Kosovo's Law on Foreigners raises fears among ethnic Serbs
Mar 13th 2026
Kosovo will enforce a Law on Foreigners from March 15, prompting ethnic Serbs without Kosovo documents to fear loss of rights and rising administrative obstacles amid political tensions.
- Kosovo will begin full enforcement of its Law on Foreigners on March 15, a law first adopted in 2013.
- The law requires non-citizens to register with police and enforces a 90-days-in-180-days stay limit for visitors.
- Many Kosovo Serbs do not hold Kosovo documents and instead use Serbian passports and Serbian-registered vehicles.
- Serbs say administrative barriers and nonrecognition of Serbian documents make obtaining Kosovo papers effectively impossible for many.
- Kosovo officials say enforcement is routine and that no one will be expelled, while Serbian authorities warn it will restrict services, movement and employment for Serbs.
- The dispute risks accelerating departures from an already shrinking Kosovo Serb population amid unresolved international recognition.