Company Formation in Serbia (2026 Guide for Foreigners)

Serbia has quietly become one of the easiest places in Europe to start a company. The process is fast, costs are low, and foreign founders can fully own and run a business without needing a local partner. In most cases, everything can be done remotely and you can be up and running within two weeks.

One thing that often confuses people, however, is the question of office space. Do you actually need one?

Why Serbia?

For many founders, Serbia offers a practical balance between affordability and flexibility.

Corporate tax is set at 15%, incorporation costs are low, and the administrative process is relatively straightforward. At the same time, the country remains well connected to European markets, which makes it a solid base for freelancers, startups, and international companies.

Foreigners can open and own a company without restrictions, and there is no requirement to have a local partner.

The setup process (simplified)

In practice, company formation in Serbia comes down to a few clear steps.

You start by choosing the legal structure. Most foreign founders go with a limited liability company (DOO), as it separates personal and business liability. Entrepreneurs (sole proprietors) are also common, but they come with personal financial exposure.

Once that's decided, you'll need a company name and a basic set of incorporation documents. These are submitted electronically to the Business Registers Agency (APR), where the official registration fee is around €50.

After registration, you open a business bank account and set up accounting. One important detail: your first tax filing must be submitted within 15 days of registration — something many first-time founders overlook.

The address requirement (and a smarter alternative)

Every company in Serbia must have a registered business address. At first glance, this sounds like you need to rent office space — but that's not necessarily the case.

In reality, many founders today use a virtual office. It's a fully legal solution that allows you to register your company at a real business address, receive official mail, and stay compliant, without taking on the cost of a physical office.

This approach is especially common among freelancers, remote teams, and foreign founders who don't need a daily workspace.

At The Office Belgrade, virtual office plans start at around €35 per month for entrepreneurs and €49 per month for companies, with mail reception included and optional scanning or forwarding when needed.

What if you need workspace occasionally?

Even if you don't need a full-time office, you might still need a place to work or meet clients from time to time. That's where flexible coworking comes in.

Instead of committing to a long-term lease, you can simply use workspace when needed. A daily coworking pass is typically around €12, while monthly access starts at approximately €140. Dedicated desks are available for those who want a consistent setup, usually around €180 per month.

Meeting rooms are also available on demand, generally priced around €17 per hour or €150 for a full day, and come fully equipped with screens, whiteboards, and video conferencing.

This kind of flexibility is often more practical than renting a traditional office — especially in the early stages.

Typical costs

Starting a company in Serbia remains relatively inexpensive. The registration fee is around €50, while legal and accounting support usually ranges between €200 and €800 depending on complexity.

The main ongoing cost for most remote founders is the business address. With a virtual office, that cost stays predictable and low, without long-term commitments.

Can you open a company remotely?

In most cases, yes.

Foreign founders often complete the entire process through a representative, without being physically present in Serbia. Documentation can be prepared and submitted remotely, and the company can be fully registered before you even arrive.

Opening a bank account may require additional steps depending on the bank, but with proper preparation, it can be handled efficiently.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most problems don't come from the registration itself, but from small details afterward. Missing the initial tax deadline, choosing the wrong legal structure, or committing to unnecessary office costs are among the most common issues.

In practice, the simplest setup tends to work best: establish the company, use a virtual address, and keep operations flexible until there's a clear need to scale.

Final thoughts

Opening a company in Serbia is not complicated. With the right structure, a registered address, and basic accounting in place, you can be fully operational in less than two weeks.

The key is to keep things simple and avoid locking yourself into costs you don't yet need.

At The Office Belgrade, we help founders get started with a legal business address for registration, fast setup (usually within 24 hours), mail handling and optional scanning, and access to coworking space and meeting rooms when needed.