Cost of living in Serbia

As of February 2024, the Portal for Foreigners, created by the Office for IT and eGovernment, received a total of 37,934 applications for temporary residence permits. Serbia attracts foreigners with its relatively low cost of living compared to Western European countries, especially for those choosing to move to smaller towns.

This article will cover the cost of living in Serbia across various categories, including food, real estate, healthcare, entertainment, and leisure.

Previously, we wrote about jobs in Serbia and real estate options for rent or purchase.

According to Numbeo, an individual spends around 72,550 Serbian dinars per month, while a family of four spends approximately 247,773 dinars, excluding rent. You’ll need to add a significant amount if you plan to live in Belgrade, as prices in the capital are generally higher than in smaller towns.

The regularly updated database Expatistan states that the cost of living in Serbia is lower than in 58% of Eastern European countries and 67% of countries worldwide.

The portal Support Adventure claims that it is possible to live comfortably in Serbia on just $1,000 per month (about 112,518 dinars), which is considered an above-average budget for the country. Expats and remote workers can expect living costs ranging from $600 to $1,500 per month, depending on location and lifestyle.

As of November 2024, the net average monthly salary in Serbia is 100,738 dinars (around €860). The annual inflation rate in the country is 4.3% (comparing December 2024 to the same period in 2023), and the monthly rate is 0.1% (from November to December 2024).

According to Numbeo, Serbians spend nearly 28% of their monthly budget on groceries and another 18% on dining out. Food prices vary significantly depending on where you shop. Visiting a local farmers’ market — known as a pijaca — can reduce food expenses, especially for those who enjoy bargaining. Access to fresh, locally produced food at affordable prices is one of the benefits of living in Serbia.

A person’s monthly grocery basket largely depends on their place of residence and lifestyle habits.

For foreigners, rent is often the largest monthly expense. According to Numbeo, Serbians spend an average of around 21% of their budget on rent—second only to food. The cost depends heavily on:

The better equipped the apartment, the higher the rental price. If you’re planning to move to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, or to Novi Sad, the second-largest city, be prepared for high prices. Smaller cities like Niš are significantly more affordable, and even central rentals can be found for €150–250 per month.

Students have access to paid dormitories that cost between 1,000 and 3,500 RSD per month, depending on the room category. Dorms are available not only in Belgrade but also in other cities. Renting a place near a university may be expensive, so budget-conscious students tend to choose neighborhoods without educational institutions in vicinity, but still close enough to the city center, where affordable apartments can be found.

Finding a room to rent is more challenging. A real estate expert at 4zida.ru notes that listings for room rentals are becoming increasingly rare, and some websites are even removing this option from search filters. Those looking to rent a room often opt for larger apartments and find roommates to share the rent and utilities comfortably.

Property prices in Serbia continue to rise. According to the Real Estate Market Report, secondary market prices in some regions have increased by 40%, while new construction prices have risen by 54%. The total value of Serbia’s real estate market during the first half of 2024 reached €3.4 billion, up 3.9% compared to the same period last year.

How much do apartments cost in Belgrade? They are the most expensive in the country. On average:

The cheapest property in Belgrade is in the Stara Rakovica district, where older apartments cost an average of €1,775 per m².

The lowest real estate prices in Serbia are in Kikinda — only €670 per square meter. However, only secondhand apartments are available in this city, with no new builds currently on the market.

Healthcare in Serbia consists of both public and private services. Citizens and foreigners (if they hold a Bela Karton — “white card”) can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). However, private clinics are often more popular due to relatively short waiting times, high standards of care, modern equipment, and well-qualified doctors.

Private health insurance can cost between €50 and €150 per month (approximately 5,856 to 17,570 RSD).

Research by Numbeo confirms that Serbians are generally more satisfied with the quality of private healthcare than public. The only area of dissatisfaction is cost — only 58% of respondents were happy with it. In all other categories — doctor skills and competence, speed of service, equipment, and staff courtesy — private healthcare receives significantly higher satisfaction ratings than the public system.

Nevertheless, private healthcare in Serbia is still more affordable than in most Western European countries.

Serbians spend very little on clothing: according to Numbeo statistics, only 3.8% of their monthly budget. It all depends on personal habits — while some people frequently add to their wardrobe, others buy just a few items per year. Spending also depends on quality: those who value long-lasting clothing tend to invest in more expensive, high-quality pieces, whereas fast-fashion enjoyers often purchase cheap items that end up in the trash after a few months of wear.

Expenses also vary depending on occupation. Those who are required to maintain a polished appearance often spend more on expensive clothing than people who wear a uniform provided at work. All of these factors should be considered when planning a budget.

Bargain hunters can find decent clothes at low prices in flea markets, second-hand shops, and consignment stores.

Compared to Western Europe, utility prices in Serbia are relatively low. On average, for an 83 m² apartment, monthly costs for water, heating, electricity, and garbage collection amount to 18,612 dinars (around €158). A mobile plan with 10 GB of data costs 2,003 dinars, and home wireless internet (60 Mbps) is around 2,992.76 dinars.

Public life in Serbia is vibrant, but spending on entertainment can take up a significant portion of the budget. Theater tickets cost between 500 and 2,000 dinars, depending on the type of performance, duration, and cast. Movie tickets also vary — typically 400 to 800 dinars per person, depending on the session.

Nightlife in Serbia is lively: club, bar, and pub enthusiasts will easily find a favorite spot. However, drink prices are on average 20–30% higher than in regular cafes. If you don’t have a friend in Serbia who doesn’t drink and can drive everyone home, be sure to factor in taxi costs for the trip back after a fun night out.

Those who prefer active leisure will find Serbia a great base for traveling the Balkans. Neighboring countries — Croatia, Montenegro, and Hungary — are all within a short car or bus ride. Camping is also a budget-friendly option, eliminating the need for an expensive travel package.

Gyms and fitness clubs offer monthly memberships for around 3,500 dinars (about €30). Signing up during a promotion and getting an annual pass can reduce the monthly cost. You can also rent a tennis court for an hour — this elite activity costs 1,741 dinars.

The cheapest option is public transportation. A bus ticket costs 80 dinars, while a monthly pass without discounts or subsidies is 2,500 dinars. A taxi ride costs 100 dinars per kilometer, but you can save money by using a ride-sharing feature.

Car owners need to factor in the cost of fuel, which is 182.7 dinars per liter in Serbia. Additional expenses include regular vehicle inspections, repairs, and part replacements.

You can also get around the city by bicycle. Belgrade has 121 kilometers of bike lanes, while Serbia as a whole has only 184 kilometers. Still, this mode of transportation shouldn’t be dismissed, as it’s not only budget-friendly, but also environmentally friendly.

E-scooters are also available for rent in the country. No license is required to ride a rental scooter, but if you own one, it must be registered (up to 8,000 dinars) and you’ll need a moped license if you don’t already have one.

Serbia may not be the first country that comes to mind when thinking about high-income relocation, but it has its own advantages. Many foreigners come here to work or study. Once you settle in one European country, it becomes easier to move to another.

If you need to send money to your loved ones from Serbia, check out the Korona app. It offers a simple and fast way to send money to 50+ countries worldwide.

We frequently cover topics related to life and work in Europe in our blog. If you’re interested in this subject, head over to the blog and read more.