To start a coffee business in Serbia, decide first between a sole trader (preduzetnik) or LLC (d.o.o.) and register the activity code 56.30 (beverage service) or 10.83 (coffee roasting) with the APR; open an RSD bank account and enroll for e‑fiscalization with a certified online fiscal device. If your capex is high, voluntarily register for VAT (PDV) to reclaim input tax; otherwise monitor the turnover threshold (8,000,000 RSD/12 months). Secure a lease that meets power (often 3‑phase), ventilation, and water‑treatment needs; plan a water softener, floor drain, and service access for espresso machines/roaster. Obtain hospitality approval under the Law on Hospitality (ugostiteljska delatnost) by meeting Minimum Technical Conditions, plus fire safety, sanitation, and staff medical checks; implement HACCP and register as a food business operator with the Ministry of Agriculture. Connect POS to the online fiscal system, publish a price list in RSD, and display working hours. For outdoor seating, get a municipal permit; for music, license SOKOJ/OFPS. Hiring requires contracts and prior CROSO registration. If roasting or importing, arrange customs registration, labeling in Serbian, and traceability. Choose suppliers (beans, milk, bakery) with delivery SLAs; pilot recipes, calibrate grinders daily, and track COGS, waste, and peak‑hour throughput from day one.
