Serbia Country Report
Overview
Executive Summary
In April 2017, former prime minister Aleksandar Vučić won the presidential election by a significant margin. Following his victory, Vučić appointed Ana Brnabić as his successor. Brnabić, a political neophyte, is unlikely to challenge Vučić's position as the country's leading politician. This move therefore represents the continued concentration of power in the hands of Vučić, threatening growing authoritarianism. Protests against growing authoritarianism will likely continue, spearheaded by the protest movement Ne Da(vi)mo Beograd. However, these protests are unlikely to challenge Vučić's hold on power or prevent the continued infringement of freedom of press.
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 as a rule 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.
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 political terrorism. In Sandžak, there is a moderate risk of local Islamist extremists attacking assets or officials affiliated with rival Islamic communities or state assets and personnel.
War Risks
Serbia has improved its relations with neighbouring states, most of which are members or candidates for membership of NATO, reducing therefore inter-state war risks. The primary potential source of armed conflict is related to Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. However, EU-facilitated "status-neutral" negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo have opened the way for a normalisation of bilateral relations. 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: | 92 |
| Fire Dept.: | 93 |
| Ambulance: | 94 |
Electricity
Voltage: 220 V ~ 50 Hz
Outlets:
Social Stability
The concentration of power in the hands of President Aleksandar Vučić, as well as the infringement on freedom of speech, will continue to trigger anti-government protests by organisations such as Ne Da(vi)mo Beograd. However, the ability of opposition groups to organise a mass movement and seriously challenge the government is limited, as evidenced by the abating number of protesters participating in anti-government protests since Vučić's election in April 2017.