For many professionals who have moved to Serbia and work with foreign clients, the first question is how to legalize their activities. There are two main paths: working under the special tax regime for freelancers or registering as a sole proprietor (SP).
Serbia's banking system has its nuances, which can be a source of frustration for foreigners, especially when starting a business. One of the most challenging topics is opening a business account for a sole proprietor (IP). Experience shows that Serbian banks' approaches to new clients with a temporary residence permit (VNZh) can vary drastically.
The beginning of life in Serbia, specifically in the city of Novi Sad, was a period of adaptation. The first two months were spent getting to know the country and the city, without processing any documents, to understand whether it was worth staying here long-term.
Slovenia is a country of striking contrasts, where in just one hour you can travel from winter to a true spring. A trip from Ljubljana, where the temperature hovers around zero degrees, to the town of Izola on the Adriatic coast demonstrates this perfectly. The capital may be shrouded in fog and snow, but on the coast, you'll be greeted by bright sunshine and temperatures of +12 to +14 degrees Celsius.
When moving to a new place of residence in Serbia, residence permit (boravak) holders are required to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP). This process raises many questions, and it's important to know the answers in advance to avoid unpleasant situations.
A TRP, or Privremeni boravak, is a temporary residence permit that allows a foreign citizen to legally reside in a country for a specific period. This document is fundamental for further integration, opening bank accounts, employment, and accessing other services.
When moving to Serbia, the first and most important step is to obtain the 'White Card' (Beli karton) — a registration of your place of residence. This document is mandatory for all foreigners. Without it, you cannot register at a new address, which would require a 'visa run' (exiting and re-entering the country) to reset your stay period.
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.