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🏗 Branch Office

Open a branch office
in Serbia

Expand your foreign company into Serbia through a branch office (ogranak). Full commercial activity, no separate legal entity required. We handle APR registration, apostille, and all documentation.

from 200 EUR
9+ years in business
500+ companies registered
🌍 3 languages
📍 Belgrade, Serbia
🏗 What is a branch office

What is a branch office (ogranak) in Serbia?

A branch office (ogranak) is a registered organizational unit of a foreign company that operates in Serbia. It is not a separate legal entity — the parent company retains full legal and financial responsibility for the branch's operations.

When to choose a branch office

  • Foreign company expanding to Serbia — you want to conduct business in Serbia without creating a separate legal entity.
  • Full commercial activity — unlike a representative office, a branch can trade, invoice, hire employees, and sign contracts.
  • Parent company control — the branch operates under the parent's name and the parent retains direct oversight and liability.
  • Simpler profit repatriation — since the branch is not a separate entity, profits flow directly to the parent company.

Legal status and liability

The branch is registered at APR but does not have its own legal personality. The parent company is fully liable for all obligations of the branch. The branch operates under the parent company's name with the addition "ogranak" and the location.

Required documents

  • Certificate of incorporation of the parent company (apostilled and translated)
  • Articles of association of the parent company (apostilled and translated)
  • Board resolution authorizing the opening of a branch in Serbia
  • Power of attorney for the branch representative in Serbia
  • Passport of the branch representative
  • Proof of registered address in Serbia for the branch

Taxation

A branch is taxed at the standard Serbian corporate income tax rate of 15% on income attributable to its Serbian operations. VAT registration is mandatory if annual turnover exceeds 8 million RSD. Serbia's extensive double tax treaty network (60+ countries) may provide benefits for withholding taxes and profit repatriation.

How it works

Branch registration in 4 steps

1

Document collection

We list all required parent company documents and guide you through apostille and certified translation requirements.

2

Preparation

We prepare the APR registration application, branch decision, and power of attorney for the Serbian representative.

3

APR submission

We submit the complete application to the Agency for Business Registers and handle any follow-up questions.

4

Branch registered

You receive the branch registration number and PIB. The branch can begin operations immediately.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a branch office (ogranak) in Serbia?

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A branch office (ogranak) is a registered part of a foreign company that operates in Serbia. It is not a separate legal entity — the parent company bears full liability for its operations.

Can a branch office issue invoices and trade?

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Yes. Unlike a representative office, a branch can conduct full commercial activities — issue invoices, sign contracts, hire employees, and generate revenue in Serbia.

What documents do I need from the parent company?

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You need: certificate of incorporation, articles of association, board resolution to open a branch, and a power of attorney for the branch representative. All documents must be apostilled and translated by a certified court translator.

How is a branch office taxed?

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A branch is taxed on income attributable to its Serbian operations at the standard 15% corporate tax rate. VAT registration is required if turnover exceeds 8 million RSD.

How long does registration take?

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APR processing takes 5-10 business days. However, document preparation (apostille, translations) typically requires 2-4 weeks. Total timeline is usually 3-6 weeks.

Should I open a branch or register a new DOO?

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Choose a branch if the parent company wants direct control and the operations are an extension of the parent's business. Choose a DOO (LLC) if you want a separate legal entity with limited liability in Serbia.

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