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TRAVEL REPORT
Serbia

1. RECENT UPDATES

A hyperlink has been updated.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Serbia

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Canadians should exercise a high degree of caution in Serbia, particularly in the area bordering Kosovo.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

A high degree of caution should be exercised in and around Belgrade and in towns throughout Serbia. The incidence of street crime is similar to that elsewhere in Europe, particularly in large urban centres. Pick-pocketing occurs on public transportation and in other public places. Foreigners could be targeted by thieves. Four-wheel-drive and luxury vehicles are targeted by car thieves more than other models.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations, public gatherings, and roadblocks should be avoided at all times since they may lead to sudden violent clashes, especially in the vicinity of official buildings and foreign embassies.

Landmines

Unexploded landmines and other unexploded ordnance remain in Serbia, particularly in the Presevo and Bujanovac districts in southern Serbia.

General Safety Information

Exercise a high degree of caution and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure, particularly on public transportation and in large crowds or public markets. Do not show signs of affluence or carry large sums of money. Credit card fraud is common. Use common sense in determining the need to drive with car windows closed and doors locked. Carry your passport at all times.

For emergency assistance dial 92 for the police, 93 for the fire department and 94 for ambulance service.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Serbian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of Serbia and its consulates for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Serbia and should be valid for the duration of their stay.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays up to 90 days)
Business Visa: Not required (for stays up to 90 days) 
Student Visa: Not required (for stays up to 90 days)

It is essential for Canadians staying in private accommodations to register with local police within 48 hours of their arrival in the country. If after 90 days you are still in Serbia, you should return to the local police to register again. Failure to do so could result in delays and/or a fine.

Upon arrival, all visitors with large amounts of cash or jewellery must obtain and complete a stamped customs declaration for all imported currency and valuables. Failure to produce the stamped declaration upon departure will result in delays and/or seizure of all currency and valuables.

Travellers should obtain an entry and exit stamp in their passport when they enter and leave Serbia.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried was implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/customs_controls/cash_controls/index_en.htm.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Serbia - BELGRADE, Embassy of Canada
Address: Kneza Milosa 75, 111711 Belgrade, Serbia
Tel.: 381 (11) 306-3000
After hours tel.: 381 (11) 306-3050
Fax: 381 (11) 306-3042
E-Mail: bgrad@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Serbia.gc.ca

The Visa section in Belgrade operates normally for non-immigrant cases (visitors, temporary workers, and students). Immigration cases are processed by the Embassy of Canada in Vienna, Austria.

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Belgrade and follow the instructions.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Carry a sufficient supply of medications, as shortages of prescription medicine are common outside major cities. Medical care is not up to Western standards. Physicians and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Serbia are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Serbia to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Serbian authorities. The acceptance rate at this time, especially for those convicted of drug-related crimes, is very low.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Penalties for use of illegal drugs can result in long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Canadians with ties to Serbia who hold Serbian citizenship may no longer be subject to forced conscription due to changes in regulations. Such persons should check with the Embassy or a consulate of Serbia prior to travelling to ensure that their draft status has been resolved. The obligations pertaining to compulsory military service remain the same as before for permanent residents of Canada who do not have Canadian citizenship.

Photography of military or police installations, vehicles, and personnel is prohibited.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Road Travel

Secondary roads are often narrow and poorly maintained. The Ibarska Magistrala road is dangerous due to poor road conditions and traffic congestion. Expect delays due to road construction and occasional roadblocks set up by striking workers along both major and minor routes.

Roadside assistance is available by calling 987.

Drivers of vehicles bearing foreign licence plates must pay for compulsory third-party Green Card insurance. Road tolls may be paid in local currency. The posted speed limits are strictly enforced. There have been incidents where police target vehicles with foreign plates, often demanding immediate cash payment for alleged traffic violations. If stopped, Canadians should request a full explanation and, if an explanation is not forthcoming, request permission to speak to the Embassy of Canada in Belgrade (see Section 5 above). Always carry identification and vehicle registration papers.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

Public Transportation

Public transportation is old and overcrowded. Use only officially marked taxis and pre-negotiate fares. Periodic disruptions of bus and international rail services could occur without warning.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The economy is largely cash-based. The currency is the new Serbian dinar (RSD). Cash and traveller's cheques exceeding 10,000 euros must be declared upon entry into the country, and a customs declaration must be presented upon departure. Banking facilities are limited, but automated banking machines (ABMs) are spreading rapidly throughout the country and provide the easiest access to local currency. Traveller's cheques (American Express) are honoured at only a few banks in Belgrade, including the Banka Intesa, Komercijalna Banka AD, UniCredit Bank, Raiffaissen Bank, ProCredit Bank, Société Générale Bank and the Alfa Bank. More and more hotels, restaurants, and shops accept credit cards. If you are arriving with cash, euros are preferred, although other currencies are accepted.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Serbia is located in an active seismic zone.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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