Work Permit for Foreigners in Serbia - How to Obtain the Single Residence and Work Permit
Ovaj tekst je dostupan i na srpskom jeziku.
Since 1 February 2024, foreigners obtain the right to work in Serbia under a substantially different system than before.
A foreigner who wants to live and work in Serbia no longer first obtains temporary residence from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) and then a separate work permit from the National Employment Service (NSZ).
Instead, there is a single permit for temporary residence and work (jedinstvena dozvola), which covers both rights in one procedure and can be issued for employment, self-employment and special cases of employment. The procedure is governed by the Law on Foreigners and the conditions for work by the Law on the Employment of Foreigners (both in Serbian).
Special cases include, among others, posted workers, intra-company transfers, independent professionals and training and professional development.
This guide describes Serbian law as of October 2026 and is general information, not legal advice for a specific case.
Contents:
- The single permit procedure
- D visa and the single permit
- Labour market test
- Single permit for self-employment
- Validity, renewal and change of employer
- Who can work without a single permit?
- Fees
- Documents by basis of application
- If the application is rejected - appeal
- Penalties for working and employing without a permit
- FAQ
The single permit procedure
The procedure is largely digital, unlike the former system of filing separate paper applications with the MUP and the NSZ. The main steps are:
- Determine the basis for work. A single permit can be requested for employment, self-employment or one of the special cases of employment.
- Prepare the documents. Under the Law on Foreigners, the basic documents are a valid passport (or an identity card, for nationals of countries whose identity card is accepted as a travel document for entering Serbia), proof justifying the application and the address of residence. If the application is filed from abroad, the intended address may be stated. The passport must be valid for at least three months longer than the period for which the permit is requested. Documents are submitted electronically, and the evidence required depends on the basis - see documents by basis of application.
- File the application online through the Portal for Foreigners. It can be filed by the foreigner, by the employer on their behalf or by an authorised person. A foreigner filing personally needs an electronic identification account, and an employer needs an account on the eUprava portal, where its legal representative can authorise another person to file applications.
- The authority obtains the required assessments. A security assessment and an assessment by the National Employment Service of whether the conditions for employment, a special case or self-employment are met are obtained within 10 days.
- A decision on a complete application is made within 15 days. If the conditions are met, the MUP issues the single permit as a biometric document. The 15-day deadline runs from receipt of a complete application, so missing documents can extend the procedure in practice.
Note: The foreigner must also appear in person to have biometric data taken, after which they receive a confirmation that the procedure is under way. The single permit is issued as a chip card.
D visa and the single permit
Before applying, check whether the foreigner's country is on the visa or visa-free list for Serbia.
If a visa is required and the foreigner is coming for employment, they first obtain a D visa on the basis of employment. A D visa allows a stay in Serbia of at least 90 and at most 180 days and, when issued on the basis of employment, also allows the foreigner to work during its validity.
If the foreigner intends to stay and work longer than the D visa allows, they apply for the single permit after entering Serbia and while the D visa issued on the basis of employment is valid. The Law on Foreigners expressly requires this for nationals who need a visa.
Foreigners who do not need a visa can apply during their lawful stay in Serbia or from abroad.
Important: A C visa (short-stay visa) is generally not a basis for switching to a single permit. Exceptionally, a C visa holder may apply during a lawful stay if there is an interest of the Republic of Serbia or force majeure, supported by evidence.
Labour market test
When a single permit is requested for employment with a Serbian employer, the National Employment Service carries out a labour market test. Under the Law on the Employment of Foreigners, it checks among other things:
- that in the 90 days before the application the employer has not dismissed employees for technological, economic or organisational reasons (redundancy) in the positions for which the foreigner is to be hired,
- that the employer has started the labour market test, and
- that there is a draft employment contract or other appropriate contract.
The test is started by the employer, and the request for the test is part of the single permit application on the Portal for Foreigners. In practice, the test is started by filing a Notice of Employment Need (Prijava potrebe za zapošljavanjem, PPZ), which according to the guidance for employers can also be filed through eUprava, no earlier than 60 days before and no later than the day the single permit application is filed. The NSZ delivers its report on the test within four days.
The Law on the Employment of Foreigners also allows the Government to limit the number of single permits by decision (a quota), except for intra-company transfers. Check whether such a decision is in force before applying.
Single permit for self-employment
A single permit can also be obtained on the basis of self-employment, for example after setting up a company in Serbia (in Serbian). The Law on the Employment of Foreigners defines self-employment as work in a business entity or other form of activity in which the foreigner is the sole or controlling member. The law does not mention sole proprietors (preduzetnik) expressly, but the term "other form of activity" allows this basis to be used by foreigners operating as sole proprietors.
Registering a business with the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR) does not by itself give the foreigner the right to long-term residence and work in Serbia. In the self-employment procedure, the NSZ assesses the foreigner's qualifications for the activity or the structure of the persons they plan to employ. A foreigner who obtains a single permit on this basis must start the activity within 90 days of receiving it.
The visa regime must be checked here too: if a visa is required, the basis is first regulated through a D visa on the basis of employment and then, for a longer stay, through the single permit.
Validity, renewal and change of employer
The single permit can be issued for up to three years and renewed for the same period, depending on the basis.
A renewal application can be filed no earlier than three months before expiry and no later than the expiry date. If filed on time, the foreigner may continue to live and work in Serbia until the procedure is completed.
During the validity of the permit, the foreigner may change employer, work for two or more employers or change the basis of work. This generally requires the consent of the NSZ, which decides within 10 days of receiving a complete request; an appeal against its decision goes to the minister responsible for employment. The foreigner must not start working for the new employer before the consent is obtained. If the foreigner's employment contract ends, they must conclude a new appropriate contract within 30 days.
Who can work without a single permit?
The former "personal work permit" no longer exists as a separate category. Instead, the Law on the Employment of Foreigners distinguishes between foreigners who need a single permit to work and those who have the right to work without one. The latter include foreigners with temporary residence on the basis of:
- family reunification with a Serbian citizen or a foreigner with permanent residence,
- ownership of real estate (an apartment or house in which the foreigner lives - see buying property in Serbia as a foreigner),
- humanitarian stay,
- studies and student exchange - during the teaching period at most 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month,
- scientific research,
- independent residence, volunteering, religious service and other grounds listed in the law.
Foreigners with permanent residence, persons granted asylum and crew members in international transport, among others, may also work without a single permit.
Note: The law also allows short-term work without a single permit where the stay does not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period - for example owners, founders, representatives or members of a company registered in Serbia who are not employed by it, foreigners coming for business contacts or meetings without earning income in Serbia, lecturers at professional events and workers posted to install equipment or provide training under a supply contract. These exceptions apply only under the conditions set by law.
Fees
The single permit is subject to republic administrative fees under tariff number 37 of the Law on Republic Administrative Fees (in Serbian). The amounts applicable from 1 July 2026 are:
- RSD 22,770 - fee for issuing the single permit (approval of residence and work),
- RSD 2,190 - fee for issuing the document (card).
Both fees are payable, so the total is RSD 24,960. The fee for an appeal against a decision rejecting or dismissing the application is RSD 10,950. These amounts do not include other costs such as obtaining, translating or certifying documents. Fees are indexed to consumer prices once a year and the new amounts usually apply from 1 July, so the amounts above apply until the next adjustment on 1 July 2027. Check the current amounts shortly before applying.
Documents by basis of application
In addition to the basic documents (passport, address, proof of basis), the evidence required depends on the basis of the application. Most commonly:
- employment - a draft employment contract or other work contract with a Serbian employer and a started labour market test (PPZ),
- self-employment - proof of registration of the business in which the foreigner is the sole or controlling member and evidence of the foreigner's qualifications for the activity or of the structure of the persons they plan to employ,
- special cases (posting, intra-company transfer, independent professionals, training) - the posting act or contract with the foreign employer or client and evidence that the conditions for the specific case are met (for independent professionals, also proof of qualifications).
Documents in a foreign language are submitted with a translation by a sworn court interpreter. The exact list of documents for each basis is shown on the Portal for Foreigners when completing the application, so check it before collecting documents.
If the application is rejected - appeal
Under the Law on Foreigners, an appeal can be filed within 15 days of receipt of a decision rejecting or dismissing the application, through the authority that issued it. The appeal is decided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The appeal suspends enforcement of the decision, and an administrative dispute can be brought against the final decision. The appeal fee is RSD 10,950.
Penalties for working and employing without a permit
The Law on the Employment of Foreigners sets strict penalties for employers who hire a foreigner in breach of the law:
- employer that is a legal entity: RSD 800,000 to 2,000,000,
- sole proprietor: RSD 50,000 to 500,000,
- responsible person in a legal entity: RSD 20,000 to 150,000,
- with the possibility of a ban on business activity for six months to one year.
An employer who hired a foreigner unlawfully must pay all the foreigner's claims and the taxes and contributions, and the employment is presumed to have lasted at least three months unless proven otherwise. The foreign worker is also fined, as is a foreigner who fails to apply for the single permit or its renewal on time.
FAQ
What is the single residence and work permit in Serbia?
The single permit (jedinstvena dozvola) allows a foreign national to obtain temporary residence and the right to work in Serbia in one procedure. Since 1 February 2024 it has replaced the former system in which temporary residence and a work permit were obtained in separate procedures.
How do foreigners get a work permit in Serbia?
A foreigner who wants to live and work in Serbia on the basis of employment, self-employment or a special case of employment applies for a single permit online through the Portal for Foreigners. The application can be filed by the foreigner, by the employer on their behalf or by an authorised person.
How long does it take to get a single permit?
Under the Law on Foreigners, a decision on a complete application must be made within 15 days of receipt. If documents are missing and must be supplemented, the procedure takes longer in practice.
How long is the single permit valid?
The single permit can be issued for up to three years, depending on the basis and the circumstances of the case, and can be renewed for the same period if the conditions are still met.
When should I apply to renew the single permit?
A renewal application can be filed no earlier than three months before the permit expires and no later than its expiry date. If filed on time, the foreigner may continue to live and work in Serbia until the procedure is completed.
Do I need a D visa to work in Serbia?
It depends on your nationality and the visa regime. If you need a visa to enter Serbia and are coming for employment, you first obtain a D visa on the basis of employment, which allows you to stay and work in Serbia while it is valid.
What is the labour market test?
The labour market test is carried out by the National Employment Service when a single permit is requested for employment with a Serbian employer. It is started by filing a Notice of Employment Need (PPZ) and checks whether suitable candidates are available on the domestic labour market.
Can a foreigner change employer while the single permit is valid?
Yes. During the validity of the single permit a foreigner may change employer, work for two or more employers or change the basis of work, with the prior consent of the National Employment Service where required. Work for the new employer must not start before the consent is obtained.
Can I get a single permit as a self-employed person or entrepreneur?
Yes. Self-employment is one of the bases for a single permit. Registering a company or a sole proprietorship with the Serbian Business Registers Agency does not by itself give a foreigner the right to long-term residence and work in Serbia - the residence and work status has to be regulated separately.
Can a foreigner work in Serbia without a single permit?
Yes, in cases set by law. Foreigners with temporary residence on certain grounds (for example family reunification, ownership of an apartment, studies) and foreigners with permanent residence work without a single permit, and the law also allows short-term work of up to 90 days within 180 days. Students may work at most 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month during the teaching period.
What is the penalty for employing a foreigner without a permit?
Under the Law on the Employment of Foreigners, an employer that is a legal entity faces a fine of RSD 800,000 to 2,000,000, a sole proprietor RSD 50,000 to 500,000 and the responsible person RSD 20,000 to 150,000. A ban on business activity of six months to one year may also be imposed, and the foreign worker is fined as well.
What if my single permit application is rejected?
An appeal against a decision rejecting or dismissing the application can be filed within 15 days of receipt, through the authority that issued it. The appeal is decided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and suspends enforcement of the decision. The appeal fee is RSD 10,950.
Conclusion
Since 2024, residence and work in Serbia are obtained in a single online procedure, but the outcome still depends on choosing the right basis, the visa regime and complete documents. Employers should pay particular attention to the labour market test and to the high penalties for unlawful employment.
If you need help obtaining a single permit for yourself or your employees, contact our employment lawyer. Consultations are available in English.