Get Your Working Licence in Serbia Quickly and Hassle-Free

Get Your Working Licence in Serbia Quickly and Hassle-Free

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  Working Licence inSerbia: Your 2025 Guide to Legal Employment Navigate Serbia's streamlined work permit system and unlock exciting career opportunities in one of Europe's fastest-growing economies.
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  Why Serbia? A RisingEuropean Hub Serbia has emerged as a fast-growing destination for IT professionals, healthcare workers, manufacturing specialists, and construction experts seeking new opportunities in Southeast Europe. The country offers an attractive combination of affordable living costs, strategic geographic location, and business- friendly policies that continue to draw global talent. Key Advantages • Competitive salaries with low cost of living • Strategic access to European and Balkan markets • Growing tech ecosystem and innovation hubs • Streamlined work permit processes since 2024 • Rich cultural heritage and vibrant lifestyle
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  The New SinglePermit System (2024-2025) Unified Authorization The revolutionary Single Permit combines your Temporary Residence Card (TRC) and Work Authorization into one streamlined document, eliminating bureaucratic complexity. Extended Validity Valid for up to 3 years depending on your employment contract, providing long-term security and stability for foreign workers and their families. Simplified Process Say goodbye to multiple applications and waiting periods. The new system replaces the previous multi-step procedures with a single, efficient pathway to legal employment. Important: The Single Permit is mandatory for almost all non-EU foreign workers seeking employment in Serbia as of 2024.
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  Who Needs aWork Permit? Non-EU Citizens (Standard Process) Citizens from countries outside the European Union generally require both a Type D visa and the Single Permit to work legally in Serbia. This includes nationals from North America, most Asian countries, Africa, and Latin America. Visa-Free Nationals Citizens of certain countries (including Russia, Turkey, UAE, China, and others) can enter Serbia without a visa for short stays. However, they must still apply for the Single Permit from within Serbia before beginning employment. EU Citizens European Union citizens enjoy visa- free entry and can stay up to 90 days without registration. For long-term employment exceeding 90 days, they still need to obtain a work permit and register their residence.
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  Steps 1 &2: Job Offer & Labour Market Test 01 Secure Your Job Offer Begin by obtaining a formal job offer from a Serbian-registered employer. The employer must be a legally established company or organization authorized to hire foreign workers in Serbia. 02 Labour Market Test Request Your employer submits a request to the National Employment Service (NES) to conduct a labour market test. This proves that no qualified local or EU candidate is available for the position. 03 Fast-Track Decision The NES reviews the request and issues a decision within just 4 business days. If approved, your employer receives authorization to proceed with hiring you as a foreign worker. The labour market test is a mandatory step that protects local employment while allowing companies to access international talent when needed.
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  Steps 3 &4: Visa Application & Single Permit Submission Type D Visa Application If you're from a country requiring a visa, apply for a Type D long-stay visa at the Serbian embassy or consulate in your home country. The Type D visa is valid for 90-180 days and allows you to enter Serbia and begin the permit process. Required Documents • Valid passport (6+ months validity) • Employment contract • NES labour market approval • Proof of accommodation • Health insurance coverage • Police clearance certificate • Biometric photographs Electronic Single Permit Submission Submit your Single Permit application electronically through Serbia's eUprava portal (euprava.gov.rs), the official government digital platform. Upload all required documents digitally and pay the application fee online for a completely paperless process. Game-Changer: Under the new 2024 rules, you may start working immediately after submitting your Single Permit application—you don't need to wait for approval!
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  Steps 5 &6: Biometric Data & Permit Collection 1 Ministry Visit Scheduled You'll receive a notification to visit the Ministry of Interior (MUP) office for your biometric appointment within a few weeks of application submission. 2 Fingerprints & Photos At the MUP office, provide your fingerprints and have your biometric photograph taken. This data is stored securely for your official identification documents. 3 TRC Issued Receive your Temporary Residence Card (TRC), which is electronically linked to your work permit and serves as your primary ID in Serbia. 4 Work Authorization Collect your official work authorization document confirming your legal right to work and reside in Serbia for the duration specified.
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  Steps 7 &8: Register Your Address & Live Legally Mandatory Address Registration Within 24 hours of arriving at your accommodation, you must register your address at the local police station. This is a legal requirement for all foreign residents in Serbia. If you're staying in a hotel, hostel, or registered accommodation facility, they will typically handle this registration automatically on your behalf. Your TRC: Your Serbian ID Always carry your Temporary Residence Card with you—it's your official identification while working and living in Serbia. Your TRC confirms your legal status, work authorization, and registered address to authorities, employers, banks, and service providers. What to Bring • Your passport and TRC • Proof of accommodation (lease or hotel confirmation) • Landlord's ID (for private rentals) Where to Go Visit the police station (stanica policije) in the municipality where you're staying. Bring your landlord if renting privately.
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  Renewal & SpecialCases Timely Renewal Process Begin your TRC and work permit renewal at least 30 days before the expiry date. Submit updated documents including a current employment contract, proof of continuous accommodation, valid health insurance, and recent pay slips demonstrating ongoing employment. Special Permit Categories Serbia offers specialized work permits for specific situations: seasonal work permits (typically for agriculture or tourism), training and internship permits for educational programs, self-employment permits for entrepreneurs and freelancers, and intra-company transfer permits for multinational corporations. Permit Duration Guidelines Work permits are typically issued for periods ranging from 3 months to 3 years, depending on your employment contract type, industry sector, and employer sponsorship. Long-term contracts generally receive longer permit durations.
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  Final Takeaway: WorkLegally, Live Fully in Serbia Streamlined System Serbia's innovative Single Permit system has transformed the process of working abroad, making it faster, simpler, and more transparent than ever before. Preparation is Key Follow each step carefully, prepare your documents thoroughly, and maintain communication with your employer to ensure a smooth application process. Employer Support For employers hiring foreign talent, consider using Employer of Record (EOR) services to simplify compliance, payroll, and permit management. Your Serbian Career Journey Ready to start your professional adventure in Serbia? Your journey begins with securing a job offer and concludes with your TRC in hand—opening doors to exciting opportunities in one of Europe's most dynamic markets.