Information about Serbia

GENERAL INFO

The Republic of Serbia.

It contains two autonomous provinces: Vojvodina and Kosovo and Metohija. Serbia is located in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula, in the south-eastern part of Europe. In Serbia live approximately 10 million people. The majority of the population are Serbs (66 percent), and numerous among 37 nationalities which also live in Serbia are Albanians (17 percent), Hungarians (3.5 percent), followed by Romanians, Croats, Bulgarians and others. All citizens have equal rights and responsibilities and enjoy full national equality.

The area is 88,361 sq. kilometers. Climate in Serbia is temperate continental, with a gradual transition between the four seasons of the year. Summers are warm, with temperatures up to 35° C and winters are cold and snowy, with temperature from – 15° C to 10° C).

Capital: Belgrade
Time: GMT +1

Serbia boarders are Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, FYR of Macedonia, FYR of Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR of Montenegro, Albania, and FYR of Croatia.

The official language is Serbian and official alphabet is Cyrillic as well as Latin. In the areas inhabited by national minorities, the languages and alphabets of the minorities are in official use, as provided by law.

HOUSING IN SERBIA

Accommodation is mostly in apartment buildings. Detached and semi-detached houses are also available.
Rents are moderate. The highest are in the capital city of Belgrade. Furnished and unfurnished flats are rented for one year or longer.
Bear in mind that legal proceedings and liabilities may differ from those at home. You should take independent legal advice when signing contracts or buying real estate. Information about property for rent is obtained from newspaper advertising and estate agents throughout Serbia.

TRAVELING TO SERBIA

The main international gateway to Serbia is the Belgrade Airport.
The railway system is very common way of traveling in Serbia. There are trains to almost every town in the country. Bus line links the major cities.
For car travel, speed limits are 40 km per hour in cities and 120 per hour on the highway.
Foreigners are expected to carry the driving license they have obtained in their home country. Unleaded petrol is available in all gas-stations.

EMPLOYMENT

Foreigners must obtain a work permit. Aliens must obtain work permit and stay permit from the Ministry of Police in Serbia.
For more details contact: Ministry of Police – Department for Foreigners +381 11 642 949
TAXATION

20% VAT is added to the price of goods and service.

ELECTRICITY/GAS

Power is single phase and three phases, 220 volts, 50 HZ. Some electrical appliances will need transformers adapters if not provided with built-in switches.
There is central gas supply system available, mostly in Vojvodina.

COMMUNICATIONS

There are three providers of telephone, fax, telegraph services (Telecom Serbia, SBB & Orion Telecom). Direct dialing to any part of the world is available.
The cellular telephone network covers most populated areas.
Operators are Mobilna Telefonija Srbije, Telenor and VIP.
In Serbia are about 20 private internet providers who offer internet full access at 33600 BPS and 56 KBPS. Prices are between 15 and 25 EUR monthly.

Internet country code: rs.

CURRENCY AND BANKS

The monetary unit is the Dinar (RSD) – 1 Dinar = 100 Para.
Coins: 50 Para, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 Dinar
Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1000, 2000 and 5000 Dinar
Banking hours are 09:00 to 17:00 on weekdays.
Credit cards: International credit cards Visa, Master Card, Diners are accepted in the most shops, airline companies, hotels and restaurants.

EDUCATION

There are some private foreign language schools in Serbia as well as several international schools.

SHOPPING

Alimentary shops are opened daily from 07.00 a.m. to 09.00 p.m. including Saturdays, while on Sundays they are opened from 08.00 a.m. to 03.00 p.m. Everywhere, there are stores open 24 hours a day.

EMIGRATIONS

Aliens planning a longer than 3 months stay, have to apply for a residence permit. They are expected to take their residence permit within a month after arrival. The permit is a sticker in the passport with identification number from the Ministry of Police.

For more details contact:
Ministry of Police – Department for Foreigners
+381 11 642 949
35, Savska
Belgrade

EMERGENCY CALLS

Police: 112 / 192
Fire service: 193
Medical emergency: 194

AREA CODES

Code for Serbia is +381, for Belgrade (0)11, for Novi Sad (0)21, for Nis (0)18 etc. For the international calls from Serbia dial 00 + code of the desired country + code for the city.

HEALTH SERVICES

There are organized duties in hospitals and clinics round the clock. Many private clinics are available in the major cities. Dental clinics are mainly private. Pharmacies are opened from 08.00 a.m. to 08.00 p.m. on working days and on Saturdays from 08.00 a.m. to 03.00 p.m.

GOODS IN PERMITED

Your local Allied Pickfords Office will organize all aspects of the packing and shipping of your goods and effects to Serbia. This includes advising you what documents have to be obtained, assistance with Customs clearance and final delivery to your home. If delivery has to be delayed, than Allied Pickfords can arrange temporary storage at one of its local warehouse.

CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS

The import duty system in Serbia is complicated. For more details please contact Allied Pickfords branch in Serbia on:
+381 11 848 1155 or e-mail address movers@allied.rs.

We would like to invite you to visit our web site: www.allied.rs

ANIMALS AND PETS

Most pets, including dogs, cats, birds, etc. can be brought if an original signed and stamped veterinary certificate is presented. Pets have to go through a medical check-up with local veterinary authorities.