Serbia in 2026: Is It Worth Moving? Pros and Cons of Immigration
Reason #1: Simple Initial Legalization
The main advantage of Serbia for immigrants is the relatively simple legalization procedure at the initial stage. Unlike EU countries, there is no need to obtain a special Category D visa in advance and wait for months for a decision in a state of uncertainty.
The process of entry and initial settlement is straightforward. You can enter with a regular international passport and stay in the country visa-free for up to one month. During this time, you need to register your residential address, after which you can handle the paperwork on-site.
- Entry is with a regular international passport.
- Visa-free stay is possible for up to one month.
- Legalization and application for a residence permit take place directly in Serbia.
The most popular and viable option for Russian citizens is to open a sole proprietorship or an LLC. Registering a firm becomes the basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit, after which you start paying taxes and legally reside in the country. Bureaucracy exists, but it is linear and understandable, without the political filters one might encounter in Western Europe.
Access to Finances and Basic Services
A significant advantage is the accessibility of the banking system. In Serbia, it is still relatively easy to open an account, including for a company. Unlike many EU countries that refuse Russians or freeze their accounts, the process here is simpler, although it involves certain formalities.
Having a local account allows you to use Visa and Mastercard, receive transfers, pay rent, utilities, and taxes. This makes it possible to quickly settle in and integrate into local life.
All basic needs, such as buying a SIM card, setting up internet, or getting insurance, are handled on-site quite quickly. Because of this, Serbia often becomes a convenient first stop for those starting their immigration journey. You can start living and handling your paperwork immediately, instead of running around to consulates.
Reason #2: A Calm Attitude Towards Russian Speakers
In Serbia, there is a calm and neutral attitude towards Russian-speaking immigrants, particularly those from Russia. There is neither enthusiasm nor hostility—just a steady, calm atmosphere. You won't feel constant pressure because of your passport.
Russian speech is heard everywhere, a large community has formed, and many services are already adapted to its needs. This significantly reduces stress, which is critically important during the process of adapting to a new country. Simple everyday situations do not escalate into conflicts against a backdrop of a hostile environment. In Serbia, you will be a foreigner, but not an outcast.
Reason #3: Affordable Cost of Living and Prices
By European standards, Serbia remains an affordable country to live in. The cost of living here is significantly lower than in many popular immigration destinations. This allows you not to spend all your savings in the first few months and gives you time to adapt.
- Housing rent. Rental costs are lower than in Spain, Portugal, or France.
- Groceries.
- Public transport.
- Visiting cafes and restaurants.
The lower prices don't completely drain your budget, which allows you to calmly stabilize your financial situation, set up a remote income, and sort out your documents without making hasty decisions due to a lack of money. Therefore, Serbia is well-suited as a 'stabilization point,' especially if you are moving without substantial savings.
Con #1: A Dead End on the Path to Citizenship
Despite the simple legalization process, the main problem immigrants face is a dead end in obtaining citizenship. Currently, the process of issuing Serbian passports to Russians is effectively suspended for political, internal, and administrative reasons.
Although the Serbian passport is quite strong and provides visa-free access to EU countries, it is almost impossible to obtain it now. You can live in the country for years, extend your temporary and permanent residence permits, pay taxes, but never get citizenship.
Moreover, a Serbian residence permit does not automatically grant access to Europe. It does not give you the right to live, work, or travel freely throughout the EU. You can get a Schengen visa with it, but legally you remain tied to Serbia. Thus, the country does not become an 'easy bridge to Europe,' but for many, it turns into a final destination.
Cons #2 & #3: The Economic Ceiling and the 'Comfortable Swamp'
Another significant disadvantage is the economic ceiling. If you don't have a stable remote income, an online business, or external clients, it's difficult to grow financially within Serbia. The market in the country is small, and salaries are low, which makes it hard to scale a business.
Many immigrants find themselves in a situation where they have enough money for a quiet life, but not for further growth and development. After a few years, the realization hits that they are stuck at the same level with no real prospects.
This comfort also creates a psychological trap. Serbia is an inexpensive and calm country, which you get used to quickly. The absence of acute pressure and crises leads people to relax into the local 'polako' (slow) rhythm and postpone their next steps. For people without a clear plan, Serbia risks turning from a temporary base into a permanent 'swamp,' where everything seems fine, but nothing is developing.
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