Company Formation in Serbia – Incorporation of a Local Entity
Set up a company in Serbia with full legal support. Understand the incorporation process, timelines, and how to structure your business.
If you are planning to start a business in Serbia or expand your existing operations, you can do so by:
- incorporating a new company (LLC / DOO)
- establishing a subsidiary
- or registering a branch of a foreign company
Serbia offers a flexible and business-friendly legal framework, allowing full foreign ownership and efficient setup procedures.
If your objective is to combine company formation with residency in Serbia, submit your details here and we will assess your case: /local-business-presence-residency/
Key Advantages of Company Formation in Serbia
Before we go into the steps, it is important to understand a few practical benefits:
- incorporation can be completed remotely via power of attorney
- setup costs are relatively low compared to EU jurisdictions
- virtual office solutions are allowed
- directors do not need to reside in Serbia
- 100% foreign ownership is permitted
However, while the process is straightforward, proper legal structuring is essential to avoid delays, banking issues, and compliance risks.
Step-by-Step: Company Registration in Serbia
Below are the 3 key steps required to incorporate a company in Serbia, along with realistic timelines.
While company formation in Serbia is relatively fast and accessible, the difference between a smooth setup and a problematic one lies in legal structuring and execution.
👉 If your objective is to combine company formation with residency and long-term presence in Serbia, start your case here and receive a clear legal assessment of your options.
Frequently Asked
Questions
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Estimated timeline: 1 day
The process begins with preparing the Memorandum of Association (MoA), which defines:
- shareholders
- ownership structure
- management
- business activity
The founders must:
- sign and notarize 3 copies of the MoA before a Public Notary
- submit at least one notarized copy to the Serbian Business Registers Agency (SBRA)
At this stage, accuracy is critical — even small errors may lead to delays in registration.
Estimated timeline: up to 5 days
Once documentation is prepared, the application is submitted to the Serbian Business Registers Agency (SBRA).
The application includes:
- notarized MoA
- registration forms
- passport copies of shareholders and directors
- additional supporting documents (if required)
In practice, SBRA often issues the incorporation decision within a few days, even before the official deadline.
Estimated timeline: around 10 days
After incorporation, the company must:
- open a corporate bank account in Serbia
- register beneficial owners in the UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owners) Register
- obtain electronic signatures (e-signatures) for founders
This phase is often the most sensitive.
Why?
Because:
- banks apply strict compliance and AML checks
- certain nationalities or structures may face additional scrutiny
- delays in UBO registration or e-signature issuance can slow down the process
👉 If founders cannot obtain an electronic signature or complete UBO registration independently, tailored legal solutions are available to avoid significant delays.
⚠️ Important: Banking Strategy Matters
Selecting the right bank is now a key strategic step, not just a formality.
This is especially relevant for:
- international founders
- complex ownership structures
- founders from jurisdictions under enhanced scrutiny
In some cases, poor bank selection can:
- delay account opening
- complicate compliance
- or even prevent full operational setup
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