Checklist: work permits for foreigners in Serbia (single permit)

A checklist for employers and foreign employees. Since 1 February 2024 Serbia issues a single permit that combines temporary residence and work. Official sources checked on 30 September 2026; rules and forms change, so confirm the current position before filing.

Checklist · Last updated 30 September 2026

Draft for review by DRG lawyers. Prepared from the firm's published articles and official sources; not yet approved for publication.

011. Which permit and on what ground

The single permit is a type of temporary residence permit with an integrated work permit. It is governed by the Law on Foreigners and the Law on Employment of Foreigners, as amended by Official Gazette 62/2023, applicable mostly from 1 February 2024. The earlier DRG posts on work permits describe the previous system with separate permits.

Identify the ground for the permit: employment contract (or another contract under the Labour Law), self-employment, secondment based on a business or technical cooperation agreement, intra-company transfer, independent professional, or training and development.Confirm that the foreign person does not fall under an exception from the permit requirement (the law lists several categories). Do not assume it.Check whether the person needs a visa to enter Serbia and plan the entry date.Prepare the employment contract or other document that proves the ground, and evidence that the employer is registered and meets the conditions.

Sources: Welcome to Serbia (official portal), Residence and work permit (2026-09-30); Welcome to Serbia (official portal), Temporary residence and single permit (2026-09-30); Law on Employment of Foreigners, Official Gazette of RS 128/2014, 113/2017, 50/2018, 31/2019 and 62/2023 (Paragraf Lex) (2026-09-30); Law on Foreigners, Official Gazette of RS 24/2018, 31/2019 and 62/2023 (Paragraf Lex) (2026-09-30); DRG, The Law on Amendments of the Law on Employment of the Foreigners was adopted (2018, earlier regime) (2018-07-11)

Practice area: Labor, Employment & Data Protection

022. Employer: labour market test

For employment on a contract, the employer starts the labour market test. The National Employment Service (NES) checks its register for suitable candidates.

Submit the Vacancy Registration Form (PPZ) to the locally competent NES branch office. The NES page states that the form may be submitted at most 60 days in advance.Describe the job requirements precisely (qualifications, skills, experience). NES matches candidates from its register to them.Expect the NES report on the test within four days of the start of the test (as set out in the Law).Keep the vacancy ID number, the NES report and your reply to it in the file.The foreigner can file the single permit request at the same time as the labour market test, through the Portal for Foreigners.

Sources: National Employment Service (NES), Employment of foreigners in the Republic of Serbia (2026-09-30); Law on Employment of Foreigners, Official Gazette of RS 128/2014, 113/2017, 50/2018, 31/2019 and 62/2023 (Paragraf Lex) (2026-09-30); Welcome to Serbia (official portal), Residence and work permit (2026-09-30)

Practice area: Labor, Employment & Data Protection

033. Filing the single permit

The request is filed electronically. Either the foreign person or the employer can start it.

File the request on the Portal for Foreigners (eforeigner.welcometoserbia.gov.rs). Paper filing is not available for the single permit.Select the correct ground and attach the documents the Portal lists for that ground.Use the Portal's guide (My Guide to Entry, Visas and Residence) to see the requirements for the person's nationality and ground.The Ministry of Interior decides. For the grounds that lead to a single permit, the stated period is 15 days from a complete request. In other cases of temporary residence it is 30 days.Pay the administrative fees stated on the Portal and in the Law on Administrative Fees. Amounts are not stated here.

Sources: Welcome to Serbia (official portal), Residence and work permit (2026-09-30); Welcome to Serbia (official portal), Temporary residence and single permit (2026-09-30); National Employment Service (NES), Employment of foreigners in the Republic of Serbia (2026-09-30); Ministry of Interior, Information for foreigners (2026-09-30)

Practice area: Labor, Employment & Data Protection

044. After approval and during the permit

After approval the foreign person visits the police for biometric data. The permit is valid for up to three years (36 months), depending on the ground.

Collect the notification, go to the police station for biometric data and receive the certificate with the foreigner registration number.Note the expiry date. Renewal can be requested from three months before expiry.To change the employer, work for several employers or change the ground during the validity of the permit, file a request with NES. NES decides within 10 days.If the employment ends, the foreign person must find new employment or another lawful basis within 30 days, otherwise the rules on entry and return apply.Employer: do not let a foreign person work without the permit. The Law prescribes employer obligations and penalties.

Sources: Welcome to Serbia (official portal), Temporary residence and single permit (2026-09-30); National Employment Service (NES), Employment of foreigners in the Republic of Serbia (2026-09-30); Law on Employment of Foreigners, Official Gazette of RS 128/2014, 113/2017, 50/2018, 31/2019 and 62/2023 (Paragraf Lex) (2026-09-30)

Practice area: Labor, Employment & Data Protection

055. Points to confirm with counsel

These points appear in the law or in secondary sources but were not confirmed on an official page. Ask before you rely on them.

Whether the occupation is on a list where the Government waives the labour market test (occupations with a labour shortage).Whether a short stay (up to 90 days in 180 days) for a specific activity is exempt from the permit.Restrictions on dismissing employees in order to hire a foreigner in the same job during the period set by the Law.Registration of the foreigner's place of residence and the employer's registration of the employee for social insurance, with the exact deadlines.Recognition and translation of diplomas and licences, where the job is regulated.

Sources: Law on Employment of Foreigners, Official Gazette of RS 128/2014, 113/2017, 50/2018, 31/2019 and 62/2023 (Paragraf Lex) (2026-09-30); National Employment Service (NES), Employment of foreigners in the Republic of Serbia (2026-09-30); DRG, Labour market test in employment of foreigners (2016, earlier regime) (2016-05-16); DRG, New Rulebook on employment work permits (2018, earlier regime) (2018-10-08)

Practice area: Labor, Employment & Data Protection

This guide gives general information on the law as of the date above and is not legal advice. Laws and practice change; please contact us before acting on any of it.

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