Officially known as the Republic of Serbia, Serbia is landlocked nation in Southeast Europe, bordered by Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. The country has a rich and complex history shaped by Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influences, and its culture reflects this mix through architecture, religion, cuisine and traditions. Serbia is known for its diverse landscapes, which include fertile plains in the north (Vojvodina), rolling hills, rivers such as the Danube and Sava, and mountainous regions in the south.
Its capital, Belgrade, is the largest city in Serbia. Situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, with a history spanning over 7,000 years. Belgrade is known for its vibrant nightlife, historic fortresses such as Kalemegdan, museums, universities and lively café culture. The city is the political, economic, and cultural centre of Serbia, combining its historical heritage with modern urban life.
Heatwaves, floods, landslides and earthquakes.
For traffic and driving offences;
Serbia uses a penalty points system for traffic violations, where accumulating 18 points can lead to a temporary loss of licence.
Other offences to keep in mind are:
The official language of Serbia is Serbian, and the dominant religion is Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Vehicles drive on right side in Serbia. The minimum age to drive is 18, but to rent is typically 21, with many rental companies requiring drivers under 25 to pay a young driver surcharge, and that drivers must have held their licence for at least 1 - 2 years. UK drivers don't need to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Serbia for up to 6 months, but one is necessary, especially the 1968 version, for those who have an older paper licence, for officials who don't recognise UK licences, and certain rental companies that require one.
Road signs in Serbia follow European norms, but some are in Cyrillic outside big cities. Stick to major roads and motorways for the most reliable signage and surface quality. Road quality is generally good on major routes but variable in rural areas. Local drivers can be assertive, night driving outside main town can be dangerous due to poor lighting. Drive cautiously and defensively, stay aware for reckless drivers, and avoid night-driving if possible. Also, highlights, by law, have to be on 24/7 while driving — day and night.
Serbia’s main highways (E-70, E-75, A1/A2/A3, etc:) connect Belgrade with major cities and neighbouring borders. Most motorways have tolls, which are paid either by cash or card at booths. Some rentals include electronic toll tags (ETC) so you don’t need to stop. Parking zones in cities have designated colour zones (red, yellow, green, blue) with time limits (1 - 4 hours) and payment (often app or SMS). Another thing, parking in Belgrade’s centre can be difficult, so try to use hotel/garage parking where possible.
The most common fuel types in Serbia are BMB 95 (Unleaded petrol/95 octane), BMB 100 (Premium petrol/higher octane), Euro Diesel, and LPG/TNG (Autogas). Fuel stations usually offer both self-service and full-service options, with self-service becoming more common. Card is widely accepted in most larger stations, with some accepting contactless and mobile payments, but it's best to have cash in smaller rural stations. Keep in mind that due to sanctions affecting some operations of Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), a few stations may have restrictions on foreign card payments.
Serbia has over 1,500 petrol stations, with many focus on main highways, transit routes and major cities. While some rural areas may lack fuel stations, there is efforts to cover more remote parts, so that drivers can be 8 - 20 kilometres away from a station. Most stations offer additional services like convenience shops, cafes, toilets, and car wash facilities. Fuel prices tend to be a bit higher on highways compared to ones in towns, and some stations offer loyalty programs with small savings or bonuses if you join.
The BAC limit is 0.02%, but 0.00% (zero-tolerance) for new and professional drivers. (New drivers being those who have held their licence for less than a year.)
Compulsory for all passengers.
Children under 12 must sit in the back with appropriate child restraints.
Check out more of our Country Guides: