Set up your business, all in one place – In Centar

First, you need to decide which type of business entity you want to establish (entrepreneur, limited liability company – LLC, etc.). After that, you need to gather the necessary documentation, choose a company name and activity, and submit a registration Form to the Business Registers Agency (APR).

In Serbia, the following types of business entities exist as the most common:

• Entrepreneur (individual engaged in independent activities)
• Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Associations…

Basic costs include registration fees with the APR, notary and legal services (if engaged), accounting services, seal creation (if necessary), and potential fees for the preparation of required documentation.

Entrepreneurs are required to pay taxes and contributions, keep business records, submit tax returns and business reports, and comply with regulations regarding labor rights and environmental protection.

The company registration process at APR usually takes 3-5 business days, but it may be faster or slower depending on the case.

Yes, you can open a company and be employed elsewhere, as long as your employment contract does not contain a clause prohibiting this. Also, you must pay attention to any potential obligations to your employer and tax and contribution requirements.

The company name should be unique and not match any already registered legal entities at the APR. Also, the name should reflect the type of activity you will be engaged in and be easy for recognition and marketing.

When registering your company, you need to choose an activity according to the Classification of Activities. It is recommended to choose an activity that matches your business idea and define it precisely to avoid potential legal complications.

It is not mandatory to hire a lawyer or notary, but you can if you want expert assistance in drafting the company’s founding contract, especially if establishing a limited liability company.

Legal entities are automatically registered in the tax system when registering with the APR, after which they are assigned a tax identification number. It is also necessary to submit a tax registration request to the Tax Administration, which is usually done by a licensed accountant.

Yes, you can authorize someone to open a bank account on your behalf, but the person must have a power of attorney, and in most cases, this person is a lawyer.

For registering as an entrepreneur (individual), having a business space is not mandatory, whereas for registering an LLC, you usually need to have a business space.

Accounting is performed by licensed professional accountants. Mandatory reports that need to be submitted include the annual business report and reports on income and expenses.

Registration of beneficial owners means that the company is obligated to report its beneficial owners (individuals who directly or indirectly own 25% or more of the company) to the APR.

Obligations to state authorities (taxes, contributions, fees) are settled through bank transfers or electronically, according to deadlines stipulated by law.

For opening as an entrepreneur, no minimum capital is required, while for opening an LLC, the minimum capital is 100 dinars.

Yes, foreign nationals can have ownership in any business structure in Serbia, except in certain cases where the law restricts it (e.g., activities related to national security).

If your income exceeds the limit of 8 million dinars per year (in 2025), you must register for VAT. You can also register for VAT even if you do not exceed this limit.

Yes, you can change the type of business entity, for example, from an entrepreneur to an LLC, by fulfilling all legal requirements.

If the director already pays contributions in another country, there may be an international agreement to avoid double taxation that regulates this situation, meaning they may not be required to pay contributions in Serbia. However, it is necessary to consult a tax advisor.