Mandatory registration of UBOs at the Central Register of Beneficial Owners

The new Law on the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Nos. 19/2025, 51/2025 and 60/2025 – corr.) started with implementation on 1^st October 2025.

This law significantly expands the obligations for all registered entities in Serbia (limited liability companies, foundations, endowments, associations, branches, representative offices, etc.) to identify and properly register their beneficial owners in the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (CESV) maintained by the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR).

Who is affected: All companies registered in Serbia except public joint-stock companies, including those with foreign individual or corporate owners.

Your obligations: Identify the beneficial owner (individual owning at least 25% or exercising control), collect supporting documentation and register electronically via the APR portal (CESV).

Deadlines: Initial alignment by 30^th November 2025; report ownership changes within 15 days; confirm data annually.

Penalties: Company – RSD 100,000–2,000,000; Director – RSD 50,000–150,000; potential restrictions in banking and transactions.

Recommended next step: Please send to us ownership structure and passport copies of foreign UBO if you require our assistance.

Our assistance: We can guide you in preparing documents and statements, submit registration to APR, and ensure ongoing compliance. Please inform us if you need our assistance so we will prepare and send our proposal for required services.

Translation of Official Manual issued by the Ministry of economy of Republic of Serbia you can find here.