In recent years, Serbia has been facing a significant labor shortage in key economic sectors such as construction, hospitality, transport, and industrial manufacturing. This challenge, which affects the growth and sustainability of many domestic companies, has led to a notable increase in the employment of foreign nationals.

Surge in Work Permits

According to the latest data, more than 37,000 unique permits for temporary residence and work have been issued in Serbia during 2024. In December alone, over 4,000 permits were granted, while a total of more than 67,000 applications for this type of permit were submitted.

These numbers clearly indicate a growing interest from foreign nationals to work in Serbia, as well as the domestic economy’s need for additional workforce that the local labor market currently cannot meet.

Most Foreign Workers Come from Asia and Eurasia

Foreign workers primarily come from countries such as China, Russia, Turkey, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Their involvement is increasingly visible on construction sites, in hotels, restaurants, logistics, and production facilities across the country.

These workers significantly contribute to maintaining the pace of investment projects, especially those led by foreign companies in Serbia, as well as to preserving the operational capacity of domestic businesses facing staff shortages.

Digitalization and Accelerated Procedures

To meet the new labor market demands, the government has recently digitalized the work permit issuance process, significantly reducing processing times and simplifying administrative procedures. This reform has enabled employers to hire necessary workers more quickly and allowed foreign nationals easier and more transparent access to the Serbian labor market.

A New Labor Market Reality

Experts emphasize that adapting to this trend is necessary — both at the legislative level and in terms of integrating foreign workers into society and workplaces. Foreign workers are increasingly becoming an integral part of the domestic labor market, and their presence is expected to continue growing in the coming years.