A comprehensive guide to obtaining a work permit in Serbia, covering permit types, required documents, employer obligations, and processing timelines.
The information in this guide may be incomplete or outdated. Laws and regulations in Serbia may change. Before making important decisions, be sure to consult official sources or professionals.
Overview
Foreign nationals who wish to work in Serbia are required to obtain a work permit. The process is governed by the Law on Employment of Foreign Nationals and involves both the employee and the employer interacting with government authorities. Work permits are issued by the National Employment Service (Nacionalna sluzba za zaposljavanje).
Types of Work Permits
Serbia offers several types of work permits depending on your situation:
Personal work permit — issued to foreigners who hold permanent residence, refugee status, or other special grounds for employment
Employment-based work permit — the most common type, filed by the employer on behalf of a specific employee
Self-employment work permit — for foreigners starting their own business or registering as entrepreneurs in Serbia
Posted worker permit — for employees of foreign companies temporarily assigned to work in Serbia
Seasonal work permit — for short-term seasonal employment, typically in agriculture or tourism
Required Documents
To obtain an employment-based work permit, you will typically need:
Work permit application form (submitted by the employer)
Copy of the foreign worker's valid passport
Temporary residence permit or proof of application for one
Employment contract or pre-contract agreement
Educational diploma or qualifications (apostilled and translated into Serbian)
Criminal background check from the country of citizenship
Medical fitness certificate
Proof that the employer conducted a labor market test
All documents in foreign languages must be translated into Serbian by a certified court interpreter.
Employer Obligations
The employer plays a central role in the work permit process:
Labor market test — the employer must post the job vacancy through the National Employment Service and demonstrate that no suitable Serbian candidate is available. The vacancy must remain listed for at least 10 days
Filing the application — it is the employer, not the employee, who submits the work permit application to the local branch of the National Employment Service
Worker registration — after the permit is granted, the employer must register the worker with the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund (RF PIO) and the tax authorities
Termination notification — if the worker's employment ends, the employer must notify the National Employment Service within 15 days
Application Process
Here is a step-by-step outline of the standard process:
The employer conducts a labor market test via the National Employment Service (minimum 10 days)
The employer files the work permit application with the National Employment Service
The National Employment Service reviews the application and issues a decision
The worker receives a residence permit that includes the right to work
Timelines and Costs
Processing time — up to 30 days from the date a complete application is submitted
Validity — work permits are issued for up to 1 year and can be renewed
Government fees — the fee amount depends on the permit type; check the National Employment Service website for current rates
Renewal — a renewal application must be submitted at least 30 days before the current permit expires
Important Notes
The temporary residence permit and work permit are separate documents, but both are required before you can legally begin working
Some categories of foreign nationals are exempt from the work permit requirement (e.g., company founders under certain conditions, accredited journalists, academic staff on exchange programs)
Processing times may vary depending on the local branch and completeness of your documentation
It is advisable to begin the process well in advance of your intended start date