{"id":2017,"date":"2025-02-17T16:32:12","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T15:32:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advokatskakancelarijajecmenica.com\/?p=2017"},"modified":"2025-02-17T16:32:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T15:32:12","slug":"acquiring-serbian-citizenship-by-emigrants-and-by-admission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advokatskakancelarijajecmenica.com\/en\/acquiring-serbian-citizenship-by-emigrants-and-by-admission\/","title":{"rendered":"ACQUIRING SERBIAN CITIZENSHIP BY EMIGRANTS AND BY ADMISSION"},"content":{"rendered":"

Throughout history, Serbia has been known as a country of emigrants. For nearly two centuries, people have been leaving Serbia in search of better education, a higher standard of living, or family happiness. On the other hand, in recent times, Serbia has increasingly been recognized as a country to which people immigrate, primarily from less developed Asian and African countries.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

In this text, we will explore the topics of acquiring Serbian citizenship by Serbian emigrants<\/strong>, as well as obtaining Serbian citizenship through admission<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

ACQUIRING SERBIAN CITIZENSHIP BY EMIGRANTS<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Serbia recognizes a special category of applicants<\/strong> for Serbian citizenship\u2014emigrants<\/strong>. An emigrant is defined as a person who has left the Republic of Serbia<\/strong> with the intention of permanently residing abroad. Therefore, the right to acquire Serbian citizenship<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/a> on this basis is granted to emigrants and their descendants<\/strong>, regardless of their national affiliation.In addition to individuals of Serbian descent, members of other ethnic groups<\/strong> from Serbia, such as Turks<\/strong> who predominantly lived in the Ra\u0161ka region, may also obtain citizenship under this provision.<\/span><\/p>\n

This category applies to individuals and their descendants who emigrated from Serbia with an emigrant visa<\/strong> and primarily settled in countries such as<\/strong> the United States, Switzerland, Canada, and Turkey. Upon arriving in their new countries, emigrants typically applied for naturalization<\/strong> and became citizens of their respective host nations. In most cases, they would also change their names<\/strong> to align with the naming conventions of their new homeland (e.g., Petar<\/i> becoming Peter<\/i> or Antonije<\/i> becoming Anthony<\/i>). <\/span><\/p>\n

As a result, the naturalization certificate<\/strong> of an emigrant, which contains details about their birth, parents, and original name and surname (prior to naturalization), is considered one of the most important documents<\/strong> in the process of acquiring Serbian citizenship under this basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to providing proof of emigration, the emigrant or their descendant must be at least 18 years old<\/strong>. They must also possess legal capacity<\/strong> and submit a declaration stating that they consider the Republic of Serbia their homeland<\/strong>. This declaration can be made personally or through an authorized attorney<\/strong>. Acquiring Serbian citizenship on this basis does not require renouncing citizenship<\/strong> of other countries. Therefore, emigrants and their descendants may retain their existing citizenship.<\/span><\/p>\n

The legislator has granted special privileges to this category of applicants by allowing their spouses<\/strong> to acquire Serbian citizenship without fulfilling<\/strong> any additional residency requirements in Serbia. The only condition is that the spouse must submit a declaration<\/strong> stating that they consider the Republic of Serbia their homeland.<\/span><\/p>\n

ACQUIRING SERBIAN CITIZENSHIP BY ADMISSION<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

If a foreigner intends to acquire Serbian citizenship by admission<\/strong>, the primary requirement is obtaining permanent residence approval<\/span> <\/strong><\/em><\/a>in Serbia. Permanent residence approval grants a foreigner the right to live indefinitely in Serbia<\/strong>, provided they continue to meet the legally prescribed conditions. A foreigner becomes eligible for permanent residence after residing in Serbia for more than three years<\/strong> with an approved temporary residence permit<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

A foreigner with approved permanent residence in Serbia may acquire Serbian citizenship by admission if they meet the following conditions<\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n