Skip to content
Bordercase

Compare

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.

 RS flagSerbia

Europe

PT flagPortugal

Europe

AG flagAntigua and Barbuda

Central America & Caribbean

OverviewSerbia 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.Portugal is a popular EU destination for individuals, families, and remote professionals. Bordercase coordinates assessment across the main residency routes and family relocation logistics, working with licensed Portuguese partners for filings.Antigua and Barbuda is a Caribbean jurisdiction with a long-standing Citizenship by Investment programme and structured residency / corporate options. Bordercase coordinates with authorised local agents.
Best for
  • Founders
  • IT professionals
  • Cost of living
  • Regional hub
  • Families
  • Remote workers
  • Founders
  • EU access
  • Second passport
  • English admin
  • Caribbean residency
CurrencyRSDEURXCD
LanguageSerbianPortugueseEnglish
Time zoneUTC+1UTC+1UTC-4
EU memberNoYesNo
SchengenNoYesNo
Residency

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.

Common Portuguese residency routes:

  • D7 - passive income / pension
  • D8 - digital nomad / remote work
  • D2 - entrepreneur / self-employed
  • D3 - highly qualified workers
  • Tech Visa - eligible tech roles via accredited companies
  • Golden Visa - restricted in scope after recent reforms
  • Family reunification on most permits

Each has different income, residency-day, and renewal requirements.

Antigua & Barbuda routes:

  • Citizenship by Investment (CBI) via fund contribution or qualifying real-estate investment
  • Standard work permits
  • Family routes including spouse, dependent children and parents under conditions
Company 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.

Portugal supports Lda (private limited) and SA (public limited) structures. Tax registration, social security registration, and a Portuguese tax representative are typically required. Substance, accounting, and reporting obligations are real.

IBCs are common in international structures. Reporting and substance frameworks have tightened.

Banking

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

Personal accounts are accessible to residents and many non-residents; documentation is structured and predictable. Corporate banking depends on company structure and intended activity; Bordercase coordinates with banking partners for introductions.

Banking is selective. KYC and source-of-funds documentation are central. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions.

Family

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

Family reunification is supported on most residency routes. Schools (public, private, and international) are widely available; the public system is generally accessible to legal residents.

CBI applications can include qualifying dependents under conditions.

Risks

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

Risks Bordercase watches for in Portuguese cases:

  • AIMA processing delays (formerly SEF)
  • Misalignment between visa type and actual activity
  • Tax residence triggered by accident - NHR window timing matters
  • Past EU Schengen overstays must be disclosed
  • Real estate vs investment routes have changed materially

Risks Bordercase watches for:

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

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.

Typical document pack for Portuguese residency:

  • Passport
  • NIF (Portuguese tax number)
  • Proof of accommodation (lease, deed, or invitation)
  • Proof of income or assets (varies by route)
  • Criminal record certificate with apostille
  • Health insurance valid in Portugal
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family routes
  • Certified translations where required

Typical CBI documents:

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

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