Looking for a place to lay bank and enjoy your retirement? Seeking a fresh take on your life chances in Serbia? The aim of this chapter is to explain the major original aspects involving shifting to Serbia. That pertains to opening an original bank account, acquiring a house permit, and examining the cost of living there. Once you get conversant with these ways, moving to Serbia should be just a simple trip down.
Retire in Serbia
A nation notable for its laid-back style of life, generous hospitality, and fascinating culture, this small landlocked country is located in the center of the Balkan Peninsula. This special position allows it to act as crossroads between the west and the east, allowing all the connecting contraries. One taste of Rakija and Pogaca is said to put a charm on every guest to fall in love with these ancient lands. Beautiful nature and preserved reticent artistic heritage are a trademark in both the northern plains and southern mountains attracting excursionists all-time round. Recent developments made ultramodern Serbia into a safe and stable country, as it awaits integration into the European Union. Because of that, the costs of living are vastly lower than in the nations of the EU, with nearly all the benefits of member countries.
Getting to Serbia
Getting to Serbia is simple and easy, owing to its geographical position. Via air routes, the most active transnational transportation mecca is the Nicola Tesla field in the capital of Belgrade, with direct flying to nearly all of the European cosmopolises. The most popular way to reach Serbia, however, is via land routes. Pan European roadways go through the area as well as routes connecting Europe and Asia Minor. You can conveniently enter Serbia from any of its neighboring countries. Due to the issue of disputed dominion entering through Kosovo is not advised, as Serbia doesn’t accept the sovereignty of Kosovo.
Opening a bank account in Serbia
Opening a bank account in Serbia should be relatively easy, disregarding an odd worker speaking little English. In order to be accurate, you can always bring a native speaker friend with you to the bank. With approximately over thirty banks in operation in Serbia, you will surely find the agreeable conditions to open your new account. Check-in advance if a certain bank allows nonresidents to open an account, although nearly all do. A daily simple procedure is just what it takes for you to have a bank account also as a nonresident. It is possible to produce both dinar (original currency) and non-dinar accounts.
Some of the more acknowledged banks in Serbia are:
- Banca Intesa
- Komercijalna Banka
- Unicredit bank
- Raiffesen Banka
- Societe generale
Again, conditions may vary between the businesses, so check them beforehand with the client service.
Getting your permit in Serbia
Getting a Serbian house permit requires a fairly long, but busy and affordable process. First, you must acquire a type D visa, which is a visa for temporary housing from ninety days until 12 months. Getting a house permit is a process completely completed in about three weeks. Only after five successive temporary permits can you acquire a lasting residency in Serbia. Getting work in Serbia, opening a business over there, or offering substantiation of foreign income (e.g. pension check) greatly simplifies the process. Recently the government of Serbia provides inducement and subsidized opening of businesses in Serbia. Also, Serbian commercial levies count among one of the smallest in Europe. This is especially good if you want to run a business and stay active during your retirement.
Cost of living in Serbia
The cost of livelihood in Serbia is among the cheapest in Europe, which is a great advantage for deportees looking for a place to live in. The budget for livelihood in Serbia is roughly half the cost of living in the United States or Western Europe. Rent in Serbia costs just one-fifth of the cost in the United States and Western Europe because of the low living cost, Belgrade has risen to be an eye-catching feature for business investments and residency likewise. Serbia offers a high cost-benefit ratio for its EU propinquity. Its affordable cost of living and excellent position is extremely a drawing card for both investors and retirees. Domestically, Serbia is more affordable than some of its neighbors, like Hungary, Croatia, and Romania.
