E-invoicing compliance and regulatory updates - Serbia

Electronic Invoicing in Serbia

Is e-invoicing mandatory in Serbia ?

The Republic of Serbia has taken a significant step towards modernization and efficiency in its invoicing practices by mandating the transition to electronic invoicing (e-invoicing). This initiative positions Serbia as one of the pioneering countries in Europe to phase out paper invoices entirely. The implementation of e-invoicing was conducted in three stages spanning the years 2022 and 2023, as outlined in the Law on Electronic Invoicing (Zakon o Elektronskom Fakturisanju).

Implementation Timeline

The transition to e-invoicing in Serbia occurred through a structured timeline:

  1. May 1, 2022: The initial phase required all invoices directed to public authorities to be submitted in electronic format. The Serbian government was mandated to receive and archive these e-invoices electronically (G2G/B2G).
  2. July 1, 2022: Public sector entities were obligated to issue e-invoices to companies, which were required to process and retain these electronic documents (G2B).
  3. January 1, 2023: E-invoicing became compulsory across the entire B2B sector, encompassing all private sector entities for both issuance and receipt of e-invoices (B2B).

Mandatory Requirements:

  • VAT-liable companies are obligated to adopt e-invoicing for transactions involving other businesses and government entities.
  • Requirement applies to both domestic and foreign businesses with local fiscal representation dealing with Serbian VAT payers.
  • Compliance Obligations:
    • Companies must generate, receive, and archive e-invoices in accordance with local regulations.
    • Utilization of an electronic invoicing system compatible with the Serbian standard and accessing the SEF network is mandatory.
  • Format Compliance:
    • Adherence to the Universal Business Language Format 2.1 (UBL 2.1), akin to XML format, is mandatory.

Amendments to reporting VAT via electronic invoicing

On 30 August 30, 2024, the Minister of Finance adopted the amendments to the Rulebook on Electronic Invoicing, as well as the amendments to the Rulebook on Value Added Tax. As in the previous amendments, the regulations take effect on 1 September 2024, except for the provisions that are specifically prescribed to come into effect from tax periods starting after 31 August 2024.

Most of the changes clarify existing provisions and eliminate errors that occurred during previous amendments to the rulebook. Below you may find the most important amendments as regards Electronic Invoicing.

The provisions of the Rulebook on electronic invoicing that refer to the electronic recording of value added tax (which includes both summary and individual records, and not only records of previous tax) are applied for tax periods starting after 31 August 2024 (tax period September 2024 for monthly payers)

Possible errors in the recording of data in the value added tax records will not be considered in the procedures for checking the regularity of the electronic recording of the value added tax until 31 December 2024. Therefore, users of the e-invoicing system (SEF) have been given a period to familiarize themselves with the new functionalities and changes in SEF, during which penalty provisions will not be applied for possible errors.


Want to learn more about e-Invoicing compliance?

Download our Global e-invoicing and Tax Compliance fact sheet here for more information.

Electronic Invoicing in Serbia

Is e-invoicing mandatory in Serbia ?

The Republic of Serbia has taken a significant step towards modernization and efficiency in its invoicing practices by mandating the transition to electronic invoicing (e-invoicing). This initiative positions Serbia as one of the pioneering countries in Europe to phase out paper invoices entirely. The implementation of e-invoicing was conducted in three stages spanning the years 2022 and 2023, as outlined in the Law on Electronic Invoicing (Zakon o Elektronskom Fakturisanju).

Implementation Timeline

The transition to e-invoicing in Serbia occurred through a structured timeline:

  1. May 1, 2022: The initial phase required all invoices directed to public authorities to be submitted in electronic format. The Serbian government was mandated to receive and archive these e-invoices electronically (G2G/B2G).
  2. July 1, 2022: Public sector entities were obligated to issue e-invoices to companies, which were required to process and retain these electronic documents (G2B).
  3. January 1, 2023: E-invoicing became compulsory across the entire B2B sector, encompassing all private sector entities for both issuance and receipt of e-invoices (B2B).

Mandatory Requirements:

  • VAT-liable companies are obligated to adopt e-invoicing for transactions involving other businesses and government entities.
  • Requirement applies to both domestic and foreign businesses with local fiscal representation dealing with Serbian VAT payers.
  • Compliance Obligations:
    • Companies must generate, receive, and archive e-invoices in accordance with local regulations.
    • Utilization of an electronic invoicing system compatible with the Serbian standard and accessing the SEF network is mandatory.
  • Format Compliance:
    • Adherence to the Universal Business Language Format 2.1 (UBL 2.1), akin to XML format, is mandatory.

Amendments to reporting VAT via electronic invoicing

On 30 August 30, 2024, the Minister of Finance adopted the amendments to the Rulebook on Electronic Invoicing, as well as the amendments to the Rulebook on Value Added Tax. As in the previous amendments, the regulations take effect on 1 September 2024, except for the provisions that are specifically prescribed to come into effect from tax periods starting after 31 August 2024.

Most of the changes clarify existing provisions and eliminate errors that occurred during previous amendments to the rulebook. Below you may find the most important amendments as regards Electronic Invoicing.

The provisions of the Rulebook on electronic invoicing that refer to the electronic recording of value added tax (which includes both summary and individual records, and not only records of previous tax) are applied for tax periods starting after 31 August 2024 (tax period September 2024 for monthly payers)

Possible errors in the recording of data in the value added tax records will not be considered in the procedures for checking the regularity of the electronic recording of the value added tax until 31 December 2024. Therefore, users of the e-invoicing system (SEF) have been given a period to familiarize themselves with the new functionalities and changes in SEF, during which penalty provisions will not be applied for possible errors.


Want to learn more about e-Invoicing compliance?

Download our Global e-invoicing and Tax Compliance fact sheet here for more information.

Archiving

The storage period in general is 10 years. During this period electronic invoices should be accessible by the Tax Authorities due to possible controls.

Electronic archiving of documents is allowed in Serbia.


Want to know more about Basware’s archiving services?

Download our Basware Vault fact sheet here to learn more about our flexible and scalable solution.

Basware Services

Our standard offering could be affected by the current e-invoicing mandate in Serbia, consult our experts.


Want to find out how we can help in your specific case?

Our standard offering could be affected by the current e-invoicing mandate in Serbia, consult our experts.

Contact us

Interoperability

Basware has no interoperability partners in Serbia

Our advice

To accelerate processes and increase data quality, Basware recommends using electronic or PDF invoices


Want to understand how we can help in your case?

Get in touch with our experts.

Contact us

Electronic Invoicing in Serbia

Is e-invoicing mandatory in Serbia ?

The Republic of Serbia has taken a significant step towards modernization and efficiency in its invoicing practices by mandating the transition to electronic invoicing (e-invoicing). This initiative positions Serbia as one of the pioneering countries in Europe to phase out paper invoices entirely. The implementation of e-invoicing was conducted in three stages spanning the years 2022 and 2023, as outlined in the Law on Electronic Invoicing (Zakon o Elektronskom Fakturisanju).

Implementation Timeline

The transition to e-invoicing in Serbia occurred through a structured timeline:

  1. May 1, 2022: The initial phase required all invoices directed to public authorities to be submitted in electronic format. The Serbian government was mandated to receive and archive these e-invoices electronically (G2G/B2G).
  2. July 1, 2022: Public sector entities were obligated to issue e-invoices to companies, which were required to process and retain these electronic documents (G2B).
  3. January 1, 2023: E-invoicing became compulsory across the entire B2B sector, encompassing all private sector entities for both issuance and receipt of e-invoices (B2B).

Mandatory Requirements:

  • VAT-liable companies are obligated to adopt e-invoicing for transactions involving other businesses and government entities.
  • Requirement applies to both domestic and foreign businesses with local fiscal representation dealing with Serbian VAT payers.
  • Compliance Obligations:
    • Companies must generate, receive, and archive e-invoices in accordance with local regulations.
    • Utilization of an electronic invoicing system compatible with the Serbian standard and accessing the SEF network is mandatory.
  • Format Compliance:
    • Adherence to the Universal Business Language Format 2.1 (UBL 2.1), akin to XML format, is mandatory.

Amendments to reporting VAT via electronic invoicing

On 30 August 30, 2024, the Minister of Finance adopted the amendments to the Rulebook on Electronic Invoicing, as well as the amendments to the Rulebook on Value Added Tax. As in the previous amendments, the regulations take effect on 1 September 2024, except for the provisions that are specifically prescribed to come into effect from tax periods starting after 31 August 2024.

Most of the changes clarify existing provisions and eliminate errors that occurred during previous amendments to the rulebook. Below you may find the most important amendments as regards Electronic Invoicing.

The provisions of the Rulebook on electronic invoicing that refer to the electronic recording of value added tax (which includes both summary and individual records, and not only records of previous tax) are applied for tax periods starting after 31 August 2024 (tax period September 2024 for monthly payers)

Possible errors in the recording of data in the value added tax records will not be considered in the procedures for checking the regularity of the electronic recording of the value added tax until 31 December 2024. Therefore, users of the e-invoicing system (SEF) have been given a period to familiarize themselves with the new functionalities and changes in SEF, during which penalty provisions will not be applied for possible errors.


Want to learn more about e-Invoicing compliance?

Download our Global e-invoicing and Tax Compliance fact sheet here for more information.