After you arrive in Serbia as an international student, getting temporary residence for students in Serbia is a necessary step to make your stay legal. This process is separate from the visa: it is filed after you arrive in the country, and it depends on your enrolment at an accredited university. Fees and application conditions can vary by university and region, but the basic rules stay the same. In this complete guide you will find practical steps, the documents required, the costs and information about renewal, with notes for international students from different countries.

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What is temporary residence for students in Serbia?

Temporary residence for students in Serbia is a legal permit granted to international students admitted to a Serbian university, allowing them to stay in the country for the purpose of study. It is issued by the Serbian Ministry of Interior on the basis of proof of enrolment in an official study programme.

The legal basis for temporary residence

The student must be enrolled in a study programme accredited by the Serbian Ministry of Education, at either undergraduate or postgraduate level. You cannot apply for residence without proof of enrolment, and this status is the “legal basis” for the application.

Length of temporary residence and renewal

Temporary residence for students can be granted for up to three years and is extended for the same period, as long as you keep studying regularly. File the extension request before your current permit expires; starting the process at least 30 days ahead is a sensible precaution.

Documents required for student temporary residence in Serbia

The documents differ slightly by university and region, but the following list is the minimum required to apply for student temporary residence in Serbia in 2026.

• A copy of your valid passport.
• Proof of enrolment at a Serbian university (an official acceptance letter or a certificate from the university).
• A copy of your visa (if you needed a visa to enter the country).
• A recent passport-style photo (white background).
• Proof of accommodation in Serbia (a rental contract, a letter from the university, or a letter from a host).
• Proof of means of subsistence (the Welcome to Serbia portal accepts, for example, proof of a scholarship or a bank balance equal to the minimum monthly salary), or a funding letter from a sponsoring body.
• The temporary residence application form (available from the Ministry of Interior website or from the local residence office).

The official form and how to apply

You must fill in the online form through the website of the Serbian Ministry of Interior: Serbian Ministry of Interior (residence). After filling it in, you must attend the residence office in the city where you live to submit the original documents and give your biometric data.

Can you apply from inside Serbia?

Yes, you can apply for student temporary residence in Serbia from inside the country after you arrive, provided you entered legally: with a visa D if your nationality requires one, or visa-free if it does not.

Student temporary residence costs in Serbia, 2026

The fees for a temporary residence application are paid when you apply, and they have two parts: a submission fee and the residence approval fee.

Item	Amount (Serbian dinars)	Approximate euro equivalent
Residence approval fee	23,450 RSD	about €200
Submission fee	430 RSD	about €4
Total	23,880 RSD	about €204

Fees can change from year to year, so check the official website before paying.

Payment methods

You can pay by card or by general payment order, including online through the government portal. Keep the official proof of payment.

Practical steps after arriving in Serbia

After you arrive in Serbia, follow these steps straight away to make sure your stay is legal:

1. Enrol at the university and get the official enrolment letter.
2. Find temporary accommodation (an apartment, a university dormitory, or a host’s home).
3. Complete the registration procedures at the local residence office (the MUP office).
4. Fill in the online form on the Ministry of Interior website.
5. Book an appointment at the residence office to submit your documents.
6. Attend at the set time, submit the original documents and give your biometric data.
7. Receive your temporary residence permit card (the biometric document that proves your legal stay).

Processing time

Processing time varies by city and by season. Follow the status of your request on the Welcome to Serbia portal, and supplement the file promptly if the portal asks you to.

Renewing student temporary residence in Serbia

Student temporary residence in Serbia is extended for the same period as it was granted (up to three years). Submit the extension request before the permit expires, and ideally start at least 30 days earlier.

Documents required for renewal

• A copy of your previous residence permit.
• Proof of continued enrolment at the university (a certificate or a letter from the academic department).
• Proof of continued accommodation (a new rental contract or a letter from the university).
• Proof of means of subsistence for the current year.
• The renewal application form (available on the Ministry of Interior website).

Renewal fees

Renewal fees follow the current official schedule (see the costs section above), so check the Welcome to Serbia portal before paying. If you hold a scholarship, check with your scholarship provider whether any fee differs.

Notes for students from different countries

Entry rules differ by nationality: some students need a visa D and others enter visa-free, but everyone follows the same residence rules once in Serbia. See our country pages:

• Studying in Serbia for Egyptians
• Studying in Serbia for Iraqis

We also recommend looking at the best universities in Serbia to choose an accredited institution that makes the residence procedures easier.

Official facts about temporary residence in Serbia

These points come directly from the Serbian government’s Welcome to Serbia portal and are useful to check before you apply (source).

• Study is an official basis for residence. The portal lists “Education” as a basis for temporary residence, covering studying, schooling, learning the Serbian language, international student exchange, scientific research and other scientific and educational activities.
• Passport validity. The passport or identity document you attach must be valid for at least three months longer than the period of residence you are requesting.
• Right to work is recorded on your card. A note on the temporary residence card states whether you do or do not have the right to work in Serbia, according to the basis on which your residence was approved.
• Biometrics. If the conditions are met, you must attend the police department or office for foreign citizens in person, at your scheduled appointment, to give biometric data.

Fees, deadlines and notifications

• Length. Temporary residence can be granted for up to three years and extended for the same period, depending on the basis of stay (source).
• Fees. The portal lists a 430 RSD submission fee and a 23,450 RSD fee for approval of temporary residence. Payment by card and by general payment order is allowed for temporary stays. Citizens of North Macedonia, Mongolia, Cyprus and Belarus pay only the submission fee (source).
• Notifications. All notifications about your residence request arrive in your eDatabox (eSanduče) after you log in to the portal. If the status shows “being supplemented”, you can add the missing documents on the portal; otherwise you cannot supplement the request (source).
• Extensions. A request to extend temporary residence can be submitted until the expiry date of your current permit (source).
• Landlord registration. Whoever accommodates a foreigner must register the stay with the competent authority within 24 hours of the foreigner’s arrival (source).

Frequently asked questions

Can I stay in Serbia after my studies end?

Yes, you can stay in Serbia after your studies, but you must apply to change the type of residence (for example work, business or permanent residence) under the new conditions. You are not allowed to simply stay on a student permit after your studies are over.

Is health insurance required for temporary residence?

Yes, you need valid health insurance covering the whole period of stay. You can get it from an insurer or through the university, and it is a prerequisite when you apply.

What is the minimum financial income required?

You must prove you can support yourself. The Welcome to Serbia portal lists, among accepted proofs, a scholarship, a bank balance equal to the minimum monthly salary, or a written guarantee from a sponsor with proof of their funds.

Can I work while studying?

Yes, international students may work part-time (up to 20 hours a week) during the study period without a separate work permit. Work beyond that limit requires a single permit for residence and work.

Student temporary residence in Serbia is not just an administrative procedure but a basic step to secure your academic and legal stability in the country. If you follow the steps above carefully and submit the required documents, you can start your studies in Serbia without worrying about your residence. Be sure to check the latest updates on the Welcome to Serbia government portal for foreigners, and stay informed about changes to the rules. Do not hesitate to contact us for personal support at every step of your time in Serbia.

Official sources

• Serbian Ministry of Interior (residence)
• Welcome to Serbia government portal for foreigners