The White Card in Serbia: A Complete Registration Guide for Foreigners
What is a 'White Card' and its Types
The 'White Card' (Beli karton) is the official confirmation of a foreigner's registration at their place of residence in Serbia. It is essentially an equivalent of a temporary residence registration. Although the document is usually issued for an indefinite period, it must be re-registered each time you leave and re-enter the country, unless you have a residence permit (VNZh).
There are two main types of registration, which differ in the method of obtaining them and the level of trust from official bodies.
Why is the 'White Card' necessary?
Registration at the place of residence is a mandatory requirement and is necessary for numerous legal and everyday procedures. Without this document, a foreigner faces serious limitations.
- Long-term housing rental. When signing a new rental agreement, you are often required to present your previous 'white card'.
- Opening a personal bank account and changing non-resident status.
- Obtaining a certificate of no criminal record.
- Applying for a medical insurance policy.
- Exchanging a foreign driver's license for a Serbian one.
The Main Rule: Registration Within 24 Hours
A key legal requirement is that every foreigner must register within 24 hours of arriving in Serbia, even if the visit is for just one day. Failure to meet this deadline can lead to problems.
If you fail to get the 'white card' within the specified period, it becomes officially impossible to register. In this situation, the only legal solution is a 'visa run' — leaving and re-entering Serbia. After crossing the border, the 24-hour countdown starts again.
Sometimes you can try to negotiate at the police station and get registered late, but the officers may refuse. In case of refusal, a 'visa run' becomes mandatory.
The Process of Obtaining a 'White Card' at the Police Station
The most reliable method is to register in person at the police station (MUP) that serves your residential area. The procedure can be done either with the property owner or independently with a power of attorney.
To register with the apartment owner, their personal presence is required. They must have documents proving ownership and their personal identification. You, in turn, provide your foreign passport.
- Your foreign passport.
- 'Izjava' — a notarized statement from the owner authorizing you to register at their property. The document must list all family members.
- A copy of the apartment owner's ID card (passport).
- A document confirming the owner's property rights (e.g., a sales contract) or a recent extract from the real estate cadastre.
Registration is also possible at your own property. In this case, one of the owners goes to the police station with the property documents and the foreign passports of everyone who needs to be registered.
Rules for Changing Residence and Re-entering the Country
The registration rules directly depend on whether you have a residence permit and if you change your address. If you do not have a residence permit, every new entry into the country requires a new 'white card' to be issued within 24 hours. You do not need to present the old cards.
A similar rule applies when changing your place of residence within Serbia. When moving to a new apartment or another hotel, you need to re-register. To do this, you must go to the MUP for the new address, bringing your old 'white card' and the new property owner (or an 'Izjava' from them). In hotels, registration is usually done online at the reception upon check-in.
Important exception: if you travel to another city in Serbia for less than 15 days (e.g., for a vacation or business trip) without changing your main place of residence, you do not need to get a new 'white card'.
Important Nuances and Practical Tips
The procedure for obtaining a 'white card' has several pitfalls that are best to know about in advance to avoid unnecessary problems and wasted time.
- Clarify with the landlord. Not all property owners are aware of the procedure or willing to spend time on it. Discuss this issue before signing the rental agreement.
- The correct police station. You must go strictly to the MUP that serves your area. Police stations are open 24/7, but not all officers may handle registrations, and not at all times.
- Prepare the forms. The police station may not have the necessary forms. It is recommended to download and print two copies of the form for each person in advance, filling them out by hand or on a computer.
- Keep all your cards. Save all the 'white cards' you receive. You may be asked to present them in unexpected situations, even after obtaining a residence permit.
- Be persistent. If a police officer refuses to process a new registration for a change of address without a 'visa run', you can try to calmly explain the situation, referring to the official rules, preferably with the property owner present.
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