Planning a trip to Serbia and wondering about the tourist visa? A Serbia tourist visa is a C-type short-stay visa that allows foreign nationals to enter the country for tourism purposes for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Citizens of over 90 countries can visit Serbia without any visa at all, while others can apply through a Serbian embassy or the online eVisa portal. This guide covers everything you need to know – from requirements and fees to the application process and registration rules. For a broader overview of all visa types, see our Serbia Visa Requirements guide.
What Is a Serbia Tourist Visa?
A Serbia tourist visa falls under the C visa category (short-stay visa) issued by the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This visa permits its holder to enter Serbia, transit through Serbian territory, and stay in the country for tourism purposes for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, counted from the date of first entry.
The tourist visa is strictly for leisure travel – visiting historical sites, experiencing Serbian culture, exploring cities like Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Nis, or visiting friends and family. Holders of a Serbia tourist visa are prohibited from engaging in any business or work activities during their stay. If you plan to work or conduct business in Serbia, you need a different visa category.
Serbia issues tourist visas in two formats: a traditional visa sticker affixed to your passport, and since April 2025, a Digital Travel Authorization (DTA) – an electronic visa with QR code verification and ICAO-compliant security features. The format you receive depends on your nationality and application method.
Who Needs a Tourist Visa for Serbia?
Whether you need a Serbia tourist visa depends entirely on your nationality. Serbia maintains a generous visa-free policy that covers citizens of over 90 countries.
You do NOT need a tourist visa if you are a citizen of:
- All European Union member states (can also enter with an ID card)
- United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
- Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Israel
- Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, Costa Rica
- Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia
- And many more (see full list below in the visa-free section)
You DO need a tourist visa if you are a citizen of:
- India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
- China (30-day visa-free stay available for regular passport holders)
- Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, and most African countries
- Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand (some exemptions exist)
Special rule for Schengen/UK/US visa holders: Since November 2014, if you hold a valid multi-entry Schengen visa, UK visa, or US visa (or a residence permit from these countries), you can enter Serbia without a Serbian visa for up to 90 days within 180 days. Your existing visa must remain valid for the entire duration of your stay in Serbia. For details on the eVisa alternative, see our Serbia eVisa guide.
Serbia Tourist Visa Requirements
To apply for a Serbia tourist visa, you must prepare the following documents. Incomplete applications will not be accepted by the embassy or consulate.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Must be valid at least 90 days beyond your intended departure from Serbia, with at least 2 consecutive blank pages, issued within the past 10 years |
| Completed application form | Available from the Serbian embassy or downloadable as PDF from the MFA website |
| Passport photo | Size 3.5 x 4.5 cm, recently taken, in color |
| Travel voucher or invitation letter | For tourism: proof of payment from a travel agency (voucher or receipt). For visiting friends/family: invitation letter certified by Serbian authorities |
| Proof of sufficient funds | Minimum EUR 50 per day of stay, proven via cash, bank statement, traveler’s cheques, or credit cards |
| Health insurance | Valid travel medical insurance covering Serbia, recommended minimum coverage of EUR 20,000 |
| Return ticket | Copy of return flight ticket or driving license and car insurance if traveling by road |
| Visa fee payment | EUR 60 for single entry or EUR 90 for multiple entry |
All documents must be originals or notarized copies. The Serbian diplomatic mission reserves the right to request additional documentation. For a complete breakdown of all fees, visit our Serbia Visa Fee page.
Important for minors: If children are traveling with only one parent, a certified authorization from the other parent is required. If children travel with a third person, authorization from both parents or a legal guardian is needed.
How to Apply for a Serbia Tourist Visa
There are two ways to apply for a Serbia tourist visa: in person at a Serbian embassy or consulate, or online through the eVisa portal.
Method 1: Embassy/Consulate Application
- Find your nearest Serbian embassy or consulate. Check the full list on the MFA website at mfa.gov.rs under diplomatic missions.
- Book an appointment. Contact the embassy to schedule a visa application appointment.
- Gather all required documents. Use the checklist above to ensure nothing is missing.
- Submit your application in person. Bring all documents to your appointment. The embassy staff will review your application and collect the visa fee.
- Wait for processing. Embassy applications typically take 10-15 working days. You will receive an SMS or email with the result.
- Collect your passport. Return to the embassy to pick up your passport with the visa sticker.
Method 2: Online eVisa Application
- Create an account on the Electronic Identification Portal at eid.gov.rs.
- Log in to the foreign nationals portal at welcometoserbia.gov.rs.
- Complete the online application form with your personal details and travel information.
- Upload scanned copies of all required documents.
- Pay the visa fee online.
- Submit and wait. Online applications are typically processed in 5-10 working days.
- Receive your Digital Travel Authorization electronically with QR code verification.
The online method is faster and more convenient, but not all nationalities are eligible. Check the portal for your country’s eligibility before starting the application.
Serbia Tourist Visa Fee
The cost of a Serbia tourist visa depends on the number of entries you need:
| Visa Type | Fee | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Single-entry tourist visa | EUR 60 | One entry to Serbia during visa validity |
| Multiple-entry tourist visa | EUR 90 | Unlimited entries during visa validity |
| Visa sticker fee | EUR 2 | Additional fee charged upon issuance |
Fees are paid at the embassy during application submission or online during the eVisa application process. Fees are non-refundable even if the visa application is denied.
When to choose multiple entry: If you plan to visit neighboring countries (Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia) and re-enter Serbia during your trip, a multiple-entry visa is essential. A single-entry visa becomes void once you leave Serbia.
Serbia Tourist Visa Processing Time
Processing times vary depending on the application method:
| Application Method | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Embassy/consulate application | 10-15 working days |
| Online eVisa application | 5-10 working days |
| Peak season (June-August) | May take longer than standard |
You will receive notification of the decision by SMS or email from the embassy or through the online portal. It is recommended to apply at least 3-4 weeks before your planned travel date to account for any delays.
If your application requires additional documentation or a follow-up interview, processing may take up to 21 working days. Plan accordingly, especially during summer months and holiday periods when embassies experience higher application volumes.
Serbia Tourist Visa Validity and Duration of Stay
The Serbia tourist visa allows you to stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. This counting method is the same as the Schengen Area’s rolling window calculation – you cannot simply leave and re-enter to reset the clock.
Key rules:
- The 180-day period is counted backwards from each day of stay, not forward from entry
- A single-entry visa allows one entry to Serbia. Once you leave, the visa is used
- A multiple-entry visa allows unlimited entries during the visa validity period
- Overstaying your visa can result in fines, imprisonment, and deportation
- You cannot extend a tourist visa from within Serbia for tourism purposes alone
Example: If you enter Serbia on July 1 and stay for 30 days (until July 30), you have used 30 of your 90 allowed days. You have 60 remaining days within the same 180-day window (January 2 to July 30 counting backwards).
Visa-Free Entry to Serbia
Serbia grants visa-free entry to citizens of over 90 countries. The duration of visa-free stay depends on your nationality:
| Stay Duration | Countries |
|---|---|
| 90 days within 180 days | All EU member states, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Israel, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Turkey, Ukraine, and many more |
| 30 days within 1 year | Belarus, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Suriname, Colombia |
| 14 days | Hong Kong (SAR passport holders) |
EU citizens can enter Serbia with just a national ID card – no passport required. Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro have never required a visa to enter Serbia due to bilateral agreements.
Schengen/UK/US visa holder entry: Since the Serbian government’s decision on October 30, 2014, holders of valid multi-entry Schengen visas, UK visas, US visas, or residence permits from these countries can enter Serbia visa-free for up to 90 days. You can even enter with two passports – an expired passport containing a valid visa and a valid passport without a visa.
Important: Visa-free entry is for tourism and short visits only. If you plan to work, study, or stay longer than 90 days, you need to apply for the appropriate visa regardless of your nationality’s visa-free status.
Serbia eVisa and Digital Travel Authorization
Serbia modernized its visa system with two significant developments in 2025:
eVisa System (June 2025): Citizens of countries requiring a visa can now apply online through welcometoserbia.gov.rs instead of visiting an embassy in person. The eVisa covers both C (short-stay) and D (long-stay) visa types. To use the system, you must first create a verified account on Serbia’s Electronic Identification Portal at eid.gov.rs.
Digital Travel Authorization (April 2025): Serbia began issuing visas in electronic form as Digital Travel Authorizations (DTA). The DTA is an approval for entry, stay, or transit obtained before entering Serbia. It features:
- A 2D barcode (Validity QR code) linking to an online verification page
- A Border Check QR code for electronic data validation at passport control
- An electronic seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming data integrity and issuer identity
- Compliance with ICAO standards for Machine Readable Travel Documents
You can verify the validity of a Digital Travel Authorization at: evisa.welcometoserbia.gov.rs/check-digital-travel-authorization
Not all nationalities receive a DTA. If the requirements for low-risk migration, reciprocity, or security are not met, you will receive a traditional visa sticker instead.
Tourist Registration in Serbia
All foreign visitors in Serbia must register their stay with the authorities. The process depends on your accommodation type:
If staying at a hotel, hostel, or commercial accommodation: The property registers you automatically and provides a receipt. Keep this receipt during your stay – you may need to show it to police or at the border when leaving.
If staying in private accommodation (Airbnb, friend’s house, rental apartment): The property owner must register you at the local police station within 24 hours of your arrival. Alternatively, the owner can provide a notarized authorization for you to register yourself. The registration involves filling in an online form, which is then signed and stamped by a police officer.
Penalties for failing to register:
- Fines ranging from RSD 5,000 to RSD 15,000 (approximately EUR 40-130)
- The accommodation provider/host can also be fined
- Possible imprisonment or deportation in serious cases
Keep your registration document safe throughout your trip. Border guards may check it when you exit Serbia.
