Our immigration lawyers in Serbia are at your disposal with complete information about obtaining citizenship in Serbia and can help you with the required formalities in 2026, from documentation to eligibility criteria and more. The Serbian Law provides various means of acquiring citizenship, which include: birth, descent, naturalization, international agreements, marriage or even special decisions of the Serbian Government, in some instances.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Types of Citizenship in Serbia | By birth, by descent, by naturalization, by investment |
|
Serbian citizenship by descent |
If one or both parents are Serbian citizens |
|
Citizenship by birth |
If born in Serbia to stateless parents or parents with unknown nationality |
| Citizenship by naturalization | Requirements include residency, language skills, and knowledge of Serbia. |
| Serbian citizenship by investment |
Investment options, such as real estate, can lead to citizenship. |
| Residency requirement |
Generally, 3 years of legal residency in Serbia |
| Children and dependents |
Children and family members can be included in applications. |
| Application review |
The government reviews the application for approval. |
| Citizenship interview |
It may involve an interview to assess language and cultural knowledge. |
| Oath of Allegiance | Pledge of loyalty to Serbia upon approval of citizenship |
| Passport application |
Apply for a passport once Serbian citizenship is granted. |
| Renunciation of previous citizenship |
Some countries require renunciation of their citizenship before acquiring the Serbian one. Learn more from our lawyers regarding this matter. |
| Benefits of Serbian citizenship |
Access to social services, voting rights, visa-free travel, etc. |
| Document translation |
Non-Serbian documents may require translation for applications. |
| Legal assistance | Consulting our Serbian lawyers can provide personalized guidance. |
| Applicable legislation | Nationality Law in Serbia |
|
Requirements when applying for Serbian ancestry citizenship |
Certificates proving blood relations with Serbian citizens (parents, grandparents, etc.) |
|
Starting a business to get Serbian citizenship |
Available option |
| Family members applying for Serbian citizenship | As part of the application of the main candidate |
| Real estate investments in exchange for citizenship in Serbia |
At least EUR 250,000 for commercial/residential properties |
| Business formation for getting Serbian citizenship |
Available option. Foreigners should invest at least EUR 500,000 and create jobs in Serbia. |
| Citizenship by marriage in Serbia |
If being married for at least 3 years and having permanent residency in Serbia |
| Dual citizenship (YES/NO) |
YES |
| Re-acquiring the Serbian citizenship |
Available option |
| Ministry that accepts Serbian citizenship applications | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Language requirements |
Not solicited for citizenship by investment in Serbia |
| Special cases |
Serbian citizenship can be gained by persons who do not have permanent residence but belong to Serbia, according to Article 23 of the Nationality Law. |
| Visa-free travel and visa on arrival with a Serbian passport |
For around 138 countries |
| Other documents solicited |
A declaration with reasons why you consider Serbia to be your country |
| Serbia passport rank | 37 |
Table of Contents
How your Serbian immigration lawyers can assist with citizenship?
Our immigration lawyers will give full legal assistance during the whole procedure of obtaining Serbian citizenship without regard to what grounds of application you have chosen. We can handle:
- check your eligibility prior to applying;
- analyze and prepare all necessary documents;
- provide services for applying for residence and permanent residence permits;
- assistance with legalization of foreign documents;
- act on behalf of clients at the competent Serbian authorities by virtue of a power of attorney;
- give legal assistance in family reunification, business migration, and citizenship by descent cases.
How can someone become a citizen of Serbia by birth?
A person may become a citizen of Serbia by birth, provided some legal criteria are met. Even though birth in Serbia is not a condition that guarantees citizenship, there is a chance for a person to obtain citizenship based on the circumstances surrounding his/her birth. The conditions include:
- The person have been born in Serbia according to the specified criteria;
- The child was born stateless or the parents are unknown.
- The situation of the born child does not permit to get any other citizenship.
Can I acquire Serbian citizenship by descent?
Yes, you can become a citizen of Serbia by descent if you have Serbian parents or ancestors. This way of becoming a citizen of Serbia is quite widespread, and you may have Serbian citizenship even being born abroad. The criteria include:
- You have one or two parents who are Serbian citizens.
- You have Serbian descent.
- You satisfy other special conditions for citizenship by descent.
Find in the infographic below more information on how the Serbian citizenship can be obtained:
Can I get Serbian citizenship through naturalization?
Yes, naturalization is the way to obtain Serbian citizenship by meeting some criteria that are legally required for foreigners. Naturalization is meant mainly for people who have been living in Serbia for a longer time and have developed some ties to this state. Typically, the general requirements include:
- Be at least 18 years old;
- Have permanent residence in Serbia;
- Be in possession of the minimum lawful residence period;
- Provide required application documents;
- Proof of Serbian accomodation.
What are the main requirements to obtain Serbian citizenship in 2026?
- Citizens must be at least 18 years old to apply for Serbian citizenship.
- Residents must prove that they have lived in this country for at least 3 years without interruption.
- A statement attesting that the applicant considers Serbia his/her country is part of the process of gaining citizenship in Serbia.
- The citizenship application can be made at the police station to which the foreign citizen belongs, as well as at the consulates in Serbia.
- Birth, marriage, and citizenship certificates are the necessary documents for Serbia’s nationality process.
- In the case of young people over 14 years of age, they must give their consent in the presence of their parents.
Which documentation is normally required for Serbian citizenship in 2026?
Depending on the grounds for Serbian citizenship that you have chosen, the documentation will be different. However, all applicants normally have to provide:
- valid passport or another form of identification;
- birth certificate;
- proof of their current nationality;
- proof of their permanent residence in Serbia, if applicable;
- marriage certificate, in case of citizenship through marriage;
- documents confirming Serbian origin, if citizenship by descent was chosen;
- written statement about the Republic of Serbia being their country.
Is Serbia’s dual citizenship accepted?
Of course, Serbian dual citizenship is accepted, and this means that you do not need to give up legal citizenship in order to obtain the Serbian one. This is a legal status mentioned by Serbian law.
Please explore the following video presentation we have prepared on this topic:
Can I obtain Serbian citizenship by marriage in 2026?
Yes, obtaining Serbian citizenship through marriage is possible, but it involves a specific set of requirements and a formal application process. If a foreign national marries a Serbian citizen, they can apply for citizenship after three years of continuous residence in Serbia, during which the marriage must remain valid.
Can I obtain Serbian citizenship through the Exception Program?
Yes, Serbia, like many other European countries and beyond, offers foreigners the possibility of obtaining citizenship by accessing a special program. In this case, it is the Serbian Citizenship by Exception Program dedicated to highly skilled individuals who make significant contributions to Serbia. Thus, entrepreneurs, researchers, or innovators can qualify for this status, namely, receiving Serbian citizenship.
How long does the process for Serbian citizenship generally take?
There is no standard processing time set for all applications. The processing time will depend on the grounds for obtaining citizenship in Serbia and the completeness of the supporting documents, among other factors. The completion of all the documents at the outset can assist in avoiding delays during the process of examining the application.
Are you interested in Serbian dual citizenship or in how to relocate to Serbia in 2026? Find out all the details from our specialists and contact our law firm in Serbia right away. We can help you with the formalities of immigration to Serbia.