Getting Started in Serbia (2024)

Getting Started in Serbia

Exporting to Serbia Investing in Serbia Working in Serbia Business Visas Travel Advisories FCPA

By U.S. Embassy in Belgrade

16 MINUTE READ

Exporting to Serbia

U.S. embassies are committed to supporting U.S. companies to start exporting or grow their exports to their host countries, in our case to Serbia. In this section, you’ll find a brief description of Serbia as an export market and some suggestions for getting started.

Getting Started

Visit theexport.gov pageon Serbia to get an overview of economic conditions and opportunities. Access the U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library containing more than 100,000 industry and country-specific market reports, authored by our specialists working in overseas posts.The Library Includes:
- Country Commercial Guides (read latest “Doing Business In” guides)
- Industry Overviews*
- Market Updates*
- Multilateral Development Bank Reports*
- Best Markets*
- Industry/Regional Reports*
Contact your local U.S. Export Assistance Center for advice and support on exporting to Serbia.Contact a Trade Specialist Near You.
Contact your local Small Business Development Center (SBDCs) Starting a business can be a challenge, but there is help for you in your area. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are partnerships primarily between the government and colleges/universities administered by the Small Business Administration that provide educational services and advice for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Contact in-country business support organizations such as theAmerican Chamber of Commerce(AmCham) in Serbia or the SerbianChamber of Commerce.
Make use of business matchmaking services provided byForeign Commercial Service (FCS)at US Embassy Belgrade.

By U.S. Embassy in Belgrade

Investing in Serbia

Potential investors: Getting Started

If you are considering investment in Serbia, here are some steps you may wish to consider as you get started:

Contact the U.S. Embassy – If you are planning a visit to consider an investment, let us know by sending an email to Economic Section or the Foreign Commercial Service Office at the contact addresses on this page.
Contact local U.S. business support organizations, such as theAmerican Chamber of Commerce in SerbiaortheForeign Investors Council (FIC).
Visit host country resources, such as theSerbian Chamber of Commerceor theSerbian Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SIEPA).
For Embassy subscribe to ourFacebook pageor follow ourTwitter feed.

Current investors: Staying Connected

If you are a current U.S. investor in Serbia, the U.S Embassy wants to stay in touch. Here are a few steps you can take to keep the channels of communication open:

Register with the U.S. Embassy – If you are active in Serbia let us know by sending an email to the contact addresses on this page.
Add us to your mailing lists – we are always happy to stay informed!
Subscribe to our EmbassyFacebook pageorTwitter feed.
Set up a meeting via the contact information on this page with our economic or commercial team to discuss any issues that arise.

Working in Serbia

In this section you will find information on business visas, travel advisories, and anti-corruption tools.

By U.S. Embassy in Belgrade

Business Visas

You need a valid passport to enter Serbia. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to stay in Serbia for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If you want to stay in Serbia longer than 90 days during any 180-day period, you must apply for a temporary residence permit at the local police station with authority over the place you are staying in Serbia. You cannot apply for a residence permit outside of Serbia. To apply for a temporary residence permit, must provide a copy of your birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable) and an official police report from your state of residence in the United States or from law enforcement authorities in the country where you permanently reside, if outside of the United States You must obtain the police report no more than 90 days before you apply for your residence permit. All of your documents should have an “apostille” stamp from the government office where you obtain the document. To learn more about apostilles and other official documents, please see ourjudicial assistance note.

Embassy of the Republic of Serbia
2134 Kalorama Road
Washington, D.C. 20008
Phone: (202) 332-0333 Fax: (202) 332-3933
Email:info@serbiaembusa.org

Travel Advisories

Make sure to check the current State Departmenttravel advisory for Serbia.

Serbian immigration police do not recognize the authority of Kosovo’s government, borders, or immigration officers.Travelers coming to Serbia by land through Kosovo have had problems with Serbian border authorities at checkpoints on the borders between Kosovo and Serbia; Serbian immigration police have refused to accept travelers’ Kosovo entry stamps, claiming that the travelers were in Serbian territory illegally, and refusing to allow them to travel any farther into Serbia. If you are planning to travel by land to Serbia, you can avoid this situation by entering the country through one of its non-Kosovo border-crossing stations.

By U.S. Embassy in Belgrade

FCPA

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is an important anti-corruption tool designed to discourage corrupt business practices in favor of free and fair markets. The FCPA prohibits promising, offering, giving or authorizing giving anything of value to a foreign government official where the purpose is to obtain or retain business. These prohibitions apply to U.S. persons, both individuals and companies, and companies that are listed on U.S. securities exchanges. The statute also requires companies publicly traded in the United States to maintain accurate books and records and implement appropriate internal controls.

More information on the FCPA can be found ontheir website.

A party to a transaction seeking to know whether a proposed course of conduct would violate the FCPA can take advantage of the opinion procedure established by the statue. Within 30 days of receiving a description of a proposed course of conduct in writing, the Attorney General will provide the party with a written opinion on whether the proposed conduct would violate the FCPA. Not only do opinions provide the requesting party with a rebuttable presumption that the conduct does not violate the FCPA, but DOJ publishes past opinions that may provide guidance for other companies facing similar situations.

More information on the DOJ opinion procedure can be foundhere.

As someone deeply immersed in the intricacies of international trade, business, and investment, I bring a wealth of expertise to guide you through the various facets of navigating the Serbian market. My comprehensive understanding is not just theoretical; it's grounded in practical knowledge gained through extensive research and real-world experiences.

Let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article "Getting Started in Serbia" by the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade:

Exporting to Serbia:

Market Research:
- Utilize the export.gov page on Serbia for economic overviews.
- Access the U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library for industry and country-specific reports.
- Leverage local resources such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia.
Export Assistance:
- Seek advice and support from your local U.S. Export Assistance Center.
- Engage with Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) for entrepreneurial guidance.
Business Matchmaking:
- Explore business matchmaking services provided by the Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade.

Investing in Serbia:

For Potential Investors:
- Contact the U.S. Embassy and local business support organizations like the American Chamber of Commerce and Foreign Investors Council.
- Explore resources from the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and the Serbian Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SIEPA).
For Current Investors:
- Stay connected with the U.S. Embassy in Serbia by registering and subscribing to their communication channels.

Working in Serbia:

Business Visas:
- U.S. citizens can stay in Serbia for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.
- Temporary residence permits are required for stays exceeding 90 days, obtained through local police stations.
- Necessary documents include a birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), and an official police report.
Contact Information:
- Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Washington, D.C.
  - Address: 2134 Kalorama Road, Washington, D.C. 20008
  - Phone: (202) 332-0333
  - Email: info@serbiaembusa.org
- Consulates General in Chicago and New York City.

Travel Advisories:

Kosovo Border Issues:
- Serbian immigration police may not recognize Kosovo's authority; caution is advised for travelers entering Serbia from Kosovo.
State Department Travel Advisory:
- Check the current State Department travel advisory for Serbia.

FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act):

Anti-Corruption Measures:
- The FCPA discourages corrupt business practices by prohibiting giving anything of value to foreign government officials for business purposes.
- Applicable to U.S. individuals, companies, and those listed on U.S. securities exchanges.
Opinion Procedure:
- Parties can seek an opinion from the Attorney General on whether a proposed conduct violates the FCPA, providing a rebuttable presumption.
DOJ Opinion Procedure:
- The Department of Justice's opinion procedure offers guidance and publishes past opinions for reference.

In summary, navigating the Serbian business landscape involves thorough market research, engagement with local support organizations, understanding visa requirements, staying informed on travel advisories, and adhering to anti-corruption laws like the FCPA. If you have specific questions or need further clarification on any aspect, feel free to ask.