What paperwork do you need after moving to Serbia in 2026?

Finish the correct stay path before quality-of-life shopping. Hotels often register guests automatically; private short stays commonly need a White Card (prijava boravišta) at the local police desk soon after arrival. That card proves where you sleep during short stay. It is not the temporary residence permit itself: Apply for a residence permit. Bring passport and landlord or ownership proof when you register, and keep the stamped form with the lease.

Secure housing a landlord will put on paper: How to rent a home. Then file temporary residence (privremeni boravak) on the Foreigners Portal at welcometoserbia.gov.rs / eforeigner.welcometoserbia.gov.rs on one clear ground such as employment Single Permit, property, foreign income, family, or study. After approval, attend biometrics for the plastic residence card and keep the foreigner registration number that appears during the process.

Buy a local mobile number early for landlord and bank SMS. Open a bank account once residence proof and address evidence are clean enough for KYC. Budget private clinic visits until RFZO enrolment matches your contribution and residence category: Healthcare costs.

Exchange a foreign licence when long-stay driving rules require it: Convert a driving licence. Pet arrivals need microchip, rabies timing, and Veterinary Directorate papers: Bring pets. English works at many Belgrade desks; Serbian still appears on older police and municipal forms: English in Serbia. Neighbourhood choice affects which police foreigners unit you attend: Living in Belgrade and Where to live.