23 September 2026
Company Liquidation in Serbia
Find out how a company is liquidated in Serbia, the reasons for liquidation and the key requirements. Seek legal advice from our experienced Serbian lawyers.
If you want to know how the company liquidation process is done in Serbia, this article explains the procedures. Explore the key requirements and seek legal advice from our Serbian lawyers with experience in the liquidation process.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Reasons to liquidate a company in Serbia | – the company has reached its goal/expiration date, – shareholders no longer want to continue the business, etc. (a company unable to pay its debts goes into bankruptcy) |
| Available methods | Voluntary and compulsory liquidation |
| The company liquidation is done with | SBRA – Serbian Trade Register |
| Steps in voluntary company liquidation | – appoint a liquidator, – notify the creditors and the Serbian Trade Register, – sell the assets & pay the debts, – obtain the tax clearance, – draft the reports, erase the firm. |
| Reasons to compulsory liquidate a company in Serbia | – licence/permit for the registered activity withdrawn, – no legal representative registered within 3 months, – no annual financial reports submitted for 2 consecutive years, etc. |
| Steps in compulsory company liquidation | – a bank account enforcement is imposed, – creditors are notified, – a final liquidation report is issued, – a tax clearance certificate is needed. |
| Who initiates the compulsory liquidation in Serbia? | The Serbian Business Registers Agency – APR |
| What happens if a company declares bankruptcy? | A court-appointed bankruptcy administrator will be in charge of company liquidation. |
| Can debts be eradicated when a company is closed in Serbia? | Yes |
| What is unprofitability without insolvency? | The company is not profitable, therefore, the shareholders decide to close it. |
| Liability for CIT payment | Company members/shsreholders |
| Time frame to close a company in Serbia | Starting from 3 months |
| Legal status & consequences | The company no longer exists after liquidation. |
| Does company liquidation mean that the firm has debts? | Not quite! Bankruptcy or insolvency might be involved. |
| We can put you in contact with our Serbian accountants | For: – tax advice, – accounting reports, and many more for a proper company liquidation in Serbia. |
What are the methods to liquidate a company in Serbia?
- voluntary liquidation if the company is solvent,
- compulsory liquidation if the authorities/court of law issues an order.
What are the key steps to liquidate a company voluntarily in Serbia?
- initiate the liquidation with the Serbian Business Registers Agency (SBRA) within 15 days from the date of the decision,
- appoint a liquidator to sell company assets and pay the debts,
- obtain a tax certificate clearance showing there are no debts left,
- submit the CIT tax return and deal with the VAT deregistration at the Tax Agency in Serbia,
- draft all the reports, including the final liquidation balance sheet,
- distribute the assets left to company shareholders,
- receive the deletion confirmation from the Serbian Trade Register.
NOTES:
- the shareholders issue the decision to voluntarily close a company in Serbia only if it is solvent,
- winding up a company in Serbia also involves the termination of employment contracts.
Are creditors notified by the liquidation of a company in Serbia?
Yes, through a public notice registered at SBRA.
When is compulsory liquidation of a company in Serbia forced?
If the company breaches statutory requirements (e.g. has no legal representative or files no annual accounts) and fails to maintain its activities in the market.
IMPORTANT:
- compulsory liquidation of a company in Serbia may occur if: statutory or legal violations cannot be solved,
- the licence/permit for its registered activity has been withdrawn,
- the company has had no legal representative for more than 3 months,
- the annual financial reports/statements are not filed for 2 consecutive business years, etc.
What happens in bankruptcy liquidation of a company in Serbia?
- if the company cannot pay its ordinary or periodical bills and creditors, a trustee can take over the firm when appointed by the court,
- the business assets can be frozen until all creditors and debts are paid.
IMPORTANT: There is also the possibility to eradicate debts when a company is permanently removed.
What are the responsibilities/tasks of a company liquidator in Serbia?
- a company liquidator will analyze the company’s balance sheet, analyze the debts, and then sell the existing assets to cover them,
- the liquidator must notify the creditors about the closing process of the firm in question,
- once this task is completed, the liquidator will report the remaining assets and distribute them to the company’s shareholders.
What is the time frame to liquidate a company in Serbia?
About 3 months minimum. Complex cases involving company employees or legal disputes might take more time.
You can watch the video below and find out complete details about the company liquidation procedure in Serbia:
Can a company liquidation process in Serbia be stopped at a certain point?
Yes, if the shareholders decide so and if all debts are settled.
What happens after the liquidation process of a company in Serbia is concluded?
- the company is officially closed,
- the SBRA will issue a document stating the firm is no longer active.
- the company documents must be handed over to a custodian for archiving.
How do you assist company owners in the liquidation process in Serbia?
Via a power of attorney to deal with the legal procedures and representation at the local authorities.
We invite you to explore more about the process of company liquidation in Serbia by contacting our local experts. We also assist in business formation in Serbia by handling the administrative procedures.