Residence and formalities for students in Europe

Serbia is not in the EU. EU citizens and nationals of many other, mainly European, countries enter without a visa for 90 days within 6 months, counted from the first entry; EU citizens can use a passport or an ID card.

If your nationality needs a visa for Serbia, you first need a place on a programme. Then you apply for a visa D (long-stay visa) at the nearest Serbian embassy or consulate. A decision is usually made within 15 days, in justified cases within 30 days at most. You must apply for temporary residence while your visa is still valid.

Note: the Serbian Ministry of the Interior says a visa D is mandatory for a temporary residence application for studies, while Study in Serbia says nationals of visa-exempt countries come without one – check with the Serbian embassy and your institution before you travel.

Registration within 24 hours: every foreigner must register at the nearest police station. In a hotel or student residence, reception does it for you. In a private flat, you go to the police together with your landlord.

To study, every foreign student – EU citizens included – needs a temporary residence permit. You apply at the Directorate for Foreigners of the Belgrade Police Directorate, at a regional police directorate or online on the welcometoserbia.gov.rs portal. You will need, among other things:

• a certificate of admission to an accredited institution stating the length of your studies,
• two colour photos (35×45 mm),
• a passport or ID card valid for at least 3 months longer than the permit,
• a tenancy agreement or a statement from your landlord,
• proof of funds for your stay – for example a statement from a bank registered in Serbia showing at least the amount of the minimum wage, or a written guarantee – and health insurance for your whole stay.

You renew the permit every year – apply no earlier than 3 months before it expires. Serbia is not in the EU, so your EHIC is only accepted if your country has a social security agreement with Serbia (the Serbian Ministry of the Interior lists the accepted documents) – otherwise buy private insurance for your whole stay.