Our permanent residency is the place where we are actually located, where we live, and from where we carry out our daily life, family, and professional activities. The address of residence formally represents this place.
Temporary residency refers to a location where we plan to stay for an extended period—longer than 90 days—but do not intend to settle permanently.
Although the Law on Permanent and Temporary Residency of Citizens in Serbia is not new, many people still confuse the concepts of permanent residency and temporary residency or are unfamiliar with the legal requirements for registering an address. In addition to that, we will clarify the process of address deactivation, the impossibility of registering two residences, and similar issues.
Permanent residency and/or temporary stay are often key prerequisites for exercising certain rights (such as voting rights or eligibility for social assistance) and for fulfilling obligations (such as paying taxes and fees). Furthermore, the territorial jurisdiction of a court or administrative authority is determined based on a party’s residence (or temporary residence).
What is Permanent Residency and What is Temporary Residency?
According to the law, permanent residency is the place where a citizen has settled with the intention of permanently living there—where the center of their life activities, professional, economic, social, and other connections is located, proving a lasting connection to that place.
In short, permanent residency is where a person truly lives and has a permanent bond—family, professional, economic, and social.
Since the legal system aims to reflect the actual situation, if someone “truly lives” at a certain address, that should be their legal permanent residency.
Temporary residency is where a citizen resides temporarily, away from their permanent residence, for more than 90 days. Although more than three months is a considerable amount of time, the key distinction is that the person does not intend to stay there permanently and does not consider it the center of their life interests.
Temporary residency is registered for the planned duration but cannot exceed two years. If the person wishes to remain beyond that period, the stay must be extended.
Both permanent residency and temporary residency are registered with the competent authority (Ministry of Interior) according to the place of residence or stay.
Permanent Residency and Temporary Residency in Practice
A student from Zrenjanin who moves to Novi Sad for studies usually keeps their permanent residency registered at their parents’ home. That is acceptable since they are studying and still consider their hometown the center of their life activities. However, since they will remain in Novi Sad for more than three months, they are legally obliged to register their temporary residency.
Similarly, if a worker from Vlasotince moves to Belgrade for seasonal work during spring and summer, they do not need to register a new permanent residency at their rented apartment. If they intend to return to their family home in Vlasotince, it is sufficient to register temporary residency.
A certificate is issued for registered temporary residencies.
Basic Requirements for Registering Residency
To register permanent residency at a certain address, specific legal conditions must be met.
A citizen can only register permanent residency at a property they own, rent, or for which they have the owner’s written consent.
The police may verify the information if there are doubts about the validity of the registration. In practice, the authenticity of an address is verified by on-site visits from police officers.
Required documents:
- Valid ID card of the person registering residency (for individuals over 16);
- Proof of legal grounds for using the property (sale or gift contract, inheritance decision, lease agreement, ownership certificate, etc.);
- Written consent from the property owner (this can be given in person at the police station, certified by a notary using the official form, or electronically via the e-Government portal);
- Proof of payment for the residence registration fee (generated on the e-Government portal).
Registering a Minor’s Residence
A newborn’s residence must be registered within three months of birth or within eight days of moving to the address.
A parent, legal guardian, or other legal representative must submit the request using the official form, along with:
- Valid ID of the parent, guardian, or representative;
- If the parents are divorced, a copy of the final court decision granting custody to one parent;
- Proof of payment of the administrative fee.
The competent authority will obtain the child’s birth certificate from the registry office with the parents’ or guardian’s consent.
If the parents have different registered addresses, the request must include the other parent’s consent or a declaration that one parent exercises sole custody under the law.
Deregistration of Residence
Citizens who plan to move out of Serbia must report their departure in advance.
Deregistration of residence due to emigration is done using the official form and the following documents:
- Valid ID with photo;
- Proof of emigration or a written statement declaring emigration;
- Proof of payment of the residence deregistration fee.
Instructions for completing payment slips and further information on fees can be found on the e-Government website.
Temporary Residency Abroad and Return to Serbia
Citizens planning to stay abroad continuously for more than 90 days must report their temporary residency abroad before departure.
If you go abroad without such plans but end up staying longer than 90 days, you are still obliged to notify the competent authority—through a diplomatic or consular mission—of your prolonged stay.
Returning to Serbia must be reported within eight days of arrival.
If minor children are accompanying you, their stay and return must also be registered.
A confirmation of temporary residency abroad or return is issued upon submission.
Only One Permanent Residency
The law explicitly states that registering a new permanent residency address automatically results in the deregistration of the previous one in Serbia.
This means that a person cannot have two permanent residences at the same time. Even if you regularly stay at two addresses, you can only have one registered permanent residency and possibly a temporary residency.
When a new permanent residency is registered, the old one is automatically canceled—no separate procedure is required.
Address Deactivation (Passive Status)
Address deactivation is a legal measure increasingly used in practice. Essentially, it is an administrative action indicating that a person no longer lives at their registered residence or stay address but has not formally deregistered.
Upon request by a court, administrative body, or any entity with a legitimate legal interest, the Ministry of Interior may verify whether a person actually resides at their registered address.
Deactivation occurs if the Ministry determines that the person no longer lives at the declared address. It can also occur if the provided information during registration is found to be false.
Common cases:
- Registration at an address without the owner’s knowledge or consent;
- Failure to report a change of address after moving;
- Field checks revealing the person does not reside at the registered address.
The deactivation process includes a formal decision delivered to the citizen, who may appeal. Once final, the address is removed from official records, which may lead to serious consequences:
- Inability to issue or renew ID cards and passports;
- Loss of voting rights (since voting is tied to the residence address);
- Issues with health and social insurance;
- Difficulties exercising rights related to family or inheritance law.
After deactivation, a citizen living in Serbia must register a new residence within eight days of receiving the decision.
If they fail to do so, the authority may assign a residence based on:
- Their place of permanent settlement;
- The residence of their spouse or common-law partner;
- The residence of their parents;
- The institution where they are permanently housed or the social welfare center responsible for their area, with a declaration from the citizen about the use of that address.
The decision on assigned residence or address deactivation can be appealed.
Conclusion
Timely updating your address when moving is crucial—even if you’re moving in with a relative, into a rental, or see the arrangement as temporary.
Your permanent residency is more than an administrative formality. It directly affects numerous rights and obligations, and many people become aware of this only when they are denied a right.
Moreover, if your formal and actual addresses differ, you may be violating the law and subject to fines.
If you’re unsure about the procedure, consider your situation is more complex, or don’t know what documents are required—consult a lawyer. That way, you’ll protect your rights, understand your responsibilities, and avoid unnecessary complications.
Law Firm Petrović Mojsić & Partners
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