Real-estate agency licence in Serbia

In Serbia, real-estate brokerage is not an unregulated activity — an agency must be entered in the official Register of Brokers, and at least one person must have passed the professional exam. Here is what a licence means, how it is obtained, and — most important for buyers and sellers — how to check in minutes whether an agency is licensed.

Updated: 5 Jun 2026 6 min read

What the licence is and who must hold it

Real-estate brokerage in Serbia is governed by the Law on Brokerage in the Sale and Lease of Real Estate ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 95/2013, 41/2018 and 91/2019). Under it, a broker (an agency or sole trader based in Serbia) may carry out brokerage only if it is entered in the Register of Brokers.

The register is kept by the competent ministry (Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade — must.gov.rs). Registration requires, among other things:

  • at least one person with a passed professional exam for brokers;
  • professional liability insurance (for damage a broker may cause a client);
  • a registered business (APR) and office space.

In everyday terms, a "licence" means the agency is properly entered in the Register of Brokers, backed by at least one person who passed the exam and by insurance.

How an agency gets licensed

  • 1. Register the business. Form a company or sole trader in the APR business register, with the activity code for real-estate brokerage.
  • 2. Professional exam. At least one person passes the broker professional exam, governed by a separate regulation ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 75/2014, 39/2017, 70/2018 and 98/2020); the preparation handbook was published in early 2026, with written exams scheduled during 2026.
  • 3. Insurance. A professional liability insurance policy is taken out.
  • 4. Entry in the Register of Brokers. An application is filed with the ministry; once entered, the agency receives its register number.

Fees for the exam and registration follow the applicable price list — check current amounts and conditions on the ministry's official site.

How to check whether an agency is licensed

This is the key part for buyers and sellers, and it takes only a few minutes:

  • Official Register of Brokers. On the competent ministry's site (must.gov.rs) you can check whether an agency is entered and under what number.
  • On Kaza.rs. Each agency profile shows the licence number and a "Licensed agency" mark when the number is on file, alongside registry data (APR company number, tax ID), contact and ratings — so you see both formal registration and client ratings in one place.
  • Ask for the contract and details. A licensed agency has no problem showing its register number, its insurance policy, and brokering with a written brokerage contract.

Browse the agency directory on Kaza.rs — over 1,300 profiles with registry data and ratings.

Why working with a licensed agency matters

Working with a registered broker is not just a formality — it brings concrete protection:

  • A written brokerage contract with clearly defined duties and commission.
  • Professional liability insurance — if the broker causes damage through a failure, there is a policy to cover it.
  • Professional accountability and oversight — registered brokers are subject to the rules of the profession and ministry supervision.

Note: the law is being amended (a draft went through public consultation) — among other things, a range for the brokerage commission is under discussion. Verify the current rules on the official source.

What a licence does NOT guarantee

A licence is a formal condition for operating, but not a guarantee of service quality. A registered agency can still be better or worse in practice.

So, alongside the licence check, look at the agency's ratings, references and track record. How we rank agencies by rating and reliability is explained in our guide How we rank agencies.

What to watch out for

  • An "agent" not in the register. If someone brokers but cannot show a Register of Brokers number, treat it with caution.
  • Paying before a contract. Do not pay any commission or "reservation" before a signed written brokerage contract.
  • No insurance policy. Ask for proof of professional liability insurance.
  • Verify the source. Always confirm status and number in the official Register of Brokers (must.gov.rs), not just from an advert.

Frequently asked questions

Does a real-estate agency have to be licensed?

Yes. Under the Law on Brokerage in the Sale and Lease of Real Estate, brokerage may be performed only by a broker entered in the Register of Brokers kept by the competent ministry. Registration requires, among other things, at least one person with a passed professional exam and professional liability insurance.

How do I check whether an agency is licensed?

Check it in the official Register of Brokers on the ministry site (must.gov.rs). On Kaza.rs, each agency profile shows the licence number and a "Licensed agency" mark when the number is on file, together with registry data and ratings.

What is the broker professional exam?

An exam by which a person demonstrates the knowledge needed for real-estate brokerage; it is governed by a separate regulation. An agency must have at least one person with a passed exam to be entered in the register.

How much does the licence / professional exam cost?

Fees for the exam and registration follow the competent ministry's applicable price list. Check current amounts on the official site — values change from time to time.

Is the brokerage commission regulated by law?

Commission is agreed in a written brokerage contract. Amendments to the law that went through public consultation discuss, among other things, a range for the commission — verify the current rules on the official source.

This text is informational and is not legal advice. The rules, conditions and fees for broker licensing may change — verify official information and the Register of Brokers on the competent ministry's site (must.gov.rs). For a specific case, consult a lawyer or the competent institution.