A building permit is a key document that allows you to start building a building in accordance with the law in the Republic of Serbia. In this text, we explain what a construction permit is, who issues it, what are the conditions for obtaining it, and what the procedure for obtaining it looks like.
What is a building permit?
A building permit is an administrative act issued by a competent authority, which approves the construction, extension, reconstruction or adaptation of a building. Without it, the construction of the building is illegal and entails consequences - demolition of the building, fines, it cannot be legally sold, connected to electricity/water, or registered.
Who issues the building permit?
The permit is issued by the authority of the local self-government unit — usually the Department of Urban Planning and Construction Affairs of the municipality or city where construction is planned. In some cases, for infrastructural or state projects, the republican authority is also responsible.
When do you need a building permit?
A building permit is required for:
- construction of new buildings (residential, business, industrial),
- extension of existing facilities,
- reconstruction that affects the structural elements of the building (e.g. demolition of walls, construction of floors),
- change of purpose of the object (eg apartment to premises).
Minor interventions (eg internal alterations that do not affect the structure such as painting or changing tiles) do not require a permit, but in some cases the works must be notified.
What precedes a building permit?
Before applying for a building permit, you must obtain:
- Location conditions - a document that determines the urban and technical conditions of construction on a certain plot (the municipality says what and how it can be built on that location).
- Preliminary design - construction according to location conditions, made by an authorized architect according to location conditions.
- Agreements - from public companies (power distribution, water supply, sewerage, gas, etc.).
- Proof of title to the plot – ownership, lease or other legal basis.
- Application for building permit - everything is submitted electronically through the eDozvola portal.
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Procedure for obtaining a building permit
The permit is issued by the municipality or city on whose territory it is being built. The procedure is digitized via eDozvola portal, which is run by the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure.
Steps:
- Submitting a request through the eDozvola portal.
- Submission of documentation, including conceptual design, location conditions and evidence of building rights.
- Checking the formal correctness of the request.
- Issuance of the decision on the construction permit within 5 working days from the completion of the documentation.
If the documentation is incomplete, the authority will inform you and give you a deadline for completion.
How long is the building permit valid for?
The construction permit is valid for 3 years, with the proviso that the works must be started within that period. If the works are started, the permit is valid until the end of the construction, regardless of the duration of the works.
How much does it cost?
Fees for issuing a building permit include:
- request processing fee,
- fee for arranging construction land (so-called rent),
- infrastructure connection fee.
The height of the nakada depends on the municipality, the area and the purpose of the building. For example, for a family house up to 100 m², the total costs (design + taxes) can be between 500 and 2,000 euros. Some municipalities also give discounts for first residential buildings.
Legal framework
The building permit is regulated by:
- Law on Planning and Construction ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 72/2009, etc.),
- Rulebook on the content, manner and procedure of issuing a building permit (link: paragraf.rs).
Conclusion
Building without a permit is not only risky but also illegal. If you build without a permit, the building may be demolished, you cannot legally sell it, connect it to electricity/water, or register it. A properly obtained building permit protects your investment, facilitates later legalization, sale or registration in the cadastre. With adequate preparation and professional help, the process can be quick and efficient.