Serbia

Demonstrations and protests

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. They can result in injury or death.

Protests are common in Belgrade and other towns and cities across Serbia. They are usually peaceful but can cause major disruptions to traffic and public transport.

Some sporting events have turned violent, injuring people and damaging property. There have been incidents of clashes beten police and fans near sports venues as well as between fans of opposing teams. While foreigners are not targeted, there have been isolated incidents where foreigners have been affected by the clashes.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest:

• monitor local media for updates
• avoid affected areas
• follow the advice of local authorities

Be careful of celebratory gunfire or fireworks, especially around major holidays, celebrations and after sporting victories.

Border control

The level of security at Serbian land borders can change without notice. The border with North Macedonia is an entry point for asylum seekers attempting to travel through Serbia to the EU. Delays and strict controls at the border are common, especially in the European summer.

To stay safe:

• avoid crowds in border areas
• always carry your passport at or near borders
• follow the advice of local authorities

Kosovo-Serbia border

The Republic of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. Serbia doesn't recognise Kosovo's independence.

Security along the border between Serbia and Kosovo can change quickly. Be cautious travelling in the Kosovo border area. The security situation can be unpredictable.

In the past, clashes between security forces and armed groups have happened:

• in the Presevo area of southern Serbia
• in the Bujanovac area of Southern Serbia
• at border points with Kosovo

Further unrest may occur.

Be cautious travelling in the Kosovo border area.

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Unexploded weapons

The area of Southern Serbia bordering Kosovo has unexploded landmines and other remnants of war. Only use well known roads or paths.

To stay safe in southern Serbia, only use well know roads and path and be alert of uncleared landmine warning signs.

Pickpocketing, bag snatching and other petty crime is common. Criminals often target foreigners in crowded places, such as markets and on public transport.

To reduce your risk of crime:

• pay close attention to your personal belongings, especially in crowds
• carry only what you need
• hold bags and backpacks in front of you

Violent crime

Violent criminal acts are usually linked to organised crime. They are not directed at foreigners.

However, there have been several violent and fatal attacks against foreigners, particularly late at night:

• near nightclubs
• in bars
• in inner city suburbs

Many Serbians own guns, and shootings happen. 

In July 2016, a domestic dispute in the city of Zrenjanin, 80km north of Belgrade, led to a mass shooting. Five people were killed and twenty-two injured during the incident.

To protect yourself from violent crime:

• move away from dangerous situations
• monitor local media for updates
• avoid trouble spots
• be ready to leave quickly if trouble arises

Credit card fraud

Credit card fraud is common.

Only use ATMs in banks, shops and shopping centres.

Always take care to protect your card and PIN.

Be alert for suspicious behaviour.

To reduce your risk of fraud:

• avoid ATMs that open onto the street
• keep your credit card in sight during transactions

Terrorists have staged attacks in European cities. Targets have included:

• public transport
• transport hubs
• public places popular with tourists

To protect yourself from terrorism:

• be alert to possible threats in public places
• report any suspicious behaviour or items to police
• monitor the media for updates
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities.

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Serbia experiences natural disasters and severe weather.

Serious earthquakes are rare but tremors are common.

Flooding can happen throughout the country, especially along the Sava River.

Bush and forest fires can occur in summer, from June to September, especially in southern Serbia.

Extreme hot and dry periods may lead to water shortages.

In winter, from October to March, some parts of Serbia can experience extremely low temperatures. Snow and ice are hazards.

Monitor local media and weather reports. Plan ahead.

If there is a natural disaster or severe weather:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location or carry it in a waterproof bag
• keep in contact with family and friends
• monitor the media and other sources
• follow the advice of local authorities

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice
• International travel and health

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Serbia. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is
• how much you'll take
• that it's for personal use only

More information:

• Medicine

Air pollution

Air pollution levels can be high, especially in winter. Heavy smoke from coal and wood burning heaters can stay in the air.

Accidental release of toxic matter from factories is common.

Authorities don't always issue public health warnings.

If you have asthma or any other breathing difficulties, speak to your doctor before you travel.

Tick-borne encephalitis

There's a risk of tick-borne encephalitis in forests and fields.

Ticks are common in country areas. They are active from spring to autumn.

Take measures to avoid tick bites, particularly in rural areas.

During and after visiting a forest:

• check your body for ticks
• carefully remove any whole ticks as soon as possible
• be alert for any signs of infection

Insect-borne diseases

Cases of West Nile virus are reported throughout Serbia. There's no vaccine to prevent it.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

More information:

• Infectious diseases

Other health risks

Outbreaks of foodborne and other infectious diseases happen from time to time. These include:

• trichinosis
• brucellosis
• rabies

To protect yourself from illness, avoid:

• raw and under-cooked food, such as salads
• unpasteurised dairy products

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical facilities

Medical facilities in Serbia are below Australian standards.

If you're injured or become seriously ill, you'll need to be evacuated to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include long prison terms in local jails.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Photography

It's illegal to photograph military and police:

• personnel
• buildings
• vehicles
• equipment

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

The Republic of Serbia recognises dual nationality.

Serbia abolished compulsory military service in 2011.

If you're an Australian-Serbian dual national, you could have military service duties from before this date.

Check with an Embassy or Consulate of Serbia before you travel.

If you're returning to Serbia after many years away, living conditions may be different to what you expect. Do your research before travelling.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely accepted.

Verbal and physical aggression is sometimes directed towards the LGBTI community. Avoid public displays of affection.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTI people

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.

Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.

Visa-free travel for short stays

You don't need a visa for tourist visits of up to 90 days in a 6-month period. This applies from the date of first entry.

You'll need a visa for other situations.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Serbia for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Kosovo-Serbia border

Don't attempt to enter Serbia from Kosovo unless you first travelled into Kosovo from Serbia.

To travel from Kosovo to Serbia, you'll need a valid, recent Serbian entry stamp in your passport. If you don't, you'll have to enter Serbia from another country.

If you have any border entry or exit stamps from Kosovo in your passport, Serbia can deny you entry. In practice, this does not occur often, but the Serbian border police will cancel the Kosovo entry/exit records by stamping over them.

The security situation along the Kosovo-Serbia border is volatile.

Political violence has broken out many times at the border crossings of:

• Jarinje, also known as Gate 1
• Brnjak,  also known as Gate 31 

Be cautious travelling in the Kosovo border area. See Safety

More information:

• Travel advice for Kosovo
• Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Serbian)

Other formalities

Within 24 hours of arrival, you must register your accommodation with either:

• the local Ministry of Interior office, or
• a police station

If you're staying at a hotel, ask if the hotel will register for you.

If you're staying in a private home, you'll need to register at the nearest police station.

If you don't register, you could be fined or detained.

If you plan to stay for longer than 90 days, you'll need to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit. Apply at least 30 days before your tourist visa expires.

Check the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Serbian) for application forms and more information.

Local police issue the temporary residence permits.

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

The currency of Serbia is the Serbian Dinar (RSD). You can't change it outside Serbia.

On arrival, you'll need to declare currency and valuables with a value of 10,000 euros or equivalent. Valuables may include:

• laptops
• cameras
• jewellery

Make sure you get a copy from customs officials. You'll need the declaration form when you leave Serbia.

If you don't declare your currency or valuables, they could be taken away.

Most banks in towns and cities have ATMs that accept international bank cards.

ATMs only dispense Serbian Dinar.

Traveller's cheques are not widely accepted. However, larger branches of some banks will cash them.

Border crossings

Border crossings close at short notice. Delays and disruptions to cross-border transport are possible.

To stay safe:

• avoid large groups near borders
• have back-up plans
• follow the advice of local authorities

Driving permit

To drive, you'll need both:

• a current Australian driver's licence
• a valid international driving permit (IDP)

Get your IDP before you leave Australia.

Driving without an IDP could void your travel and vehicle insurance.

Road travel

Driving can be dangerous due to some poorly maintained vehicles, roads and poor driving habits.

It's dangerous to drive after bad weather.

Drivers and pedestrians frequently ignore road rules.

In rural areas, pedestrians and farm animals sometimes share the roads.

In winter, snow and ice are additional hazards. Local authorities may not always clear roads after heavy snowfall.

It is illegal not to wear a seatbelt if one is available.

The blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.03%.

Call 1987 for roadside assistance.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Taxis

Only use registered taxis and authorised limousines. Ask your hotel to arrange this for you.

Registered taxis have both a municipal registration number and a taxi number.

Public transport

Public transport is usually reliable but it can be crowded. Standards vary.

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Serbia's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 193.

Medical emergencies

Call 194.

Police

Call 192.

For non-emergency criminal issues, contact the local police.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

If you're not happy with their response, contact the local National Tourism Organisation of Serbia office.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Belgrade.

Australian Embassy, Belgrade

8th floor
Vladimira Popovica 38-40
11070 New Belgrade, Serbia
Phone: (+381 11) 330 3400
Fax: (+381 11) 330 3409
Email: belgrade.embassy@dfat.gov.au
Website: serbia.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Serbia

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia