In a move to make the path to citizenship more accessible, the Government of Serbia has adopted and proposed amendments to the Law on Citizenship and two other related laws. These amendments aim to grant immigrants and asylum seekers the opportunity to obtain Serbian citizenship after just one year of residence, as opposed to the previous requirement of five years of temporary residence.
The proposed amendments seek to simplify and streamline the process of obtaining Serbian citizenship, while also expanding the eligibility criteria for foreign applicants. Under the proposed changes, a specific category of foreigners with approved temporary residence for a period of one year will be eligible for citizenship, provided they meet certain requirements related to education, employment, and a declaration of Serbia being “their country.”
If these amendments are approved by the National Assembly, they could potentially bring significant benefits to foreigners interested in obtaining Serbian citizenship. These proposed amendments still need to undergo the legislative process before they become law. However, they represent a promising step towards making the citizenship application process in Serbia more accessible and efficient, further promoting the country’s openness to diverse communities and strengthening its ties with the global community.
