Kosovo has begun strict enforcement of the Traffic Law and the Law on Foreigners, measures primarily affecting members of the Serbian community living in Kosovo who use vehicles with Serbian license plates under temporary authorization or lack Kosovar documents.
Starting midnight on January 15, vehicles with foreign license plates will no longer be allowed to circulate for more than three months or based solely on temporary authorization, confirmed Veton Elshani, Deputy Director of the Kosovo Police for the northern region.
At the same time, foreigners must now comply strictly with personal documentation requirements. Those without Kosovar identification documents are required to apply for a residence permit within 72 hours.
“From January 15, the police will enforce the law on the ground. Driving with foreign plates under temporary authorization will only be allowed in emergencies, with prior warning. Repeated violations may result in fines up to €200,” Elshani explained.
Kosovo initially banned vehicles with Serbian city license plates in late 2022, a move that increased tensions and prompted some Serbs to leave public institutions. Many later registered their vehicles in Serbia and used them under temporary authorization, which Kosovo does not officially recognize.
The Law on Foreigners targets Serbs without Kosovar documents, but authorities emphasized that enforcement will not apply to those permanently living, working, or studying in Kosovo.
“We will not deport people, nor separate families. The law applies mainly to those entering Kosovo for tourism, work, or study,” Elshani said, noting that enforcement will be gradual.
Guidelines for applying for temporary, short-term, or permanent residence permits are detailed in the “Guide for Entry, Movement, Stay, and Employment of Foreigners in Kosovo”. Decisions on permits are made by the Department for Citizenship, Asylum, and Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The enforcement of these laws was originally planned for November 1, 2025, but was postponed to January 15, 2026, to allow for an information campaign.
