Serbia as a growth destination — factors that attract international investors
Serbia isn’t just a geographic location; it’s a fast and flexible market entry point for companies with ambitions to expand across Europe.
Tax framework oriented toward profitability
Corporate income tax is 15%, applied exclusively on net profit, not gross revenue. Additionally, numerous tax incentives for new investors and R&D projects make Serbia economically attractive compared to Central European alternatives.
Strategic location and infrastructure
Serbia is the geographic center of the Balkans with access to 400 million potential customers across the region. Quality road infrastructure, digital connectivity, and air access enable efficient distribution and communication with headquarters.
Qualified workforce at lower operational costs
Qualified workforce is available with operational costs significantly lower than Central Europe. The IT and services sector are particularly developed — engineers and specialists with international experience are accessible.
EU market access without uncertainty
As an EU candidate country, Serbia is gradually aligning with EU standards, meaning companies that establish now have better positioning before full EU membership.
From idea to first invoice — step by step
Step 1: Formation and Registration (1-2 weeks)
Documentation preparation, registration with the Agency for Business Registers, PIB (tax ID) and bank account number issuance. Konto 6 structures your business to meet Serbian and international tax standards.
Step 2: Banking Setup (3-5 days)
Opening a local account is technically fast, but requires proper documentation and sometimes physical presence or video verification. Konto 6 coordinates with banks to minimize bureaucratic processes.
Step 3: Permits and Industry-Specific Registrations (1-4 weeks, depending on sector)
Depending on your industry, certain business activities may require additional permits. Our legal partners handle all regulatory requirements.
Step 4: Building Your Team (2 weeks – 2 months)
Payroll, social contributions, e-banking for salary payments — Konto 6 configures and maintains everything on a monthly basis. Mandatory health and pension contributions are included.
Step 5: Ongoing Operations (continuous)
Monthly accounting, tax reporting, financial analysis for your parent company, regular updates on regulatory changes and best practices.
Serbia’s tax environment — foundational knowledge before you decide
Here are the core tax rates and regimes you need to understand:
Corporate income tax
15% on profit — only on net profit, not gross revenue. This is a significant advantage compared to many jurisdictions. New investors in certain sectors may qualify for special tax arrangements.
Value added tax (VAT)
Standard rate is 20%. Reduced rates are available for basic goods (10%) and exports (0%). If registered for VAT, you can reclaim VAT on business expenses.
Payroll tax
Employee pays 19.9% (pension + health insurance) from gross salary. Employer pays an additional 17.9% (social contributions). Total labor cost is approximately 37% higher than the gross salary paid to the employee.
Dividend tax
Dividends paid to foreign shareholders are subject to 15% withholding tax, unless the parent company is from the EU, where relief mechanisms apply.
Tax treatment can be tailored depending on your business structure, industry, and transactions. Konto 6 will review your situation and recommend an optimal structure.
How foreign investors succeeded with Konto 6
IT / SaaS
Situation: A large Western European software company needed a local operation in Serbia to scale their engineering team.
Solution: Konto 6 coordinated company formation, configured payroll systems for 45 engineers, and structured tax compliance between local accounting and global group accounting.
Result: Operations launched in 6 weeks. Everything was clear, no surprises, fully compliant.
Manufacturing / Logistics
Situation: A European manufacturer wanted a distribution hub in Serbia. Required legal documentation for imports and distributor registration.
Solution: Konto 6 worked with legal partners and customs authorities to register the distributor and structure VAT for efficient customs clearance and resale across the region.
Result: Hub operational in 8 weeks. All logistics operations are aligned and transparent for the parent company.
Consulting / Professional Services
Situation: A US consulting firm wanted to open a regional office with 5-6 employees and needed tax support for international client work.
Solution: Konto 6 structured international client agreements, configured employee tax withholding, and enabled performance monitoring of the local office for global headquarters.
Result: Office profitable by month two. Tax treatment was optimized — the company paid only what was legally required.
Serbia as a bridge between Europe and the Balkans
Serbia’s geographic position is strategically significant:
•Time Zone: UTC+1, same as Central Europe — no time difference from London, Berlin, or Paris. Minimal gap with New York (6 hours).
•Distance: 2 hours to Budapest, 3 hours to Zagreb, 4 hours to Bucharest. Regular and affordable air links to major European hubs.
•Language Capability: Most professionals speak English; many also speak German or Italian.
•Connectivity: Serbia sits on Pan-European Corridor X (Berlin–Thessaloniki), which streamlines logistics, transport, and distribution to the rest of Europe.
Konto 6 gives you access to a network of specialists
One of Konto 6’s core strengths is that you maintain contact with us alone, while we coordinate with specialists:
Legal Partners
Law firms with expertise in international law, customs law, employment law, and regulation. They handle registration, permits, contracts, and regulatory compliance.
Auditors
Accredited audit firms that conduct annual audits for foreign subsidiaries and follow international standards (IFRS). This is mandatory practice for most companies with foreign parent companies.
Tax Advisors
Specialized tax consultants who work with international companies. They design optimal tax structures that satisfy Serbian and international regulatory requirements.
Tax Representatives
Should tax questions arise or you need to defend complex tax positions before authorities, our partners represent you.
HR & Organizational Consultants
For companies planning significant headcount growth or complex HR policies, our partners help with organizational optimization and regulatory compliance.
Benefit: You’re in direct contact only with Konto 6. We coordinate everything else. You don’t need to make multiple calls, navigate language barriers, or worry that everyone understands your situation. Everyone on the network knows your case and coordinates with others. This is the Big4 model, but with the flexibility and speed of a local partner.