Finding Housing in Serbia: A Complete Guide for Expats
The 'White Card': Your Key Document for a Legal Stay
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.
Hotels and short-term rental services like Airbnb can issue a 'White Card' for you. However, it's worth confirming this possibility in advance. It's important to know that hotels often issue an electronic version of the document. It is suitable for the police and border control, but some banks may not accept it for opening an account.
Temporary Housing: Hotels and Short-Term Rentals
For the initial period, staying in a hotel is the most convenient option. In Belgrade, it is recommended to choose hotels in the Stari Grad area, as from there you can walk to most government institutions and banks, which will significantly simplify handling initial administrative tasks.
To book hotels, you can use services like OneTwoTrip, which allow payment with Russian cards. When choosing accommodation through Airbnb or similar platforms, always ask the host in advance if they provide the service of issuing a 'White Card'.
Long-Term Rentals: Choosing a District in Belgrade
When it comes to long-term rentals, Belgrade offers many options. Among the most prestigious and modern areas is the 'Belgrade Waterfront'. The Vračar, Stari Grad, and Zemun districts also have a good reputation. In New Belgrade, you can find many high-quality new buildings.
Overall, the infrastructure is well-developed throughout the city. If you plan to travel by car, you might consider renting a house outside the city center. Due to high demand, finding a suitable apartment at a reasonable price can be challenging, so it's also worth considering other major cities like Novi Sad or Niš.
Key Points for Communicating with the Landlord
Proper communication with the apartment owner is the key to a successful rental and legalization process. Discuss a few critically important points right at the first stage to save time and nerves.
- State your intention to obtain a residence permit. Inform the landlord immediately that you will need documents to apply for a residence permit (boravak). Responsible owners will be understanding, while 'shady' ones will immediately back out of the deal.
- Clarify about the 'White Card'. Ask if the landlord can personally register you at the police station. Sometimes the person showing the apartment is not authorized to do so, and the owner themselves is abroad.
- Request a notarized statement (Izjava). If the landlord is busy, they can get a notarized statement (Izjava) that authorizes you to register yourself at this address. This document must list all family members who will be living in the apartment.
- Discuss family registration. If you are moving alone and your family will join later, find out in advance if the owner is willing to add them to the contract and get them a 'White Card' upon their arrival. It's important to ensure the landlord will be available when needed.
Financial and Household Matters
In addition to documents, it's necessary to discuss financial and household details. Clarify how payment will be made: in cash or by bank transfer, and in what currency. Keep in mind that non-residents cannot make transfers from their Serbian bank card to another during the first year. It is recommended to fix the rent amount in euros but pay in dinars.
Be sure to ask about utility payments. Find out their approximate cost, especially during the winter period when it can reach 150 euros or more. The ideal option is if the landlord pays the bills themselves, and you reimburse them for the amount.
- Internet: Check the connection type. A telephone cable might mean low speed. If there is no internet, arrange for the landlord to sign the contract in their name to avoid penalties for early termination.
- Bathroom: In older buildings, there might be a drain hole in the floor through which you could accidentally flood the neighbors.
- Air conditioner: Check where the condensate is drained to avoid having to constantly empty a bottle.
Rental Costs and Working with Agencies
In Belgrade, about 90% of apartments are rented through real estate agencies. The standard payment scheme upon moving in includes three parts:
- First month's rent (100%).
- Security deposit equal to one month's rent (100%).
- Agency commission, which is usually 50% of the monthly rent.
Thus, be prepared to pay an amount equal to 250% of the monthly rent in the first month. Also, keep in mind that many apartments are rented without dishes and small appliances like a microwave, so you may need to budget for additional expenses to purchase them.
Useful Resources and Search Terminology
There are several popular websites and even Telegram bots for finding housing. When communicating with agents, it's best to write to them on WhatsApp, immediately sending a link to the listing with the question, 'Is it available?', as the information on the websites is not always up-to-date.
To navigate the listings, it's useful to know the basic terminology.
Pay special attention to the type of heating, as utility payments strongly depend on it.
- CityExpert (the only site with no agency commission)
- Nekretnine.rs
- Halooglasi.rs
- 4zida.rs
- Sasomange.rs
- RoomRadarBot (a Telegram bot for tracking new listings)
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