If you rent your apartment to a foreign citizen, the first step is to register them at the address. All the steps.
Registering a foreign citizen at the address where they stay is a legal obligation in Serbia, whether you are the owner or a tenant subletting to a foreigner.
Who registers, and when?
- the owner of the apartment, or
- the foreigner, with the owner’s written consent certified by a notary, or
- another person with a legal basis to use the apartment (for example a subtenant), with a power of attorney
Registration must be made within 24 hours of the foreigner’s arrival, at the police station for the property’s address, or electronically if the owner and the foreigner have qualified electronic signatures.
Documents
- Form 1 (registration of a foreigner’s residence), in two copies, from the police station or the Ministry of the Interior website
- the foreigner’s passport or other valid identity document
- the ID card of the person registering
- proof of the right to use the apartment: lease, purchase contract, title deed or the owner’s power of attorney
After the registration the police issue the confirmation of registered residence, the “white card” (beli karton), which the foreigner must have during the stay; it is tied to the specific address.
When the foreigner registers alone
With the owner’s consent certified by a notary, the foreigner brings the consent, the lease, the passport and Form 1 to the police. This is the most common model when the owner is not in Serbia. The consent is a short power of attorney, limited to one year, authorising the person to register tenants at the address of the property.
Electronic registration
With a qualified electronic signature the owner can register fully online with a scan of the passport and a digital proof of ownership or lease: practical when the owner is abroad. If you have any difficulty, contact City Expert.
