Housing

Finding Housing in Serbia

Serbia offers affordable housing options for expats, with no restrictions on foreign property ownership and a straightforward rental market.

Rental Prices

Popular Areas in Belgrade

Vračar: Central, trendy, good for expats, cafés and restaurants

Dorćol: Historic, artsy, riverside, popular with digital nomads

Stari Grad: Old town, touristy, very central

Novi Beograd: Modern, business district, shopping malls

Zemun: Charming, more local feel, along Danube

Finding an Apartment

Online platforms:

• Halooglasi.com (most popular Serbian site)
• Nekretnine.rs
• City Expert (English-friendly, furnished apartments)
• Facebook groups ("Expats in Belgrade", "Stanovi Beograd")

Tips:

• Many landlords prefer cash payment
• Negotiate - prices are often flexible
• Furnished apartments are common for short-term
• Utilities usually extra (€80-150/month)

Rental Requirements

Typical requirements:

• Passport or ID
• Deposit: 1-2 months rent
• No strict income requirements
• Lease terms often flexible (6-12 months)

Buying Property

Advantages:

• No restrictions for foreigners (most nationalities)
• Property can support residence permit application
• No minimum investment required
• Prices still relatively low compared to Western Europe

Costs:

• Belgrade center: €2,000-4,000/m²
• Belgrade suburbs: €1,500-2,500/m²
• Novi Sad: €1,500-3,000/m²
• Smaller cities: €800-1,500/m²

Purchase process:

1. Find property
2. Sign preliminary contract
3. Pay deposit (usually 10%)
4. Notary verification
5. Pay remaining amount
6. Register with cadastre

Additional costs:

• Property transfer tax: 2.5%
• Notary fees: ~€200-500
• Legal fees: ~€500-1,000

Short-Term Options

For new arrivals:

• Airbnb: Widely available, €30-70/night in Belgrade
• Serviced apartments: €600-1,200/month
• Hostels: €10-25/night for budget travelers

Utilities