Serbia property legalization fees exceed promised amounts

Citizens in Serbia are facing unexpected property legalization fees that significantly exceed the amounts previously promised by President Aleksandar Vučić. During the announcement of the ‘Svoj na svome’ reform, the President pledged legalization costs would range between 100 and 1,000 euros per object. However, many residents are receiving bills several dozen times higher than this estimate.

Legal expert Đorđe Vukotić notes that the reduced rates apply only to family residential buildings with a maximum of two separate units and apartments in residential or mixed-use buildings. Higher fees are being applied to family buildings with more than two units, mixed-use objects, and apartments adapted from auxiliary spaces or those exceeding permitted dimensions. In these cases, fees are calculated based on square footage as land development contributions, similar to standard building permit procedures.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the prioritization of certain cases, as some recently constructed complex buildings are being processed ahead of older structures. Furthermore, the legalization process does not automatically grant ownership rights, particularly in cases where buildings were constructed on land not owned by the occupant.