Serbia Country Report
Overview
Executive Summary
Operational Outlook
The quality of the infrastructure and the workforce is generally adequate. One important hurdle to conducting business in Serbia is the country's oversized bureaucracy, which remains generally inefficient. Corruption and organised crime remain a persistent problem in business circles and across nearly all sectors of the public administration. Some progress has been made in simplifying procedures for issuing construction permits and adopting business-friendly changes to the labour law. In May, Serbia lifted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus restrictions, but the threat from a second wave means reversals will likely be recurrent.
Terrorism
Security incidents are likely to be concentrated along Serbia's border with Kosovo, although they are primarily likely to involve illegal logging rather than terrorism. In Sandžak, there is a moderate risk of local Islamist extremists attacking assets or officials affiliated with rival Islamic communities or the state.
Crime
Organised crime is a significant problem in Serbia. Criminal networks maintain links with politicians, bureaucrats and security officials, and far-right organisations. Corruption and poor resources within the security services hinder effective law enforcement and prosecution of crimes, in turn facilitating the further entrenchment of these networks. Despite regular calls for crackdowns on organised crime and corruption, the political will to tackle these issues is lacking.
War Risks
Serbia has improved bilateral relations with neighbouring states, most of which are members or aspiring members of NATO, reducing therefore interstate war risks. The primary risk of armed conflict is related to Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in February 2008; Serbia does not recognise Kosovo's statehood. However, EU-facilitated negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo have opened the way for piecemeal normalisation of bilateral relations, although a complete thaw is unlikely without political recognition. The risk of interstate war would increase if Serbia's prospects for EU membership diminished significantly as a result of enlargement fatigue.
Health Risk
Vaccinations required to enter the country
No vaccinations are required to enter the country.
Routine Vaccinations
Hepatitis A: A vaccine is available for anyone over one year of age. The vaccine may not be effective for certain people, e.g. those born before 1945 and who lived as a child in a developing country and/or have a past history of jaundice (icterus). These people can instead get a shot of immune globulin (IG) to boost their immunity against the disease.
Hepatitis B: A vaccine is available for children at least two months old.
Diphtheria-Tetanus-Polio: A booster shot should be administered if necessary (once every ten years).
Other Vaccinations
Typhoid Fever: If your travels take you to regions with poor sanitary conditions (for children two years old and up).
Rabies: For prolonged stays in an isolated region (for children from when they can walk).
Tick-Borne Encephalitis: For stays in rural zones and for hiking enthusiasts (for children over the age of one).
For Children: All standard childhood immunizations should be up-to-date. In the case of a long stay, the BCG vaccine is recommended for children over one month and the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine for children over nine months.
Practical Information
Climate
Serbia has a continental climate. Winters are cold (0°C) and dry. Summers are hot, humid, and often rainy.
Useful Numbers
| Country Code: | +381 |
| Police: | 192 |
| Fire Dept.: | 193 |
| Ambulance: | 194 |
Electricity
Voltage: 220 V ~ 50 Hz
Outlets:
Social Stability
Thousands of protesters took to the streets on 7 and 8 July after President Aleksandar Vučić announced new restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19. A number of protests on 7 July managed to break through a police cordon before being pushed back by riot police. Although restrictions acted as the trigger, the main likely driver of the protests is the perception among a segment of the population of growing authoritarianism and the infringement of freedom of speech.