Serbia travel advisory today

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.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

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.

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.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for the expected duration of your stay in Serbia.Ensure to have your passport stamped when you enter and leave Serbia to avoid issues exiting and re-entering the country.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days
Business visa: not required for stays up to 90 days
Student visa: not required for stays up to 90 days

If you plan to stay in Serbia longer than 90 days, contact the Embassy of Serbia or one of its consulates for information on requirements that apply to your specific situation.

Foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Canada

Registration

You must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival in Serbia. Registration will normally be arranged by your hotel or your host. Failure to register can result in fines and difficulties when departing.

Kosovo

Serbia does not recognize any border crossing points from Kosovo as official international entry points. Don’t attempt to enter Serbia directly from Kosovo unless you initially travelled into Kosovo from Serbia and obtained a valid entry stamp from the Serbian immigration authorities. Otherwise, you should transit via a third country such as Albania, North Macedonia or Montenegro.

Entry to Kosovo from Serbia is subject to delays or may be prohibited entirely. Some border posts have been closed for short periods. Verify the border situation before you undertake travel. If travelling by road, you may have to provide proof of the purpose of your visit to Kosovo at the checkpoint between Serbia and Kosovo. Some travellers may be exempted, such as holders of a Serbian identity card.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).