Quick answer
Indians with ordinary passports need a visa for Serbia unless they hold a valid Schengen, UK, EU member-state or US visa, or a residence permit from Schengen, the EU or the US. With one of those, you can enter without a Serbian visa for up to 90 days in six months, within the visa's validity. Otherwise, apply at the Embassy of Serbia in New Delhi.
At a glance
- Visa type
- No Serbian visa needed with a valid Schengen, UK, EU or US visa or residence permit; otherwise a visa from the Embassy of Serbia
- Stay allowed
- Up to 90 days in a 6-month period, within your qualifying visa's validity
- Fee
- Nil with a qualifying visa; otherwise the Embassy of Serbia's consular fee (confirm the current amount before applying)
- Processing
- None with a qualifying visa; for embassy visas apply at least 4–6 weeks ahead
- Validity
- Tied to the validity of your Schengen, UK, EU or US visa or residence permit
- Apply at
- Official portal
Documents checklist
- Passport carrying a valid Schengen, UK, EU member-state or US visa, or a Schengen, EU or US residence permit
- If the visa is in an expired passport: both the old passport and your new valid passport
- Return or onward ticket
- Hotel bookings, or a host's address if staying privately
- Proof of funds of about EUR 50 (about ₹5,100) per day of stay, as cash, cards or a bank statement
- Travel health insurance; at least EUR 20,000 of cover is recommended
- Itinerary showing how Serbia fits into your trip, with a multiple-entry Schengen visa if you return to Schengen
- Without a qualifying visa: embassy application form, photographs, 3–6 months' bank statements, ITRs and employer letter
Common mistakes that get Indians refused
- Entering Serbia mid-trip on a single-entry Schengen visa; you cannot re-enter the Schengen area afterwards.
- Relying on older blog posts about visa-free entry for Indians; that ended at the start of 2023.
- Staying with friends without police registration within 24 hours of arrival.
- A qualifying visa that expires during your stay; the 90 days run only within its validity.
Do Indians need a visa for Serbia?
With an ordinary Indian passport, yes, unless you already hold a visa that Serbia recognises. Under a 2014 government decision, holders of a valid Schengen visa, UK visa, EU member-state visa or US visa, and holders of residence permits from Schengen, the EU or the US, can enter, transit and stay in Serbia without a Serbian visa for up to 90 days in a six-month period, within the validity of that visa or permit.
Indians had visa-free access to Serbia for a few years until it was withdrawn at the start of 2023, so older blog posts promising visa-free entry are out of date. Diplomatic and official passport holders remain visa-free for up to 90 days.
The single-entry Schengen catch
Serbia is not in Schengen. Visiting Belgrade from Budapest or Zagreb uses a Schengen exit, and coming back needs another entry. On a single-entry Schengen visa, once you cross into Serbia you cannot return to the Schengen area. If Serbia sits in the middle of a Europe trip, make sure your visa is multiple entry and valid for the whole journey. The visa must come from the country of your longest stay; see our Schengen visa guide.
A valid UK or US visa works as well; see our UK visa and USA visa guides.
Old passport, new passport
Serbia accepts entry on two passports: an expired passport carrying the valid visa, together with your new valid passport. Carry both.
What border officers can ask for
A visa exemption is not a guarantee of entry. Serbian officers can ask for:
- a return ticket and hotel bookings or a host's address;
- proof of funds of EUR 50 per day of stay (about ₹5,100), as cash or a bank statement;
- travel health insurance, with at least EUR 20,000 of cover recommended.
Register your stay
Foreign visitors must be registered with the police within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels do this automatically. If you stay with friends or in a private flat, your host must register you.
If you don't hold a qualifying visa
Apply for a Serbian visa at the Embassy of Serbia in New Delhi. Expect to provide an application form, photographs, three to six months of bank statements, ITRs, employer proof, a return ticket, accommodation and insurance. Confirm the current consular fee and processing time with the Embassy before you apply.
Belgrade and Novi Sad work well as a two- or three-night add-on to a Central Europe trip, and the Danube riverfronts are at their best from May to September.
Our visa assistance team can plan a Balkans route around the visas you already hold, and we arrange travel insurance that meets the border recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Serbia with a Schengen visa?
Can I visit Serbia with a UK or US visa?
Is Serbia visa-free for Indians?
What will Serbian border officers check?
Do I need to register with the police in Serbia?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
