Can Foreigners Buy a House in Serbia for Temporary Residence? (Complete Guide)

Foreign citizens can buy property in Serbia and use it as a basis for applying for temporary residence.

However, while buying an apartment is usually simple, buying a house can sometimes be more complex — especially in rural areas.

In this guide, we explain exactly what foreigners can and cannot buy, and how to solve the most common issues.

 1. Buying an apartment – the easiest option or courtyard apartments (dvorišni stan) 

Apartments are the simplest and safest option for foreign buyers.

• The purchase process is straightforward
• After purchase, you become the legal owner
• You can apply for temporary residence based on ownership

In most cases, temporary residence can be granted for up to 3 years.

From our experience, some buyers (for example from China) ask about invitation letters, but in this case after purchase you become owner of the property and letter not required.

All official information is available on:  https://welcometoserbia.gov.rs/

Select: “My Guide to Entry, Visas and Residence” and follow the instructions.

You can also apply for temporary residence online, and the process is clear and user-friendly.

 2. Buying a house – where things get more complicated

When it comes to houses, especially in smaller towns and villages, the situation is often different.

In Serbia, many houses are located on two separate parcels:

• One parcel includes the house and auxiliary buildings
• The other parcel is usually a garden or empty land

This is where the problem arises for foreign buyers.

 3. The problem with two parcels

Foreign citizens generally cannot purchase empty land directly.

So if a house is located on two parcels:

• You cannot buy the “garden” parcel
• You can only buy the parcel with the house

This creates a legal obstacle.

4. Solution 1 – Parcel merging (recommended)

The most common and safest solution is:

Merging the two parcels into one

Once merged:

• the property becomes a single unit
• foreigners can legally purchase it

This process is handled by licensed geodetic (surveying) companies.

Key facts:

• Cost: around 1000€
• Duration: 3 to 6 months
• Required before signing the final contract

 During this period, a preliminary agreement can be signed to secure the property.

5. Solution 2 – Buying only the house parcel

In some cases, depending on the seller:

• The buyer purchases only the parcel with the house
• The second parcel (garden) is leased or rented

This depends entirely on the agreement with the owner.

 Important: The second parcel can only be fully transferred to the foreign buyer after obtaining Serbian citizenship.

6. What this means for foreign buyers

If you are buying a house in Serbia:

• Always check how many parcels the property has
• Be aware of restrictions regarding land ownership
• Work with professionals who understand the process

These situations are very common, especially in rural areas like Sombor, Apatin and surrounding villages.

7. How AWA Nekretnine can help

At AWA Nekretnine, we assist foreign buyers in:

• checking property structure (number of parcels)
• organizing parcel merging
• coordinating with surveyors
• preparing legal documentation
• guiding you through the entire process

 We make sure there are no surprises during the purchase.

8. Properties eligible for temporary residence (VNŽ)

On our website, properties that are suitable for foreign buyers are clearly marked.

 All listings that are located on a single parcel and can be purchased without legal obstacles are labeled:

“Temporary Residence / VNŽ”

This allows you to:

• quickly identify suitable properties
• avoid legal complications
• save time during your search

 Instead of analyzing each listing, you can focus only on properties that are immediately available for purchase.

This is especially useful for foreign buyers who want a fast and secure purchase process.

Conclusion

Buying property in Serbia as a foreigner is absolutely possible — but when it comes to houses, understanding the parcel structure is essential.

With the right guidance, even more complex situations can be solved safely and efficiently.

 Looking for property in Sombor or Apatin?

Explore our latest listings:  https://www.awanekretnine.rs

Our website is available in multiple languages, making it easy for international buyers to find the right property.