White Card Registration

What Is the White Card?

The White Card (Serbian: beli karton) is a mandatory residence registration document for all foreign nationals staying in Serbia. Every foreigner present on the territory of the Republic of Serbia is legally required to register their place of residence with the police. This obligation is established by the Law on Foreigners (Zakon o strancima).

The White Card confirms that a foreigner is officially registered at a specific address. The document contains the foreigner's personal details, residential address, and the duration of the registration.

Who Needs to Register?

Registration is mandatory for all foreign nationals staying in Serbia, regardless of the purpose of their visit:

• Tourists
• Work visa holders
• Students
• Individuals in the process of obtaining a residence permit
• Guests staying with friends or relatives

Exception: If you are staying at a hotel or hostel, the accommodation provider is responsible for completing the registration on your behalf. Always confirm at the front desk that your registration has been processed.

The 24-Hour Rule

The most important requirement is that registration must be completed within 24 hours of arriving at your place of stay. This applies to:

1. Initial entry into Serbia
2. Changing your residential address within the country
3. Re-entering Serbia after a trip abroad

If you move to a new address, you must complete a new registration within 24 hours of arriving at the new location.

Where to Register

Registration is handled at the local police station (policijska stanica) responsible for the area where you are staying. In major cities, you can visit the following offices:

• Belgrade: Belgrade City Police Administration, as well as district police stations
• Novi Sad: Novi Sad Police Administration
• Nis: Nis Police Administration

Detailed information is available on the Serbian Ministry of Interior website: mup.gov.rs

Typically, the registration is submitted by the property owner (stanodavac) — your landlord or host. However, in some cases the foreigner may submit the application independently.

Required Documents

To complete the White Card registration, you will need:

• Passport of the foreign national (original)
• Copy of the passport (photo page and entry stamp page)
• Rental agreement or a document confirming the right to use the accommodation
• ID card of the property owner (licna karta stanodavca)
• Completed application form — available at the police station

Some police stations may additionally request:

• Proof of the purpose of stay (invitation letter, employment certificate)
• Passport-sized photographs

Penalties for Non-Registration

Failure to comply with the registration requirement carries serious consequences:

• Fine for the foreigner: 10,000 to 50,000 Serbian dinars (approximately 85 to 430 euros)
• Fine for the property owner: 10,000 to 50,000 dinars for failing to report a foreign guest
• Repeated violations may result in more severe measures, including an entry ban

Practical Tips

• Keep a copy of your White Card — it may be required when applying for a residence permit or opening a bank account
• When checking into a hotel, verify at the front desk that your registration has been completed
• If your landlord refuses to complete the registration, consider finding alternative accommodation — without the White Card, your stay is considered illegal
• When changing addresses, always remember to re-register within 24 hours

For the most up-to-date information on the registration procedure, visit the official website of the Serbian Ministry of Interior: mup.gov.rs