7 Hidden Costs of Living in Serbia You Need to Know Before You Move

Getting temporary residency in Serbia isn’t free — and it’s rarely straightforward.

You’ll need to budget for:

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  Government filing fees

  
  


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  Health insurance premiums

  
  


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  Biometric residency card

  
  


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  Local taxes (yes, even temporary residents pay!)

  
  


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  Possible translation and notarization costs

  
  


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  Visa costs if applicable

  
  

On your own, this process can feel overwhelming — especially if you’re unfamiliar with Serbian bureaucracy. At Relocation Serbia, we package everything together, so you know exactly what you’ll pay upfront. No surprise invoices. No last-minute paperwork issues.

💡 Tip: Residency packages through Relocation Serbia include all government fees, translations, taxes, and our service fees — saving you time, stress, and unexpected costs.

Renting in Serbia might seem simple — until your future landlord asks for 6+ months' rent upfront. Seriously.

It’s not uncommon for landlords to demand:

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  First + last month’s rent

  
  


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  Security deposit

  
  


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  3–6 months paid in advance

  
  

We’ve seen clients asked to pay 7 months in advance on an unfurnished apartment.

And it doesn’t stop there:

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  Real estate agents often charge a commission to the tenant, not the landlord

  
  


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  Many rentals are unfurnished, requiring you to purchase everything from beds to plates

  
  

💡 Tip: Always ask if the property is furnished. If not, budget for at least €1,000–€10,000 in furnishing costs. And work with our team to negotiate fair rental terms.

Bringing a vehicle or ordering electronics from abroad? Get ready for hefty import taxes.

What to expect:

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  Vehicles: 30–50% import duty based on market value

  
  


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  Electronics: Laptops, phones, microphones, and tech gear often cost 20–40% more than in the EU or North America

  
  


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  Branded clothing and shoes are also heavily marked up

  
  

Some clients choose to do “border runs” — weekend trips to the EU to purchase electronics or clothing and bring them back personally. This can save hundreds.

💡 Tip: Ask us how we help clients legally minimize import tax when relocating large items or vehicles.

Banking in Serbia is relatively easy — but transferring money into the country can be expensive if you don’t plan wisely.

Hidden banking costs include:

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  Wire transfer fees from foreign banks

  
  


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  Poor exchange rates from local banks

  
  


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  ATM withdrawal charges
  
  

  
  

💸 Pro Hack: Avoid exchanging foreign currency at Serbian banks. Instead, use licensed exchange offices (called menjačnica). You'll get better rates and fewer fees.

Need help setting up your bank account? We do that too.

If you plan to own a car, there are more costs than just fuel.

Here's what many expats overlook:

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  Annual vehicle registration fees

  
  


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  Tolls on major highways (especially between Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš)

  
  


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  Fuel costs — Serbia has some of the highest gas prices in Europe, currently around 190 RSD per liter (~€1.60)
  
  

  
  

Luckily, Serbia’s walkable cities and public transport help keep these costs manageable for many residents.

💡 Tip: Choose a diesel or hybrid car for better mileage, and avoid long commutes when picking where to live.

While public schools in Serbia are free, they’re 100% in Serbian.

Most expat families opt for:

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  International schools in Belgrade or Novi Sad, costing €9,000–€20,000/year per child

  
  


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  Or online homeschooling, which offers more flexibility (especially outside major cities)
  
  

  
  

🎓 Pro Tip: Ask us about reliable online international schooling options. We partner with accredited providers that support expat families across Serbia.

Thinking about opening a business or freelancing in Serbia? Great idea — but be aware of the initial costs.

Hidden costs of business setup include:

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  Company registration and digital signature setup

  
  


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  Accounting & monthly reporting

  
  


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  Corporate income tax (15%)

  
  


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  VAT (20%) if you cross the registration threshold

  
  


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  Lawyer fees if needed for specific documents

  
  


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  Coworking space or office rent (optional, but common)
  
  

  
  

Whether you're a digital nomad or scaling a company, Relocation Serbia can help you register your business, stay tax-compliant, and manage all legal steps smoothly.

Serbia remains one of the most attractive relocation destinations in Europe — but even affordable places come with hidden costs that can throw off your budget.

That’s why we created Relocation Serbia — to guide you through every step with transparency, simplicity, and peace of mind.

📩 Get a consultation today and learn how we can assist you with residency, business setup, and real estate investments in Serbia.

🚀 Visit us at RelocationSerbia.com to learn more!