What Has Changed in the Serbian Citizenship Procedure in 2025?
Unofficial Changes to the Citizenship Law
In 2025, the key change in the process of obtaining Serbian citizenship for Russians was a new interpretation of existing legislation. The law itself has not changed, but it has begun to be 'read differently.' This has led to a de facto tightening of requirements for those applying for citizenship through the general naturalization procedure.
The main innovation concerns the length of residence in the country. Whereas previously it was sufficient to live for 3 years with a temporary residence permit (VNZh) and then obtain permanent residence (PMZh) to apply for citizenship, the situation is now different. An unofficial rule has been introduced, which can be called '3+3'.
- Previously: 3 years of residence with a temporary residence permit was sufficient to obtain permanent residence and immediately apply for citizenship.
- Now: It is required to live for 3 years with a temporary residence permit to obtain permanent residence, and then another 3 years with permanent resident status, and only after that can one apply for citizenship.
This new interpretation is based on Article 14 of the Citizenship Law, which refers to three years of continuous residence. Notably, this rule does not apply to those obtaining citizenship through marriage to a Serbian citizen—they can still apply immediately after receiving permanent residence. It's important to understand that these changes are not officially codified and are communicated 'by word of mouth'.
Statistics and Reality: Who Received Citizenship in 2024
| Category | Number of Citizenships Granted (2024) |
|---|---|
| Total Russians Granted Citizenship | 188 |
| Of these, through the general procedure | 94 |
| The rest | 94 (for special merits or by descent) |
Contrary to the widespread belief that Russians were no longer being granted citizenship through the general procedure in 2024-2025, official data indicates otherwise. Although the process has become more complicated, citizenships were still being issued.
According to information from the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs and the 'Russian Diaspora' organization, the statistics for 2024 are as follows. These figures show that obtaining citizenship through the general procedure is possible, but the number of approvals has significantly decreased compared to previous years—by about three times.
Despite the fact that almost 100 people successfully completed the general procedure, the overall decrease in the number of issued passports confirms the trend towards a stricter approach. As for obtaining citizenship for 'special merits,' this topic remains non-transparent and difficult to analyze.
Temporary and Permanent Residence Procedures: What Has Remained Unchanged?
| Status | City | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary Residence (VNZh) | Novi Sad | 1-2 months |
| Permanent Residence (PMZh) | Novi Sad | 2-3 months |
| VNZh/PMZh | Belgrade | Processing times are somewhat longer |
| VNZh/PMZh | Other cities | Processing times may be shorter |
Unlike the situation with citizenship, the procedures for obtaining a temporary residence permit (VNZh) and a permanent residence permit (PMZh) for Russians have not undergone significant changes in 2025. These statuses are still available, and if all conditions are met, rejections are practically non-existent.
- Reside in Serbia for 3 years with a temporary residence permit.
- During this three-year period, be absent from the country for a total of no more than 10 months.
- Not be absent from the country for more than 6 consecutive months.
The processing times for temporary and permanent residence documents also remain relatively stable, although they may vary depending on the city.
An important point concerns the renewal of temporary residence permits: whereas previously it was required not to be absent from the country for more than six months, this requirement has now been removed. This makes life easier for those who conduct business or frequently travel outside Serbia for other reasons but do not plan to obtain permanent residence.
New Complications: Opening a Bank Account
The main complication in the legalization process in 2025 has become opening a bank account for individuals. Having an account is a mandatory condition for obtaining a temporary residence permit, and banks have recently tightened their requirements for Russians.
This trend has been observed for the last few years, and banks are constantly introducing new rules. Now, it is not enough to simply show up with a passport to open an account. It is necessary to prove one's 'connection to Serbia.' This means providing additional documents.
- A long-term residential lease agreement, notarized.
- A preliminary real estate purchase agreement, also notarized.
- Bank statements from Russian banks.
The banking situation is changing very dynamically. Information that was relevant six months ago may be outdated today. For example, Raiffeisen Bank, which previously issued mortgages to foreigners, has ceased this practice as of August 2025. Therefore, it is recommended to verify the current requirements with specific banks before relocating.
2025 Summary and a Look to the Future
In summary, 2025 has brought significant uncertainty to the issue of obtaining Serbian citizenship. The unofficial change in the law's interpretation to '6 years' came as an unpleasant surprise to many who were counting on a faster path. This lack of clarity, compounded by the absence of official statements, has caused some to leave the country.
At the same time, legalization through temporary and permanent residence remains a stable and accessible procedure. However, the process has become more complicated at the initial stage due to the tightening of bank requirements for opening accounts for Russians.
Making forecasts for 2026 is difficult due to the political uncertainty in Serbia. The situation could change after the upcoming elections. All that remains is to monitor developments and hope for greater clarity in the legislation.
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