Living in Serbia
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-19)

Advice for British people living in Serbia, including information on health, education, benefits, and residence requirements.

This guide sets out essential information for British nationals residing in Serbia, including advice on health, education, benefits, and residence requirements. We are not able to provide guidance on general lifestyle enquiries apart from the information and links listed below.

See our information on what consulates can and cannot do (https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-belgrade#our-services) for British nationals.

Entry and residence requirements

Check our travel advice for Serbia (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/serbia/entry-requirements) for general entry requirements.

It is a legal requirement that you register with the local police in the town or city where you are staying within 24 hours of your arrival in Serbia. If you don’t register, you could be fined, detained or face a court appearance.

If you are staying in a hotel, they will register you automatically when you check-in.

If you report your arrival to the police you will be issued with a registration card for foreigners. Make sure you keep this card safe.

If you are staying in Serbia for over 3 months, you may be asked to present UK documents, for example, your birth/marriage certificates, or documents relating to marital status (divorce/spouse’s death certificate). Make sure you get them legalised (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/legalisation-general-guidance-leaflet) at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office before travelling. You should carry proof of identity with you.

If you need to apply for a British passport (https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports) in Serbia, it can take 4 to 6 weeks. All applications are processed at HM Passport Office in the UK.

Sponsoring family members

If you want to sponsor a family member, you should contact the Serbian Embassy in London (http://www.london.mfa.gov.rs/). Serbia is a non-EU country.

Employment and recognised qualifications

As a British national you can work in Serbia if you have a work permit. Contact the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in London (http://www.london.mfa.gov.rs/) about work permits.

Health

If you registered as a resident and employed in Serbia, you are entitled to the same health benefits as a Serbian national. Your local employer should be able to obtain a local medical card for you. More information can be found on the website of the Serbian Ministry of Health (http://www.zdravlje.gov.rs/).

Payment in cash is sometimes required for treatment.

If you are visiting Serbia for a shorter period, there is a reciprocal healthcare agreement for British nationals who are resident in the UK, and are eligible to access NHS treatment in the UK. This entitles you to free treatment in Serbia for genuine emergencies at public healthcare facilities. To get healthcare you must provide:
- a British passport
- evidence of registration with the local police, or hotel documents if a hotel registered you with the police
- a certificate confirming entitlement to benefit under the UK Social Security Acts – you can get the certificate from HM Revenue & Customs before travelling (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs) to Serbia or contact the British Embassy if you need assistance (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-belgrade)
The reciprocal agreement does not cover repatriation to the UK or any additional costs.

If you have moved to Serbia on a long-term basis, you might no longer be entitled to medical treatment in the UK under normal NHS rules. This depends on whether you are:
- living abroad permanently
- only working outside the UK for a set period
- a recipient of a UK State Pension or other UK benefits
For more information visit the NHS Moving Abroad page (https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/moving-abroad/planning-your-healthcare/).

Education

Educational institutions in Serbia are a mix of public, and a small number of private institutions. There are neither exclusive girls’ or boys’ schools. The educational system in Serbia includes:
- preschool
- primary education
- secondary education
- higher education
In Serbia there is a compulsory preparatory pre-school programme for all children aged from 5.5 to 6.5 years. This lasts 9 months and is free of charge at public (state) kindergartens or schools.

Primary education is compulsory and free of charge in public (state) schools. It takes 8 years and is carried out in 2 educational cycles. The first cycle covers the first 4 grades.

Teaching of all subjects in this stage is performed by class teachers, but the teaching of some subjects, for example arts and foreign languages, may be performed by subject teachers who teach these subjects in the second cycle. The second cycle covers 5th to 8th grades, and teaching of each subject is performed by subject teachers.

Secondary education is not compulsory and lasts 3 or 4 years for students aged 15 to 19 years. It is also free of charge in public (state) schools.

For information about education and the school system in Serbia, visit the website of the Serbian Ministry of Education and Science (http://www.mpn.gov.rs/).

Benefits

If you have retired and you live in Serbia you may be able to claim your pension from the UK. For more information visit the website for UK benefits (https://www.gov.uk/benefits-if-you-are-abroad).

If you spend time in both the UK and another country, and are unsure about how this affects your UK pension, benefit and healthcare rights, always consult the relevant UK authority and the local pension office where they will tell you what you are able to claim. If you have received a life certificate from the UK Pension Service it is important that you reply as quickly as possible otherwise your benefit may be stopped.

Driving licences and vehicles

The British Embassy cannot issue or renew a UK driving licence.

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. If you’re staying longer than 6 months, you must get a local licence. The embassy is aware of the current policy by the Serbian authorities to retain British driver’s licences when applying for a Serbian driver’s licence.

UK driving licences retained by the Serbian authorities are returned to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) (https://www.gov.uk/contact-the-dvla) in the UK. The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (https://www.mfa.gov.rs/en/citizens/travel-serbia/driver-s-license-and-motor-vehicle-insurance) publishes further information about driving and vehicle insurance in Serbia.

Finance

Individuals residing in Serbia can open an account at most banks in Serbia. Valid ID is necessary (for British nationals this means a valid British passport). The bank may have additional requirements depending on your residence status, type of account, business/income source etc. Local information can be found on the website of the National Bank of Serbia (http://nbs.rs/en/indeks).

If you are interested in investments, the Development Agency of Serbia (http://www.beograd.rs/cms/view.php?id=1298992) is the primary government institution which is in charge of attracting new foreign investments in the country.

Taxation is a complex issue and it is strongly recommended that professional advice is sought. Severe penalties for incorrect, incomplete or late reporting can be incurred and the legislation also means that criminal charges can be brought in the case of non-compliance.

Bringing goods including medication into Serbia

The latest information about Serbian customs formalities can be found on the Customs Administration website (https://www.carina.rs/en.html). You should check what documents you need to bring medicines and other goods in to Serbia. Failure to observe the regulations on import of medicines, medical aids and psychotropic substances is a crime.

Pets

There are strict requirements for bringing pets to Serbia from other countries. You can find further information on the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture website (https://www.vet.minpolj.gov.rs/movement-of-pets/).

Returning to the UK

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-to-the-uk), which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.

Disclaimer

This information is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the embassy by the relevant local authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little of no notice. The FCDO and the British Embassy will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British nationals wishing to obtain any further information must contact the relevant local authority.