This summer (2024), Pekić Law Office contributed the Serbian chapter to the 2025 edition of the International Comparative Legal Guide (ICLG) on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Regimes. The ICLG, issued by a respected international legal publisher, is an important reference for businesses, legal practitioners, and investors who need to understand the legal framework governing foreign direct investment in over 50 countries, including Serbia.
The Serbian chapter, in particular, offers a thorough analysis of the country's FDI regulations, answering important questions on national policies, legal scope, procedural requirements, and enforcement practices.
It also covers key topics such as Serbia’s approach to reviewing FDI related to national security and public order, the types of transactions that are subject to review, and how local authorities evaluate foreign investments.
The publication addresses several critical aspects of FDI in Serbia, including:
• An overview of Serbia’s policies on foreign investments, including current strategic considerations and proposed changes to the laws.
• A detailed explanation of the legal framework for FDI, covering the types of transactions that need to be reviewed, as well as definitions of key terms like "foreign investor" and "foreign investment" in Serbia.
• A breakdown of the notification process, financial thresholds, filing requirements, and timelines, along with the role of third parties in the review process and how commercial information is protected.
• A substantive analysis of how Serbian authorities assess foreign investments, including the discretion they have and the potential remedies for addressing objections to a transaction.
What makes the Serbian chapter particularly valuable is its focus on the sectors and business activities (e.g., e-money issuance or provision of services related to digital assets) that are subject to heightened scrutiny. It provides an in-depth look at how Serbia regulates foreign investments in these areas, making it a useful resource anyone looking to invest in Serbia.
Besides that, the guide not only covers the specifics of Serbia’s FDI review process but also places it within the broader context of global trends in FDI policies. It provides essential information for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how foreign investments are regulated in Serbia and what factors investors need to consider when entering the market.
The Serbian chapter was written by Pekić Law Office’s attorneys, Stefan Pekić, Mihailo Ostojić, and Sonja Pekić. Their extensive backgrounds in corporate law, foreign investment law, and international commercial law, combined with their deep knowledge of Serbia's legal framework, positioned them to contribute valuable insights on the country’s foreign direct investment regime.
For more information about the guide and the Serbian chapter, visit the official ICLG publication-a.
