Immigration to Serbia from Russia in 2024

Serbia is a European country characterised by a loyal attitude towards Russians in 2024. According to reviews, it is attractive for immigration, especially among entrepreneurs from Russia who are looking for an opportunity to open accounts and make partners abroad. The state is characterised by stability in economic and political terms, acceptable quality of life and a favourable environment for business development.  

Immigration to Serbia, according to reviews, is popular because it is preparing to join the EU in 2025. Its passport will soon become a European one, and by obtaining it now, it will provide the benefits of EU residency in the future. 

How to obtain residence permit and citizenship 

Immigration from Russia to Serbia is carried out by obtaining a residence permit, which is acquired on one of the grounds provided for by the legislation of this European country. The main ways to acquire a residence permit in this state are:  

• Employment in a local company;  
• Opening or buying a business;  
• Acquisition of real estate;  
• Obtaining education in a local higher education institution;  
• Family reunification or marriage to a Serbian citizen;  
• Refugee status.  

In addition, a person seeking to immigrate to Serbia and obtain a residence permit must meet the following requirements:  

• Be of legal age 
• Demonstrate loyalty to the Republic and not pose a threat to the security of the people;  
• Have sufficient financial means to live without social support. 

You can apply for a residence permit in Serbia upon arrival in the country and submitting an application together with the necessary documents. It is worth mentioning that residents of Russia in 2024 do not need to obtain a visa to enter and stay in the country for up to 30 days. The list of documents may differ depending on the basis on which the residence permit is acquired. The basic list of evidence is as follows: 

• A valid foreign passport;  
• A completed application form;  
• Two 35×45 mm photographs;  
• Health insurance;  
• Declaration of residence address;  
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses.  

After obtaining a residence permit and having lived in Serbia for 5 years, you can continue the immigration process and apply for a permanent residence permit. This period can be reduced by two years if the migrant from Russia has a wife or husband who is a citizen of this state. Having a residence permit is one of the grounds for obtaining a passport. It is possible to apply for citizenship immediately after the issuance of a permanent residence permit. The application processing period is from 6 to 12 months. 

Peculiarities of living in Serbia 

It is worth considering immigration to Serbia after familiarising yourself with the peculiarities of life in this country. It is necessary to take into account the factors that can affect the decision to stay there for permanent residence or not. Analysing the reviews of Russians after immigration to Serbia, you can highlight the following advantages of living in this state:  

• Cost of living. This country has survived the economic crisis and is now at the stage of intensive development. Prices for food, real estate and utilities are low. Therefore, in reviews, Russian residents note that 2024 is the most optimal year for immigration to Serbia.  
• Language barrier. The Serbian language belongs to the Slovenian type, and in the study for Russians, according to their reviews, is not difficult. Many people here understand Russian, so there is no language barrier when immigrating.  
• Security level. In Serbia, this indicator is higher than in Russia, according to Numbeo statistics. In reviews, people positively assess the level of security, talking about calmness and the rare phenomenon of crime on the streets.  
• Climate. Frosts here are a rare phenomenon, as Russians describe in reviews. The average temperature in winter is 4 degrees Celsius, and in summer – 27, which creates comfortable conditions for living. 

Disadvantages of living in Serbia in 2024:  

• Pensions and other types of social security. Many Russian residents, judging by reviews, refuse to immigrate to Serbia because they are small. The average amount of pension payments is 220 euros.  
• Salaries. The average salary here is 460 euros. This is a disadvantage of those wishing to increase their income level after immigration. 

Reviews of immigrants to Serbia 

In order to objectively assess Serbia as a destination for immigration, it is worthwhile to familiarise yourself with the comments of immigrants. Below are two reviews from Russian residents who have moved here for permanent residence.  

‘I have been living in Serbia for 2 years. I moved here for work, acquaintances invited me to work in a construction company. The salary is not the best, but I get good experience here. The quality of life here is also better than it was in Russia. You can see that the country is moving towards Europe. And the people here are kind, especially the drivers. Russians could learn from them.’ 

Review from Terekhov Alexander, Nizhny Novgorod, 36 years old 

‘Yesterday I received residence permit in Serbia. Immigration has just started and I can’t say much about life here. However, the procedure was quite simple. The officials did not ask me any questions. They checked the certificates and I received the document. All by appointment, no queues. I hope that renewing my residence permit in two years will be just as easy.’ 

Review from Ekaterina Anikina, Moscow, 32 years old

 

Judging by the reviews, obtaining a residence permit in Serbia and the subsequent immigration process is not difficult. The state is still in the stage of economic development, and indicators such as the level of salaries and pensions are not high enough as in other European countries. However, immigration to Serbia for Russians is favourable due to the loyalty of the inhabitants to Russians, the ease of obtaining a residence permit and the great potential for investment and business development.