How long does it take to sell an apartment in Serbia?

As a rough guide, a sale can take from a few weeks to several months. It depends most on location, price, condition of the apartment, documentation, and quality of marketing.

Does the buyer pay the agency?

The commission is paid by the party that signed the brokerage agreement with the agency. When representing the seller, the seller most often pays; the buyer may pay the commission if they engaged the agency to find a property or if otherwise agreed.

Can I sell an apartment without an agency?

Yes, you can sell on your own. In that case you handle price valuation, advertising, communication with buyers, organizing viewings, negotiations, and coordinating documentation yourself. An agency can help if you want professional valuation, better presentation, wider reach, and a more secure process.

What are the costs of selling an apartment?

Costs may include agency commission, notary fees, capital gains tax if applicable, costs of obtaining documentation, and preparing the apartment for sale. The transfer tax on absolute rights legally falls on the seller, but in practice the contract often stipulates that the buyer bears it.

What should be checked before signing the contract?

Check ownership, encumbrances, mortgage, legal basis of acquisition, seller's marital status, payment deadlines, deposit, handover conditions, and whether the contract includes consent for registering the buyer in the cadastre.

How to Sell an Apartment in Serbia: A Complete Guide

Selling4 min read

Last updated: 1 June 2026

A complete guide to selling an apartment in Serbia — documentation, price valuation, advertising, negotiations, deposit, contract, notary, taxes, and key handover.

In short

Selling an apartment in Serbia starts with checking documentation and establishing a realistic price, followed by preparing the listing, viewings, negotiations, a deposit or pre-contract, notarization of the purchase agreement, and registration of the buyer in the cadastre. In practice, the process can take from a few weeks to several months, depending most on price, location, documentation, and quality of presentation.

1. Preparing Documentation

Before advertising, check that you have all required documents and that the cadastre records match the actual situation. Incomplete documentation, unresolved inheritance, a mortgage, or ownership discrepancies can significantly slow down the sale.

Certificate of title / cadastre extract
Owner's ID card
Proof of acquisition basis: purchase contract, inheritance ruling, gift, buyout, etc.
Proof of marital status or spouse's consent if required
Proof of settled obligations to the building, utilities, and property tax, when requested by the buyer, bank, or notary
Documentation on encumbrances, mortgage, or mortgage discharge if applicable

2. Setting a Realistic Price

The price should be based on a comparative analysis of similar apartments in the same area, the condition of the property, floor level, building, parking, documentation, and current demand. A price that is too high prolongs the sale and reduces the number of serious buyers, while a price that is too low may mean leaving money on the table.

3. Marketing and Presentation

Buyers see the listing online first, so quality photos, a clear description, a strong headline, video, and targeted advertising are key to the first impression. An apartment that is tidy, well lit, and clearly presented usually attracts more viewings and more serious inquiries.

4. Viewings, Negotiations, and Deposit

After viewings come negotiations on price, payment deadlines, payment method, and the handover date. Once buyer and seller agree, a pre-contract is often signed and a deposit is paid, with clear terms on what happens if either party withdraws.

5. Contract, Notary, and Cadastre

The purchase agreement is notarized by a public notary. The transfer tax on absolute rights is 2.5% when the transaction is not subject to VAT and no tax exemption applies. The seller is legally liable for this tax, but in practice the contract often stipulates that the buyer bears the cost. Ownership is acquired by registration in the cadastre.

6. Apartment and Key Handover

The handover should be completed with a handover protocol. It can record the handover date, number of keys handed over, meter readings, account balances, furniture or equipment remaining in the apartment, and a move-out deadline if the apartment is not vacant immediately.

Documentation for Selling an Apartment

Certificate of title
ID card
Basis of acquisition
Proof of settled obligations
Mortgage or encumbrance documentation if applicable
Pre-contract or sales contract
Handover protocol

Frequently asked questions

LIVION Tim

Real estate agency, Serbia

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