The right to free access to the labor market in Serbia, i.e. employment, self-employment and practice the right in case of unemployment, unless otherwise stipulated by an international treaty binding to the Republic, shall have:
- EU citizens;
- Members of the family of citizens referred to under 1., who are not EU nationals and who are granted temporary residence or family residence in those countries proving their right to free access to the labor market.
Who is considered as a family member?
Family members of EU citizens are:
- Spouses married or extramarital of EU citizens, in accordance with the law;
- Direct descendants of EU citizens under 21 years of age or direct descendants of their spouse, whether married or extramarital, under 21 years of age;
- Adopted children under 21 years of age or pastors of EU citizens or their spouse, whether married or extramarital, under 21 years of age;
- Natural persons stated under 2. and 3. of this paragraph older than 21 years of age who are unable to support themselves on their own, i.e. who is obliged to support an EU citizen or his or her spouse in marriage or extramarital;
- The direct ancestors of EU citizens or the direct ancestors of their spouse, whether married or extramarital, which the EU citizen or his or her spouse is obliged to support.
Natural persons who have the right to free access to the labor market do not need a work permit within the meaning of the provisions of Law on Employment of Foreigners.
Can foreign employer direct non-EU foreigner to work in Serbia?
A foreign employer domiciled in a Member State of the European Union, the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation may send a non-EU foreigner to work in Serbia without a work permit within the meaning of the Serbian Law, unless otherwise provided by an International Treaty binding for the Serbia.
The foreign employer may direct the foreigner referred to in previous paragraph of this Article provided that he has:
- Contract concluded with the employer or the end user of the services, which must include the place and deadline for performing the work;
- Concluded an employment contract with the foreigner referred to in previous paragraph this Article in accordance with the law in force in the Member State in which the foreign employer is established;
- The Act on Reference to Temporary Work in the Republic of Serbia, which determines the manner of exercising rights and obligations from work, as well as the manner of accommodation and food during the stay and work in the Republic.
The employment of a foreigner is realized on condition that he / she has a long-stay visa on the basis of employment, a temporary residence permit or permanent residence permit and a work permit, unless otherwise stipulated by Serbian Law.
Work permits for foreign workers
A work permit, shall be considered an Act on which grounds a foreigner may be employed or self-employed in Serbia.
A work permit may be issued as:
- Personal Work Permit; or
- Work Permit.
Only one type of work permit is issued for the same time period.
For all additional information regarding employment of a foreigner in Serbian, temporary and permanent residence permits, and work permits contact Asst Office, and our team will provide you with all necessary information.