Serbia has become a more attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors interested in setting up a company in a free zone in Serbia. The free economic zones in Serbia provide strategic advantages to businesses that seek to expand operations in the Southeast European region. For businesses that plan to engage in international trade, manufacturing, and warehousing, the free economic zones in Serbia are among the best places to expand operations efficiently. Our experienced company formation agents in Serbia can offer support in the matter of opening a company here, including free economic zones and other procedures that need to be followed.
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What are the Serbian free economic zones?
The free economic zones in Serbia are areas that are set aside for businesses that take advantage of the unique regulatory, tax, and customs environment that the government of Serbia provides. The free economic zones in Serbia are established to attract domestic and international investors, enhance exports, and create employment opportunities. Companies that operate in the free economic zones in Serbia are known as zone users, and they are allowed to import raw materials, machinery, and other production inputs without paying customs duty and VAT, as long as the products are kept in the free economic zone or are exported out of the country. This is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors to start a company in Serbia.
This country has a total of 15 licensed free economic zones that provide opportunities and advantages to investors and entrepreneurs who plan to establish a company in a free zone in Serbia:
- Subotica,
- Pirot,
- Zrenjanin,
- Novi Sad,
- FAS Kragujevac,
- Šumadija (Kragujevac),
- Šabac,
- Užice,
- Smederevo,
- Svilajnac,
- Kruševac,
- Apatin,
- Vranje,
- Priboj,
- Belgrade.
Steps and documents to open a company in a Serbian free zone
To open a company in a free zone in Serbia, some steps need to be followed, including:
- Choosing the legal form and free zone;
- Reserving the company name: the name chosen must be unique and comply with Serbian Business Registers Agency (SBRA) regulations;
- Registering with the Serbian Business Registers Agency (SBRA);
- Application for free zone user status and submitting a business plan;
- Obtaining permits: depending on the nature of business, additional permits may be required;
- Open a corporate bank account.
Moreover, there are certain documents that need to be prepared in advance in order to successfully open a company in a free zone in Serbia. Required documents are:
- Passports or ID cards of founders and directors;
- Proof of residential address of founders;
- Notarized founding documents (Articles of Association or decision of founders);
- Corporate extracts of legal entities for founders of companies;
- Registered address in a Serbian free zone;
- Confirmation of deposit of share capital: the minimum share capital is 1 Serbian dinar (RSD), meaning 0.01 EUR;
- Business plan for application of free zone in Serbia;
Our specialized company formation agents in Serbia have the necessary experience to offer support in the matter of registering a business in a free zone in Serbia, from legal steps to follow to the preparation of documents.
Benefits of opening a company in a free zone in Serbia
There are various benefits to investors who are planning to open a company in Serbia in a free zone. Among these benefits are:
- Tax and customs incentives, meaning that companies have the opportunity to import machinery, equipment, and raw materials without paying customs duties and VAT;
- Export incentives, meaning that the goods produced and exported from these zones are duty-free, giving investors a chance to participate in international trade at lower costs;
- Simplified administration: the free zones offer registration services, administrative support, and on-the-spot customs services;
- Investment incentives: depending on the free zone and the city, other investment incentives may be available, such as corporate income tax exemptions and local taxes.
Data on free economic zones in Serbia
The free economic zones in Serbia are major investment and job creators, and they attract businesses through tax and customs benefits. Main statistics of Serbian free zones in 2025 are:
- There were over 250 firms operating in the free zones in Serbia, in the manufacturing, logistics, and trade sectors;
- Over 46,000 people were employed in the free zones in Serbia, and this is a major indicator of the importance of the free zones as job creators in the Serbian economy.
Moreover, it is important to comply with accounting and tax regulations in Serbia when conducting business in a free zone in Serbia. Our experienced accountants in Serbia are involved in helping you comply with all regulations when you plan to open a company in a free zone in Serbia. Apart from helping you starting a company in Serbia, we also provide other services for your business to thrive in Serbia.
For more information and support regarding the steps and procedures to open a company in a free zone in Serbia, do not hesitate to contact us.