The real estate transfer tax is a tax paid by the acquirer of the property in the Republic of Serbia, amounting to 2.5% of the agreed purchase price or the market value based on the assessment of the tax administration. The acquirer of the property may be exempt from paying the real estate transfer tax if they meet the prescribed conditions.

Citizens or legal entities from European Union member states can acquire ownership rights to real estate in the Republic of Serbia under the same conditions as citizens of the Republic of Serbia and legal entities headquartered in Serbia, except for properties in restricted areas such as agricultural land. For such acquisitions, approval from the Ministry of Justice is not required. Foreign citizens or legal entities from outside EU member states require approval from the Ministry of Justice to acquire ownership rights to real estate in Serbia. This approval can only be obtained if there is reciprocity between the foreign citizen's country and the Republic of Serbia regarding property ownership rights. You can check the list of countries with reciprocity agreements in the section 'Information on Reciprocity in Real Estate Ownership between the Republic of Serbia and Non-EU States, the Republic of Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Kingdom of Norway, and the Swiss Confederation.'

Sales and lease/rental agreements are drafted by our legal team. Before drafting an agreement, our legal team thoroughly reviews the land registry data for each property. Sales agreements are certified by a public notary in the presence of an agent, while lease/rental agreements can be certified upon the request of the parties involved. Certification of agreements in the Republic of Serbia is carried out by public notaries. If the agreements are executed abroad, Serbian citizens can have them certified at Serbian diplomatic-consular offices abroad. Foreign citizens can have their agreements certified by a public notary abroad, typically with an Apostille.