The decision to close a sole proprietorship (preduzetnik) in Serbia raises many questions, especially for foreign citizens. Understanding the key aspects of the process from the outset will help you plan your actions and avoid unpleasant surprises.
A certificate confirming that your sole proprietorship is a tax resident of Serbia (Potvrda o rezidentnosti) is necessary for applying double taxation avoidance agreements. It is most often requested by counterparties from European Union countries and Armenia. This document confirms that you pay taxes specifically in Serbia, which exempts your partner from withholding tax at the source in their country.
You can purchase a SIM card in Serbia without any documents. However, a foreign passport is required for its full activation and use. After purchase, it is recommended to visit the operator's office to link the card to your passport.
Creating an account on Serbia's official e-Government portal, eid.gov.rs, is an important procedure that gives foreigners access to a wide range of digital services. This allows many bureaucratic issues to be resolved remotely, significantly simplifying life in the country.
Losing or damaging your biometric residence permit card is an unpleasant situation that requires a swift resolution. The document replacement procedure is standardized but has its own nuances that are important to consider. First and foremost, you must report the loss and initiate the process of issuing a new card.
Foreigners who have obtained a residence permit in Serbia are legally allowed to use their national driver's license for 12 months. This period starts from the date of the residence permit application. After one year, driving with a foreign license is considered equivalent to driving without a license, leading to fines and serious issues with insurance companies in the event of an accident.
The Zdravstvena knjižica or kartica is Serbia's compulsory health insurance (OMS) policy, which provides access to public medical services. Obtaining this document is directly linked to having a residence permit (VNZh). It is impossible to apply for Serbian public health insurance without a residence permit.
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).
You can buy a car in Serbia even without a residence permit, but you won't be able to register it. Therefore, the key step before purchasing is obtaining a residence permit. It's important that the permit is issued for at least six months and is valid at the time of vehicle registration. A Serbian driver's license is not required for the registration process.