Money in Serbia

Personal Finance: Some things you should know before traveling to Serbia

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MONEY:
The official currency in Serbia is the Serbian Dinar - CSD (1 dinar = 100 paras); it exchanges for approximately 72.60 dinars to 1 EURO. 

The Serbian currency comes in the following denominations:
Bills: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1000 and 5000 dinars
Coins: 50 paras, 1 dinar, 2 dinars, 5 dinars, 10 dinars, and 20 dinars.

Please note the following: bills and coins come in two variants: ones say Narodna Banka Srbije (National Bank of Serbia) which are new, and others (old) Narodna Banka Jugoslavije (National Bank of Yugoslavia): both variants are legal tender, equaly valid and equaly accepted.  Although the latter are being replaced by new (Serbia) bills and coins, they remain valid for the time being - no official deadline has been set for their expiry.  Old and new coins and bills are very similar but NOT identical.

At your arrival, head to the closest bank or exchange office (Menjačnica in Serbian). Don't worry, rates don't vary considerably from place to place, and you will not be charged commission for exchanging money. If bringing cash, we suggest that you bring Euros, or US Dollars, as these two currencies are the easiest to exchange.  Money exchanges are open Monday-Friday 08:00-20:00, Saturdays 08:00-15:00, closed on Sundays and public holidays.  In Belgrade (including Belgrade airport - departures hall) and other bigger cities, you can exchange money 24 hours in money exchange machines.  Insert bills and follow the on-screen instructions.  These machines can exchange up to 200 euros at a time.  These machines will exchange euros, US dollars, and British pounds.

DECLARING MONEY UPON ARRIVAL:

Travelers are required to declare all currency above the amount of 2000 EUR upon arrival, and obtain from customs officials a declaration form that must be presented at departure. Failure to comply may result in the confiscation of all funds at departure.  Amounts below 2000 EUR (or equivalent in other currency) need not be declared.

TRAVELERS CHECKS:
Although Serbia is still a predominantly cash-economy, you will be able to exchange your traveler's checks in most banks. American Express, Thomas Cook, VISA, and Eurocheques can be exchanged in most Belgrade banks. If you are having difficulty finding a place to exchange them, head to any Komercijalna Banka or Raiffeisenbank branch. For Eurocheques, we recommend ProCredit Bank. You will not be able to use your personal or travelers checks in shops.  Bear in mind that you will be charged a fee for each processed check.  We do, however, recommend that you bring credit and/or debit cards, as they are much easier and less expensive to use.

CREDIT CARDS and ATMs (CASH MACHINES)
Although credit cards are not as widespread as in some other European countries, you will be able to use them in most shops in bigger cities and tourist destinations.  VISA and Diners Club cards are the most widely accepted cards in Serbia, and Mastercard is following close.  Visa Electron and Maestro cards are welcomed at an increasing number of stores.

VISA Cardholders - It has never been easier to travel to Belgrade and major cities in Serbia with a VISA card!  The number of ATMs in the VISA network is growing on a daily basis; so is the number of banks giving a cash advance with it.  The number of locations accepting VISA and Visa Electron cards is growing every day (currently more than 4500 shops)!  Another thing:  it has never been safer using a VISA or Visa Electron card in Serbia.  Whenever you shop in stores with and electronic POS, your receipt will only contain the last four digits of your card, thus nobody is able to fraudulently use your card.

Check VISA web site for ATM locations (there are many more locations than shown on VISA web site).

If in need for cash, VISA cardholders may withdraw it in:

* Societe Generale Banka branches (Belgrade, Cacak, Cuprija, Nis, Novi Sad, Pozarevac, Subotica, Uzice, Vrsac).  Money can be withdrawn in their offices, or using their ATMs.  Each branch has an ATM, and they have installed two ATMs in the Hyatt and Intercontinental hotels in Belgrade. VISA/VISA Electron/Plus cards.  ATMs available 24 hours.

* Delta banka ATMs.  Visa, Visa Electron, Plus cards.

* Vojvodjanska Banka will also let you withdraw money against your card.  Although not all branches are equiped with an ATM (main branches have an ATM located outside, 24 hours), most others will let you get a cash advance if you go to their counters. ATMs accept VISA/VISA Electron/Plus, otherwise VISA only.  ATMs in Belgrade, Kikinda, Kopaonik, Kragujevac, Nis, Novi Sad, Pancevo, Sombor, Subotica, Vrsac, Zrenjanin.  24H Helpline (021) 20-333

* Komercijalna Banka ATMs.  VISA, VISA Electron, Plus cards.

* Continental Banka has branches and ATMs in northern Serbia (Backa Palanka, Beograd, Kikinda, Novi Sad, Sombor, Sremska Mitrovica, Subotica, Vrbas, Zrenjanin).  24H ATMs accepting VISA/Visa Electron/Plus cards.

* Zepter Banka ATMs.  VISA, Visa Electron cards.

* Atlas Banka ATMs.  VISA, Visa Electron, Plus cards.  24 hours.

* Raiffeisenbank branches in Belgrade, Cacak, Nis, Novi Sad, and Subotica.  Raiffeisenbank also runs ATMs in several hotels in Belgrade.  Money can also be withdrawn from their ATM machines.  VISA/VISA Electron/Plus cards.  ATMs available 24 hours.  Their ATMs are located inside the branches, so you need to open the door with your card first.

* Jubanka ATMs.  VISA/VISA Electron/Plus cards.

Belgrade Surcin airport's International terminal has been closed for expansion/renovation which is scheduled to be finished by October 2004.  The domestic terminal has been adapted to handle international flights.  You will find an ATM in the arrivals hall of the airport (ground floor) accepting Visa, Visa Electron, Plus, MasterCard, Maestro and Cirrus cards.

In case of an emergency, call VISA Help Center 24 hours at (011) 301-15-50

MasterCard/EuroCard cardholders - Mastercard (and Maestro) cardholders can use their cards at more than 2500 shops throughout Serbia. Delta Banka processes MasterCard/Maestro payments in Serbia. All shops are equiped with an electronic POS (Point of sale) terminal for fast authorization of purchases. Depending on the card you have, you might need to enter your PIN code when shopping.  For a list of shops welcoming these cards, visit Delta Banka's web site.

If you need a cash advance, you can go to any Delta Banka counter (click here for locations). All are equiped with a MasterCard / Eurocard / Maestro terminal, and will give you a cash advance in dinars (during business hours only). Banks are closed on Sundays.  Delta banka also runs a network of 50 cash machines in Belgrade and other major cities in Serbia.  Their ATMs accept MasterCard, Maestro and Cirrus cards.

You can also use Komercijalna Banka ATMs. EuroCard/MasterCard/Maestro. Please note that not all Komercijalna Banka branches are equipped with an ATM.  Komercijalna banka also has some stand alone ATMs.

Nova banka and Eksim banka ATMs accept EuroCard/MasterCard/Maestro.

NEW: Mastercard/Maestro/Cirrus cardholders can also make use of Societe Generale and Volksbank ATMs.

In case of an emergency, call MasterCard Help Center 24 hours at (011) 301-01-60; the Delta Banka branch in the Intercontinental hotel in Belgrade is able to assist cardholders, and give cash advances 24 hours/7 days, call (011) 301-58-28 for more information.

Diners Club cardholders can shop in more than 5000 stores in Serbia, including major gas stations.  Do note that you may be charged an extra fee if using Diners Club cards in gas stations.  There are no Diners Club-linked ATMs in Serbia, but you may get a cash advance, during normal work hours, in:
* Diners Club Serbia offices (Belgrade and Novi Sad)
* ProCredit bank branches (formerly Micro Finance bank)
* Nacionalna Stedionica bank (National Savings bank)
* Major Post offices
For further information, Diners Club helpline: (011) 344-06-22 or local web site.

Apart from five star hotels, and some Rent-a-car agencies and airlines, you will not be able to use American Express.  In case of an emergency, Komercijalna Banka (head office only) may be able to assist Amex cardholders.  For help, call (011) 308-01-15

JAT Airways -  the flag carrier of Serbia, accepts Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club cards.

CASH TRANSFERS FROM ABROAD
If you run out of cash, max your credit card, etc. and need money urgently, you can use the services of Western Union for fast money transfers. They are represented by many commercial banks and the Post offices. Whatever the currency your money is being sent in, you will receive the money in Euros.  Western Union Serbia

Moneygram services are not available in Serbia.
If you don't need the money urgently, you can open a bank account, and have the money transferred to you from any country in the world, as all Serbian banks are members of SWIFT.  Depending on the bank, your SWIFT transfer can take between 2 to 7 business days.

Information correct as of August 19, 2004.

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