Starting a Business · Serbia
How to start a business in Serbia as a foreigner (2026)
Serbia shaded by its starting a business status
Starting a business in Serbia as a foreigner: easy (Law on Companies (Zakon o privrednim društvima, Official Gazette RS 36/2011, as amended) and Law on Investments (Official Gazette RS 89/2015, as amended), administered by the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR, Agencija za privredne registre)).
Serbia permits 100% foreign ownership of companies in virtually all sectors, with foreigners enjoying the same rights as domestic investors under the Law on Investments. A limited liability company (DOO) can be incorporated with a minimum capital of RSD 100 (under €1), registered online through the APR in 3-5 business days via a one-stop-shop that simultaneously issues the company registration number and tax ID (PIB). The overall process from document preparation to opening a bank account typically takes 10-15 business days and can be completed remotely via power of attorney.
Key points
The Law on Investments explicitly guarantees equal treatment for foreign and domestic investors; a foreign national may be the sole founder and sole director of a Serbian company with 100% ownership, and may freely repatriate profits and capital with no limitations.
The statutory minimum founding capital for a DOO (LLC) is RSD 100 (less than €1), making capital requirements effectively negligible; no paid-up deposit is required prior to registration.
The APR operates a one-stop-shop: submitting the registration application (online or in person) with founding documents, proof of identity, and fee payment simultaneously produces the company registration/corporate ID number and taxpayer ID (PIB), eliminating separate tax-office visits.
The APR issues a registration decision within 5 working days of receipt of a complete application; the full process including document preparation, notarisation, and bank account opening typically takes 10-15 business days.
Fully electronic incorporation of single- and multi-member LLCs has been available since 2018-2019 via the APR portal (requires a Serbian-issued qualified electronic signature); alternatively, a foreign founder may appoint a local attorney with a notarised power of attorney to complete the entire process without travelling to Serbia.
Foreign ownership restrictions exist in a narrow set of sectors: defence-related industries, certain media operations, and direct purchase of agricultural land (leasing is permitted); the vast majority of commercial activities are unrestricted.
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