Studying in Serbia

EU and non-EU students

Serbia is neither in the EU nor the EEA, so the same immigration rules apply to all foreign students, including EU citizens. What differs by nationality is whether you need a visa to enter: check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' visa regime page for your passport. Every foreign student staying for study needs temporary residence on the grounds of studying.

What a year costs

Tuition is set by each faculty, and foreign citizens pay fees for non-nationals. The University of Belgrade alone has 31 faculties with different fees and entry rules (University of Belgrade).

As an example, the School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade lists these annual fees for non-Serbian citizens for 2025/2026:

• Bachelor's in Electrical and Computer Engineering: €2,000 a year
• Bachelor's in Software Engineering: €3,000 a year
• Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering: €2,500 a year

Check your own faculty's page for the fee in your start year.

Living costs. We found no current official monthly budget for students. For scale, the government's net minimum wage for 2026 is RSD 64,554 a month, about €551 (Government of Serbia). That is not a student budget: ask your faculty's international office for a realistic figure.

The visa and residence permit

If your nationality needs a visa, apply for a type D visa for education at a Serbian embassy or consulate. The official checklist includes an invitation letter, proof of enrolment, a certificate of the institution's registration, health insurance and "proof of financial means at disposal for covering the costs of living during the intended stay". The visa fee is €50, paid in dinars; holders of Chinese, Armenian, Malian and Syrian passports are exempt (Welcome to Serbia).

Everyone then applies for temporary residence for studying. The Ministry of Interior asks for the application form, a valid passport, two photos, proof of the paid fee, a tenancy agreement or landlord's statement, health insurance, proof of subsistence and "a confirmation of enrollment in a higher educational institution accredited by the Ministry of Education".

The money. The Ministry accepts, among other things, a bank statement from a bank registered in Serbia showing funds "in the amount of minimum salary in the Republic of Serbia for the year for which the application is submitted", a scholarship, or a written guarantee from a Serbian company or a certified guarantee from a person. The Ministry does not say whether that means one month's minimum wage or more, so ask the police administration handling your application what total they expect before you open the account. We do not quote a total because none is published.

Fees for temporary residence (Welcome to Serbia):

• Submission: RSD 430
• Approval of temporary residence: RSD 23,450

Duration. Temporary residence can be granted for up to three years depending on the reason for the stay (Welcome to Serbia). Extensions must be filed no earlier than three months before, and no later than the day, your current permit expires.

Working while you study

Students with temporary residence for studying may work without a separate work permit. During teaching periods, work may last at most 20 hours a week (Law on Employment of Foreigners, Article 17, as amended in 2023: consolidated text and the 2023 amending bill). Most part-time jobs need Serbian.

After you graduate

We found no dedicated job-search permit for graduates on official Serbian pages. If you find a job, you apply for a single residence and work permit (Welcome to Serbia). Plan on your student permit ending when your studies do.

Language

Most degrees at state universities are taught in Serbian, with a growing number in English, especially in engineering, medicine and business. The Study in Serbia initiative, run by the Foundation Tempus, lists programmes. Learning Serbian is itself a valid reason for temporary residence, and several universities run language courses.

When to apply

Faculties set their own deadlines and any entrance exams, and we found no single national deadline. Check the faculty's calendar, and if you need a visa, apply as soon as you have your invitation letter.

What to watch out for

Serbia is not Schengen. A Serbian residence permit does not let you live or work in the EU.

Vague funds rule. Get the expected amount from the police administration in writing before you transfer money.

Accreditation. The residence rules require enrolment at an institution accredited by the Ministry of Education. Check that your institution and programme are accredited before you pay.

No post-study route. Unlike EU countries, Serbia offers no period to look for work after graduation. Line up a job or your next step before your final year ends.

Where these numbers come from

Rules change, sometimes at short notice. Every figure above carries the date we checked it. Check the official source before you rely on it, and confirm the proof of funds amount with the police administration, because it is not published as a total.