europe Updated January 21, 2026 Work Remotely from Serbia: Complete Guide
Everything about working remotely from Serbia for US/EU companies. Digital nomad visa options, Belgrade's booming tech scene, tax implications, and why Serbia offers Europe's best value for remote workers.
Updated January 21, 2026 • Verified current for 2026
Serbia is quietly becoming one of Europe’s best-kept secrets for remote workers. Belgrade has transformed into a legitimate tech hub with fast fiber internet, endless cafes, and a nightlife that rivals Berlin—all at a fraction of the cost. Most nationalities get 90 days visa-free, and the 2023 Digital Nomad Visa offers a clear 12-month path. At €700-1,200/month in Belgrade you’ll live well: think €2 espressos, €5 meals, and €400 apartments. The catch? Serbia isn’t in the EU (no Schengen access), the Cyrillic alphabet adds a learning curve, and winters are cold. But for pure value plus a genuinely interesting city, Serbia punches way above its weight.
Visa Options
Serbia offers straightforward options for remote workers, including a dedicated digital nomad visa:
Visa-Free Entry (90 Days)
- Duration: 90 days within any 180-day period
- Cost: Free for 100+ nationalities including US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia
- Work allowed: Gray area for visa-free, but remote work for foreign employers tolerated
- Registration: Must register with police within 24 hours (hotels do this automatically, Airbnb hosts should too)
- Can do “visa runs” to neighboring countries (Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro) and return
Digital Nomad Visa (Viza za digitalne nomade)
- Launched: 2023
- Duration: Up to 12 months, renewable
- Cost: ~€100 application fee
- Processing: 2-4 weeks at Serbian embassy/consulate
- Requirements:
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Proof of remote work for foreign company/clients (employment contract or client agreements)
- Minimum monthly income: ~€1,500 (equivalent in any currency)
- Health insurance valid in Serbia for duration of stay
- Proof of accommodation (rental contract or booking confirmation)
- Clean criminal record
- Apply at Serbian embassy before arrival OR convert from within Serbia
- Work rights: Legal to work remotely for non-Serbian entities
- No path to permanent residence (must leave after visa expires)
Temporary Residence Permit
- Duration: 1 year (renewable)
- Cost: ~€150-200 in fees
- Processing: 3-6 weeks
- Requirements:
- Valid reason: employment, study, family, or “other justified reasons” (can include remote work)
- Proof of accommodation with landlord documentation
- Health insurance
- Financial means (bank statements showing ~€600/month)
- No criminal record
- Apply at local police station (Policijska Uprava) after arrival
- Allows opening Serbian bank account, getting local ID
- After 5 years: eligible for permanent residence
Freelancer Registration (Pausal Status)
- Register as “Pausalac” (flat-rate freelancer)
- Gives full legal work status
- Simplified taxation (more below)
- Required if billing Serbian clients
- Optional for pure remote workers, but legitimizes your status
Practical Reality The 90-day visa-free period works well for shorter stays. For anything longer, the Digital Nomad Visa is the cleanest path—it’s designed exactly for remote workers and removes all gray areas. Many nomads do Balkans rotations: Serbia (90 days) → Montenegro (90 days) → Albania → back. Serbia’s relaxed vibe means enforcement is minimal, but having proper documentation makes banking, housing, and peace of mind much easier.
Tax Implications
Serbia offers attractive tax rates, especially for freelancers:
For Remote Workers (Standard Path)
- Under 183 days: Generally not tax resident, no Serbian tax obligations
- Over 183 days: Technically become tax resident
- Tax residency triggers: 183+ days, “center of vital interests,” or habitual residence
Pausal (Flat-Rate) Freelancer System This is Serbia’s gift to freelancers and remote workers:
- Register as a “Pausalac” (sole proprietor with flat-rate taxation)
- Income tax: 10% on your declared income base
- Social contributions: ~35% additional (covers health insurance, pension)
- But here’s the trick: the “income base” is calculated on presumed, not actual income
- For most freelancers, effective total tax rate ends up 15-25%
- Annual revenue limit: ~€65,000 (above this, standard accounting required)
- Requires Serbian bank account and basic bookkeeping
Standard Freelancer/Self-Employment
- Income tax: 10% on first RSD 6 million (~€50,000), 15% above
- Plus social contributions: ~35%
- More paperwork but no revenue ceiling
Corporate Option (d.o.o.)
- Register a Serbian LLC
- Corporate tax: 15%
- Dividend tax: 15%
- Effective combined rate: ~28%
- Overkill for most remote workers, better for those with employees or Serbian clients
VAT Considerations
- Standard rate: 20%
- Reduced rate: 10% (certain goods)
- Threshold: ~€100,000 annual revenue before mandatory VAT registration
- No VAT on services to foreign clients (B2B exports)
Double Taxation Treaties
- Serbia has treaties with 60+ countries including US, UK, Germany, France
- Generally: pay tax where you’re resident, get credit in other country
- Consult a tax advisor if maintaining dual residency
Banking
- Can open account with temporary residence or digital nomad visa
- Major banks: Banca Intesa, Raiffeisen, UniCredit, OTP
- Many expats use Wise for receiving foreign payments
- RSD is not freely convertible—keep foreign currency accounts for flexibility
Recommendations
- Under 90 days: No action needed
- 90-183 days: Maintain home country residency, don’t establish “center of life”
- Over 183 days: Consider pausal registration—legitimizes status, reasonable rates
- Get a local accountant (~€50-100/month)—worth it for the paperwork
- The pausal system is genuinely attractive if you’re earning €30-65K/year
Best Cities for Remote Work
Belgrade (Beograd)
- Population: ~1.4 million (2 million metro)
- Why: Serbia’s capital and undisputed hub—everything happens here. Tech companies, coworking spaces, endless cafes, legendary nightlife, international community, and the Danube/Sava rivers confluence. Real city energy without Western European prices.
- Vibe: Gritty, creative, hedonistic. Think Berlin in the early 2000s. Post-Yugoslav architecture meets emerging creative class.
- Rent: €300-600/month for 1BR in good neighborhoods (Vracar, Dorcol, Stari Grad). €200-350 in outer areas.
- Coworking: Excellent options—Nova Iskra (design-focused), Impact Hub, Smart Office, Startit Centar, countless cafes with good wifi
- Internet: Generally excellent—fiber widely available, 100-300 Mbps common, 4G/5G backup strong
- Best neighborhoods:
- Dorcol: Bohemian, cafes, walkable, trendy
- Vracar: Residential, safe, good cafes, slightly calmer
- Stari Grad: Historic center, nightlife, tourist adjacent
- Savamala: Riverside, arts, nightlife, gentrifying
- Cons: Air pollution in winter (serious—check AQI), traffic chaos, can feel overwhelming
- Best for: Those wanting urban energy, tech community, nightlife, long-term base
Novi Sad
- Population: ~350,000
- Why: Serbia’s second city offers Belgrade’s appeal at a slower pace. Home to EXIT Festival (massive electronic music festival in July), beautiful Petrovaradin Fortress, and a strong university/startup scene. Officially European Capital of Culture 2022.
- Vibe: Relaxed, intellectual, youthful. More manageable scale, easier to feel at home.
- Rent: €250-400/month for 1BR (cheaper than Belgrade)
- Coworking: SPENS coworking, several startup-focused spaces, good cafe culture
- Internet: Excellent—fiber infrastructure comparable to Belgrade
- Best areas:
- City center (Centar): Walkable, cafes, historic
- Liman: Residential, quiet, student-friendly
- Petrovaradin: Across the river, fortress views, artsy
- Cons: Smaller expat community, less happening outside festival season, fewer direct flights
- Best for: Those wanting Belgrade-lite, families, focus over stimulation, EXIT Festival fans
Nis
- Population: ~260,000
- Why: Southern Serbia’s main city, significantly cheaper than Belgrade, authentic local experience, gateway to mountains and nature. Growing slowly but genuine.
- Rent: €150-300/month for 1BR
- Coworking: Very limited—one or two spaces, mostly cafe working
- Internet: Good in center, variable in outskirts
- Cons: Smaller expat scene, less English spoken, fewer amenities
- Best for: Budget seekers, those wanting authentic Balkans, nature access
Subotica
- Population: ~100,000
- Why: Beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, near Hungarian border, multicultural (Serbian, Hungarian, Croatian populations), very affordable
- Rent: €150-250/month
- Coworking: Minimal
- Internet: Decent
- Cons: Small, quiet, limited services
- Best for: Architecture lovers, those combining with Budapest trips, budget
Seasonal Considerations
- Summers (Jun-Aug): Hot in Belgrade (35-40C), consider Novi Sad or mountain areas
- Winters (Dec-Feb): Cold (-5 to 5C) and Belgrade has serious smog—many expats leave
- Spring/Fall: Perfect weather, best times to be in Serbia
- EXIT Festival (July in Novi Sad): Book accommodation months ahead if attending
Timezone Overlap
Serbia (Central European Time) offers solid positioning for Western clients:
For EU Companies
- Perfect alignment with Germany, Austria, France, Netherlands
- CET/CEST: UTC+1/+2
- Standard 9-5 work hours sync exactly with most EU headquarters
- Ideal for European startups and enterprises
For US Companies
- East Coast (EST): 6 hours ahead
- West Coast (PST): 9 hours ahead
- 9 AM PST = 6 PM CET (challenging)
- Requires evening work or strong async culture
- Some nomads work 4 PM - 12 AM for West Coast alignment
- Better suited for async-first companies
For UK Companies
- 1 hour ahead during winter, same time during summer (UK doesn’t use CET)
- Near-perfect overlap
- 9 AM GMT = 10 AM CET
- Easy London collaboration
Practical Advice
- Best natural fit: EU companies, UK companies, US East Coast with flexibility
- US West Coast: Works if you’re a night owl or company is async-first
- Many successful remote workers in Serbia serve EU clients in their mornings, US East Coast in afternoons
- APAC companies: Very difficult timezone, consider elsewhere
Cost of Living
Serbia delivers exceptional value—one of the cheapest European countries for remote workers:
Monthly Budget: Belgrade (Comfortable)
- Accommodation: €400-600 (1BR in good area like Vracar or Dorcol)
- Food: €200-300 (mix of groceries and restaurants)
- Transport: €30-50 (monthly pass €25, plus occasional taxi/Bolt)
- Coworking: €100-200 (or €0 if cafe working)
- Utilities: €60-100 (heating expensive in winter)
- Mobile/Internet: €15-25 (unlimited data plans cheap)
- Entertainment/Social: €100-200 (nightlife, events, coffee culture)
- Total: €905-1,475 (~$1,000-1,600 USD)
Monthly Budget: Belgrade (Budget)
- Accommodation: €250-350 (outer neighborhoods, roommate, or smaller place)
- Food: €150-200 (mostly cooking, local spots)
- Transport: €25-35
- Coworking: €0-50 (cafes, occasional day pass)
- Utilities: €40-80
- Mobile/Internet: €10-15
- Entertainment: €50-100
- Total: €525-830 (~$575-900 USD)
Monthly Budget: Novi Sad
- Accommodation: €250-400
- Food: €150-250
- Transport: €20-30
- Other costs: Similar to Belgrade but 10-20% lower
- Total: €650-1,100 (~$710-1,200 USD)
Sample Prices (Belgrade)
- Espresso: €1-1.50
- Craft beer: €2-3
- Meal at local restaurant: €4-7
- Nice dinner out: €15-25
- Monthly gym: €25-40
- Movie ticket: €4-5
- Uber/Bolt (5km): €2-4
- Groceries (weekly): €30-50
Money-Saving Tips
- Avoid Stari Grad (Old Town) tourist-priced restaurants
- Shop at Maxi, Idea, or open-air markets (pijaca)
- Long-term rentals (3+ months) negotiable—aim for 10-20% discount
- Use Bolt, not official taxis
- Lunch at “kafanas” for €3-5 daily specials
- Buy produce at Zeleni Venac or Kalenić markets
- Winter heating costs can spike—check if included in rent
Compared to Neighbors
- 20-30% cheaper than Croatia
- Similar to Bulgaria, slightly cheaper
- Slightly more expensive than Albania
- 50%+ cheaper than Western Europe
- Belgrade compares to Lisbon costs from 5 years ago
Serbia Remote Work Setup Checklist
- 1 Valid passport (6+ months validity, check for 90-day visa-free eligibility)
- 2 Register with police within 24 hours of arrival (hotel or landlord should handle)
- 3 For 90+ days: Apply for Digital Nomad Visa before arrival OR temporary residence after
- 4 Arrange health insurance valid in Serbia (travel insurance works short-term, local policy for long-term ~€30/month)
- 5 Open Wise or Revolut account for EUR/USD receipts before arriving
- 6 Download offline maps (Google Maps works, Maps.me for backup)
- 7 Get local SIM card (MTS, Telenor, A1) - ~€10 for unlimited data
- 8 Join 'Digital Nomads Serbia' and 'Expats in Belgrade' Facebook groups
- 9 Research accommodation: Halooglasi.com for local listings, or start with Airbnb then negotiate direct
- 10 For winter stays: Check if heating included, get air quality app (IQAir)
- 11 Consider pausal registration if staying 6+ months (legitimizes status, enables banking)
- 12 Learn basic Serbian phrases (Cyrillic alphabet, but Latin used too)
- 13 Book coworking day pass to find your work spot (Nova Iskra, Impact Hub)
- 14 Get Bolt app installed for affordable rides
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belgrade safe for remote workers?
Very safe. Belgrade has low violent crime rates and petty theft is minimal compared to Western European capitals. You can walk around at night in most areas without concern. The main 'dangers' are: aggressive drivers (don't expect cars to stop at crosswalks), occasional football hooliganism (avoid stadium areas on match days), and air pollution in winter (wear a mask, check AQI). Scams are rare but standard precautions apply. LGBTQ+ acceptance has improved significantly—Belgrade Pride happens annually—but public displays of affection may draw looks outside the center.
How good is the internet really?
Genuinely good—Serbia invested heavily in fiber infrastructure. In Belgrade and Novi Sad, 100-300 Mbps fiber is widely available and reliable. Most newer apartments have fiber; older buildings might have 50-100 Mbps. Mobile data (4G/5G) is cheap and fast—unlimited plans for €10-15/month make a great backup. Coworking spaces have redundant connections. The only issues: occasional outages during storms, and some older buildings in historic areas might have slower connections. Always confirm internet speed before signing a lease.
What's the Digital Nomad Visa actually like to get?
Relatively straightforward compared to other countries. Apply at a Serbian embassy/consulate in your home country with: passport, proof of remote work (employment contract or client contracts), income proof (~€1,500/month minimum), health insurance, and accommodation confirmation. Processing takes 2-4 weeks. The main friction: you need to show specific work arrangements, not just 'I'm a freelancer.' Having a contract with a company or showing 6+ months of invoices helps. Once approved, you get a 12-month visa with clear legal status—no gray areas, can open bank accounts easily, and can convert to temporary residence if you want to stay longer.
Should I stay in Belgrade or Novi Sad?
Belgrade for energy and options, Novi Sad for calm and focus. Belgrade has more coworking spaces, bigger expat community, legendary nightlife (splavovi floating clubs, Savamala warehouses), better transport links, and 'big city' energy. It can also be chaotic, polluted in winter, and overwhelming. Novi Sad is smaller, cleaner, more walkable, has the EXIT Festival and beautiful Petrovaradin Fortress, and costs 20% less. It's calmer—great for focused work but might feel limiting after a few months. Many nomads do 2-3 months Belgrade, then 1 month Novi Sad for variety.
What about winter air pollution in Belgrade?
This is real and serious. December through February, Belgrade regularly ranks among Europe's most polluted cities due to coal heating, car emissions, and geography (valley traps smog). AQI readings of 150-200+ are common. If you have respiratory issues, consider leaving for winter or at minimum: get an air purifier for your apartment, wear N95/KN95 masks outside on bad days, monitor IQAir app daily, and work from well-ventilated coworking spaces. Many long-term expats leave Serbia for 2-3 winter months—Montenegro coast, Spain, or Southeast Asia. Spring through fall: air quality is fine.
How does Serbia compare to other Balkan countries for remote work?
Serbia leads on: tech ecosystem, coworking infrastructure, internet quality, city energy (Belgrade), and the pausal tax system. Croatia wins on: EU membership (Schengen access), dedicated DN visa infrastructure, beach lifestyle, and Western European polish. Montenegro wins on: stunning nature, uses Euro, coastal living. Albania wins on: lowest costs, beaches, newest nomad scene. Bulgaria is comparable to Serbia but with EU membership and beach access. Serbia's sweet spot: serious tech hub energy at very low costs, but no EU/Schengen benefits and no beaches. Perfect if you want urban Europe without urban European prices.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work remotely from Serbia for a US company?
Yes, you can work remotely from Serbia for a US company. Most remote workers use tourist visas for short stays or apply for specific work/residence visas for longer periods. You'll typically continue to be paid in USD and remain on your US employer's payroll while working abroad. Check the visa section above for specific options and durations available in Serbia.
Do I need a visa to work remotely from Serbia?
It depends on your nationality and intended length of stay. Many nationalities can enter Serbia visa-free for tourism (usually 30-90 days), during which remote work for foreign companies is generally tolerated. For longer stays, you'll need a specific visa such as a digital nomad visa, work visa, or residence permit. Check the requirements specific to your passport and planned duration of stay.
What's the cost of living for remote workers in Serbia?
The cost of living in Serbia is very affordable, with monthly budgets of $1,000-1,500 being typical for a comfortable lifestyle including rent, food, and coworking space. Major cities tend to be more expensive than smaller towns or rural areas. Your actual budget will depend on your lifestyle choices, accommodation preferences, and which city you choose to live in.
Does Serbia have a digital nomad visa?
Check the visa section above for Serbia's specific visa options. Many countries now offer dedicated digital nomad visas, remote work visas, or freelance visas designed for location-independent workers. Even without a specific digital nomad visa, there are often alternative visa categories that allow remote work, such as temporary residence permits or self-employment visas.
What are the best cities for remote work in Serbia?
The best cities for remote workers in Serbia typically offer a combination of reliable high-speed internet, coworking spaces, affordable cost of living, and quality of life. Check the cities section above for specific recommendations, including internet speeds, cost indexes, and the number of coworking spaces in each location. Consider factors like timezone overlap with your team, climate preferences, and local amenities when choosing.
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