Hello from Belgrade, Serbia. I just arrived here and can write about my first impressions. It is possible and very easy to open non resident bank account. I went to Raiffeisen Bank (Austrian owned) and opened a bank account within 10 minutes. Nobody asked me why a person who doesn't live or work in Serbia wants to open bank account. They didn't ask about tax number or where I am tax resident (Serbia is non CRS). On Wednesday I am going back to the branch to get my debit card. The account is in euro but they also asked me if I want it in︀ US dollar. There is some limitation if account is non resident and I will visit︁ the bank's headquarters tomorrow to clarify all details (unfortunately not great English spoken in smaller︂ branches). I understood that there are some limitations on transfering money from this account to︃ other accounts on my name as a declaration is needed from Serbian tax office that︄ I don't owe taxes to Serbia. But I will clarify this fully tommorow. Not a︅ problem to get that if you didn't earn the money in Serbia. Also I actually︆ just need to withdraw cash at ATM worldwide. The bank account maintenance fee is 390︇ dinars a month or about 3,50 euro.
I also went to Intesa Bank, the biggest︈ bank in Serbia (Italian owned). I went to 2 different branches and got same information.︉ They can open a non resident bank account but they don't give any debit card︊ with it. So I was not very interested.
I also went to UniCredit Bank (Italian︋ owned) and I have appointment with them for tommorow to open bank account. Everyone seems︌ welcome to open account except Russians. I will hear tomorrow if there are any limitations︍ attached.
All is needed to open bank account in Serbia is a passport and a︎ registration paper. The registration paper is something you get from any hotel/guesthouse/hostel if you book️ even just one night of accommodation. Before it was necessary to go to police to register. Now hotel owner fills it in online and submits it - it's their legal obligation. If you want a copy of it (which you need to open bank account) just ask the hotel to print it out for you. I stay in 12 euro hostel and even they provided it for me after I asked.
I can provide more information next couple of days.
Forgot to mention that all is related to a personal non resident bank account, and I don't have information about corporate accounts.
And I already︀ downloaded the mobile apps of Raifaissen Bank, OTP Bank (Hungarian owned), UniCredit Bank and they︁ all have the app in English. Obviously a Serbian mobile phone number is needed to︂ activate it. I bought a local SIM card for 400 dinars (less than 4 euro).︃ I still don't know if I need the phone number by making any purchase on︄ the app or just to activate it.
