--- title: "Serbia Spouse of a citizen requirements 2026: 3-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/serbia/spouse-of-citizen/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- Serbia · Spouse visas # Serbia Spouse of a citizen **First stay:** 3 yrs Temporary residence on the grounds of family reunification (spouse or common-law partner of a Serbian citizen) First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 3 yrs (Granted for up to three years and extendable for the same period; permanent residence after three years of continuous stay.) - **Who can apply:** Any passport ## Key facts Spouse of a citizen is a spouse visas route for Serbia. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source. - **Government fees:** RSD 430 ≈ $4 · RSD 12k ≈ $110 - **Processing:** Up to 30 days - **First stay:** 3 yrs ## Cost, time and long term To apply: 2 government fees listed below; decision: up to 30 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: RSD 430 ≈ $4 · RSD 12k ≈ $110** - RSD 430 (≈ $4) Application submission fee (citizens of North Macedonia, Mongolia, Cyprus and Belarus pay only this fee). - RSD 11,725 (≈ $110) Reduced approval fee for temporary residence on the basis of marriage, extramarital union or kinship with a citizen of Serbia. **Renewal: Renewable** Granted for up to three years and extendable for the same period. [Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia](https://www.mup.gov.rs/wps/wcm/connect/9e10bf1d-79ad-4a50-a8c1-76b6afb0d6e9/Law+on+Foreigners+2023.pdf?CVID=pdNziNy&MOD=AJPERES) **Permanent residence: After 3 years of residence** Permanent residence after 3 years of continuous stay. [Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia](https://www.mup.gov.rs/wps/wcm/connect/9e10bf1d-79ad-4a50-a8c1-76b6afb0d6e9/Law+on+Foreigners+2023.pdf?CVID=pdNziNy&MOD=AJPERES) **Citizenship: After 3 years as a permanent resident** Citizenship needs 3 years of uninterrupted registered permanent residence before applying (a spouse married 3 years can also qualify), plus release from other citizenship. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia](https://www.mfa.gov.rs/en/citizens/services/citizenship) **Processing: Up to 30 days** A decision on temporary residence is due within 30 days of the application. [Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia](https://www.mup.gov.rs/wps/wcm/connect/9e10bf1d-79ad-4a50-a8c1-76b6afb0d6e9/Law+on+Foreigners+2023.pdf?CVID=pdNziNy&MOD=AJPERES) **Presence rules: Absence limits** Absences of up to ten months in total or six months at a time over the three years do not break continuity. [Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia](https://www.mup.gov.rs/wps/wcm/connect/9e10bf1d-79ad-4a50-a8c1-76b6afb0d6e9/Law+on+Foreigners+2023.pdf?CVID=pdNziNy&MOD=AJPERES) ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - Applicant is the spouse or common-law partner of a citizen of Serbia. - The marriage or union is not a marriage of convenience, for example the spouses live in a marital community and share a common language. - In a polygamous marriage family reunification is granted to only one spouse. #### What you must show - Proof of means of subsistence and health insurance is not required from the immediate family of a Serbian citizen. - The prescribed administrative fee must be paid when applying. #### Documents - Application form, valid personal document with at least three months of validity beyond the requested stay, and two 35x45 mm photos. - Marriage certificate issued by Serbian authorities, or for a common-law union single-status certificates and other proofs of the union. - Landlord's statement agreeing to the registered residential address, and proof of fee payment. #### Steps 1. Apply at the Police Directorate for the City of Belgrade or a regional police directorate, or electronically on welcometoserbia.gov.rs; where a D visa is required it must be on the same grounds. #### After you arrive - Temporary residence is granted for up to three years and extended for the same period. - Permanent residence is possible after three years of continuous stay. - After four consecutive years on this basis the spouse may request autonomous stay. - The holder may work in Serbia without a single permit. ## What happens at day 183 How Serbia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **3 years at first, renewable** - **Tax residence:** - **At least 183 days in 12-month period beginning or ending in the tax year** Presence in Serbia for 183 or more days, continuous or interrupted. - **Foreign-source income:** **Worldwide, foreign tax credit** Residents are taxed on income earned in Serbia and in another state; salary and self-employment income are taxed at 10%, capital income and capital gains at 15%, royalties and property income at 20%, with a tax credit for income tax paid abroad up to the Serbian tax on that income. [All tax rules for Serbia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/serbia/tax/) Tax records checked 11 Oct 2026 ## What you need to arrange - **Health insurance** Proof of means of subsistence and health insurance is not required from the immediate family of a Serbian citizen - **Police certificate and civil documents** Marriage certificate issued by Serbian authorities, or for a common-law union single-status certificates and other proofs of the union Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts. **Full official text** Temporary residence for the spouse or common-law partner of a Serbian citizen, granted for up to three years and extendable, leading to permanent residence after three years of continuous stay. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) #### What you must show and pay - A fee of RSD 430 (≈ $4) · Application submission fee (citizens of North Macedonia, Mongolia, Cyprus and Belarus pay only this fee). (source 4) - A fee of RSD 11,725 (≈ $110) · Reduced approval fee for temporary residence on the basis of marriage, extramarital union or kinship with a citizen of Serbia. (source 4) #### Requirements - Applicant is the spouse or common-law partner of a citizen of Serbia. (sources 1, 2) - The marriage or union is not a marriage of convenience, for example the spouses live in a marital community and share a common language. (source 1) - In a polygamous marriage family reunification is granted to only one spouse. (source 1) - Proof of means of subsistence and health insurance is not required from the immediate family of a Serbian citizen. (source 1) - The prescribed administrative fee must be paid when applying. (source 2) - Application form, valid personal document with at least three months of validity beyond the requested stay, and two 35x45 mm photos. (sources 2, 1) - Marriage certificate issued by Serbian authorities, or for a common-law union single-status certificates and other proofs of the union. (source 2) - Landlord's statement agreeing to the registered residential address, and proof of fee payment. (source 2) - Apply at the Police Directorate for the City of Belgrade or a regional police directorate, or electronically on welcometoserbia.gov.rs; where a D visa is required it must be on the same grounds. (source 2) - Temporary residence is granted for up to three years and extended for the same period. (source 1) - Permanent residence is possible after three years of continuous stay. (source 1) - After four consecutive years on this basis the spouse may request autonomous stay. (source 1) - The holder may work in Serbia without a single permit. (source 5) #### Stay - Granted for up to three years and extendable for the same period; permanent residence after three years of continuous stay. - Initial permitted stay: 36 months. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Work Free access to the labour market without a single permit. #### Family Spouse or common-law partner, unmarried children under 18 (including adopted and stepchildren) and parents of such children can get temporary residence on family reunification; dependent relatives and adult children unable to care for themselves only exceptionally. Checked 2026-10-11 ## Official sources 1. [Law on Foreigners (Official Gazette of the RS, as amended 2023)](https://www.mup.gov.rs/wps/wcm/connect/9e10bf1d-79ad-4a50-a8c1-76b6afb0d6e9/Law+on+Foreigners+2023.pdf?CVID=pdNziNy&MOD=AJPERES) · Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Temporary residence: grounds, single permit to reside and work, required documents](https://www.mup.gov.rs/wps/portal/en/information/temporary+residence/temporary+residence) · Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Family reunification](https://welcometoserbia.gov.rs/family-reunification) · Welcome to Serbia (Government of the Republic of Serbia) · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Frequently asked questions: temporary residence and single permit fees](https://welcometoserbia.gov.rs/help) · Government of the Republic of Serbia (Welcome to Serbia portal) · checked 2026-10-11 5. [Residence and work permit (Welcome to Serbia): right to work on other bases](https://welcometoserbia.gov.rs/residence-and-work-permit) · Welcome to Serbia, Government of the Republic of Serbia · checked 2026-10-11 6. [Citizenship: acquiring citizenship by admission](https://www.mfa.gov.rs/en/citizens/services/citizenship) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia · checked 2026-10-11 ## Spouse of a citizen and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Spouse of a citizen | – | 3 yr, renewable | – | | [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/serbia/family-reunification/) | – | 3 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/spouse-of-citizen/) Portugal | – | – | – | | [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/family-reunification/) Spain | Needs income of €900+ a month ≈ $1,010 | – | Yes | | [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | – | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Spouse of a citizen? A fee of RSD 430 (≈ $4). Application submission fee (citizens of North Macedonia, Mongolia, Cyprus and Belarus pay only this fee). A fee of RSD 11,725 (≈ $110). Reduced approval fee for temporary residence on the basis of marriage, extramarital union or kinship with a citizen of Serbia. ### How long can I stay on the Spouse of a citizen? Granted for up to three years and extendable for the same period; permanent residence after three years of continuous stay. ### How long does the Spouse of a citizen take to process? A decision on temporary residence is due within 30 days of the application. ### Can I work on the Spouse of a citizen? Free access to the labour market without a single permit. ### Can I bring my family on the Spouse of a citizen? Spouse or common-law partner, unmarried children under 18 (including adopted and stepchildren) and parents of such children can get temporary residence on family reunification; dependent relatives and adult children unable to care for themselves only exceptionally. ### Does the Spouse of a citizen lead to permanent residence in Serbia? Time on the Spouse of a citizen counts toward permanent residence in Serbia, which the rules allow after 3 years of residence. Time on the Spouse of a citizen counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 3 years as a permanent resident. ### How are Spouse of a citizen holders taxed in Serbia? No special regime in our records is tied to the Spouse of a citizen. The standard rules apply: Residents are taxed on income earned in Serbia and in another state; salary and self-employment income are taxed at 10%, capital income and capital gains at 15%, royalties and property income at 20%, with a tax credit for income tax paid abroad up to the Serbian tax on that income. ## More in Serbia [Property owner residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/serbia/property-ownership-residence/) [Company investor residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/serbia/investor-residence/) [Independent professional](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/serbia/independent-professional/) [Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/serbia/single-permit-self-employment/) [Startup founder residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/serbia/startup-residence/) [Intra-company transfer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/serbia/intra-corporate-transfer/) [Work permit (single permit)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/serbia/single-permit-employment/) [Talent residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/serbia/talent-residence/) ## Spouse and partner visas elsewhere [🇮🇹 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇬🇷 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/spouse-of-citizen/) [🇫🇷 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇬🇧 Fiancé visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/fiance-visa/) [🇳🇱 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/spouse-of-citizen/) [🇨🇾 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-11 against 6 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Law on Foreigners (Official Gazette of the RS, as amended 2023)](https://www.mup.gov.rs/wps/wcm/connect/9e10bf1d-79ad-4a50-a8c1-76b6afb0d6e9/Law+on+Foreigners+2023.pdf?CVID=pdNziNy&MOD=AJPERES) · Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Temporary residence: grounds, single permit to reside and work, required documents](https://www.mup.gov.rs/wps/portal/en/information/temporary+residence/temporary+residence) · Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Family reunification](https://welcometoserbia.gov.rs/family-reunification) · Welcome to Serbia (Government of the Republic of Serbia) · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Frequently asked questions: temporary residence and single permit fees](https://welcometoserbia.gov.rs/help) · Government of the Republic of Serbia (Welcome to Serbia portal) · checked 2026-10-11 5. [Residence and work permit (Welcome to Serbia): right to work on other bases](https://welcometoserbia.gov.rs/residence-and-work-permit) · Welcome to Serbia, Government of the Republic of Serbia · checked 2026-10-11 6. [Citizenship: acquiring citizenship by admission](https://www.mfa.gov.rs/en/citizens/services/citizenship) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.