馃彴 Serbia

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Costs

Prices here are about 45% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

The visa rules for you are set by your passport, so see the official site below. The nearest Serbian embassy, or the Serbian foreign ministry, can confirm the rules, so ask before booking. Serbia lies outside the Schengen Area. Travellers should carry proof of funds, hotel details, a return ticket and a passport that remains valid for 6 months. Within 24 hours, foreign visitors must register with the police; hotels handle this, so hold on to the slip.

Culture and practical - take note

Serbs are known for warmth, directness and a love of long meals, and toasting with rakija is common. The majority are Orthodox Christian, so in churches and monasteries cover shoulders and knees and observe the signs on photography. Indoor smoking is still common. Steer clear of political topics, particularly Kosovo and the 1990s, a sensitive issue. Near the Kosovo boundary, some governments advise caution, so read the travel advice issued by your own government. Tipping is about 10%. The dinar is the currency, whereas euros are not generally accepted. Nightlife in Belgrade is lively, so take care of your valuables and take official taxis or apps. Outside Belgrade and Novi Pazar, halal food is limited.

Emergency

112. Police 192. Fire 193. Ambulance 194.

Good to know

Dinars, cards and cash

The Serbian dinar is the currency, and Canadian advice says euros are not legal tender but banks and exchange offices readily convert them. It calls credit card fraud common, so keep your card in sight and use cash machines in well-lit public places or inside banks. UK advice suggests keeping a reasonable amount of cash in case electronic payment networks are disrupted. Canadian advice adds that large sums must be declared at the border.

Local laws and customs

ID, drugs and photography

Visitors should always carry a passport or other ID, say UK and Canadian advice. Both warn of strict penalties for drugs, with UK advice naming cannabis, and say photographing military or police installations, vehicles or personnel is prohibited or may lead to arrest. UK advice says same-sex sexual activity is legal and anti-discrimination laws exist, but public prejudice is relatively high and public affection may draw unwanted attention.

Taxis and scams

Registered and radio taxis

In Serbia, Canadian advice says to ride only in officially marked taxis and to agree the fare beforehand when there is no meter. At Belgrade's airport, it points to the taxi reservation service located in the baggage claim area. UK advice is to ride only in registered taxis that show a municipal registration number next to the cab number, or to call a radio taxi.

Card fraud

Credit card fraud is common in Serbia, according to Canadian advice. Its tips: keep a close eye on your card whenever someone else is handling it, withdraw cash from ATMs in well-lit areas, and check your statements later for any charges that are not yours.

Who can help

local government

Serbian Police (Ministry of Interior)

Helps with: Serbia's national police emergency number, listed by the Ministry of Interior on its contacts page. The same page gives 193 for the fire service. No separate tourist police unit is shown on it.

Who qualifies: Anyone in Serbia who needs the police urgently.

Phone: 192

Email: [email protected]

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Tourism Organisation of Serbia

Helps with: Serbia's national tourism body. Its contact page gives a head office address and phone, and a form for sending a message to the organisation or its Belgrade tourist information centre.

Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Serbia or planning a trip there.

Phone: +381 (0)11 6557100

Address: 膶ika Ljubina 8, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

ngo

Red Cross of Serbia

Helps with: Serbia's national Red Cross society. Its website lists first aid, health, disaster preparedness and response, blood donation, water rescue and a tracing service among its areas of work.

Who qualifies: People in Serbia who need its first aid, disaster relief or other humanitarian services.

Phone: +381 11 30 32 125

Address: Simina 19, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Serbia

Helps with: The UN migration agency, present in Serbia since 1992. Its office in Belgrade can be reached by phone or through the contact form on its website.

Who qualifies: Migrants in Serbia. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists who have lost a wallet or passport.

Phone: +381 11 455-1066

Address: 沤or啪a Klemansoa 19, 11158 Belgrade, Serbia

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

embassy

Foreign embassies in Serbia (official diplomatic list)

Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy. The Serbian foreign ministry's diplomatic list page links to a PDF of foreign missions in Serbia.

Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

City selection based on: Statistical Office of Serbia arrivals by city, National Tourism Organisation of Serbia, travel guides.

Festivals and events

trade

Expo 2027 Belgrade

15 May - 15 Aug 2027 路 Belgrade

This specialised World Expo is titled 'Play for Humanity'. Prices rise and hotels fill up, so plan early.

Official site

festival

EXIT Festival

around Jul 2027 路 Novi Sad

The Petrovaradin fortress hosts a large music festival.

festival

Guca Trumpet Festival

around Aug 2027 路 Guca

A party in the village, with brass bands.