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Global Expansion Handbook

Serbia

A country in Europe. Foreign investors commonly use a limited liability company (d.o.o.), registered with Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR); headline corporate tax is 15%, VAT standard rate 20%.

ManufacturingAutomotiveTier 3 · Emerging markets
Basic profile
Updated 2026-11-13
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This country currently has a directory entry or basic profile only; a full handbook is planned.

01Overview

Region
Europe
Capital
Belgrade
Currency
RSD
Languages
Serbian
ISO code
RS / SRB

Jurisdictions

  • Serbia — National level; special zones and regulated sectors have separate rules

Macro indicators such as GDP and population are not included yet; see official statistics such as the World Bank.

02Market Entry

Foreign ownership

Whether 100% foreign ownership is generally allowed, and key exceptions. Allowed / conditional / not allowed / unverified.

Generally treated like domestic investors

Applies to
Gambling and defence are restricted
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
MOFCOM
Local SubsidiaryIncorporate a separate legal entity in the target country

03Business Formation

Common legal entity

The company form most commonly used by foreign investors for a local operating entity.

Limited liability company (d.o.o.)

Applies to
Ordinary companies
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
MOFCOM

Registration authority

Primary authority for company or commercial registration.

Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR)

Applies to
Ordinary companies
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
MOFCOM

Foreign ownership

Whether 100% foreign ownership is generally allowed, and key exceptions. Allowed / conditional / not allowed / unverified.

Generally treated like domestic investors

Applies to
Gambling and defence are restricted
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
MOFCOM

Beneficial ownership register

Whether companies must keep or file ultimate beneficial owner information.

Beneficial owners must be recorded in the Central Records of Beneficial Owners at the APR

Applies to
Ordinary companies
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
Serbian Business Registers Agency

04Taxation

Headline corporate income tax

Statutory headline rate for ordinary companies, before incentives, exemptions, thresholds or special regimes. Always read with the conditions.

15%

Applies to
Large fixed-asset investments can get a 10-year exemption
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
State Taxation Administration

Indirect tax (VAT / GST / SST)

Standard rate and type of VAT, GST or sales & service tax.

VAT standard rate 20%

Applies to
Reduced rate 10%
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
State Taxation Administration

Dividend withholding tax (non-residents)

General withholding on dividends paid to foreign shareholders, before treaty relief.

15%

Applies to
Reducible under the China–Serbia treaty
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
State Taxation Administration

Tax authority

Authority responsible for corporate tax registration and filing.

Tax Administration (Ministry of Finance)

Applies to
Ordinary companies
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
State Taxation AdministrationTax Administration of Serbia

Tax treaty with China

Whether a double taxation agreement with China is in force. Rates and conditions per the treaty text.

In force

Applies to
Rates and conditions per the treaty text and STA publications
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
State Taxation Administration (China)State Taxation Administration

05Banking & Payments

Exchange controls

Whether general exchange controls or cross-border fund rules apply.

FX accounts are available; lawful earnings can be remitted freely

Applies to
Ordinary companies
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
MOFCOM

Banking & financial regulator

Primary regulator for banking and foreign exchange.

National Bank of Serbia

Applies to
Ordinary companies
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
MOFCOM

06Employment

Foreign employee work permit

Main permit types needed for foreign employees to work legally.

Single work and residence permit applied for online

Applies to
Up to three years, renewable
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
MOFCOM

Labour & work permit authority

Authority for labour rules and foreign employee work permits.

Ministry of the Interior (foreigners' department)

Applies to
Ordinary companies
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
MOFCOM

Social security contributions

Main employer social security schemes for local and foreign employees.

Pension and disability, health and unemployment insurance contributions

Applies to
Collected by the Tax Administration with payroll tax
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
Tax Administration of Serbia

07Trade & Customs

Main free trade agreements

Main regional and bilateral trade agreements relevant to Chinese exporters (not exhaustive).

Eight FTAs, including the EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement, CEFTA and the China–Serbia FTA

Applies to
Ordinary companies
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
MOFCOM

Customs authority

Authority for import/export clearance and tariffs.

Customs Administration of Serbia

Applies to
Ordinary companies
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
Customs Administration of Serbia

08Investment & Manufacturing

Investment authority / agency

Body responsible for approving, registering or promoting foreign investment.

Ministry of Economy; Development Agency of Serbia (RAS)

Applies to
Ordinary companies
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
MOFCOM

Free zone / SEZ regime

Whether free zones or special economic zones operate under rules different from the mainland.

Free zones

Applies to
Tax and customs incentives under the Free Zones Law
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
MOFCOM

09Digital & IP

IP office

Authority for trademark and patent filing and registration.

Intellectual Property Office of Serbia

Applies to
Ordinary companies
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
MOFCOM

Personal data protection law

Main law and regulator governing collection, use and cross-border transfer of personal data.

Law on Personal Data Protection (2018)

Applies to
Supervised by the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection

10Compliance & Risk

New York Convention party

Whether the country is party to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, which affects enforcing foreign arbitral awards locally.

Yes

Applies to
Foreign arbitral awards can be enforced under the Convention, subject to its limited refusal grounds
Jurisdiction
Serbia
Source
UNCITRAL

Live risk monitoring

Geopolitical, conflict and trade-route risk events for Europe, monitored by our sister site Global Risk Monitor.

View Europe risk monitor

Global Risk Monitor · Geopolitical and trade-route risk monitoring

11Step-by-Step

  1. 1Decide model and jurisdiction
  2. 2Confirm licences
  3. 3Prepare documents
  4. 4Incorporate
  5. 5Register for tax
  6. 6Open bank account
  7. 7Obtain operating licences
  8. 8Start operations

Generic steps without times or fees; rely on the facts and official sources on this page.

12Official Resources

Chinese official resources

Country materials from MOFCOM, the State Taxation Administration and China's overseas commercial offices

Official guides are long Chinese-language PDFs updated on the publishers' schedules. Our structured facts cite local authorities as primary sources; use these guides to cross-check.

Local authorities