More and more foreigners, most of them Russians, buy property in Belgrade. A step-by-step guide to the documents.
More and more foreign citizens, most of them Russians, buy property in Belgrade. Most have the money ready, but face difficulties with the procedure. City Expert has a special department for Russian citizens, where a licensed agent gives you all the information in your own language, free of charge.
The documents you need
- The white card: register your residence; in Belgrade at the Police Administration, Foreigners’ Department.
- A Serbian bank account, opened with your passport and white card.
- An extract from the marriage register, or proof that you are not married.
- Two witnesses and a court interpreter at the notary, because of the language barrier.
- A preliminary contract for loan buyers (optional for cash buyers); cash buyers go straight to the contract.
Payment, certification and registration
Transfer the money to your foreign-currency account in Serbia and pay within the Serbian bank; ask the bank about its rules beforehand. Cash is possible up to 9,999 euros. After our checks the documents go to the notary; once the money reaches the seller, the seller signs the clausula intabulandi and you are registered in the cadastre as the owner, which also makes it easier to qualify for permanent residence.
Costs
- contract certification fee, usually up to €500
- court interpreter: €60–80 per hour
- witnesses, if you have none: 3,000 dinars per person
- property transfer tax: 2.5% of the value (the largest cost)
- bank costs and commissions
A foreign citizen has no right to a VAT refund or transfer-tax relief. Our licensed agents will help you in your own language.