How Much Does Buying an Apartment in Serbia Really Cost?

Buying an apartment is not just about the price per square meter.

If you are planning to purchase property in Serbia, remember that in addition to the apartment price, there are numerous hidden costs that you will incur before, during, and after the contract is signed, which can add up to an additional 5–7% of the property value.

In this article, we guide you step by step through all the additional costs, from lawyers to fees and taxes.

• If you are searching for an apartment independently, without an agent, it is highly recommended to hire a lawyer to review the property documents, check the contract, and oversee the sales process. The cost of this service is around €150.

• Notary fees for contract certification vary depending on the property value. For an apartment worth €100,000, notary services cost approximately 30,000 RSD.

• Bank transfer fees depend on the amount, the bank’s tariff, and whether the transfer is within the same bank or to a different one. To minimize this cost for the buyer, the seller often opens an account at the buyer’s bank. Expect a fee of around 5,000 RSD.

• Notary fees for certifying the intabulandi clause, which confirms the seller has received the full purchase price and allows the transfer of ownership, amount to 3,960 RSD.

If the property is sold through an agency, you will also incur:

• Agency commission, usually 2% of the property value excluding VAT. Some agencies accept cash payments without VAT, while others operate exclusively through bank transfers, in which case the commission increases by 20%. If you hire an agent to find a property, the commission is paid only to your agent, while the seller’s agent charges a commission to their client.

• Cadastre registration fee starts at 6,530 RSD and is paid upon receipt of the registration decision, several weeks after notarization.

• Property transfer tax (when buying from a private individual) is 2.5% of the property value. This is paid in dinars upon receipt of the relevant tax authority decision, usually within one to several months.

• Additional costs may arise, such as hiring a court interpreter, notarizing powers of attorney or documents to confirm marital status, and so on, depending on who participates in the transaction.

Therefore, it is recommended to plan an additional 5–7% of the total purchase price for extra costs.

More details on lawyer and notary fees:

Both lawyers and notaries base their service fees on official tariffs: Lawyer tariff https://aks.org.rs/sr_lat/nova-advokatska-tarifa/ and Notary tariff https://beleznik.org/tarife.

Lawyers have more flexibility in setting fees, so market prices vary more widely.

For notaries, fees are clearly classified according to the contract value. A notary can either draft the contract or certify a pre-prepared contract (solemnization). In the latter case, a 40% discount is applied to the standard tariff.

If a preliminary contract is signed, 50% of the fee is paid, and if the main contract is later signed with the same notary, the fee is reduced by another 50%.

Notary fees may also include charges for additional signatories, extra copies of the contract, and other administrative costs.

Buying property is one of the biggest steps in life.

That is why it is important to be informed about every dinar you will spend. Preparing for and understanding costs not only ensures good organization but also a calmer, safer, and smarter purchase.