Serbia
Last update 30 August 2024Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 2: Increased attention (please be informed in detail about the current situation in the country)
2
Select passport type
Republic of Serbia
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Republic of Serbia
Address: Birchaninova 26, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Telephone: +381 11 36 13 980; +381 11 36 13 990
Address of the Consular Office:Belgrade, Svetogorska street No. 36
Phone: +381 11 324 7675
Out-of-hours hotline: + 381 11 3613980; + 0381 11 36 13990
Working hours of the Embassy and of the Consular Office: Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 17:00
CO opening hours: every working day, 08:30 – 17:00
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail of the Consular Office: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/serbia
Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Nis, Republic of Serbia
Covers the territory of the districts of Borski, Zaicharski, Pirotski and Pcinski
Address: Republic of Serbia, Nis — 18 000, ul. 19 Lole Ribara,
Telephone: +381 18 516 800; +381 18 516 700; +381 66 840 80 62
Telephone/fax: +381 18 516 900
Working hours: 09:00 – 17:00
Opening hours: 09:00 – 12:00
Out-of-hours hotline: +381 66 840 89 51
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/serbiagc
The Consulate General covers the territory of the districts of Borski, Zaicharski, Pirotski and Pcinski, where the following BCPs are located: ‘Bregovo’, ‘Kalotina’, ‘Vrshka Chuka’, ‘Strezimirovci’ and ‘Oltomanci’. In case of any problems at the Bulgarian-Serbian border crossing, please contact the Nis CG for assistance.
Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the Republic of Bulgaria
General information
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria draws the attention of the Bulgarian citizens that in case of an accident and theft or loss of a personal identity document, it is not possible to cross the borders of the Republic of Serbia without an Emergency Travel Document issued by the Consular Office with the Embassy in Belgrade or by the Consulate General in Nis.
General information
Security level:
In the Republic of Serbia, the crime rate can be defined as average. In the central parts of major Serbian cities the situation is calm, with an increased police presence. Nonetheless, citizens are advised to avoid sleeping in their vehicles in parking lots and gas stations during the dark part of the day.
Due to an increase in cases of theft and forcible removal of money, belongings and documents from Bulgarian citizens in unguarded rest areas or gas stations on the main highways of the Republic of Serbia, we advise Bulgarian citizens travelling through Serbian territory to exercise caution. It is desirable to take breaks or refuel at secure parking lots and gas stations. It is not advisable to leave unattended, or in visible places in motor vehicles, personal documents, money, valuables, or handbags, even when you are in them, as this could set the stage for theft or violence.
Customs requirements:
Cash, cheques, etc., in excess of EUR 10,000 (ten thousand euro), the equivalent in dinars or foreign currency shall be declared. The declarations shall be completed at Serbian customs.
The natural person who does not permanently reside on the territory of the country may export abroad effective cash in the amount exceeding the specified — EUR 10,000 under the following conditions:
-If he/she declares them upon entry into the Republic, on the basis of a certificate of deposit of effective cash in the Republic, which is provided and certified by a customs authority;
-If he/she has withdrawn them from a foreign currency account or a foreign currency savings book in a bank in the Republic of Serbia, on the basis of a bank confirmation;
-If he/she has acquired them through the sale of dinars that were previously acquired from the use of a payment card in the Republic, on the basis of a confirmation of a currency exchange bureau.
The absence of a customs certificate or other substitute document certifying the origin of the currency carried or its equivalent in excess of EUR 10,000 shall lead to the confiscation of the currency by the customs officials upon leaving the country.
It should be borne in mind that the declaration of the currency at the border between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Serbia is not respected by the customs authorities of the Republic of Montenegro and it will be required also at the customs posts between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro.
When passing through the territory of the Republic of Serbia, Bulgarian citizens who have declared the import of items and goods (described in their passports with a note PUR, form 13) are obliged to request from the customs authorities to be stamped on the relevant note proving that the declared goods and goods have been exported.
When entering the territory of Serbia or only transiting, at the BCP, foreign nationals are obliged to declare all goods and objects they carry with them or are in the vehicles they are travelling in.
Travelling citizens are exempted from the requirement to declare only their personal luggage.
Customs officers have the right to decide what is personal luggage because there is no precise definition in the Customs Act.
In accordance with the International Convention on Customs Facilitation in Tourism and Serbian legal norms as personal luggage on the territory of the Republic of Serbia can be imported:
-One perfume, one eau de toilette, one litre of alcoholic concentrate, up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco /total of all tobacco products up to 250 grams/;
-Medicines, in quantities for personal use /for medicines that passengers have in their possession it is not necessary to carry a prescription — this does not apply to narcotics or medicines with possible dual use/.
Goods and items with a value of up to EUR 3,000 /three thousand/ can be taxed under the so called ‘fast track procedure’ which includes a customs duty rate of 10%.
Natural persons may import vehicles into Serbia that meet at least the Euro-3 standard.
A customs declaration is compulsory for motor vehicles with temporary registration plates (ZOOL, IT, etc.) in the following cases:
-When they are in transit on their own through the territory of the Republic of Serbia
-When they are imported into the Republic of Serbia in order to be put into free circulation or
-When they are loaded on road-platforms, whether they are imported or transited through the Republic of Serbia.
Citizens may submit a declaration for the vehicle on the occasion of transit through the customs territory of the Republic of Serbia both in a Member State of the European Union (TI document) and at the border crossing point of entry into the Republic of Serbia (HT document).
It should be borne in mind that an appropriate fee is payable for the ‘forwarding’ service as it is provided by forwarding companies which are private legal entities.
The import and transit of weapons and ammunition, including gas pistols, as well as tear and dispersal ammunition, is absolutely prohibited.
Carrying ammunition and all types of gas and air guns, including electro-pistols and airsoft guns, is prohibited and the Serbian Criminal Procedure Code in such cases provides for penalties ranging from heavy fines to imprisonment of up to two (2) years, depending on the case.
Foreign citizens entering the territory of the Republic of Serbia may import and export, without declaring, funds up to the value of EUR10,000 /ten thousand/.
On the website of the Customs Administration you can find the form for declaration of financial means HERE.
Customs requirements for Serbia can be downloaded from HERE.
Road traffic:
Public Enterprise Roads of Serbia published on its website the updated prices of tolls on the national road network /including the newly opened Corridor 10/.
The most important data concerning Bulgarian citizens travelling to/from Serbia are as follows:
1.On the Belgrade-Caribrod route, instead of the current four, there will be only two toll stations.
2.In the section of the international highway in the area of the city of Nis, a closed system of four toll stations has been put into operation, which will distribute tolls and traffic along the main Belgrade-Caribrod and Belgrade-Presevo routes.
3.For those travelling only in the area of the city of Nis, using the same toll station /this applies mainly to those visiting the hotel complex ‘Nice’/, in order to avoid paying the maximum toll of 1860 Serbian dinars, will be charged a flat rate of 40 Serbian dinars.
4.Current toll prices for vehicles in the Republic of Serbia.
As of July 10, 2024, the tolls payable for using the motorways in the Republic of Serbia are increasing by 10%, and if payment is made with TAG devices (EPS), a discount of 6% will be used.
For cars, the fees for the sections most often used by Bulgarian citizens are as follows:
Tsaribrod - Nis - 1130 dinars;
Tsaribrod - Belgrade - 1670 dinars;
Belgrade - Subotica - 800 dinars;
Belgrade - Šid - 500 dinars;
Tsaribrod - Subotica - 2470 dinars.
Tolls can be paid in cash, in Serbian dinars or in euros, as well as by payment cards.
5. Penalties for travellers in case of:
- loss or damage of the magnetic charge card received;
- delay in payment of the fee for more than 24 hours;
- presentation of a used magnetic charge card.
In either of the above cases, a penalty charge is payable for the longest route of the motorway.
6. For more information on the prices of all sections and innovations, we recommend Bulgarian citizens to visit the following link: https://www.putevi-srbije.rs/index.php/%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B0-%D1%86%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA-%D0%BF%D1%83%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B5
Highway tolls can be paid in dinars, euro or with payment cards. Bulgarian citizens travelling on the motorways of the Republic of Serbia are reminded that the average speed, which is 130 km/h, is still monitored and the speed is detected by measuring the time from toll station to toll station. In addition to average speed control, Serbian police authorities use mobile radars, as well as unmarked, camera-equipped police cars that photograph violations.
An important peculiarity of the traffic on the territory of the Republic of Serbia is that it is compulsory to drive with low beams on all year round.
Since 19 September 2010, new amendments to the Regulation on Technical Requirements for Motor Vehicles have entered into force in the Republic of Serbia.
The more important changes include the compulsory running of vehicles with four winter tyres fitted to the drive wheels, which applies to the period 1 November — 1 April. The Regulations allow vehicles to be fitted with summer tyres, but the tread thickness must be at least 4 /four/ millimetres.
In addition, according to the changes in the regulations, each vehicle must have an emergency kit /meeting Serbian standards/, and for the winter period — snow chains, as well as a set of spare bulbs.
On the territory of Serbia, it is obligatory to wear a reflective vest when the driver leaves the vehicle (valid when stopping outside populated areas).
Bulgarian citizens do not pay the cost of medical services rendered on the territory of the Republic of Serbia, if they present the form BG/SRB 111 issued by the branch of the National Health Insurance Fund of their place of residence.
It is recommended that Bulgarian citizens who are insured in other countries, if they travel through the territory of the Republic of Serbia, should inform themselves in advance whether the respective countries have concluded bilateral agreements in the field of social security with the Republic of Serbia. In the case of such agreements, it is necessary to submit the relevant forms issued by the countries where the Bulgarian citizens are insured, on the basis of which they will be exempted from payment for any medical services. Otherwise, the cost of the medical services will be paid in full.
General information on road traffic and the main penalties and fines for violating the Road Traffic Law in Serbia can be found at HERE.
IMPORTANT: On 1 September 2017, electronic control of the average speed of vehicles travelling on the country's motorways began on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. For this purpose, the devices marking the time of passing through the toll plazas are synchronized. If the average speed of the vehicle exceeds the maximum permissible speed of 120 km/h when passing between two points, traffic police officers impose fines on the spot.
The fines have the following monetary dimensions:
- 121-140 km/h - 3,000 dinars;
-141-160 km/h - 5,000 dinars;
- 161-181 km/h - 6,000 - 20,000 dinars;
- 181-200 km/h - 15,000 - 30,000 dinars;
- 201+ km/h - 100,000 - 120,000 dinars, including imprisonment for 15 days.
In addition to monetary fines, penalties of disqualification from driving for various periods of time are also imposed. If the average speed is exceeded, the same will be displayed on the receipt that is obtained when paying the toll.
According to the new Law on Road Traffic adopted in the National Assembly of Serbia /in force since 03 April 2018/, the restrictive measures for road users driving vehicles are significantly increased. Most often they are expressed in the amount of the financial penalties provided by the law, with several increases for certain violations, and the following more important changes should be mentioned:
The permissible amount of alcohol in the blood when driving is 0.2 ‰/in the previous text of the law it was 0.3 ‰/.
A financial penalty of 10,000 dinars (about EUR 85) is imposed in the following cases:
- when driving in zones with a 30 km/h sign, at a speed of 20 to 30 km/h above the permitted speed;
- when driving vehicles with dirty number plates that do not allow the reading of the relevant symbols;
- when driving vehicles without wearing a seat belt;
- when driving in populated areas at a speed 20 to 30 km/h above the permitted speed;
- when using a mobile phone or other communication devices without aids /hands free/.
A financial fine of EUR 100,000 /approximately EUR 846/ to 120,000 thousand Serbian dinars /approximately EUR 1016/, revocation of 14 control points and an eight-month driving ban are imposed:
- concealing the identity of the driver of the vehicle. In this hypothesis, the driving of a car by a person who is not its owner but has violated the traffic rules, which is documented by technical means by the traffic police. In the event that the owner of the vehicle attempts to intentionally conceal the identity of the person driving the vehicle, the owner shall only be liable to a financial penalty, without the withdrawal of control points or the imposition of a driving sanction.
Carrying and possession of weapons:
According to the Law on Weapons and Ammunition in the Republic of Serbia, it is prohibited to carry and possess weapons without the relevant permits. The said law defines the items that are considered weapons. In addition to firearms, knives, boxes, swords, bows, crossbows and other objects that can be used for assault are also considered as such. Penalties are provided for the violation of the provisions of the law and are imposed by the court.
Imprisonment shall be imposed at:
- Driving a vehicle without the required category; driving with more than 2 ‰ of alcohol;
- Speeding in a populated area by more than 70 km/h, in a slow traffic zone, speeding by more than 50 km/h, in zone ‘30’ — speeding by more than 60 km/h; driving at night without lights on.
- driving under the influence of blood alcohol from 1.21 to 2.0 ‰. If the amount is from 1.21 to 1.6 ‰, nine points are deducted;
- when driving in a populated area at a speed of 71 to 90 km per hour above the maximum allowed /i.e., actually driving at a speed of 121 to 140 km/h;
- driving on a motorway at a speed exceeding the maximum permitted speed by 81 to 100 km/h /actually 201 to 220 km/h;
- carrying a child under 12 years of age in the driver’s seat or in seats not provided for this purpose;
- carrying a child under 135 cm in height on a seat not specifically designed for this .
- when a driver flees the scene of a traffic accident;
- driving without lights on in the dark part of the day;
- when driving a vehicle with a category missing from the driving licence or without a driving licence;
- when overtaking a vehicle which has stopped on a pedestrian crossing to let passing citizens pass;
- when overtaking a column of vehicles travelling with a police escort;
- when driving during the duration of a driving penalty and/or with a revoked driving licence;
- in the event that the driver of the vehicle refuses to undergo an alcohol test or a test for the presence of psychoactive substances in the blood;
Speed limits:
- Zone ‘10’ — slow traffic zone, with speed limit 10 km/h;
- Zone ‘30’ and ‘School’ zone - speed limit 30 km/h;
- Speed in a populated area - 50 km/h;
- Speed on the motorway - 120 km/h.
The police do not take money, they only write a statement of fact (ACT). A penalty order is issued by a judge for offences. The police cameras have fiscal modules and no compromises can be made.
Local currency:
Serbian Dinar (RSD).
Travel papers and visas
Travel papers and visa requirements
Since 12 June 2010 Bulgarian citizens can travel through the territory of the Republic of Serbia and stay in the country for up to 90 days within 6 months with a valid passport or identity card.
In connection with the new ‘Law on Foreigners’, adopted by the Serbian National Assembly in May 2009, foreigners who have a permanent residence document must apply for the extension of their residence 30 days before the expiry of the permanent residence document. Permanent residence may be granted to a foreigner who intends to work, engage in commercial activity, pupil or student, exchange pupils and students, research work and/or other scientific and educational activities, family reunification.
The Serbian government has adopted a normative document ‘Regulations on conditions for non-admittance of foreigners in the territory of Serbia’ of 11 September 2009, according to which a foreigner may be denied entry to the Serbian territory if the authorized authorities confirm that he/she does not possess financial means in the amount of EUR 50 for each day of stay /cash, bank account, traveller's cheque, credit card/. Foreigners who arrive in Serbia at the invitation of foreign diplomatic missions, international organizations, as well as on the occasion of providing economic, humanitarian and other assistance, are exempt from this obligation.
As of 13 February 2023, the Administration for Foreigners of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia, which issues residence permits to foreigners, is located at a new address — Novi Belgrade, 1 Omladinsky Brigade St.
There are no additional requirements for the validity of passports and identity cards of Bulgarian citizens.
Competitive service
Consular services
Issuance of identity documents:
Applications for new Bulgarian identity documents /passports, identity cards and driving licences/ can be submitted at the Consular Office — Belgrade. The time limit for the preparation of documents for which applications have been submitted to the CO is up to 90 days. When applying for the issue of documents to under-aged persons and minors, it is compulsory for both parents to consent in writing.
It is possible to obtain the issued identity documents in Belgrade more quickly by requesting and paying for a courier service.
Delivery of new identity documents by DHL abroad:
General conditions:
The service can be paid for by one person and up to 8 people can benefit from it. This way you can share this expense with friends, neighbours or relatives. The prepaid courier service does not imply and does not include the faster preparation of your requested personal documents.
Your personal documents cannot be sent to any address other than that of the relevant representation abroad.
The amounts for the service are transferred to the following bank account:
1. For payment in EUR:
Beneficiary: DHL EXPRESS BULGARIA EOOD
Beneficiary’s IBAN No: BG40UNCR70001523563800
Beneficiary’s Bank: UniCredit Bulbank AD
BIC/SWIFT Code: UNCRBGSF
Beneficiary’s Bank Address: 7, Sveta Nedelya square, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria
2. For payment in BGN:
Beneficiary: DHL EXPRESS BULGARIA EOOD
Beneficiary’s IBAN No: BG94UNCR70001523563798
Beneficiary’s Bank: UniCredit Bulbank AD
BIC/SWIFT Code: UNCRBGSF
Beneficiary’s Bank Address: 7, Sveta Nedelya square, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria
As payment information you must write: BDS_city_name_your name. Example: BDS_Belgrade_Ivan Ivanov Ivanov
This is necessary in order for the payment to be recognized as your payment for sending prepared personal documents and to be confirmed by the financial department of the courier company. Make sure you ask the bank for a document stating that you have made the payment and take it to the Consular Office with the overseas mission where you have applied or will apply for new identity documents.
When you request the delivery of identity documents to more than one person in one payment, you must provide the exact names and the type of documents requested (identity card, passport or driving licence) to the Consular Office where you submit the application.
The cost of sending the documents to the Consular Office in Belgrade is BGN 69.98 or EUR 35.78.
Civil status:
Primary documents for registration of birth, marriage or death can be submitted to the Consular Office - Belgrade and will be sent to Bulgaria by official channels.
Certifications and legalizations:
Documents subject to registration at the Registry Agency, such as renunciation of inheritance and deeds of transfer of ownership, cannot be certified at the Consular Office - Belgrade.