Investments and Returns
June 29, 2026
Youth Loan
The "Beli Karton" in Serbia – A Complete Guide to Foreigner Residency Registration
If you are a foreign national staying in Serbia for longer than 24 hours, one of your first administrative obligations is to register your residence – a process commonly known as obtaining a Beli Karton (white card). Below, we explain what a Beli Karton is, who needs to register it, where it is issued, what documentation is required, and why it is important when purchasing real estate in Serbia.
What is a Beli Karton?
A Beli Karton is an official certificate of residence registration for a foreign national in the Republic of Serbia. It is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) and serves as legal proof of a foreigner's place of residence during their stay in the country.
Every foreign national who stays in Serbia for longer than 24 hours must be registered with the competent authorities.
Who registers the stay?
The registration method depends on the type of accommodation:
· If you are staying in a hotel, hostel, or an apartment with a reception desk –the accommodation facility handles the registration.
· If you are staying in a private apartment or house – the owner of the property or the person you are staying with is obliged to complete the registration.
When renting apartments in Novi Sad or other cities, the owner or real estate agency most often assists the tenant with the procedure.
Where is the Beli Karton obtained?
The Beli Karton is obtained at the competent police station (MUP) according to your address of residence. In larger cities, there are special counters for foreign nationals.
The process is quick and simple if the documentation is complete.
What documents are required?
For residence registration, the following are required:
1. Valid passport of the foreign national
2. ID card of the apartment owner (for private accommodation)
3. Proof of property ownership (cadastral extract, sales contract, inheritance decision, etc.)
4. Lease agreement (if applicable)
Complete documentation significantly speeds up the process.
The "Beli Karton" (White Card) and Property Purchase in Serbia
This is particularly important for foreign nationals purchasing an apartment or house in Serbia.
If the buyer does not have regulated temporary residency in Serbia, the "Beli Karton" is a mandatory document in the property purchase process.Notaries and competent authorities require proof of residency registration as part of the documentation, as it is necessary to record the buyer's legal stay at the time of contract signing.
In other words, without registered residency (the "Beli Karton"), the purchase process can be delayed or administratively complicated.
For buyers planning to apply for temporary residency based on property ownership after the purchase, the "Beli Karton" is the first step in that procedure.
Why is the "Beli Karton" important?
The "Beli Karton" is a legal obligation and a practical administrative document required for:
· regulating temporary residency
· purchasing property
· applying for a residence permit
· opening a bank account
· establishing employment
Failure to register residency can lead to fines and complications in further administrative procedures.
.png)
.png)
.png)
