Family reunification allows immediate family members of a Serbian citizen or a foreign national legally residing in the Republic of Serbia to obtain a temporary residence permit to maintain family unity. The application process for a temporary residence permit is governed by the Law on Foreigners and relevant regulations.
Who Qualifies as an Immediate Family Member Under the Law on Foreigners?
A temporary residence permit based on family reunification in Serbia may be requested by:
- A spouse;
- A common-law (extramarital) partner;
- A child born in or out of marriage;
- Adopted children or stepchildren under the age of 18 (provided they are unmarried);
- Parents or adoptive parents of minor children under 18 (provided the children are unmarried);
- Other close relatives of a Serbian citizen or a foreign national holding a temporary or permanent residence permit (or relatives of their spouse/partner), provided they are dependent on them and lack adequate family care in their home country;
- An unmarried adult child of a Serbian citizen or a foreign resident who is unable to meet their personal needs due to health conditions.
Note on Polygamous Marriages: In cases of polygamous marriage, family reunification is granted to only one spouse and their joint minor children under 18 years of age.
How to Apply: Electronic Procedure and Visa D Requirement
Applications for a temporary residence permit based on family reunification are submitted electronically via the Single Portal for Foreigners (eGovernment).
- If the applicant is currently abroad: You must first apply for a Type D Visa for family reunification through the eConsulate portal or at a competent Serbian diplomatic/consular mission.
- If the applicant is already legally in Serbia: The application is submitted directly through the Portal for Foreigners before the expiration of your valid stay, visa, or visa-free regime.
- Alternatively, applications can be submitted in person at the local Administration for Foreigners (MUP) corresponding to the applicant’s place of residence in Serbia.
General Requirements for Spouses and Minor Children
A foreign national applying for family reunification must enter the territory of the Republic of Serbia legally (with a valid Long-Stay Visa D if required based on nationality).
Along with the temporary residence application, the following supporting documents must be provided:
- A valid passport (or official ID card if applicable under bilateral travel agreements);
- Proof of sufficient financial means during the planned stay;
- Proof of address registration (Beli karton / residential registration in Serbia);
- Proof of valid health insurance covering the duration of stay;
- Evidence justifying the request (e.g., marriage or birth certificate);
- Proof of payment of the administrative fee.
Passport Validity: The passport attached to the application must be valid for at least three months beyond the requested duration of the residence permit.
Exemption: Immediate family members of a Serbian citizen, as well as family members of employed foreign nationals (holding a Single Permit), are exempt from providing proof of financial means and health insurance.
Special Requirements for Proving Common-Law Partnerships (Extramarital Union)
When applying based on an extramarital union (cohabitation) with a Serbian citizen or a foreign resident, applicants must submit proof of single marital status for both partners, alongside concrete evidence proving a genuine, long-term relationship.
Key evidence accepted by the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) includes:
- A notarized statement from two witnesses (certified by a public notary in Serbia) confirming the partners live in a continuous cohabitation;
- A residential lease agreement listing both partners as co-tenants, or registered address history at the same location;
- Proof of joint finances (joint bank accounts or power of attorney on accounts);
- Proof of joint travel (hotel bookings, flight tickets issued in both names);
- An official birth certificate of a joint child, if applicable.
Required Documents: Legalization, Apostille, and Translations
All foreign-issued public documents (marriage certificates, birth certificates, single status certificates) must be submitted in original or digitized form.
Depending on the country of issuance, specific legalization procedures apply:
- Bilateral Agreements (No Apostille required): Documents from countries with bilateral agreements with Serbia only require a certified translation into Serbian by a licensed court interpreter. (Countries include: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, etc.)
- Hague Convention Signatories (Apostille required): If the document is issued in a Hague Convention country (e.g., USA, UK, Turkey, China), an Apostille stamp is mandatory before translation.
- Multilingual Certificates: International extracts issued under the Vienna or Paris Conventions are recognized without an Apostille or translation, provided the fields are legible.
- Full Legalization: Documents from non-signatory countries require full embassy legalization followed by an official court translation.
Right to Work and Access to Education
- Work Rights: The right to work for family members depends on the primary residence holder’s status. Spouses of Serbian citizens and family members of Single Permit holders automatically gain the right to work in Serbia under the Law on Employment of Foreigners.
- Education: Access to primary, secondary, and higher education is free and guaranteed. Students can apply for temporary residence independently if needed.
Looking to transition from studies to the Serbian job market? Explore our guide on the Temporary Residence Permit for Talents to learn more about post-graduation options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How long does it take to get a temporary residence permit for family reunification?
The competent authority (Ministry of the Interior / Administration for Foreigners) processes and decides on the application within 15 to 30 days from the date a complete application is submitted.
2. Must the witness statements for an unmarried partnership be notarized in Serbia?
If the cohabitation is established in Serbia, the statements must be notarized by a Serbian public notary. If the partnership was established abroad, an official registry extract or equivalent legal proof with a certified translation must be provided.
3. Can family members work immediately after receiving their residence permit?
Yes, if the family reunification is based on a marriage/union with a Serbian citizen or a foreign national holding a Single Work and Residence Permit, the family member is entitled to work in Serbia.
Author: Attorney Milica D. Čučković, Member of the Belgrade Bar Association