Economic citizenship describes the legal process where a specific obtains 2nd citizenship or permanent home in a nation in return for a specified economic investment in the country. Lots of countries worldwide operate financial citizenship programs, also known as citizenship by exception, as a way to draw in straight foreign financial investment to their nation.

Become a citizen with exceptional naturalization

Forget the usual methods such as marriage, descent or years of residence. For example, the Serbian “Exception Rule” opens the door to citizenship if your profile has something unique to offer the country.

Celebrities such as Johnny Depp and Steven Seagal have something special in common besides their fame: Serbian citizenship.

How do you become a Serbian through the unusual route of exceptional naturalization?

Unlike classic naturalization programs with set criteria, here you decide your happiness with your exceptional talent or merits. Whether you are a business giant, tech genius, scientific luminary, sports star or cultural ambassador – the main thing is that your skills radiate to Serbia.

CBI is based on set investment criteria, while CBE is based on your unique importance to Serbia. Whether you are a business giant, a technological genius, a scientific luminary, a sports hero or a cultural icon, your outstanding achievements and skills must represent real added value for Serbia.

Forget rigid guidelines: the CBE is about exclusivity. Your path to a Serbian passport is as individual as your profile.

So are you the creative mind behind a groundbreaking invention, have you achieved outstanding achievements in sports or have had a significant impact on Serbian culture? Then exceptional naturalization could be your path to a Serbian passport!

Just as starting a business in Serbia and creating investments and jobs are a key factor in obtaining exceptional naturalization, having unique skills or expertise in a profession that has a major impact on the Serbian market is also valuable. Remember, the more innovative and relevant your expertise is for Serbia, the better your chances are.

The Serbian government wants to attract people who enrich society. It is looking for an exceptional talent or skill that will benefit the people of Serbia. In return, the Republic of Serbia offers foreign nationals all the rights of a Serbian citizen.

Attracting successful entrepreneurs and highly qualified professionals can benefit the country economically. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the CBE process; each case is unique and based on different circumstances.

The key benefit of this program for Serbian citizenship is that it allows you to bypass many of the criteria that would normally be required, such as a language test.

Ordinary Serbian citizenship is granted after three years of permanent residence in the country through the naturalization process and investor visa program.

However, with exception naturalization, things can go faster. If the state decides it is in its best interest, your application can be expedited, with the expectation, or at least the hope, that you will receive a decision within a few months. Under these circumstances, you do not need to have a residence permit, or give up your current citizenship.

Applying for Serbian Citizenship by Exception

The process of obtaining Serbian citizenship by exception is similar to other foreign citizenship applications, but the paperwork required is less extensive than, for example, citizenship by investment.