All Information in one place – A new Register of administrative procedures and regulations has been formed

The Law regulates the establishment, management and administration, content, manner of use, and other issues of importance for the management of the Register of Administrative Procedures (hereinafter: the “Register”). The Register will cover all administrative procedures for citizens and business entities by January 1, 2025 at the latest. The Register provides an opportunity to obtain information on the manner of submitting the request, necessary documentation, deadlines for resolving the request, total costs, and all other necessary elements of the procedure, in a fast and clear manner. Also, the Register provides the possibility to download and electronically fill in the application form with the competent administrative body. Therefore, whether it is a matter of obtaining an excerpt from the registry book or a necessary building permit, the Register contains all the data on necessary documentation for obtaining them, which enables easier business and easier communication with the management.

Archiving pursuant to the new law

In 2020, the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia adopted the Law on Archive Material and Archive Activities (the “Law”), which application began on 2 February 2021.

This Law introduces in a new way the obligations for entities that create archive material and documentary material, meaning that a distinction between archive material and documentary material is made. Documentation that is permanently kept, which is significant for culture, art, science, education, and other social areas and which is defined as such in the list of categories of archive material and documentary material with retention periods is called archive material. Documentation that does not have to be kept permanently and that can be destroyed, after the expiration of the validity period provided for in the list of categories, is called documentary material. Also, the term archival book is regulated, which represents the basic records on the entire archive material and documentary material created in the work process of the company.

The Commission for Protection of Competition extended the procedure for investigating the violation of competition to Gigatron, Tehnomedia Center, Emmezeta and XLS

In February 2021, the Commission extended the ex officio investigation proceeding to Gigatron export-import, Tehnomedia centar, Emmezeta Srbija and XLS Belgrade. The Commission, by analyzing the prices of certain consumer electronics products, established that Tesla brand products are offered at identical or almost identical prices, which the Commission already had in mind when initiating proceedings against Comtrade Distribution.

Strategic Partnership according to the provisions of the new Serbian Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources

On 20 April 2021 the Parliament of the Republic of Serbia adopted the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources (“the Law”). The Law comes into force on 30 April 2021.

Privatization – still an ongoing process in the Republic of Serbia

The most recent legal framework regulating the privatization process in the Republic of Serbia was adopted in 2014. Certain changes have subsequently occurred in the sense that now the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Serbia has a key role in the implementation of the process. The Ministry inter alia implements the privatization process, controls the privatization process, sells public capital expressed in shares or stakes. The Ministry also performs other tasks in accordance with the Privatization Law and relevant secondary legislation.  

How to get a temporary residence permit for foreign citizens on the basis of employment?

In order to be able to stay in the Republic of Serbia for a period longer than 90 days, it is necessary that a foreign citizen has obtained a temporary residence permit, permanent residence or visa for longer residence on the basis of employment (Visa D).

The Rulebook on detailed conditions for submitting a request for temporary residence permit electronically entered into force

On January 7, 2021, the Rulebook on detailed conditions for submitting a request for a temporary residence permit electronically entered into force. The Rulebook was adopted by the Minister of Internal Affairs pursuant to Article 41, paragraph (10) of the Law on Foreigners (“Official Gazette of RS”, No. 24/18 and 31/19), and will be applied from April 1, 2021.

The Commission for Protection of Competition has Initiated Antitrust Proceedings on the Car Sales Market in the Republic of Serbia

On 2 December 2020, the Commission has passed the Conclusion by which it has initiated ex officio proceedings against market participants Porsche SCG d.o.o. Beograd, Autokomerc  d.o.o. Beograd, Autocentar Manik – ACM Preljina, and Bros Auto d.o.o. Niš, in order to investigate the existence of restrictive agreements which limit the competition on the car sales market in the Republic of Serbia.

Amendments and Supplements to the Serbian Law on Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases entered into force on 13 November 2020

On 13 November 2020, Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases entered into force. In accordance with the new situation in the world and in the country, new terms have been introduced in the Law, such as “countries with unfavourable epidemiological situation, “personal protection against infection”, “home isolation” and “quarantine at home”.  The last three newly introduced measures also represent special measures for the protection of the population from infectious diseases. Also, COVID-19 has been added to the list of diseases that are subject to epidemiological surveillance and against which prevention and control measures are applied.