Serbia Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in serbia, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Trade Agreements
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Serbia has been a Party to the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) since December 2006. CEFTA is a regional free-trade agreement composed of the following members (which, together, have a total population of nearly 20 million): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo.

Goods originating from Serbia and exported to the EU customs area are subject to preferential customs regimes. Serbia’s Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU and Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-Related Issues opened the door for Serbia to begin systemic reforms and harmonize its legislation with EU standards. Under this agreement, Serbia has abolished tariffs on most goods imported from the EU.

Serbia’s exports to the United States were US$541.48 million during 2022, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.

Serbia has concluded bilateral free-trade agreements with the European Union, Eurasian Economic Union and its member states (the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation),Turkey, United Kingdom and North Ireland, the People’s Republic of China, and the European Free Trade Association (Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein). Serbia is also a beneficiary of Japan’s GSP (preferential duties on importation to Japan).

Serbia, together with North Macedonia and Albania, is a member of Open Balkan’s initiative formed with intentions to provide greater opportunities for trade, student exchanges, and encourage the EU integration in the member states, inter alia. This economic zone prepares the countries to become members of the EU. On July 29, 2021, the three member countries signed an agreement to open their national borders to each other’s citizens and products on January 1, 2023, without restrictions. This process is still in the implementation phase with few expected delays.

Licensing Requirements for Professional Services

Foreigners who wish to practice law, medicine, and accounting in Serbia must comply with local requirements. All attorneys, including foreign ones, must be registered with the Serbian Bar Association. Foreign attorneys, without passing the Serbian bar exam, can advise legal entities and individuals on application of the laws of their home country and on international law.

Foreigners may practice certain medical services in Serbia upon obtaining a temporary license from the local Chamber of Healthcare Professionals. The license can be issued for up to 180 days in a calendar year. To apply for the license, a foreign professional must have (i) a written invitation from a Serbian medical institution and (ii) a license or other adequate document issued by its country of residence, and (iii) must apply healthcare technologies permitted in Serbia.

As an individual, there are no educational prerequisites to practice accounting services in Serbia. However, accounting firms must be registered in Serbia to perform accounting services.

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