Serbian bank account

Open a Serbian Bank Account — Personal & Corporate

Quick answer

Foreigners can open both personal and corporate bank accounts in Serbia. Serbian banks offer multi-currency accounts in EUR, USD, GBP, CHF, and RSD — with online banking and international wire transfers. Deposits are protected up to €50,000 per bank. Relocation Serbia arranges your bank appointment, prepares all required documentation, accompanies you to the appointment, and handles all Serbian-language communication with the bank.

  • Personal and corporate accounts — both handled
  • Multi-currency — EUR, USD, GBP, CHF, RSD
  • Deposits insured up to €50,000 per bank
  • We attend the appointment with you — all Serbian handled by us
  • Online banking available for managing from abroad
Image Description

50K

Deposit insurance per bank

5-10 Days

Account Opening Timeline

MULTI

Currency accounts available

ONLINE

Banking from anywhere 

Two account types

Personal and corporate banking in Serbia
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The requirements, process, and available account features differ significantly between personal and corporate accounts. Here is what each involves.

For individuals & families

Personal Bank Account

A personal current account in Serbia gives you the financial infrastructure for daily life — receiving salary or income, paying rent and utilities, accessing ATMs, and managing RSD and foreign currency in one place. Required for anyone living and working in Serbia long-term.

  • Multi-currency — hold EUR, USD, GBP, CHF, and RSD in one account

  • Debit card — Visa or Mastercard, usable internationally

  • Online and mobile banking in English (major banks)

  • International SWIFT transfers — send and receive globally

  • Required for salary receipt if employed in Serbia

  • Useful for property purchase and rental payments
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Typical timeline                                                             
5–10 business days
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Minimum deposit                                                        Typically €10–€100
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Physical presence required                            Yes — in-person appointment
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Residency required                        Preferred — some banks open for non-residents

For companies & businesses

Corporate Bank Account

A corporate account is a legal requirement for every registered Serbian DOO — you cannot operate a Serbian company without one. The account is used for all business transactions, payroll, tax payments, VAT filings, and client invoicing. Must be opened in the company's name after DOO registration is complete.

  • Required for all registered Serbian DOOs — no exceptions

  • Multi-currency business account — EUR, USD, RSD and others

  • Online banking with admin controls for multiple users

  • International SWIFT and SEPA transfers

  • Corporate debit and credit card options

  • Bank statements accepted for tax and accounting purposes
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Typical timeline                                                                       
7–14 business days
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When to open                                                        After DOO registration is complete
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Director presence                                                             Required for most banks
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AML compliance check                                               Yes — all corporate accounts

Our banking network

Serbian banks we work with
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Relocation Serbia has established relationships with the major Serbian banks most suitable for foreign clients. The right bank depends on your nationality, account purpose, and banking needs — we advise on the best fit before your appointment.

Raiffeisen Bank Serbia

Austrian-owned. Strongest English-language support. Recommended for most foreign individuals and companies. Extensive online banking platform.

Most recommended for foreigners

Banca Intesa Serbia

Italian-owned (Intesa Sanpaolo). Large branch network across Serbia. Strong corporate banking capabilities. Good for companies with Italian or EU connections.

OTP Bank Serbia

Hungarian-owned. Competitive fee structure for personal and corporate accounts. Good for clients with Eastern European business ties.

Komercijalna Banka

Serbian domestic bank. Extensive ATM and branch network nationwide. Good option for clients outside Belgrade and Novi Sad who need broader access.

 

Important: Serbian bank policies for non-residents change periodically — what is accepted at one bank today may change next month. Relocation Serbia stays current on which banks are opening accounts for specific nationalities and what the current document requirements are. We advise you on the best option for your specific situation before any appointment is booked.

Multi-currency accounts

Currencies available in Serbian bank accounts
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Serbian banks offer genuine multi-currency accounts — allowing you to hold, receive, and send money in multiple currencies without converting everything to Dinars. This is particularly useful for freelancers and remote workers receiving foreign income.

Available currencies vary by bank and account type. Canadian Dollars (CAD), Australian Dollars (AUD), and other currencies may also be available at specific banks — confirmed on the consultation call.

Required documents

What you need to open a Serbian bank account
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Document requirements differ between personal and corporate accounts. Relocation Serbia provides a personalised document checklist for your specific situation before any appointment is booked.

Personal account

Documents for Personal Account Opening

  • Valid passport — original, not a copy
  • Serbian temporary or permanent residence permit — if you have one
  • Proof of address — Serbian lease agreement or utility bill (within 3 months), or foreign address document if non-resident
  • Proof of income or employment — contract, bank statements, or equivalent (required by some banks)
  • Tax identification number (PIB/JMBG) — where applicable
  • Completed bank application form — prepared by Relocation Serbia in advance

Document requirements vary by bank and nationality. We confirm the exact list for your situation before your appointment — nothing is left to chance at the bank counter.

Corporate account

Documents for Corporate Account Opening

  • APR company registration extract — dated within the last 3 months
  • Company founding documents — memorandum of association and articles
  • Business activity description — what the company does and its expected turnover
  • Passports of all directors and beneficial owners
  • Proof of registered address — virtual office certificate or lease
  • Company tax identification number (PIB)
  • Director's personal bank reference — some banks may request this
  • AML questionnaire — completed with bank's compliance team

Corporate account opening involves an AML (anti-money laundering) compliance process. The bank will ask about the company's business activities, expected transaction volumes, and source of funds. We prepare you for these questions before the appointment.

How we help

What Relocation Serbia does at every stage

Opening a Serbian bank account as a foreigner involves more than showing up with a passport. Here is exactly what we manage on your behalf.

Bank Selection

We advise on the best bank for your specific situation — based on your nationality, residency status, account purpose, and current bank policies. Not all banks are equally accessible to all nationalities at any given time.

Document Checklist

We provide a personalised document checklist before you prepare anything — so you arrive at the appointment with exactly what the bank requires. No wasted trips because of a missing document.

Appointment Booking

We book the appointment at the right branch with the right person — typically a relationship manager who handles international clients rather than a front-desk teller unfamiliar with non-resident requirements.

Form Preparation

All Serbian-language bank forms are completed in advance by our team. You review and sign — you do not fill in Serbian forms at the bank counter under time pressure.

In-Person Attendance

We attend the bank appointment with you — handling all Serbian-language communication with the bank, translating explanations, and resolving any unexpected requirements on the spot..

Post-Opening Support

We assist with online banking setup, help you understand your account documents (which are in Serbian), and are available for follow-up questions once your account is active.

Your money is protected

€50,000
Deposit insurance per depositor per bank

Serbian bank deposits are protected by the Deposit Insurance Agency of Serbia (Agencija za osiguranje depozita). This protection covers up to €50,000 — in Serbian Dinars or foreign currency — per depositor per bank. The scheme applies to both personal and corporate accounts and operates similarly to EU deposit guarantee schemes.

If you hold accounts at multiple Serbian banks, each account is protected separately up to the €50,000 limit. This makes it straightforward to protect larger balances by distributing them across different Serbian banks.

Covers personal accounts Individual current accounts, savings accounts, and foreign currency accounts held by private individuals — up to €50,000 per depositor per bank.  Covers corporate accounts Company current accounts held by Serbian-registered entities are covered by the same scheme — up to €50,000 per company per bank.  Both RSD and foreign currency The protection applies to accounts held in both Serbian Dinars and foreign currencies — EUR, USD, GBP, and other currencies held in Serbian bank accounts are all covered.  Multiple banks = multiple protections Holding accounts at two different Serbian banks gives you €100,000 of total deposit protection. The limit applies per bank, not per depositor in total.

Questions

Serbian banking FAQ
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The questions we answer most from clients opening bank accounts in Serbia.

Can a foreigner open a bank account in Serbia?

Yes. Foreigners can open both personal and corporate bank accounts in Serbian banks. Personal accounts are available to non-residents and residents alike, though the required documents and available account types may differ by bank. Most Serbian banks require a valid passport and proof of residence — either a Serbian address or a foreign residence document. Relocation Serbia arranges the appointment, prepares all documentation, and accompanies you to ensure the process runs without issues.

Do I need Serbian residency to open a bank account?

Not always. Some Serbian banks will open accounts for non-residents with a valid foreign passport and proof of foreign address. However, having Serbian temporary residency significantly broadens the options available to you and simplifies the documentation process. The range of banks willing to open accounts for non-residents — and the conditions they apply — changes periodically. Relocation Serbia advises on the current situation for your specific nationality before any appointment is booked.

How long does it take to open a Serbian bank account?

A personal account typically takes 5–10 business days from the appointment date to account activation, depending on the bank and the completeness of submitted documents. Corporate accounts may take 7–14 business days due to additional AML compliance checks. The physical bank appointment itself usually takes 45–90 minutes. Relocation Serbia prepares all documents in advance to minimise the chance of delays.

Which Serbian bank is best for foreigners?

Raiffeisen Bank Serbia is generally the most recommended for foreign individuals and companies — it has the strongest English-language support, a well-developed online banking platform, and broad experience with international clients. Banca Intesa is a strong alternative with a large branch network. The best choice depends on your nationality, residency status, and banking needs. We advise on the current optimal bank for your situation on the consultation call — policies change periodically.

What currencies can I hold in a Serbian bank account?

Serbian banks offer genuine multi-currency accounts. You can hold Serbian Dinars (RSD), Euros (EUR), US Dollars (USD), British Pounds (GBP), and Swiss Francs (CHF) in a single account. Canadian Dollars and Australian Dollars may also be available at specific banks. Multi-currency accounts allow you to receive foreign income, pay local bills in RSD, and hold savings in your preferred currency — without mandatory conversion.

Can I manage my Serbian account from abroad?

Yes. All major Serbian banks offer online and mobile banking — you can manage your account, make local and international transfers, view statements, and pay bills from anywhere in the world. International SWIFT transfers are available for sending funds abroad and receiving foreign income. The ease and cost of international transfers varies by bank — we factor this into our bank recommendation for clients who need regular cross-border transactions.