After the documents are verified, the system will offer you to choose a convenient date and time to visit a branch of the migration service (MUP) to submit your biometric data.
5. In-person visit to the MUP. At the appointed time, you must go to the police station with the original documents for verification, to have your photo taken, and to provide your fingerprints.

• Extract from the Real Estate Cadastre (List nepokretnosti), confirming ownership.
• A valid international passport.
• Medical insurance for the entire period.
• Proof of sufficient funds for living (bank statement).
• "White card" (registration of address).

Benefits of Permanent Residence Status and the Prospect of Citizenship

Obtaining permanent resident status in Serbia grants a foreigner almost all the same rights as citizens of the country, with the exception of the right to vote. This significantly simplifies life and integration into Serbian society.

• Work without permits. You can freely be employed by any company without the need to obtain a separate work permit.
• Access to public healthcare. Permanent residence holders are entitled to state medical insurance on an equal footing with citizens.
• Social guarantees. Access to various social programs and benefits is opened.
• Simplified business operations. Ease of registering and conducting business activities.

Most importantly, permanent residence is a mandatory step on the path to obtaining citizenship. After 3 years on a temporary residence permit (and upon receiving permanent residence), you can apply for a Serbian passport. However, it is worth remembering that the standard naturalization procedure in Serbia requires renouncing your previous citizenship. The issue of retaining your first passport is resolved on an individual basis and depends on the existence of special grounds or interstate agreements.

Summary: A Realistic Timeline for Obtaining Documents in 2025

The new law has made the path to a Serbian passport through real estate not only fast but also predictable. By understanding all the stages, you can create a clear action plan for the coming years. For those who start the process in 2025, the timeline will look as follows.

1. Purchase of real estate and application for the first temporary residence permit: 1-2 months (2025).
2. Residing in Serbia with a temporary residence permit: 3 years (until 2028). You must renew the status annually and comply with the residency requirements.
3. Application for permanent residence: Early 2028. The application review typically takes 2 to 4 months.
4. Application for citizenship: Immediately after receiving the decision on permanent residence (during 2028).

Thus, the entire journey from buying an apartment to applying for Serbian citizenship can take just over three years. This makes the Serbian program one of the most competitive in Europe and opens up excellent prospects for investors and expats in 2025 and beyond.