The states of the Balkan Peninsula are traditionally one of the areas of migration demanded by our citizens. A warm, pleasant climate, healthy ecology, historical ties and the benevolent attitude of local residents - this and much more attracts Russians to Serbia. For legal residence, you must obtain a residence permit in accordance with the requirements of this state.
Advantages and disadvantages of moving to Serbia. Standard of living
Russia and Serbia have always had goodwill and friendly relations. The original spirit of the Serbian state has always been close to the Russians in its atmosphere, religion and culture.
The positive factors attracting migrants to Serbia are:
- Picturesque nature and developed tourism sector;
- Acceptable standard of living;
- Moderate prices for housing and everyday items;
- High quality food;
- Relatively low level of crime and corruption;
- Traditional ties with Russia and friendliness to the inhabitants of our homeland.
Despite the serious economic difficulties associated with the collapse of Yugoslavia and the subsequent series of civil conflicts, today the country's economy is on the rise, and Serbia itself is a candidate for accession to the EU and Schengen.
Social benefits
The republic has a system of state-provided benefits and benefits for citizens of the country. Pension provision is being implemented (on average up to 230 euros per month), support is provided to families with many children and the unemployed (about 100 euros per month).
State social programs also provide for the provision of free medical care and school education, which is considered to be of sufficient quality.
Types of residence permit in Serbia
Since 2012, there has been a visa-free regime between the Russian Federation and the Republika Srpska for persons arriving in the country for up to 30 days as tourists. If a citizen intends to stay there longer, work and subsequently obtain citizenship, he will have to apply for a residence permit.
Temporary (residence permit) and permanent (permanent residence) residence permit
The resolution can be of two types. The first one is for temporary stay (or borawak). Its validity period is limited (from six months to a year), but there is a possibility of extension.
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For a residence permit, a foreigner has the right to:
- Enjoy free honey. support in state polyclinics;
- Look for a job and find a job under a contract;
- Buy and register vehicle ownership;
- Open bank accounts;
- For those who wish - to issue Schengen at foreign consular missions in the country;
- After a certain time, apply for permanent residence.
The second document is permanent residence. Its main difference is a longer (5-year) period of validity. Proof of permanent residence then allows you to apply for Serbian citizenship.
It is important that both permanent residence and residence permit must be extended by preparing and submitting the collected package of documents at the place of residence.
Ways and grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Serbia for Russians
Citizens of the Russian Federation can obtain a Serbian residence permit for several types of grounds that determine the features of the registration process:
- Purchase of housing;
- Employment;
- Start your business in the country;
- Education at a school or university in the country;
- Marriage / family reunification with a person with Serbian citizenship or permanent residence.
The legislation of this Balkan country is quite liberal and constantly evolving. So, in October 2018, a number of amendments to the law on foreign citizens were adopted. Separate clarifications concerned the possibility of obtaining a residence permit for the purchase of housing, as well as the terms of residence for a temporary permit for business owners - to attract this category, it was reduced from 10 to 5 years old.
Procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Serbia
Whatever basis a foreigner chooses, the general procedure for obtaining a residence permit includes the following steps:
- Enter the country for any reason - for example, for citizens of the Russian Federation for a stay of up to 30 days, a visa is not required;
- Officially register at the place of stay - get the so-called. "White cardboard";
- Contact the department for work with foreigners of the Serbian police and get application forms, a list of documents for a residence permit (in Serbian: time boravak) and clarify the cost of registration fees;
- Collect and transfer the finished package of documents to the police office;
- Get a passport with a residence permit in your hands, which is a special insert (in Serbian: a stickman).
All statements and documents must be in Serbian, therefore, when preparing the package, foreign-language papers are translated by a special translator (in Serbian: sudski tumach)
Required documents
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Regardless of the basis for filing with the police, you should prepare:
- Biography questionnaire;
- Completed application forms;
- Foreign passport + copy;
- Photos (35 x 45 mm, color);
- Certificate of honey. insurance;
- Confirmation of the availability of a place of residence (may be rent);
- Proof of income or account statements - about 2,000 euros for one person and 4,000 euros for the family;
- A receipt confirming the payment of the duty (about 135 euros).
If the applicant is moving with a family with a minor child / children, the package will also include:
- Marriage certificate;
- Birth certificate of the child / children;
- Certificate confirming that the requester contains them and provides them with a place of residence.
Depending on the basis under which the request falls, the main package will need to be supplemented with appropriate documents.
For property owners
One of the innovations of the law that came into force - since October, the legislation secures the purchase of real estate as a separate basis for a residence permit.
The state prohibits buying land directly: to build your house, you will have to rent it. But the type of finished real estate does not matter: it can be either residential or commercial. A transaction with a foreigner is made officially with the permission of the Commission of the Cadastral Authority. Purchase tax is 5% from the cost.
Another clarification: the buyer of real estate has the right to apply for a residence permit not only for himself, but also for close relatives, including the older generation.
For those moving to look for work
If a resident of the Russian Federation plans to leave for Serbia and look for work there, he applies for a special residence permit with the possibility of employment.
The document is issued by a special authority, to which the migrant, in addition to the above package, must submit:
- Certificate of higher education and awarded qualifications;
- Confirmation that there is no criminal record;
- The fact of a concluded contract with an employer on the territory of Serbia or a statement of the availability of funds for the period of job search - annual minimum about 3,000 euros per person.
A residence permit through a work permit is calculated based on the duration of the employment contract and is extended, as a rule, together with a representative of the employing company.
For those wishing to start their own business
To apply for a "business" residence permit in Serbia, a foreigner must register an enterprise in the country that occupies about 2 weeks. The size of the initial authorized capital is not stipulated by the authorities, but the owner becomes a taxpayer in the country.
If the company provides jobs for citizens of the country, certain tax benefits are provided for the businessman.
The person who received the permit must be present on the territory of the country 183 days a year and justify the performance of your company through financial documents.
According to the new rules, starting from October 2018, a foreigner who has started his own business has the opportunity to apply for permanent residence in 5 years, and not in 10, as it was before.
For those wishing to get an education
A residence permit is also issued for obtaining higher education. It can be issued after enrollment and receiving the appropriate certificate from the university.
Basic residence permit is issued for 1 year with the right to extend throughout the entire period of study.
For those moving to get married or reunite with their families
When applying for a residence permit, Russian citizens who marry those who have already received permanent residence or Serbian citizenship provide a certificate of registration, and the next of kin who move on family reunification - documentary evidence confirming the relationship.
For retirees
For pensioners from the Russian Federation, there is a separate basis for issuing a deposit. For them, it is enough to have the fact of buying a home. Our countries, on the basis of an intergovernmental agreement, allow the transfer of pension savings, therefore, they may also request an extract from the Russian Pension Fund.
Other categories
You can also apply for a residence permit on other grounds, each of which is considered by the Serbian authorities separately. This could be:
- Medical examination or treatment;
- Educational or scientific work;
- International exchanges based on government agreements.
Terms and costs of registration
After making a request and submitting a package of documents, readiness is reported, as a rule, in within 3 - 4 weeks. Having received the document, it is advisable to stay in the country for some time, so that additional unnecessary questions do not arise during the extension.
The time frame for preparing a permit is usually influenced by the type of request, since they expand the package of documents and require a more detailed check by the migration authorities.
What to do if refused. How can you appeal
Cases of refusal are quite rare and can occur if mistakes were made in the preparation of applications or the formation of a package of documents.
Citizens are not entitled to submit a request:
- Reasonably suspected of terrorism or extremism;
- Controlled by special bodies;
- With a criminal record.
Upon receipt of a refusal, the applicant will be asked to re-submit the request, eliminating the deficiencies or attaching the missing documents. He may also try to cancel the refusal through the courts.
Period of validity of residence permit in Serbia
The primary insert, depending on the base, can be issued for up to a year. Then 3-5 years it must be renewed.
It is always important to collect and submit a file with documents for renewal in advance, before the end of the period indicated on the insert (no later than a month), otherwise the local FMS body may impose a fine on the applicant.
Features of the renewal procedure
Renewal documents generally do not differ from those submitted for the initial residence permit. Individual police departments may not request a number of them already on the applicant's card, so it is better to go to the migration department at your place of residence and clarify the list in advance.
Grounds for the loss of residence permit status in Serbia
In order not to lose the status of the holder of a Serbian residence permit, you should responsibly confirm your stay in the country for the number of days a year specified by law. It is also important that the initial documents submitted by the applicant are valid, and the certificates required for renewal are drawn up carefully and submitted to the migration authority in advance.
Reviews from those who received a residence permit in Serbia
Ekaterina, 32 years old:“I have been living in Serbia for 7 years. I am completely satisfied with the stability and mild climate in the country. I have opened a chain of restaurants in several cities and I enjoy life here. Due to the large flow of tourists, restaurants are never empty. "
Oleg, 55 years old:“I decided to go to Serbia with my wife 3 years ago. After that, we realized that this is a great country to meet old age. We moved here and we understand that we have made the right decision. "
Pavel, 42 years old: “Initially I moved to Serbia in order to go through it to live in France. But fate has developed so that I now have a private dental practice here and I am not going to leave this beautiful country anywhere. It was not difficult to obtain a residence permit, since I had bought myself an apartment in advance before moving to the country. "
The Republika Srpska is a good example of how the state system works if its priority is to attract new residents. The country's legislation is developing and optimizing, which from year to year makes it easier to obtain a residence permit in this picturesque and traditionally friendly country to Russians.
