Serbian citizenship by exception
Serbian citizenship by decision of the Government of Serbia — with no move to the country and with your current passport kept.
Moving to Serbia
Переезжать в Сербию
not required
не нужно
Dual citizenship
Двойное гражданство
no renunciation required by Serbia
Сербия не требует отказа
Visa-free travel
Безвизовый въезд
to the EU
в ЕС
When you need Serbian citizenship by exception
You do not need to move to Serbia
Living in Serbia, marrying a citizen and Serbian descent lead to citizenship under other articles. This page covers one: admission because it serves the Republic.
Your contribution matters to Serbia
Beyond age and legal capacity, Article 19 adds a test of its own: that admitting you would serve the Republic of Serbia. Your record has to show how.
You intend to keep your current passport
This route sets aside the usual duty to leave your present citizenship first. Whether your own country lets you hold two is a matter of its law.
Your family wants to apply too
A spouse can be admitted without the release and residence conditions. For children under 18 a parent applies, with the other parent's consent.
What Serbian citizenship by exception requires
Article 19 of the Law on Citizenship lets the Government of Serbia admit a foreigner “whose admission would be in the interest of the Republic of Serbia”. The Government decides on a proposal from the competent ministry.
What the law still asks of you
- Age 18 or over
- Full legal capacity
- A record that shows the Republic's interest in admitting you
What the service includes
Company registration in Serbia and opening a bank account are part of the service.
What this route sets aside
- Release from your current citizenship, or proof that it will be granted
- Three years of continuous registered residence in Serbia
For the company side of a move, see company registration in Serbia and corporate tax in Serbia; the country overview is at Serbia, and our residence work sits in Immigration & Visas.
Sources: Law on Citizenship, arts. 5, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 25, 39, 43 — consolidated text on the official legal portal.
Stages of work
Framing the Republic's interest
We will set out what you have done or are called to do for Serbia and gather the evidence behind it. No criteria are published, so the file has to make its case on its own terms.
Preparing the documents
We will collect and translate your personal documents and prepare the application in Serbian, so that the file reaches the ministry complete.
Filing the documents and running the case
We file the application and carry the case all the way to the decision. It can be filed in person or through an authorised representative.
Ministry proposal to the Government
The competent ministry examines the file and makes its proposal. We will answer its questions and supply what it asks for while the file is open.
Government decision
The decision is taken by the Government of Serbia itself, on the proposal of the competent ministry.
Personal delivery of the decision
The decision is served in person. Citizenship begins on the day it is delivered to you.
Spouse and children
Your spouse can then apply without the release and residence conditions. For children under 18 you apply on their behalf, with the other parent's consent and, over 14, their own.
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