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).
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.
An extract from the register of sole proprietors is an official document confirming the status of your business. It is often required for various legal and administrative procedures, such as applying for a residence permit (boravak).
The 'Promenu osnova rada' or 'Change of Basis' procedure is an official process designed for foreigners who already have a residence permit in Serbia based on employment (work-based residence permit) and want to additionally register and link a sole proprietorship (SP) to their residence permit.
Before starting to work with Poštanska Štedionica bank, it's useful to familiarize yourself with the main service conditions and fees. This will help you avoid surprises when performing standard banking operations such as cash withdrawals, account deposits, and making payments.
When moving to Serbia for work or business, one of the key steps is registering with the Pension Fund (Fond za penzijsko i invalidsko osiguranje – PIO). This step is mandatory for legal employment, starting a sole proprietorship, and gaining access to the country's social security system.
For foreigners planning to live and work in Serbia for more than three months, obtaining a work permit, or Radna Dozvola, is mandatory. This applies to both salaried employees and founders of their own businesses, whether as a sole proprietor (preduzetnik) or a limited liability company (DOO, similar to an LLC).
For entrepreneurs who have relocated to Serbia and conduct business here, the electronic signature (EDS) becomes an almost indispensable tool. It significantly reduces the need for in-person visits to government institutions, allowing most operations to be carried out online. This not only simplifies business operations but also makes daily life in the country easier.
Preparation for moving to Serbia begins with understanding the local bureaucratic nuances. An important point that simplifies the process for Russian citizens is that there is no need to apostille Russian documents. Serbia recognizes them without additional certification.