Company Formation in Serbia
Can a foreigner open a company in Serbia
Yes. Foreign citizens can do business in Serbia through an appropriate form of organisation, provided they meet the requirements for registration and for operating. Both foreign individuals and foreign companies can appear as founders, and you do not have to hold a residence permit before you register.
The order surprises people: the company usually comes first and the residence permit second. Owning or running a company registered in Serbia is one of the recognised grounds of stay, so the registration documents feed directly into the residence application that follows.
The decision that matters most is the legal form. A limited liability company, known here as a DOO, and the entrepreneur status suit different situations, and the difference shows up in how you are taxed, how you take money out and what happens if things go wrong. It is worth deciding before registration rather than after.
What company formation involves
Registration is one step of six. These are the pieces that have to be in place before a company can actually operate.
Choosing the legal form
A limited liability company, a DOO, or the entrepreneur status. The choice follows your business goals, not the other way round.
Founding documentation
The founding act and the registration file, prepared so that the register accepts it the first time.
Registered seat
Every company needs an address in Serbia that it can actually use, since official mail arrives there.
Business bank account
A company operates through its business account. Requirements differ from bank to bank, so the file is prepared for the bank you choose.
Accounting from day one
Serbian companies keep books from the moment they are registered. We help you choose a bookkeeper before the first deadline, not after it.
Residence on the basis of the company
Business and self employment are recognised grounds of temporary residence, so the two procedures are planned together.
From decision to first invoice
Registration itself is usually the quickest part. What takes time is everything around it, so we run the steps in the order that keeps the company usable from the start.
- Choosing the legal form, with an accountant where tax matters
- Name, activity code and registered seat
- Founding documentation, translation and apostille where needed
- Registration of the company
- Opening the business bank account
- Bookkeeping arranged, and the residence application if you plan to live here
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to live in Serbia to own a company here?
No. Ownership and residence are separate things. You can own a company in Serbia without living here, and you can live here without owning one. They meet only when you decide to use the company as your ground of stay, which many founders do.
DOO or entrepreneur, which one should I choose?
It depends on what you plan to do. A DOO is a separate legal person and is the usual choice when there are partners, employees or larger contracts. The entrepreneur status is simpler and suits a one person operation. Because the difference is mostly about tax and liability, we bring an accountant into that conversation before anything is filed.
How long does it take to register a company in Serbia?
The registration itself is usually a matter of a few working days once the file is complete and correct. Realistically, plan a couple of weeks from the first conversation, because collecting documents from abroad, translating them and opening the bank account take longer than the registration.
Can a foreign company be the founder?
Yes. A foreign company can appear as a founder of a Serbian company. The documents of the foreign founder are the part that needs attention, since they normally require certified translation and, depending on the country, an apostille.
Does owning a company give me residence in Serbia?
It can be the basis for one. Business and self employment are among the recognised grounds for temporary residence, and the residence application is a separate procedure that uses the company documentation. If living in Serbia is the goal, say so at the start, because it affects how the company is set up.
Do I need a Serbian bank account for the company?
Yes, a company registered in Serbia operates through a business account in a Serbian bank. Conditions and required documents differ between banks and depend on the type of account, so we prepare the file for the bank you choose. The same visit usually covers your personal account.
