How long to keep which documents by law (and how not to toss them too early)
Retention periods for invoices, contracts, VAT records and HR documents in Serbia — and how a DMS can track them for you.
The question “how long must I keep this?” troubles every business. Toss it too early and you risk a fine; keep everything forever and you drown in paper. Here are the guidelines for the most common documents.
Rough retention periods
- Invoices, statements and business books — usually 10 years
- Contracts — typically for their duration + a period after, generally up to 10 years
- VAT records — in line with tax deadlines
- HR documents and employee records — the longest, often permanent
- Minor supporting orders — shorter, around 5 years
The exact period depends on the document type and the regulation that applies to it, so always check the specific case with your bookkeeper. But the principle is clear: different documents have different lifespans.
How to stop tracking it in your head
Instead of memorizing deadlines, let the system remember them. Fascikla knows each document’s type and retention period, keeps them tidy in folders and won’t let you toss something too soon — and when needed, you export the whole package for your bookkeeper in one click.
Key takeaways
- Invoices and business books usually 10 years
- HR documents are kept the longest — often permanently
- Check the exact period with your bookkeeper; let the DMS track it for you
Frequently asked questions
Under the right conditions (integrity, legibility, availability) an electronic archive is recognized. The key is that it can’t be altered unnoticed.
Keep records by document type. A DMS that knows the type and date can warn you before the deadline passes.
Read more
e-Invoicing in Serbia 2026: who must comply, deadlines, and how → The KPO book for flat-rate entrepreneurs: what it is, the 6M limit, how to keep it → Fiscalization for freelancers and service businesses: what you actually need →Try Fascikla free
Invoices, contracts and paperwork in one place — OCR reads and sorts them for your accountant.