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Bordercase

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Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Pick up to 4 countries and see residency, company, banking, family, and risk notes line up. No prices, no marketing packages - just the working notes.

 LC flagSaint Lucia

Central America & Caribbean

CY flagCyprus

Europe

RS flagSerbia

Europe

OverviewSaint Lucia is a Caribbean jurisdiction with a Citizenship by Investment programme launched in 2016. Bordercase coordinates with authorised local agents.Cyprus is an EU member state with established routes for residency, company setup, and family relocation. Bordercase coordinates with regulated Cypriot lawyers and corporate-services providers for filings and ongoing compliance.Serbia is an attractive non-EU European jurisdiction for founders, IT professionals, and remote workers - with accessible residency and competitive costs. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Serbian partners for filings.
Best for
  • Second passport
  • English admin
  • Caribbean residency
  • Founders
  • Holding structures
  • EU access
  • English admin
  • Founders
  • IT professionals
  • Cost of living
  • Regional hub
CurrencyXCDEURRSD
LanguageEnglishGreek / EnglishSerbian
Time zoneUTC-4UTC+2UTC+1
EU memberNoYesNo
SchengenNoNoNo
Residency

Saint Lucia routes:

  • Citizenship by Investment (CBI) via fund contribution or approved real-estate investment
  • Standard work permits
  • Family routes

Cyprus residency routes:

  • Permanent residency by investment (Cat F / Cat 6.2)
  • Digital Nomad Visa
  • Employment routes (including the international headquartering route)
  • Family reunification

The investor citizenship programme is closed.

Serbian residency routes:

  • Temporary residence via employment
  • Self-employment / business
  • Real-estate ownership
  • Family reunification
  • IT-focused residency framework

Permanent residence typically after 3 years of continuous temporary residence.

Company setup

Domestic companies and IBCs are common in international structures.

Cyprus Limited companies are widely used by international groups for IP, holding, and trading structures. Substance, local director, and accounting requirements have tightened in recent years and must be planned at setup.

DOO (limited liability) is the standard structure. Formation is well-documented, with online steps available. Tax registration (PIB) and APR (Business Registers Agency) registration follow.

Banking

Banking is selective. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions through current partners.

Cypriot banks have strict KYC and source-of-funds processes following past compliance episodes. EMIs are widely used as supplements. Personal and corporate banking introductions go through vetted partners.

Personal and corporate banking for residents is broadly accessible. Source-of-funds documentation matters for non-standard cases. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions.

Family

CBI can include qualifying dependents.

Family reunification is available on most routes. English-language schools (public and private) and healthcare options are widely accessible to legal residents.

Family reunification is supported. International schools (English, French, Russian) are available in Belgrade.

Risks

Risks Bordercase watches for in Saint Lucia:

  • Programme parameters change
  • Due diligence has tightened
  • Reputational and revocation risks if information is misrepresented

Common pitfalls in Cyprus cases:

  • Post-reform substance requirements underestimated
  • Banking timelines longer than expected
  • Permanent residency confused with citizenship (different programmes)
  • Some sectors face additional KYC scrutiny

Risks Bordercase watches for in Serbia:

  • Tax residency triggers
  • VAT registration timing
  • Processing variations between MUP offices
  • EU Schengen access requires planning for cross-border travel
Documents

Typical CBI documents:

  • Passport
  • Due diligence questionnaires
  • Source-of-funds evidence (extensive)
  • Family certificates with apostille and translation

Typical document pack for Cyprus residency:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
  • Proof of income / investment
  • Health insurance valid in Cyprus
  • Accommodation evidence
  • Education certificates (for relevant routes)
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

For company formation: business plan, ownership-chain documents, and KYC for all ultimate beneficial owners.

Typical Serbian residency documents:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Proof of address
  • Basis for residence (employment, business, etc.)
  • Health insurance
  • Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to Serbian.

Country pages stay the authoritative source. This view is a side-by-side; nothing here promises a particular outcome.