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Citizenship

A citizen of the Republic of Serbia with a citizenship of a foreign state is considered citizen of the Republic of Serbia when he/she is in the territory of the Republic of Serbia. If you are a citizen of another state, and you want to acquire citizenship of the Republic of Serbia, here is what you need to know.

You can acquire citizenship of the Republic of Serbia in several ways.

  1. by Serbian descent;
  2. by birth in the territory of the Republic of Serbia;
  3. by admission;
  4. pursuant to international treaties.

1. Acquiring citizenship by Serbian descent:

Citizenship of the Republic of Serbia by descent is acquired by a child:

  1. whose both parents, at his/her birth, are citizens of the Republic of Serbia;
  2. whose one parent, at his/her birth, is the citizen of the Republic of Serbia and the child is born in the territory of the Republic of Serbia;
  3. born abroad, whose one parent, at his/her birth, is the citizen of the Republic of Serbia and the other is unknown or of unknown citizenship or without citizenship.

Citizenship of the Republic of Serbia by descent is acquired by a child born abroad, whose one parent, at his/her birth, is the citizen of the Republic of Serbia and the other is a foreign citizen, if the parent who is the citizen of the Republic of Serbia registers the child by the age of 18.

A person over 18, born abroad, whose one parent, at his/her birth, was the citizen of the Republic of Serbia, and the other is a foreign citizen, acquires citizenship of the Republic of Serbia by descent if, by the age of 23, he/she applies for registration in the Register of citizens of the Republic of Serbia.

2. Acquiring citizenship by birth in the territory of the Republic of Serbia:

A child born or found in the territory of the Republic of Serbia (foundling) acquires citizenship of the Republic of Serbia by birth if both his/her parents are unknown or of unknown citizenship or without citizenship of if the child is without citizenship.

3. Acquiring citizenship by admission

If you are allowed to permanently reside in the Republic of Serbia, you can apply for citizenship of the Republic of Serbia in person if:

  1. You are 18 years old and not deprived of working capacity; applications for minors are submitted by their parents;
  2. You are released from foreign citizenship or submit proof you will be released if admitted to citizenship of the Republic of Serbia;
  3. You have at least three consecutive years of registered residence in the Republic of Serbia;
  4. You submit a written statement that you consider the Republic of Serbia your state.

If you are a foreigner who has been married to a Serbian citizen for at least three years, and you have been granted permanent residency, you can apply for admission to Serbian citizenship if you submit a written statement that you consider the Republic of Serbia your state.

It is necessary to attach to your application:

  1. Your birth certificate (for persons born abroad, attach the original birth certificate from the country of birth);
  2. Marriage certificate, not older than 6 months, as proof you have been married for at least three years;
  3. Approval of permanent residence in the Republic of Serbia;
  4. Written statement that you consider the Republic of Serbia your state;
  5. Photocopy of your foreigner ID card;
  6. Photocopy of your passport;
  7. Payment slip generated on the eGovernment portal.

If the application additionally refers to minor children, attach also:

  1. Birth certificate,
  2. Photocopy of travel document if not included in the applicant’s document.
  3. Written consent of a child over 14 years of age that he/she wants to acquire citizenship of the Republic of Serbia, i.e., that he/she agrees with the parents' application;
  4. Consent of the other parent for admission of the minor child to citizenship of the Republic of Serbia.

Note: Subject to your consent, the competent authority can obtain data from official records:

  • about civil status (register of births, register of marriages, and register of deaths);
  • approvals of permanent residence in the Republic of Serbia;

as well as other official records maintained by competent authorities of the Republic of Serbia. You have liked the Republic of Serbia and consider it your home, but you are not married to a citizen of the Republic of Serbia - don't worry, you can still become a citizen of our country. You need to have approval of permanent residence in the Republic of Serbia and to apply for admission to citizenship of the Republic of Serbia, and if you have a foreign citizenship, you should have a release from that citizenship or at least proof you will be released when admitted here.

When you gather it all, you need to attach also:

  1. Certified copy of approval of permanent residence;
  2. Birth certificate (for persons born abroad, attach the original birth certificate from the country of birth);
  3. Marriage certificate, if you are married;
  4. Certificate or guarantee you will be released from foreign citizenship if the Republic of Serbia grants you citizenship, or if you have already been released, a decision on release;
  5. Photocopy of your foreigner ID card;
  6. Payment slip generated on the eGovernment portal.

Note: Subject to your consent, our officials in competent authorities can obtain data from official records:

  1. Your personal data - register of births, register of marriages, and register of deaths;
  2. Approval of permanent residence in the Republic of Serbia;
  3. Any other information from the competent authorities of the Republic of Serbia needed to make a decision.

If the application also refers to minor children, and if they are not included in the applicant’s document, you need to attach one of these documents for them as well, and then apply in accordance with the law.

4. Acquiring citizenship pursuant to international treaties

Citizenship of the Republic of Serbia can be acquired pursuant to a ratified international treaty, on condition of reciprocity.

Decisions on admission to citizenship of the Republic of Serbia are passed by the Ministry of Interior, Administrative Affairs Department.

Important note: The information provided on this website is solely informative and as such have been tailored to the citizenship, intention of stay in the Republic of Serbia and all other parameters that you have selected through the My Entry / Visa / Residence Guide. It is not legal advice or instruction nor applies to individual situations. For more detailed information on applicable laws and by-laws, as well as on your rights and obligations, we recommend that you visit Law on Foreigners and Law on Employment of Foreigners.

Last updated: 06.09.2026.

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