Car Accidents in Serbia: What Foreigners Need to Know and What You’re Entitled To
TL;DR: If you’re involved in a car accident in Serbia as a foreigner, always call the police and never settle privately, even for minor damage. Police will document the scene, perform mandatory breathalyzer tests on all drivers, and issue an incident report required for insurance claims. All paperwork is in Serbian, so local language support is critical.
Foreigners have the same insurance and compensation rights as locals, including potential compensation even without visible injuries. Insurance claims are generally efficient once documentation is submitted correctly.
If you are on temporary residency, you must exchange your foreign driver’s license for a Serbian one within six months—failure to do so can cause fines or insurance complications after an accident.
Relocation Serbia now offers accident and insurance-claim assistance, including legal support, so clients can handle accidents, repairs, and compensation without navigating the system alone.
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Moving to a new country comes with a learning curve, and for many foreigners living in Serbia, navigating daily life is part of the experience. But one situation that almost no expat plans for—and few truly understand until it happens—is being involved in a car accident.
A few weeks ago, I personally experienced my first car accident in Serbia. Thankfully, no one was injured, including my young son who was with me at the time. While the incident itself was stressful, it became an unexpectedly valuable learning experience. It revealed how traffic accidents are handled in Serbia, what authorities expect from drivers, how insurance claims work, and—most importantly—what foreigners are legally entitled to after an accident.
This article walks you through that process step by step, highlights common mistakes foreigners make, and explains how accidents can affect your legal and residency status in Serbia.
If you are involved in a traffic accident in Serbia, one rule applies universally: do not leave the scene.
Even in minor accidents, moving vehicles or attempting to settle matters privately can cause serious legal complications later. Cash settlements on the spot, although sometimes suggested by the other party, are risky and strongly discouraged—especially if your vehicle is under warranty or insured.
Calling the police is the correct step, particularly when:
There is vehicle damage
Responsibility is unclear
A child is present
A foreign driver is involved
Police will arrive on scene and secure the area before beginning their investigation.
Once the police arrive, they follow a standardized protocol. Regardless of who caused the accident, both drivers are treated equally during the initial assessment.
You should be prepared to present:
A valid driver’s license
Vehicle registration
Insurance documentation
One non-negotiable element in Serbia is the breathalyzer test. Every driver involved in an accident is tested, without exception. This applies even if the accident was minor or clearly not your fault.
Police will also ask whether either party acknowledges responsibility. If fault is admitted, it simplifies the process, but does not eliminate the formal documentation required.
In many European countries, accidents are resolved using the European Accident Report form. However, this document cannot be used if the driver is not legally authorized to operate the vehicle, such as driving with only a learner’s permit.
In such cases, the police complete a formal incident report instead. You will receive:
An incident number
Instructions on how to obtain or submit the police report
Clearance to leave once your statement is completed
The police report itself is not always immediately available. In some cases, it is transmitted electronically directly to the insurance company upon request.
Once the report is submitted, the insurance process in Serbia is surprisingly efficient.
You will be asked to:
Visit the at-fault party’s insurance company
Complete claim documentation (in Serbian)
Allow a damage assessment and photo documentation of your vehicle
After submission, repairs can typically be done at a repair shop of your choosing. In many cases, approval is granted quickly, and repairs proceed without delay.
Despite Serbia’s reputation for bureaucracy, this part of the process is one of the more streamlined administrative procedures.
All documentation—police, insurance, and repair—is handled in Serbian. For foreigners, this creates a significant risk of misunderstanding forms, timelines, or entitlements.
Having a Serbian-speaking representative or professional assistance ensures:
Accurate completion of documents
Proper submission of claims
No loss of legal rights due to technical errors
This is especially critical if injuries are involved.
One of the most overlooked aspects of traffic accidents in Serbia is entitlement to compensation, even when injuries appear minor or nonexistent.
Foreigners often assume that if their car is repaired, the case is closed. That is not always true.
Under Serbian law, individuals may be entitled to:
Compensation for shock or distress
Reimbursement for inconvenience or temporary impairment
Additional claims if medical evaluation later identifies injury
Specialized injury lawyers handle these cases on a contingency basis—meaning no upfront costs, with fees deducted only after compensation is awarded.
This is an area where many foreigners unknowingly leave money on the table.
Following this experience, Relocation Serbia established a dedicated partnership with injury-law specialists to support clients involved in accidents.
This service includes:
Insurance claim handling
Legal representation where appropriate
Zero out-of-pocket legal costs
Full Serbian-language support
For foreigners unfamiliar with Serbian law, this removes stress and ensures proper legal treatment during an already difficult situation.
Foreign residents in Serbia must be aware of an often-missed legal requirement:
If you are residing in Serbia on temporary residency, you are legally required to exchange your foreign driver’s license for a Serbian one within six months.
Failing to do so can result in:
Fines
Insurance complications
Increased liability during accidents
While enforcement may appear inconsistent, accidents are one of the moments when authorities closely examine documentation. Compliance reduces risk significantly.
The Serbian license exchange process is relatively straightforward and includes:
Medical examination
Administrative taxes
Filing at the correct police station
This is a service Relocation Serbia assists with regularly.
Car accidents are stressful anywhere, but understanding local procedures makes a significant difference. In Serbia:
Always call the police
Never settle accidents privately
Expect breathalyzer testing
Keep documentation accessible
Know your compensation rights
Ensure your driver’s license status is compliant
The good news is that the system works—and when navigated correctly, it protects both locals and foreigners.
No one plans to be in a car accident, especially in a foreign country. But when it happens, preparation and knowledge make all the difference.
My experience reinforced an important truth: Serbia’s legal and insurance systems can work efficiently—if you know the rules. It also highlighted how critical professional guidance is when language, documentation, and legal rights intersect.
Relocation Serbia now offers full accident-support services to ensure our clients are protected, informed, and supported every step of the way.
If you are living in Serbia—or planning to move here—being informed today can save you significant stress tomorrow.
No. All official documentation is in Serbian.