RICS Insights — English
2024-05-18 16:32

Entering the Serbian market and adapting to local legal requirements: expert strategies from RICS Consulting

Updated 17.09.2026 · 2 min read

Registering a company does not prove demand for your product. Before renting premises, hiring or buying a batch of goods, establish who will buy, at what price and how much will remain after mandatory expenses. Good research helps you make an investment decision.

In this article
  1. Start with a specific business question
  2. What the analysis should deliver
  3. Test the hypothesis with a small pilot
  4. How RICS organises the project

Start with a specific business question

Consulting services, a retail shop and equipment imports require different research. At the outset, define the product, city, customer, intended sales channel and acceptable testing budget. Send a presentation, prices, cost figures, existing sales and timing constraints.

We will clarify the outcome you need: demand assessment, selection of a presence model, finding a partner or a launch preparation plan. This keeps the research focused on questions that actually affect the decision.

What the analysis should deliver

  • Customer segments and the reasons they choose an offer.
  • Competitors with comparable prices, terms and sales channels.
  • A margin calculation including logistics, commissions, taxes and recurring expenses.
  • Operating options: direct sales, a local partner, a sole trader, a DOO or another suitable form.
  • A list of documents, permits and contracts required by the chosen model.

For goods, the code, origin, labelling and import requirements are checked separately. A trade agreement does not mean zero duty on every shipment: preferences depend on origin and the conditions of the relevant regime.

Test the hypothesis with a small pilot

Before making substantial investments, define a limited test: discussions with buyers, testing one channel or a pilot shipment. Record the budget, duration and decision criteria in the plan: continue, change the offer or stop the project.

Interest expressed in discussions, for example, is not the same as orders. Decide in advance what will constitute sufficient evidence: agreed purchasing terms, a paid trial or repeat demand. This is a testing method, not a promise of a particular revenue.

How RICS organises the project

We will prepare the brief, collect data within the agreed scope, compare options and show the dependencies affecting time and money. The result is a practical plan with priorities, assigned responsibilities for stages and questions to resolve before investing.

An analytical project starts at EUR 900. The depth of research, interviews, partner checks and specialist opinions determine the final price. Registration, licences, rent, advertising budget and launch costs are separate.

Comment from RICS Consulting

A useful strategy answers ‘does it make sense to launch our particular product here, and what should we check first?’ rather than ‘is Serbia generally attractive?’

Get a plan for your situation

We will review your starting information, identify the sequence of actions and prepare a cost estimate. You will receive the scope of services, indicative timescales and a clear next step.

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Information checked on 17 September 2026. Before applying, confirm the current fees and requirements for your category.