Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
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The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
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This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Serbia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Serbian Embassy in the UK.
Passport validity requirements
Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 90 days after the date you plan to leave Serbia.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Visa requirements
You can visit Serbia without a visa for up to 90 days within a 6-month period, for business or tourism.
For details about employment visas and long-stay visas, check the information from the Serbian Embassy in the UK.
If you want to extend your stay while you are in Serbia, you can apply at the police station where you’re registered at least 30 days before the 90-day period expires. For more information visit the website of the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Make sure you get your passport stamped.
When entering Serbia, make sure border guards stamp your passport. If you try to leave Serbia without an entry stamp you could face charges of illegal immigration, a heavy fine and a prison sentence.
Land border crossings
Only enter Serbia by land through recognised border crossings. Serbian borders remain open for entry and exit, subject to any entry requirements currently in place in neighbouring countries.
Travelling between Serbia and Kosovo
The authorities in Serbia do not consider the designated crossing points with Kosovo to be official international border crossing points.
It is possible to travel from Serbia to Kosovo, and back again.
To travel from Kosovo to Serbia, you must have a Serbian entry stamp from Belgrade, Niš or Kraljevo airports, or from one of Serbia’s land border crossings with:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Hungary
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Romania
You are likely to be refused entry into Serbia from Kosovo without a valid Serbian entry stamp. We are also aware of isolated incidents where Serbian authorities have cancelled Kosovo stamps in passports of foreign nationals or denied foreign nationals entry to Serbia if they have Republic of Kosovo stamps in their passports.
If you are planning to travel between Serbia and Kosovo, see the Kosovo travel advice.
Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo can cause difficulties at border crossings with Kosovo.
Registering with the police
You must register with the local police where you’re staying within 24 hours of your arrival in Serbia. If you’re staying in a hotel, check-in staff will register you automatically. If you do not register, you could get a fine, and face arrest and a court appearance.
Vaccine requirements
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Serbia guide.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and out of Serbia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
You must declare personal items of value you’re carrying – for example, jewellery, cameras and computing equipment. These are exempt from customs duties.
Taking money into and out of Serbia
If you are carrying cash or travellers cheques worth more than 10,000 euros, you must:
- complete a declaration form at customs on arrival in Serbia – a customs officer will certify this by signing or stamping the form
- keep a copy of the certified form while you are in Serbia
- show the certified form when you leave Serbia
If you are taking any Serbian dinars into the country, you must show the receipt from the bank where you bought them.
Customs officers may seize your money if you do not follow these rules.
You should exchange any unwanted dinars before you leave Serbia. British banks do not normally exchange dinars. Do not use street dealers. Only change money through banks or official exchange offices.
It is not possible to exchange Scottish and Northern Irish banknotes in Serbia.
Terrorism
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorism in Serbia
Terrorist attacks in Serbia cannot be ruled out.
Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. Terrorists may target religious sites, including churches. There may be increased security in place during festive periods and other major events that might attract large crowds. Remain vigilant and follow the advice of the local authorities.
In June 2024, a lone attacker fired at a police officer with a crossbow outside the Israeli Embassy in the Savski Venac area of Belgrade.
Political situation
There is the potential for disturbances in Belgrade and other towns and cities. There have been mass gatherings in Belgrade and other cities since May 2023. Further gatherings are planned. These can cause significant disruption, including to public transport. To reduce your personal risk, including possible injury:
- keep up to date with local developments
- plan ahead to avoid disruption
- avoid crowds and demonstrations
Crime
Protecting yourself and your belongings
Take sensible precautions to protect yourself from street crime, particularly in larger cities. Pickpockets work in tourist areas, airports, on public transport and at motorway service stations.
Criminals may assume that foreigners are carrying large amounts of cash. Four-wheel-drive and luxury vehicles are also common targets.
Some sporting events have had incidents of violence and petty crime. Incidents are common during derby matches in Belgrade – take extra care in and around stadiums when these are taking place.
Unexploded landmines and bombs
There is still some danger from unexploded landmines and bombs from the 1999 Kosovo conflict. Most of the affected areas are in the mountains to the north and east of Kosovo. Take special care in these areas and keep to marked roads.
Thick vegetation covers most of the dangerous areas. Do not touch anything suspicious and report it to the police.
Laws and cultural differences
Personal ID
You must always carry your passport or – if you are a resident – your ID card for identification purposes. Keep a copy separately in a safe place.
Illegal drugs and prison sentences
There are strict penalties for possessing and trafficking drugs, including long prison sentences.
Using cameras in secure areas
Taking photographs of military and police installations, personnel or vehicles anywhere in Serbia may lead to arrest or difficulties with the authorities.
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Serbia, and there are anti-discrimination laws. There are LGBT+ friendly hostels, clubs and other events in Belgrade. However, the level of public prejudice against LGBT+ people is still relatively high. Showing affection in public could result in unwanted attention.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Transport risks
Road travel
If you are planning to drive in Serbia, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Serbia guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.
You can drive with a UK photocard driving licence for a series of short visits up to a year, or for a single stay of up to 6 months.
You may find it helpful to have the 1968 version of the international driving permit as Serbian police will be able to recognise it.
If you’re staying longer than 6 months, you must get a local licence.
Road conditions
The general standard of roads in Serbia varies widely. Roads are worse in rural areas, especially after bad weather. One particularly dangerous road is the Ibarska Magistrala (linking Belgrade, via Čačak and Užice, to Montenegro).
Dial 1987 for roadside assistance.
Car hire
Many Serbian car hire firms will not allow you to drive their vehicles into Kosovo, Albania or Bulgaria because of security concerns. There have been some incidents where Serbian registered cars have been vandalised, or in some cases set on fire, in more isolated areas of Kosovo.
Bringing a vehicle into Serbia
If you are bringing a vehicle into Serbia, you must have vehicle registration and ownership documents and a locally valid insurance policy.
Check if you need a UK sticker to drive your car outside the UK.
Taxis
You should only use registered taxis – look for a municipal registration number alongside the cab number. Instead of hailing a taxi, you can call one of the radio taxi phone numbers – most operators speak English.
See more information about taxis and public transport from the Belgrade Tourism Organisation.
Rail travel
Trains can be slow, particularly in winter when there are often long delays. Each carriage has an attendant, and local police may carry out random ID checks.
Thieves operate on trains, so take particular care that passports and other valuables are safe. On overnight trains, lock your sleeping berth from the inside for safety.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
Wildfires
Wildfires are possible in Serbia from April to October due to the dry and hot weather. Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. You should:
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take care when visiting or driving through countryside
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make sure cigarette ends are properly extinguished
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not light fires or barbecues except in designated and marked areas
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not leave any rubbish
If you see a wildfire, call the emergency services on 112. Follow any advice from the police or local authorities.
Flooding
Parts of Serbia can flood after heavy rain. See flood warnings from the Serbian Hydrometeorological Service. If floods affect your area, follow the instructions of the Serbian authorities.
Earthquakes
There is a risk of earthquakes in Serbia, and earth tremors are common. Serious earthquakes are less frequent but can occur. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice on what to before, during and after an earthquake.
Before you travel check that:
- your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
- you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Emergency medical number
Dial 194 and ask for an ambulance.
Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Vaccine recommendations and health risks
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
See what health risks you’ll face in Serbia including biting insects and ticks.
Medication
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
Healthcare in Serbia
FCDO has a list of healthcare facilities in Serbia where some staff will speak English.
The UK has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Serbia. You’re entitled to free emergency treatment.
To get treatment you must show:
You may need to pay cash for non-emergency treatment or treatment that is not covered under the reciprocal agreement. Make sure you can access money to cover medical treatment.
Some private clinics in Serbia offer treatment for addiction which may not meet UK standards. Seek advice from your local GP or health provider in the UK before undertaking any treatment.
Travel and mental health
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
Emergency services in Serbia
All emergencies: 112
Ambulance: 194
Fire: 193
Police: 192
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
Refunds and changes to travel
For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
- where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
- how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim
Support from FCDO
FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
Help abroad
See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
Help in the UK
You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
Find out about call charges
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The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Serbia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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