17 Cultural Shocks in Serbia Foreigners Should Know Before Moving
TL;DR: If you are moving to Serbia from North America, Western Europe, Australia, or another highly “westernized” country, you will quickly notice that Serbia operates on its own rhythm. Some things are refreshingly better. Some are frustrating. Many are simply different.
After living in Serbia for years and working closely with clients who relocate here, certain patterns repeat themselves. The things that now feel normal to long–term residents often come as a surprise to newcomers.
This article outlines around 20 everyday differences you should expect when moving to Serbia. The goal is not to criticize or glorify either system, but to prepare you for real life on the ground so you can adapt faster and avoid unnecessary stress.
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In many Serbian supermarkets, you do not take loose fruits and vegetables directly to the cashier. Instead, you weigh them yourself at a scale in the produce section.
You place your chosen produce in a bag, put it on the scale, select the correct code for that item, and a price label prints out. That sticker is scanned at the cash register.
Different chains (such as Univerexport, Maxi, IDEA, etc.) may have slightly different systems, but the principle is the same. In larger wholesale-style stores like Metro, an employee may handle the weighing for you.
For many foreigners used to the cashier doing everything, this is an unexpected step the first time they buy groceries in Serbia.
In North America and many Western countries, lawyers typically specialize: real estate, criminal law, corporate law, immigration, and so on. You often have separate lawyers for separate needs.
In Serbia, once a lawyer is licensed, they are legally allowed to work across most areas of law. A single attorney may handle real estate transactions, corporate matters, contracts, and even certain disputes.
Additionally, lawyers in Serbia are not allowed to advertise in the same way as in many Western countries. As a result, they often broaden their practice to maintain a steady client base.
From a practical perspective, this means:
You may find one lawyer who “does everything.”
Depth of expertise in a specific niche can vary.
It can be wise to seek someone who has real experience in the specific area you need — for example, foreigner-focused real estate or business setup.
If you are used to 24-hour gyms where you can work out at 3:00 a.m., Serbia will feel quite different.
Most gyms in Serbia:
Open around 6:00 in the morning on weekdays
Open later (often 8:00 a.m.) on weekends
Close in the evening (not 24/7)
Another notable difference: gym childcare is essentially non-existent. You will not typically find gyms where you can drop your child off at an in-house play area while you train. Parents must arrange separate childcare or coordinate schedules with family members.
For anyone considering a business opportunity, a family-friendly gym with childcare and extended hours remains a significant gap in the market.
Banking in Serbia comes with its own rules and timing. Many bank branches close relatively early, around 3:00–4:00 p.m.
On top of that, there are often restrictions on when you can withdraw cash at the counter, especially in foreign currencies (EUR, USD, CHF, etc.):
Cash withdrawals in certain currencies are often only available until around 12:00 or 13:00.
After that time, branches may deal only with administrative work (paperwork, card issues, etc.).
For day-to-day use, ATMs are widely available. However, if you need a larger amount of cash or foreign currency, it is essential to plan ahead and go to the bank earlier in the day.
In many Western countries, when you move into a rental, there is a formal inspection checklist. Landlord and tenant sign off on the property’s condition, often supported by photos.
In Serbia, formal move-in inspections are not standard practice. Many landlords simply hand over the keys. There may be no documented record of the property’s condition at move-in or move-out.
To protect yourself, it is highly advisable to:
Take detailed photos and/or video when you move in.
Do the same when you move out.
Keep records of any existing damage or issues.
This is not legal advice, but a practical tip based on experience. Documentation can be very useful if a dispute arises later about damage or deposits.
Recycling infrastructure is still developing in Serbia. In many neighborhoods, all waste goes into a single general bin.
In some city centers (for example, central Novi Sad or Belgrade), you may see separate containers for glass, paper, or plastics, but this is not yet consistent across the whole country. In newer residential areas, communal waste bins are generally the norm.
If you are used to having separate blue, green, and black bins at home, the limited sorting options may be a noticeable change.
Public toilets at farmers’ markets and certain public areas commonly charge a small fee, often between 60 and 100 dinars.
Key points to know:
Payment is usually cash only.
Cards are almost never accepted.
Toilets in malls and restaurants are generally free for customers.
This is not a major expense, but it is something foreigners do not always expect — especially if they arrive without small cash on hand.
In North America, tipping has become almost mandatory and can range from 15–25% or more. Not tipping is often seen as rude, regardless of service quality.
In Serbia:
Tipping is not legally or socially mandatory, but it is appreciated.
Service staff are generally paid a base wage rather than working almost entirely for tips.
Many locals round up or leave around 10% when service is good.
For exceptional service or special occasions, higher tips (20–25% or more) are sometimes given.
If you go for a simple coffee or beer, leaving a small tip is kind, but you will not be judged harshly if you do not.
Serbia does not operate within the classic Amazon ecosystem many foreigners are used to:
Amazon does ship to Serbia in some cases, but shipping fees can be extremely high compared to the value of the item.
A simple €20 item can sometimes cost double once shipping and handling are included.
Delivery is not next-day; it often takes 1–3 weeks.
Instead, people typically use:
Regional or local e-commerce platforms
Marketplaces such as TEMU or local equivalents
Direct importers and local electronics/furniture stores
When ordering goods from abroad, customs and import duties may also apply. This should be factored into your budgeting.
Many shops, service providers, and small offices publish official working hours on their doors and on Google Maps. However, those hours are not always strictly followed.
Common scenarios include:
Door says “Open from 09:00,” but nobody is there at 10:00.
A handwritten note appears on the door mentioning holidays or personal leave.
During summer or winter holidays, businesses may close unexpectedly or operate reduced hours.
This applies to small shops, seamstresses, tradespeople, and other local services. It requires flexibility — sometimes you simply need to return another day.
Booking tradespeople (electricians, plumbers, mechanics, etc.) is another area where Serbian culture differs from highly scheduled Western systems.
You may hear responses like:
“I will come tomorrow,”
“I’ll be there sometime in the morning,”
but without a precise time window. Even when a time is agreed, it is common for people to arrive late.
For newcomers used to strict punctuality, this can be frustrating. Over time, many expats adjust expectations and build relationships with a few reliable professionals.
Indoor smoking is far more common in Serbia than in many Western countries. During colder months, when terraces are closed, you may walk into bars, cafés, and some restaurants filled with cigarette smoke.
Some venues claim to offer “smoking” and “non-smoking” areas, but often these are simply different sides of the same room, with no real separation. Smoke travels, and the entire space may feel smoky.
There are genuinely non-smoking venues, but it is wise to confirm in advance — especially if you have asthma, allergies, or a low tolerance for smoke.
The restaurant experience in Serbia differs in two important ways:
You will not be rushed out.
Once you receive your food and drinks, staff will generally leave you alone.
You may sit for hours after eating without anyone asking you to pay or leave.
You must actively call the waiter to ask for the bill.
Bills are rarely split.
The concept of the restaurant splitting one bill into many separate payments is not common.
If you ask to divide every item by person, many waiters will simply refuse.
The usual approach is: one person pays, and friends settle up privately among themselves.
For many foreigners, this relaxed approach to table turnover and the “one bill” culture is a noticeable change.
Serbian nightlife, especially in Belgrade and Novi Sad, is vibrant and energetic. But the timing is different:
In many Western countries, going out might mean leaving home at 9:00 p.m. and returning by 1:00–2:00 a.m.
In Serbia, especially at popular clubs and splavovi (river clubs), people often go out around 00:30–01:00, and come home as the sun is rising.
If you plan to explore the nightlife, be prepared for much later starts and longer nights.
One of the pleasant differences many foreigners notice is that people generally dress more elegantly in public.
Women often wear dresses, styled outfits, and pay attention to hair and makeup.
Men frequently wear collared shirts, fitted clothing, and shoes with a bit of style.
Sportswear and ultra-casual clothing like pajamas in the supermarket are far less common than in many parts of North America. Overall, there is a stronger culture of “dressing well when you go out.”
When a product breaks or is defective, the process of making a warranty claim (“reklamacija”) in Serbia is more formal and slower than many foreigners expect.
Typically:
You return the item to the store.
The store sends it for inspection or repair.
A decision is made whether to refund, replace, or repair the item.
This process can take days or even weeks, during which you often do not have a replacement item. For essential items (like a vacuum in a one-vacuum household), this can be inconvenient.
In many Western countries, stores simply exchange a defective product on the spot. In Serbia, patience is often required.
Price matching — where one store matches a competitor’s lower price for the same item — is essentially not part of Serbian retail culture.
If you tell a store that another shop sells the same product cheaper, the response will usually be:
“Then buy it there.”
As a result, it is your responsibility as the customer to:
Check prices across several stores or websites.
Decide where you want to buy.
Retailers do not generally adjust their prices to compete one-on-one with another shop you mention at the cash register.
Serbia is not a copy of Canada, the United States, the UK, Germany, or Australia – and that is precisely what many people grow to love about it. The differences in banking, rentals, grocery shopping, nightlife, service culture, and everyday habits are part of what makes life here unique.
If you come prepared for these 20 or so everyday differences, you will adapt faster, avoid unpleasant surprises, and be able to focus on what truly brought you here: a better lifestyle, new opportunities, or a fresh start.
If you are considering a move to Serbia and want tailored, professional guidance on residency, banking, real estate, business setup, or day-to-day practicalities, Relocation Serbia is here to support you every step of the way.
Book a paid consultation with Relocation Serbia to discuss your situation in detail and design a relocation plan that fits your life, your family, and your long-term goals.