Guide
Opening a company in Serbia for foreigners
Foreign nationals and companies can set up a business in Serbia on the same terms as locals, and we run the whole process from choosing the form to registration and banking, remotely if needed.
Opening a company for foreigners means a foreign individual or legal entity launching a business in Serbia, most often by forming a new company (usually a d.o.o.), a branch of a foreign company, or a representative office. Foreign founders operate on the same terms as locals and do not need residence in Serbia in order to be owners. Choosing the right legal form at the start determines your liability, tax treatment, and whether you may trade at all, so it matters to set everything up correctly and lawfully from day one.
What you should know
- Foreign individuals and legal entities can form a company in Serbia on the same terms as domestic nationals, with no mandatory residence or stay in Serbia for mere ownership of the company.
- There are three main legal forms: a new company (most often a d.o.o.) with a foreign founder, a branch of a foreign company, and a representative office. A d.o.o. is a separate legal entity with its own assets and liability; a branch has no legal personality and is a part of the parent company that operates in its name, but is treated as a tax resident; a representative office may only carry out non-commercial, preparatory and research activities, must not engage in trade, and cannot hold its own account.
- A franchise is not a separate legal form: in practice a domestic company (usually a d.o.o.) is formed in Serbia which, under a franchise agreement with the foreign franchisor, operates under its brand and standards in exchange for a fee.
- Formation requires the founder's passport, the choice of a director and a registered seat (address) in Serbia, and for a foreign parent company an extract from the register and constitutive documents with an apostille and a court interpreter's translation; this is followed by registration with APR, obtaining a PIB (tax ID), and opening a bank account.
- Residence and a work permit are needed only if the foreigner wants to be employed or work-engaged in Serbia (for example as a director who enters into employment), while they are not a condition for mere ownership. Dividends, interest, and royalties paid abroad are subject to withholding tax (as a rule 20%), and the rate can be reduced by applying a double taxation treaty.
How we handle it
- 01 Advice and form selection We discuss your goal in Serbia and choose the most favorable form (new d.o.o., branch, representative office, or operating under a franchise), explaining the differences in liability, taxation, and the right to trade.
- 02 Document preparation We prepare the constitutive documents and coordinate obtaining the founder's passport and, for a foreign parent company, a register extract with an apostille and a court interpreter's translation.
- 03 Director, seat, and power of attorney We assist in choosing a director and securing a registered seat (address) in Serbia and, based on a notarized power of attorney, can run the entire process remotely, without you traveling here.
- 04 Registration and PIB We file the application with the Business Registers Agency (APR) and follow it through to the registration decision, company number, and assigned PIB (tax ID).
- 05 Account and tax obligations We help open a bank account and set up your tax records, including withholding tax on payments abroad with the application of double taxation treaties.
Company formation
We register your company with APR and handle all tax and banking obligations.
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