Serbia
SRBSerbia is an EU candidate country with one of the lowest tax burdens in Europe (10% flat PIT, 15% corporate tax, no wealth tax). Long-stay residency for foreigners is via Type-D long-stay visa, work permit, business owner / self-employment, or family reunification. Serbia's naturalisation framework is comparatively short (3 years for ordinary residents, 1 year for Serbs by descent). Serbian passport holders enjoy visa-free travel to ~137 destinations including Schengen Area. The country has positioned itself as an attractive low-tax base for IT professionals and remote workers from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine following 2022 — Belgrade's expat population has grown materially since then.
Passport Rank
#36
Visa-Free
137
destinations
Country Details
- Capital
- Belgrade
- Currency
- Serbian dinar (RSD)
- Languages
- Serbian
- Population
- 6,660,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 3 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Continental / temperate
- English Proficiency Rank
- #17
Serbia operates a 10% flat personal income tax — among the lowest in Europe. The 2025 IT-sector regime offers reduced social-security contributions for software professionals.
Indices
Cost of Living
38
Safety
70
Healthcare
60
Quality of Life
130
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 3 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Special Tax Regime
- Serbia operates a 10% flat personal income tax — among the lowest in Europe. The 2025 IT-sector regime offers reduced social-security contributions for software professionals.
Cost of Living by City
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| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgrade | $580 | $380 | $240 | $140 | $30 |
| Novi Sad | $380 | $260 | $220 | $130 | $26 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 3
- Language Test
- No
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $100
- Processing
- ~6 months
International Schools
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| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International School of Belgrade | Belgrade | American / IB | $14,000–$24,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
75 Mbps median
60% fibre coverage
eSIM: Telenor Srbija, MTS, A1 Srbija
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Not recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- Yes
- ILGA Rank
- #38
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Widely available
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Common
Related Guides
Zero and low-tax residencies: the real list
Countries with zero personal income tax, territorial-only taxation, or special expatriate regimes — and what each one actually requires from you to qualify as a resident.
Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave
Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.