Buying an apartment in Serbia requires careful document verification. First and foremost, request a property record from the Republic Geodetic Authority — this document shows who the owner is, whether there are encumbrances (mortgage, alienation prohibition), and the exact apartment size. You can also obtain it online through the eCadastre portal.
A preliminary purchase agreement is the next step, defining the purchase conditions, price, and deadlines. Since 2015, the purchase agreement must be notarized by a public notary to be legally valid. Notarization costs depend on the property value and range from EUR 200 to 1,000.
The transfer tax is 2.5% of the assessed property value. First-time buyers under 40 years of age are exempt from tax on the first 40m² for one member, plus 15m² for each additional household member. Don't forget agency fees (usually 2-3% + VAT) and potential bank appraisal costs.
