According to official data from the National Employment Service, which is in charge of issuing work permits to foreign employees, about 15,000 work permits have been issued to foreigners in Serbia since the beginning of 2022.

In addition to workers who come to work in large foreign companies, foreigners are mostly employed in construction, delivery jobs, as well as some seasonal jobs (picking, sowing, harvesting, storage, etc.). The largest number of foreigners come from Turkey, Russia, China, India, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Ukraine, Albania, Uzbekistan…

In order to be able to live and work in Serbia, foreigners must have an approved temporary residence and work permit.

The most important thing for the employer is that the basis for granting a temporary residence permit and obtaining a work permit is different and that the documentation required for employment depends on that basis.

Thus, the basis for approval of temporary residence can be:·

• temporary residence for employment purposes of a foreigner in Serbia,·
• temporary residence for the purpose of sending a foreigner to work in Serbia,·
• temporary residence for self-employment of a foreigner (which applies to foreign nationals who intend to register as entrepreneurs and be employed in their own company).

In addition to the basic or mandatory documentation submitted for each basis, some of the documents also need to be translated.

Among the documents necessary for the issuance of a work permit for employment, the following documents need to be translated:·

• diploma, certificate, or other public document on acquired education and a sworn translation of that document by a court-certified translator,·
• document, i.e. a certificate with which the foreigner proves their qualifications and work experience, as well as a sworn translation of that document by a court-certified translator,

Among the documents necessary for the issuance of a work permit for the referred persons, the following documents need to be translated:·

• signed contract on business and technical cooperation between the domestic employer (for whom work or services are performed) and the foreign employer, which must include the location and deadline for performing the work·
• contract or confirmation that the foreigner has been employed with a foreign company for at least a year·
• contract or confirmation from the foreign employer that the foreigner’s food expenses are covered·
• decision or confirmation of a foreign employer on sending a foreigner to work in the Republic of Serbia.

Among the documents necessary for issuing a work permit within a company, the following documents need to be translated:·

• contract or confirmation that the foreigner has been employed with a foreign company as an executive, manager or specialist for at least a year·
• decision or confirmation of a foreign employer on sending a foreigner to work in the Republic of Serbia (as an executive, manager or specialist).

Among the documents needed for issuing a work permit for self-employment submitted by a foreign citizen, the following documents need to be translated:·

• proof of qualifications and work experience for performing a specific activity

There are many misconceptions about the procedure for obtaining temporary residence, work permit, extending a visa in Serbia and the like, so it is best to be well informed and collect all the necessary documentation in time.

You can get the latest information on:·

Republic of Serbia, Ministry of Interior

Or you can contact one of the agencies that provides these types of services for the foreigners.