Nationality of Serbia: all obtaining pathways
Serbia naturalizes in three years those holding permanent residency, obtainable after eight years of continued residence; marriage to a Serbian citizen requires three years of union. Serbian emigrants have special conditions on account of origin, and citizenship by birth follows ius sanguinis.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- Permanent residence (stalno nastanjenje) obtained under the aliens law
- At least 18 years old and not deprived of legal capacity
- Release from previous citizenship (otpust) or proof it will be granted upon admission
- 3 years of continuous registered residence (prebivalište) in Serbia before applying
- Written declaration that the person considers Serbia their state
Documentation
- Application to the Ministry of the Interior
- Permanent residence certificate
- Criminal record certificates from Serbia and the country of origin
- Proof of means of subsistence
- Employment contract or proof of income
- Serbian language command certificate
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
2Naturalization through marriage
Naturalization through marriage
Requirements
- Permanent residence (stalno nastanjenje) granted in Serbia
- ≥3 years of marital community (bračna zajednica) with a citizen of the Republic of Serbia
- Written declaration that the person considers Serbia their state
- (Those born on Serbian territory: only 2 years of continuous residence + declaration)
Documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Passport of the Serbian spouse
- Permanent residence certificate
- Criminal record certificate
- Proof of Serbian language command
3Citizenship by birth (ius sanguinis)
Citizenship by birth (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is a Serbian citizen
- Citizenship is transmitted by ius sanguinis with no generational limit
- Being born in Serbia to stateless parents or those of unknown nationality
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Identity documents of the parents
- Proof of the parents' Serbian citizenship
4Citizenship by origin (special conditions for emigrants)
Citizenship by origin (special conditions for emigrants)
Requirements
- Person of Serbian origin or born in the territory of the Republic of Serbia
- Emigrant who left Serbia for political or economic reasons
- Member of the Serbian diaspora
- No renunciation of the previous citizenship is required
Documentation
- Proof of Serbian origin
- Birth certificate or civil registry document
- Declaration that one considers Serbia their country
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Serbia
How many years of residence does Serbia require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Serbia (Naturalization by residence), the term is 3 years of continuous registered residence (prebivalište) after obtaining permanent residence (stalno nastanjenje). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Serbia allow dual nationality?
Release from previous citizenship (otpust) or proof it will be granted upon admission
Can the nationality of Serbia be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage pathway (3 years of marital community with a Serbian citizen + permanent residence (stalno nastanjenje)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Serbia require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Application to the Ministry of the Interior; Permanent residence certificate; Criminal record certificates from Serbia and the country of origin; Proof of means of subsistence; Employment contract or proof of income; among 3 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Serbia?
Serbia provides 4 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization through marriage, Citizenship by birth, Citizenship by origin.
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