Papers & permits
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Short answer: Every foreigner in Serbia must be registered at a local address within 24 hours of arrival; a hotel, landlord or host does it at the police, and the stamped paper you get back is the white card.
When you arrive in Serbia, one small paper matters more than most people think. It is the white card. In Serbian it is called bela karta or beli karton. It shows the police where you live.
Without it, many other steps get harder. You may need it for a residence permit, for a work permit, at a bank and sometimes at a doctor. This guide explains who registers you, how fast, which documents are needed and what to keep.
Information is checked against official sources as of November 2026. Rules can change, so always confirm with the police or the official portal before you act.
What the white card is
The white card is the confirmation of your short-term residence address. When your address is registered at the police, the officer stamps a form. One copy stays with the police. One copy is for the foreigner. That copy is your white card.
It is not an ID card. It is not a visa. It is not a residence permit. It only proves one thing: on this date, you were registered at this address.
People call it "white" because the form has traditionally been a simple white paper slip. Today some registrations are handled electronically, but most people still say "white card".
Who must register you
Here is the important part. According to the Ministry of Interior (MUP), the duty to register is mainly on the person or business that gives you a place to stay:
| Where you stay | Who registers you |
|---|---|
| Hotel, hostel, licensed apartment | The hotel or accommodation provider |
| A flat you rent from a private landlord | Usually the landlord (owner) |
| Staying with a friend or relative | The host who lives there |
| A flat your employer gives you | The employer or the owner of the flat |
| Your own legally used property | You, with proof you can use the property |
Even when the duty is on the host, it is your problem too if nothing is done. You are the one who will be asked for the white card later. So do not wait. Ask on your first day: "Will you register me with the police?"
The 24-hour rule
The MUP page says registration must be done within 24 hours:
- for paid accommodation, within 24 hours of the start of the stay;
- for a private host, within 24 hours of the foreigner's arrival.
So if you arrive on Monday evening, plan to be registered by Tuesday evening. If you move to a new flat, the same rule applies to the new address.
Some university and city guides mention other timeframes. Follow the official MUP rule of 24 hours to be safe.
Where and how registration is done
Where
Registration is done at:
- the police station that covers the area where the flat is (many work 24/7), or
- the police unit that handles foreigners. In Belgrade this is the Administration for Foreigners (Uprava za strance) on Savska street.
Your landlord or the police station staff can tell you which station covers your street.
Which form
The host fills Form 1, the registration form for a short-term residence address. It is completed in two copies.
Which documents
According to MUP, the officer will want to see:
- your passport (or other travel document);
- if the host is a company or business: proof of ownership of the property and its business register extract;
- if the host is a private person at their own home: the host's Serbian ID card;
- if the host lets you stay at a different property: the host's ID plus proof they may use the property, for example an ownership paper or a tenancy (rental) contract;
- if nobody is hosting you: your passport plus proof you have the legal right to use the property.
Bring originals and one photocopy of each. A copy of your rental contract helps a lot.
Step by step for a rented flat
- Sign the rental contract. Make sure the owner's name matches the property papers.
- Agree a time with the landlord to go to the police together, or ask if they will register you without you.
- Bring your passport and a copy of the contract.
- The officer checks the documents and stamps Form 1.
- You get your copy: the white card. Take a clear photo of it the same day.
For more on rental contracts and landlords, read our guide to finding a flat in Belgrade.
Airbnb and short rentals
Many newcomers spend the first weeks in an Airbnb or a similar short rental. The law treats this as paid accommodation, so the host has the duty to register you.
In practice, some hosts do it and some forget. Before you book, or on the first day, send a clear message:
"I need police registration (white card) for my stay. Can you register me and send me the confirmation?"
If the host refuses, you have two choices. You can find another place, or you can ask at the nearest police station what to do. Do not just ignore it. A gap in your registration history can cause questions later, especially when you apply for residence.
What to keep, and why it matters later
Treat the white card like a key document. Here is what to do:
- Keep the original in a folder with your passport copies and contract.
- Take a photo and save it in two places (phone and email).
- Keep every white card, from every address. Do not throw old ones away.
- Write the date you moved into each place on a simple list.
You may be asked for it when you:
- apply for a temporary residence permit or the unified permit (residence plus work) - see our guide to the work permit for Bangladeshi, Nepali and Indian workers;
- open a bank account - see opening a bank account in Serbia;
- sign some contracts or register for services;
- answer police questions at a check.
The official portal for foreigners, welcometoserbia.gov.rs, also lists a landlord's statement about your registered address as a document for long-stay (D) visa applications. So your address registration connects directly to your bigger papers.
When you move, or leave Serbia
Moving to a new flat
Every new address needs a new registration within 24 hours. Your new landlord or host does it the same way. If you hold a residence permit, also check the rules for changing your residential address on the MUP website, because permit holders have their own reporting duties.
Leaving Serbia
When you leave for good, it is good practice to make sure your old address is no longer used for you. Ask the police station or your landlord how to close the registration. Keep your last white card with your travel papers.
What happens if you are not registered
The MUP page does not list fines, so we will not invent numbers. What we can say clearly:
- Serbian law makes registration a legal duty. Law firms in Serbia report that both the host and the foreigner can be fined if it is not done.
- Police can check foreigners' registration, especially during document checks.
- Missing registration can delay or complicate a residence or work permit application.
The safest path is simple: get registered within 24 hours, every time, and keep the proof.
Quick checklist for your first days
- Ask your host or landlord on day one: "Will you register me with the police?"
- Give them your passport (or a copy, and bring the original to the station).
- Make sure it is done within 24 hours.
- Get your white card and photograph it.
- Store it with your passport copies and contract.
- Repeat the process every time you move.
The Hello Serbia app keeps a newcomer checklist with the white card, SIM card and bank account steps, so you can tick each one off as you go.
Where to check the official rules
Rules and procedures can change. These are the places to confirm:
- MUP (Ministry of Interior) - registration of a foreigner's short-term address: mup.gov.rs
- Welcome to Serbia - official portal for foreigners, permits and registration on arrival: welcometoserbia.gov.rs
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs - registration of stay: mfa.rs
- Your local police station, which handles registration for your street.
If something does not work as described here, tell us through the contact page. We update our guides when rules change.
Last checked November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the white card in Serbia?
It is the confirmation slip the police give after your short-term address is registered. People call it bela karta or beli karton. It proves where you live in Serbia.
How fast must I register after arriving in Serbia?
The official rule from the Ministry of Interior is within 24 hours of arrival or of the start of accommodation. The duty is on the hotel, landlord or host, but you should make sure it happens.
Do I need a new white card when I move?
Yes. Every time you change your address, the new address must be registered. Keep each white card, because offices may ask for your registration history.
Does a hotel or hostel register me automatically?
Yes, licensed hotels and hostels register guests themselves. Ask at reception for the confirmation if you will need it for a visa, residence or work application.
Is the white card the same as a residence permit?
No. The white card only shows your address. A temporary residence or unified permit is a separate permission to stay and work, and you usually need the white card to apply for it.
Official sources
- Ministry of Interior (MUP): Registration of a foreign national's short-term residence address
- Welcome to Serbia (official government portal for foreigners)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Registration of stay
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules, prices and phone numbers can change. We last checked it in November 2026. Always confirm with the official source before you act.
