Serbia:Visa Requirements

SerbiaLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

Official Government Website

Serbia Visa Requirements Map

Serbia: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • The passenger must carry a valid travel document accepted by Serbia at border crossing. Entry with a valid national identity document is only possible in cases where the relevant international agreement or a decision of the Government of Serbia allows it.
  • The minimum passport validity period applicable for visa-free entries varies according to nationality, type of travel document and the relevant visa exemption regulation. A single minimum passport validity period valid for all visa-free travelers has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The required number of blank pages in the passport, the requirement for a machine-readable passport and the condition for a biometric passport have not been definitively specified in the central official source for all visa-free travelers.
  • The passenger must have financial means of at least 50 euros per day during the stay in Serbia. Financial sufficiency can be proven with cash or bank statement. The number of months that the bank statement must cover has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The border authority may request a return or onward travel ticket, paid hotel reservation, private accommodation address, an invitation letter explaining the purpose of travel, and other supporting documents.
  • In transit travel, the right to enter the next country must exist. If a visa or other entry permit for the next country is required, that document must be valid.
  • Travel health insurance is recommended. The recommended policy must provide coverage of at least 20,000 euros for possible medical expenses. This insurance has not been defined as a mandatory entry document for all visa-free travelers.
  • A passenger arriving from an area affected by an infectious disease or epidemic may be asked for a vaccination certificate or a health certificate showing absence of infectious disease, depending on the current assessment of the Ministry of Health of Serbia. A continuous and general vaccination requirement applicable to all passengers has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • There is no general requirement for a parental consent form for entry into Serbia for minors who are foreign nationals. Additional documents may be requested due to the carrier, the country of departure, or the specific custody situation of the child.
  • The maximum permitted visa-free stay duration varies according to nationality, passport type, and the agreement or government decision on which the exemption is based. In exemptions based on a valid visa or residence permit of another country, the stay may not exceed the validity period of the supporting document.
  • Visa-free entry does not confer the right to work, long-term study, or residence. If the purpose of travel is long-term stay or work, an appropriate D visa or residence permit must be obtained.
  • A facility providing paid accommodation or a private host in Serbia must register the foreigner's accommodation within 24 hours of arrival. A foreigner who is responsible for their own accommodation registration must also report their address or change of address within 24 hours.
  • Absence of a valid travel document, inability to prove sufficient financial means, failure to meet entry conditions for the next country in transit, reasonable doubt regarding the purpose of travel, or determination of an obstacle related to public order and security may result in entry being denied.

E-Visa Application Requirements

  • Serbia may issue a short-stay C visa in electronic form for eligible applicants. The electronic visa is also referred to as “Digital Travel Authorisation” in official documents. This document is not a separate electronic travel authorisation for visa-free travelers, but a Serbia visa issued in electronic form.
  • The application must be made via the Welcome to Serbia visa platform using a registered account created in the Electronic Identity Portal. The applicant must enter in the online form: identity, contact, family, occupation or education, travel document, previous travel, planned entry and exit dates, purpose of travel, accommodation address, inviting person or organisation, the party covering expenses, and health insurance information.
  • The information in the application form must match exactly the information in the travel document. After the application is completed, the necessary declarations and consents for processing personal data must be given.
  • The passport must be valid for at least 90 days after the planned departure date from Serbia, must have been issued within the last 10 years, and must contain at least two consecutive blank pages.
  • A clear digital image of the passport page containing identity information and photo must be provided. There is no general central requirement that all passport pages must be scanned. Depending on the purpose of travel, images of previous visas or other pages may be additionally requested.
  • One color photograph must be provided. The photograph must be in a 3.5 × 4.5 centimeter ratio, not older than six months, clear, and with a light-colored background. The applicant must look directly at the camera, have the mouth closed, and eyes clearly visible.
  • For photographs, JPG, JPEG, PNG or TIFF file formats may be used in the online system. The maximum file size for each uploaded document must be 5 MB.
  • Documents proving the purpose of travel on which the C visa is based must be uploaded. For tourist travel, proof of accommodation, travel arrangement, or tourism service; for private visit, an invitation letter approved by the competent Serbian authority; for business visit, an invitation issued by a company in Serbia; for education, event or treatment, an acceptance or confirmation document from the relevant institution is required.
  • The private invitation must include the identity and travel document information of the invited person, the identity and address of the inviting party, the purpose of travel, and planned stay information. The inviting party must declare that they assume the costs of the foreigner's stay, removal, and, if necessary, detention in a foreigners' shelter.
  • In an invitation issued by a legal entity, the company name, address, registration and tax information, signature of the authorised person, purpose of travel, and information of the invited person must be included.
  • The applicant must provide adequate and valid travel health insurance. The minimum coverage amount that the insurance must have for a C visa has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Financial means sufficient to cover the costs of stay and return must be proven. Bank statement, cash resources, employment and salary certificate, sponsor guarantee, or similar documents are acceptable. The number of months the bank statement must cover and a single account balance required for all C visa applications have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • A return or onward flight reservation, transport document, and documents showing the applicant's intention to leave Serbia before the visa expires may be requested.
  • A C visa application may be made no earlier than three months before the planned travel date.
  • The C visa application fee is 90 euros. Payment is made in Serbian dinars at the middle exchange rate of the National Bank of Serbia. Fee exemptions arising from bilateral agreements may apply.
  • In an electronic application, the fee must be paid at the final processing stage of the portal. A payment made outside the portal cannot be linked to the electronic application. Accepted bank cards or other payment methods have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Visa processing normally takes 15 days from the date of application. In justified and exceptional cases, the processing period may be extended up to 30 days.
  • The C visa is issued for a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It can be single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry. It may be used for approved short-term purposes such as tourism, private visit, business, short-term study, event, official visit, health, and transit.
  • The visa issued in electronic form contains two QR codes and the electronic seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia. Whether the electronic approval must necessarily be carried in printed or only digital form has not been definitively specified in the central official source. The passenger must carry an accessible copy of the document during travel.
  • Making an online application does not mean that the visa will necessarily be issued in electronic form. If the conditions for electronic issuance are not met, after the application is approved, a delivery method must be agreed with the relevant diplomatic mission for affixing a visa sticker to the passport. In some cases, an in-person application or passport submission may be required.
  • The online application service may be used by persons who have reached the age of 18. Applications of minors must be submitted in person to the competent diplomatic or consular authority. A separate visa application must be made for each child registered on the passport. The form of a minor must be signed by the parent or legal representative.
  • A central rule making it mandatory to provide fingerprints or other biometric data for all electronic C visa applications has not been published. The competent mission may request an in-person application, interview, or additional documents if deemed necessary.
  • Incomplete applications are not accepted. The competent authority may request additional documents for the assessment of the application. Incorrect or contradictory information may lead to rejection of the application or the issued visa being considered invalid at the border.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • Serbia has a short-stay C visa and a long-stay D visa. The application may be submitted in person to the Serbian embassy or consulate responsible for the applicant's place of legal residence. Application in a country other than the country of legal residence depends on the jurisdiction of the relevant mission and a documented emergency.
  • The applicant must complete and sign the visa form in full. If the application was started online but a visa sticker is to be issued, the mission may request the surrender of the passport or the applicant to appear in person.
  • The passport must be valid for at least 90 days after the planned departure date from Serbia, must have been issued within the last 10 years, and must contain at least two consecutive blank pages. There is no guarantee that damaged travel documents, where the identity information is illegible or the integrity is compromised, will be accepted.
  • One color photograph of 3.5 × 4.5 centimeters must be provided. The photograph must be not older than six months, clear, with a light-colored background, and of a quality showing natural skin tone. The applicant must look directly at the camera, have the mouth closed, and eyes clearly visible.
  • The visa fee must be paid. The C visa fee is 90 euros, the D visa fee is 50 euros. Payment is calculated in Serbian dinars at the middle exchange rate of the National Bank of Serbia. Fee exemptions arising from bilateral agreements may exist. The payment method and currency accepted at the consulate may vary depending on the mission applied to.
  • The purpose of travel and reasons for the planned stay must be documented. The list of documents varies according to the C or D visa, purpose of travel, nationality, travel document, country of residence, and the mission applied to.
  • For a C visa, for tourist travel, a payment document issued by a travel agency, tourism voucher, hotel or accommodation proof; for private visit, an individual invitation approved by the competent authority; for business visit, an invitation from the company in Serbia must be submitted.
  • For short-term study, professional specialisation, or internship, an acceptance or registration document from the educational institution; for an international event, an invitation from the organiser; for health travel, a document from the healthcare institution explaining the treatment and planned duration is required.
  • The C visa applicant must submit documents showing that they can cover accommodation expenses and daily needs, have sufficient resources for return or onward travel, and will leave the country before the visa expires.
  • Employment certificate, payslip, student certificate, company documents, bank statement, flight reservation, and travel itinerary are not mandatory in the same way for every C visa. These are requested according to the applicant's situation and purpose of travel.
  • A C visa may be applied for no earlier than three months before the planned travel. A separate application must be made for each applicant and each child registered on the passport.
  • A C visa is issued for a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period and may be issued as single, double, or multiple-entry. A C visa is not the basis for a temporary residence application unless specifically provided for by law.
  • A D visa is issued for stays longer than 90 days and up to 180 days. The D visa is multiple-entry. It may be used for work, study, family reunification, investment, religious service, treatment or care, seasonal work, and other approved long-term purposes.
  • For a D visa, the applicant must submit temporary residence documents related to the chosen residence purpose. The portal generates a detailed and personalised list of documents only after the purpose of travel is selected.
  • For a D visa for work purposes, an invitation from the employer in Serbia, the employer's registration document, an employment contract or draft contract, job and working conditions, and professional qualification documents may be required. Certified translation may be required for foreign education and professional qualification documents.
  • If the employer makes the application on behalf of the employee, a power of attorney document signed by the employer and the foreigner must be submitted. The power of attorney must contain the information of the parties, the date of issue, and the granted authorities. Notarisation of this power of attorney is generally not required.
  • For a D visa for study purposes, the registration or acceptance document of the educational institution in Serbia, a letter showing the start and duration of the education, the institution's registration document, and previous education documents may be required. Translation by a certified translator may be requested for foreign education documents.
  • For family reunification, marriage certificate, birth certificate, document showing family ties, or documents proving extramarital partnership must be submitted. Certified Serbian translation may be required for family status documents issued in a foreign country.
  • For extramarital partnership, documents showing the parties are unmarried, common address or evidence of cohabitation, statements of the parties, and if necessary, witness statements may be required.
  • For investment purposes, documents showing investment in a company registered in Serbia must be submitted. In this category, it may be required to prove that funds of at least 50,000 euros equivalent are held in a bank account in Serbia. This amount does not apply to all D visa categories.
  • For a religious service application, a document from the registered church or religious community and an employment contract or assignment letter explaining the role must be submitted.
  • For a treatment purpose application, the decision or letter of the registered healthcare institution explaining the place, necessity and estimated duration of treatment must be submitted. For a care purpose application, the acceptance letter, registration decision, and operating permit of the social protection institution may be required.
  • For seasonal work, the employer's registration document and a job offer showing the employer, job, place of work, duration, wage, rest and accommodation conditions must be submitted.
  • For a D visa, the accommodation address in Serbia must be proven. A declaration of accommodation by the host, rental contract, hotel reservation, or other suitable address document is acceptable.
  • For a D visa, financial sufficiency may be demonstrated by salary certificate, employment contract, pension payment, scholarship document, proof of registered agricultural activity, bank statement, or sponsor guarantee. If proof is provided by bank account, having resources equivalent to the Serbian minimum wage for the year of application is one of the accepted methods.
  • The sponsor or guarantor must declare in writing that they assume the applicant's expenses and must prove that they have sufficient financial resources.
  • Health insurance for a D visa may be proven by an applicable international social security document, foreign insurance policy, Serbian health insurance document, sponsor guarantee, or sufficient resources showing that medical expenses can be covered. A single minimum insurance coverage amount valid for all D visa types has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Special exemptions in financial sufficiency or health insurance documents may apply for close family members of a Serbian citizen and certain D visa applicants based on work. The personalised checklist should be followed.
  • The requirement for translation, notarisation, apostille, or consular legalisation of foreign official documents varies according to the country of issue, type of document, and applicable international agreement. Only documents required by law must be legalised.
  • A mandatory and general fingerprinting practice for consular visa applications has not been definitively specified in the central official source. The diplomatic mission may request the applicant to appear in person, attend an interview, or submit additional documents.
  • Visa applications are normally processed within 15 days. In justified and exceptional cases, the period may be extended up to 30 days.
  • The English text regarding application timing on the D visa portal uses the phrase 'at least three months before' travel. This phrase is different from the published rule for the C visa of 'no earlier than three months before'. The current application timeframe for the D visa should be confirmed with the relevant diplomatic mission.
  • If the application has missing documents, the application may not be accepted. The consulate may request additional documents or explanations to verify the purpose of travel and information.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • In the current system of Serbia, a short-stay C visa is issued for transit purposes. An independent visa type for transit separate from the C visa has not been published on the central current pages.
  • The applicant must complete the online visa form or, if applying to a diplomatic mission, submit a printed and signed copy of the form.
  • The passport must have been issued within the last 10 years, be valid for at least 90 days after the planned departure date from Serbia, and have at least two consecutive blank pages.
  • One current 3.5 × 4.5 centimeter photograph, adequate and valid travel health insurance, and a document showing payment of the visa fee must be submitted.
  • If a visa is required for entry to the next country, a copy of the valid visa must be submitted. If a visa is not required, a ticket, reservation, or other documents showing onward travel and the purpose of travel to the next country may be provided.
  • It is recommended that the applicant submit documents showing that they have sufficient financial means to cover their expenses during transit. The number of months the bank statement must cover and a single minimum account balance required for transit applications have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The fee for a C visa issued for transit purposes is 90 euros. Payment is calculated in Serbian dinars at the middle exchange rate of the National Bank of Serbia. Fee exemptions arising from bilateral agreements may apply.
  • The application may be made no earlier than three months before the planned journey. The normal processing period is 15 days, and the maximum processing period in justified and exceptional cases is 30 days.
  • A transit C visa may be issued as single, double, or multiple-entry. The total validity period, number of entries, and permitted stay of the visa are specified on the issued visa. A separate maximum stay duration applicable to all transit applicants has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The transit passenger must meet the conditions for admission to the next country. The absence of a valid visa, residence permit, or other entry right for the next country may result in entry to Serbia being denied.
  • The minimum coverage amount that travel health insurance must have for a transit C visa has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The diplomatic mission may request additional documents for verification of the itinerary, transport, financial sufficiency, or the right to enter the next country.
Population
6,641,964(2026 est.)
Official language
Serbian; regional official languages: Hungarian, Slovak, Romanian, Ruthenian, Croatian
Government type
Parliamentary republic
Continent
Europe
Capital
Belgrade
Currency
Serbian dinar
Area
88,499 km²
Phone code
+381

Serbia: Key Destinations

Belgrade is the capital and primary gateway, served by Nikola Tesla Airport. Other major cities include Novi Sad and Niš, each offering distinct urban experiences. Travelers typically begin their journey in this vibrant metropolis.

Serbia boasts a rich cultural heritage, from Roman ruins to Ottoman fortresses, alongside a thriving modern arts scene. The country is also recognized for its lively festivals, traditional cuisine, and emerging business hubs. These elements draw visitors interested in history, entertainment, and commerce.

Visitors often structure trips by starting in Belgrade, then heading to Novi Sad for its Petrovaradin Fortress and EXIT festival, or south to Niš for historic landmarks. Well-connected rail and bus networks make it easy to combine multiple destinations or extend travel into neighboring Balkan countries.