The European Union has signaled a serious concern to Serbia about any move toward a simplified passport scheme for foreign workers. Brussels warned that such reforms could jeopardize the visa free travel arrangement already enjoyed by Serbia and other EU states. Officials cited risks to internal security and public policy if citizenship is granted to investors or to individuals who do not meet established safeguards. The European Commission emphasized that any rapid expansion of investor citizenship could trigger a review of visa arrangements, and there is a clear expectation from Brussels that Belgrade should avoid pursuing a policy that could undermine the integrity of EU Member States.
According to the European Commission, the stance taken in 2022 was that Belgrade should effectively reject or refrain from pursuing plans to grant citizenship through investor schemes. This position has framed Serbia’s policy debates and has influenced how EU authorities assess potential security implications and the broader political message the citizenship program would send to neighboring countries and international partners.
In parallel with these concerns, Serbian authorities moved to advance a bill in April that would ease the path to citizenship for certain foreigners who are employed by local businesses. The proposed changes would allow a foreign worker who has resided in Serbia for a certain period to qualify for citizenship, with residence requirements shortened for some categories of applicants. The aim appears to be to attract talent and investment, while balancing the country’s long term strategic interests with the obligations and sensitivities of EU partners.
There has also been discussion in the public sphere about Serbia aligning more closely with EU mobility policies, including plans to modernize border and visa procedures. A broader reform agenda is often framed around digital and administrative modernization to facilitate legitimate travel while preserving security standards. These debates reflect Serbia’s ongoing efforts to harmonize its migration and citizenship frameworks with European norms, even as it weighs the potential impact on visa free regimes and regional stability. [EU Commission attribution]