Crossing the border in Serbia is not a simple process. Here's what you need to know to stay safe and out of trouble.
Photo © Getty Images/joe daniel price
Serbia can be a tough place to travel to at times, and having the right documentation is very important, especially in a country constantly watching those across the border.
Serbia has seen a renaissance with more tourists visiting the Balkan nation each year. This shouldn't put you off seeing what Serbia has to offer, just understand that officials like things to go to plan.
If you are planning a trip to Serbia, here are some ideas to keep yourself out of jail and trouble.
Border information
In 2014, the Serbian Government legislated that entry into Serbia would be visa-free for 90 days for holders of foreign passports having a valid Schengen, other member states, UK, United States and Australia. Any visitor who stays longer than 90 days or for business purposes requires a visa.
For dual nationals, it is also important to use the same passport when you enter and exit Serbia.
For more information visit the website of the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Serbia-Kosovo border crossing
Following the brutal war with its neighbor Kosovo, resulting in Kosovo's independence, Serbia doesn't recognize Kosovo as an independent state. As a result, the security situation along this border is unpredictable and can change at short notice.
Similar to the relationship between some Middle Eastern countries and Israel, having a stamp from Kosovo in the past would end your journey to Serbia. Luckily, times have changed and this is no longer the case. Officials will just over-stamp your Kosovo visa with a "canceled" stamp. But whatever you do, don't try to outthink the Serbian border officials. Entering Serbia through Kosovo without a Serbian entry stamp is considered an illegal entry and can be met with stiff penalties. Likewise, leaving Serbia via Kosovo is not considered legally leaving the country, so you run the risk of being charged with overstaying your entry permit.
Serbia-North Macedonia border crossing
Serbia's border with North Macedonia is often an entry point for asylum seekers attempting to reach the EU. Delays and strict controls here are common, especially in the European summer.
Getting through customs
On arrival, travelers are required to declare valuables (such as laptop computers, cameras, and jewelry) with a value of more than 10,000 Euros and obtain a declaration from customs officials. This declaration form is required on departure from the country. Failure to comply may result in the confiscation of valuables.
You can take an unlimited sum of foreign currency into Serbia, but you can only take up to 10,000 EUR out of the country.
For more information on the declaration of money and the importation of goods see the Serbian Ministry for Foreign Affairs or the National Tourism Organisation of Serbia.
Travelers beware
Similar to neighboring Bosnia and Croatia, foreigners are required by law to register with the police station in their district within 12 hours of receiving a Serbian entry stamp at a border crossing or airport. This may sound like a hassle, but if it isn't done, you'll find yourself in a precarious position.
When you check in at your hotel, staff will register you automatically. This is quite common when you travel to any country (for example, it happens in France), so don't worry about it. However, if you are staying with friends in a private home, you must register your presence with the police in the district you are staying in.
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20 Comments
This is probably the most misguided, tendentious and error-ridden article I have recently seen, and paints the country (an EU accession candidate) as a pariah. Let me just focus on rectifying all the falsehoods:
http://www.carina.rs/en/Passengers/Pages/Passengers.aspx
"When crossing the state border (on entering and leaving the country), any natural person is to report to the customs authority the amount of portable monetary instruments that is equal to or exceeding EUR 10.000, either in RSD or in foreign currency. ... They can always take out of the country the amount of up to EUR 10,000. ..."
"Basically, you are only allowed to move 120,000 Serbian dinars (about $US1600) into and out of the country... notes larger than 1000 dinars are not allowed to move across the border" - false. Quote: "RSD may be taken into or out of the country up to the amount of EUR 10,000 in RSD equivalent per person." No reference to banknotes of any kind.
Also: "foreign nationals ... may import temporarily the goods they need for personal use during their travel and goods for sports purposes. They include all articles, whether new or used, that are necessary to the passenger for personal use during travel, taking into consideration all the circumstances of travel, and exclude all commercial goods." Pretty commonsense, I think, in line with customs law in many other countries.
"Serbia has often been wary of anyone heading over the border"... "A wary eye over every foreigner is commonplace, a little more so than other countries in the world." - utter bullshit. As a transit country, millions of foreigners visit Serbia every year as tourists or transit passengers.
http://www.serbia.com/tos-number-of-tourist-visits-in-serbia-in-growth/
978,000 tourists visited Serbia only in 9 months of 2015, with countless others transiting.
"having a stamp from Kosovo in the past, would end your journey to Serbia" - false. The only restriction, and a rare true statement in the article is that "Entering Serbia through Kosovo without a Serbian entry stamp is considered as an illegal entry", but it can only result in refusal to cross the Kosovo-Serbia line. Once they obtain a regular Serbian entry stamp, foreigners can cross the line/border freely. Going the other way round (leaving Serbia via Kosovo) is technically a violation, but never enforced (and practically impossible to enforce).
Intolerance towards gay population is present indeed (like elsewhere in Eastern Europe, unfortunately), but acts of violence towards gay visitors are practically unheard of. Just follow common sense and avoid public expression of affectation.
I am deeply disappointed both for the tone and the evident lack of research in this article.
I have crossed into Serbia twice, and my passport was stamped without even so much as a glance at my face. While in the country I never felt I was being watched at all. Hotels didn't even check my identification. Registering with the police on arrival? Are you kidding? This article is just plain wrong.
Dustin, you do have to receive a white registration card from a hotel or police station, or you can be heavily fined on exit. However, you're not usually asked for it (though you're supposed to turn it in on exit - I always do), and lots of hotels are too lazy to do the registration unless asked. If checked by the police while in the country, however, you could well be in trouble.
So I strongly recommend registrering, which is actually a piss easy procedure.
And yeah, this article paints Serbia as a Soviet-style country. It is not; land border officers are the most nonchalant and lax I've seen on this planet.
You can't enter Serbia from Kosovo after having entered Kosovo from elsewhere though (ie without a Serbian entry stamp), except if using an ID Card instead of a passport (which is possible for "Yugoslav", Swiss and EU citizens
Firstly I should like to agree with Duya's comments.
I am English am married to a Serb and travel frequently to Serbia.
Not once have we had any trouble entering or leaving the country, we have never been asked how much personal stuff we have.
Yes police registration is compulsory however with me as we have a property in a small village, the police are aware of my presence as soon as I arrive and as we normally arrive late at nite are forgivuing and do not uphold the 12 hours rule.
As with everything in the world you have the truth (not usually mentioned) and then scaremongering, fake news and just downright lies.
The Serbs are a very friendly and educated people and should be appreciated for it
Can you set off fireworks becuase if not .... ooops
good question russ, not that it will change my behaviour
Hi! Anyone here who can give advice? My husband was in Serbia and wanted to take a plan in Thursday to Sweden. He never came home. I called the airport, different airline companies, but no one knows where he is. He is missing! The Swedish police can not help, because they have to be sure that he desapeard in Sweden.
So what should I do?
I never go back to Serbia anymore. The only country in the region we had border hassle. We went in and out 2 times and everytime they needed to search the car which is their good right of courelse but the last exit to HU they wanted to have everything out and inspected the car inside and under it on the bridge. Very unfriendly and intimidating. We stayed calm and saying we are just tourist. When done gave them a hand to be polite but I thought hey this is the worst country when it comes to kindness towards tourists. This is being honest based on my experiences at the borders.
Hey guys,
Need some advice on travelling into Serbia from Albania. I intend on visiting Kosovo prior to this. What is the worst case scenario when I land in Serbia with the stamp? And what's the most likely?
ahhhhh good question anton..... i'm going to call you ant for short. So ant the most likley scenario is that serbian king will invite you over for some fried dog i hope this answered your question ant if you have any other question feel free to comment them :)
The good old days russ the bus i remember Peter i what a great guy, heart of coal, his eyes reminded me of watermelon seeds and dry armpits. russ lets call our next kid ant, that will go well with urweenus trap.
I am English and have lived in Serbia for 15 years, I have NEVER had any problem going through the borders and I find Serbian people very friendly and honest. There is no problem here for tourist or to live.
hello im jilliana, long lost cousin of jilly the silly gorl who left the very dry armpitty message 12 months ago. Im sending this from the one year annerversery party of her comment, it changed her life beucase she had a voice for once about her experiences with peter's watermelon eyes. I would just like to say what a journey its been i have loved every second of this and am so lucky to spend it with such a fun bunch like ant and our new friend dan hasslehoff. Sorry guys i'm tearing up. Love you all lots especially you russ dont know where i would be without you and your angelic voice singing like a faulty hearing aid in my ear.
and just to think it all started with some illegal fire works.
good bye for now,
regards like a warm hug from the homeless man on your street, jilliana
I am a Filipino working here in Croastia. And I want to visit Macedonia, what is the possible requirements that I need to present through passing the boarder?
Any experience crossing through Serbia while traveling up the Croatian coast? I’m from the US, traveling with a German. Was looking at a small section where Serbia juts out to the coastline. Not sure what happens there at the moment.
Megan, I am also from the US living in Croatia. Serbia does not have a coastline on the Adriatic. That is actually Bosnia-Herzegovina. They are currently working on a
bridge to connect the two parts of Croatia. But, for now, you have to cross through Bosnia Herzegovina.
We just waited mire than one hour and no movement at all. A third world country like if you get into Venezuela. We decided to go all the way round via Croatia. AVOID this country at all costs is my recommendation.
Guys never go to serbia. When I was there they treated me like garbage, searched my whole car and took away all my money. I had some gold and silver coins with me which was worth about 2500 euros. They confiscated it and put me 1 day in Jail. I had all the receipts but they didn’t care. After jail they gave me 24 hours to leave the country. On the exit border they stopped me again and treated me like a was a criminal. There are far better and more friendlier countries than serbia. Go to Greece!
I live in Romania and i want to visit my boyfriend in Serbia. What documents do i need? Everywhere i looked, it said i need a passport or an ID card, no visa requiered since i want to stay less than 90 days, is there anything else that i need? I want to go by plane, i don't know if it matters, but i am wanted to specify anyway.
I am English and have lived here with my Serbian wife for 12 years now, never had an issue leaving or entering the country. Getting permanent residence is a problem due to a “3 years you cannot leave the country” rule, but temporary residence is renewed annually without any drama. It’s a great place to live or visit as a tourist and the people are great, negative comments are not warranted IMO.