Job Opportunities for Foreigners and Expats in Serbia (2026 Update)

If you feel like you’re missing out on one of Europe’s next big expat spots, we are here to fill you in and help you learn the ropes about life and work in Serbia. We’re happy to help you discover the kinds of jobs foreigners pursue in Serbia, what the local salary landscape looks like, and the current visa, temporary residence, and unified residence-and-work permit options that may apply.

 If you’re coming from the USA, Canada or other western countries, there are certain things to be prepared for if you want to do business in, or work from Serbia. Some corners of the job market in which foreigners and expats can work within Serbia are:

• IT sector
• Agriculture
• Teaching in international schools
• Teaching a language
• Running a business
• Tourism

This article will get more in depth about:

• visa requirements
• work permits
• salaries and more 

Remote Jobs and Networking

We also always recommend networking to find a job. Many foreigners living in Serbia obtained a job by making local connections organically and discovering opportunities for their skillset.

It’s also an easy way to find hospitality jobs, such as bartending, serving at a restaurant or working at other types of shops.

Alternatively, you can also try finding a remote job through websites like We Work Remotely, Remote OK or Facebook groups.

Serbia doesn’t have the easiest job market to enter, but creative networking can still open doors.

Generally speaking, most common jobs vary within the population and range from positions in factories, customer service, craftsmanship, IT, education, trade and so on. Many people also freelance. 

It’s important to note that it is fairly hard for the young population in Serbia with a college degree to find a job in their profession, so they often end up working outside of their area of expertise. 

Serbia’s labour market has changed significantly since the pandemic years, so older unemployment figures can be misleading. According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, the unemployment rate was 8.9% in the fourth quarter of 2025, which reflects a more current picture of the market.

So all this might leave you wondering if it’s different for foreigners and expats with high education? 

It might be. Foreigners can work embassy jobs, start their own business, or work as an employee of a foreign company that has invested in Serbia, which is pretty common for expats.

In conclusion, there is a high possibility for foreigners and expats to find a job in Serbia. Keep reading to learn the best ways to search for and obtain a job that will allow you to live and work in Serbia.

How can foreigners and expats get a job in Serbia?

We’re gonna start off with a shameless plug and let you know that we here at Support Adventureprovide remote jobs for expats, and we are always hiring. We are a fully remote company run by expats, and we mostly have positions open for IT help desk support of all levels, service desk coordination and occasionally admin assistance. The salary starts at $1500 USD, which is much higher than the average salary in Serbia. You can apply for an open position here!

Here are some other reliable resources for finding work:

1. Local job websites such as infostud and oglasi.rs
2. Various Facebook groups for expats in Serbia
3. Word-of-mouth by joining an expat community and getting connected with the locals in your city in Serbia

What jobs can foreigners and expats get in Serbia?

Depending on your preferences, skills and experience, there are multiple jobs foreigners and expats can do in Serbia. 

Jobs in the IT sphere for foreigners and expats

The most in demand positions these days are in the IT sector, such as IT engineers and developers. These are some of the highest paying jobs in Serbia for both locals and foreign workers.

And as a result of the pandemic, most work in the IT industry can now be done remotely, which gives you location independence to further explore this beautiful country. 

Salaries in this field can range from $1000 to $3000 USD a month. Depending on your role and responsibilities, you can expect raises and bonuses, as well as further development and advancement.

Another plus of this industry is that many positions do not require certificates or diplomas. Experience, skill, creativity and the ability to adjust quickly are often valued much more for landing a job in the IT sector in Serbia. 

Work in tourism for foreigners and expats

If English is your native language, and perhaps an additional one to spare, finding a job as a tour guide or working in a tourism agency can be a suitable path for you. Serbia is a dream destination for nature lovers with exciting excursions all year round. The country is also rich in eventful history, including Roman and Ottoman archeological sites. 

Working as a tour guide can bring many benefits. If you are tired of the “9 to 5,” this could be the job for you. Guiding tourists through local sites or taking them on  adrenaline-filled adventures can bring you much enjoyment.  Salaries in this field vary and can range from around 50,000 RSD (Serbian dinars) a month on average,  which is about $500 USD, to much higher, depending on the employer and your engagement.

Working for an agency is basically an office job that involves contacting customers, arranging tour packages and booking transport and hotels. The salary is also around 50,000 RSD and up.

Another option some foreigners explore is opening a retreat, guesthouse, or nature-based business. However, buying property or renting accommodation does not automatically grant a long-stay visa or the right to work. In Serbia, your immigration route depends on the actual basis of your stay, such as employment, business activity, family reunification, talent, digital nomad status, or another recognized category.

Foreign nationals also need to make sure their stay is properly registered after arrival. Serbia’s official guidance states that the stay of a foreigner must generally be registered within 24 hours.

For some jobs in tourism, a tourist license is required. You can find out how to get one in Serbia on The National Touristic Organisation of Serbias’ website. 

Agriculture

As Serbia has a lot of fertile land, located on breathtaking landscapes all around the country, it’s only natural that agriculture is very prominent. Owning land and making your own produce can be a good investment for many reasons. 

Some people engage in permaculture and offer workshops, retreats or working in exchange for bed and breakfast. This is something that is just starting to develop in Serbia, so there might be some advantages to getting involved in this avenue in its beginning stages. 

Running a business

Opening a business in Serbia is not an easy thing to do, mostly because of the volume of paperwork and complications of bureaucracy.  Depending on the type of business one opens, it can also be difficult to beat rival companies for customers or clients. A lot of successful expat businesses in Serbia master how to bring unrivaled value to their market. 

From restaurants, advisories, touristic agencies and photography services to craftsmanship companies and agriculture production, bringing value and having the tenacity to commit to your business can make you a self-made success in Serbia!

You can find out more about jobs in Serbia here and here.

What is the average salary and the cost of living in Serbia?

Salary expectations in Serbia vary widely depending on the sector, the city, and whether you are working for a local employer or a foreign company. According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, the average net salary in December 2025 was 124,089 RSD, while the median net salary was 90,819 RSD.

In practice, living costs also depend heavily on lifestyle and location. Belgrade is typically the most expensive city, while Novi Sad, Niš, and smaller towns can be more affordable. Anyone planning a move should check current rents and local prices rather than relying on older pandemic-era estimates.

What are the best cities for foreigners and expats to work from in Serbia?

For sure, the highest paying jobs in Serbia are in the IT sector, which are available in numerous prominent cities like Belgrade, Novi Sad or Nis. However, this type of work can also be done remotely, without you needing to report to an office in Serbia. Another high source of income can be from your own business. Depending on your niche, you can have reach in multiple spots in Serbia.

Belgrade 

This capital of Serbia, which is also the largest city in the country, is where the majority of business is done. A lot of IT companies have their headquarters in Belgrade. Education, hospitality and tourism are also very developed, and it should be easy to find jobs in this area.

Novi Sad

Novi Sad is the second largest city. It was named the European Capital of Culture in 2022 due to its many art projects, communities and welcoming spaces full of Austro-Hungarian history. 

Šumadija

Work in agriculture, hospitality and tourism are perfect for this beautiful region in central Serbia. Covered with lush forests and mountains with great biodiversity, it is like a small piece of heaven on Earth. 

Do foreigners and expats need a working visa for Serbia?

It depends on your citizenship, how long you plan to stay, and the legal basis of your stay. Some nationalities can enter Serbia without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, but that does not automatically give them the right to work in Serbia.

Serbia’s current immigration system no longer relies on the older general model of “temporary residence first, then a separate work permit” for standard employment cases. Instead, Serbia now uses a Single Permit (also called a Unified Permit), which combines temporary residence and work authorization in one procedure and one biometric card.

If you need a visa to enter Serbia and are coming for employment, you will generally need a D visa first. A D visa allows a stay of 90 to 180 days, and since the current rules took effect in February 2024, a D visa issued on the basis of employment can also function as permission to enter, stay, and work for up to 180 days.

Applications for temporary residence and the Single Permit are handled through Serbia’s official Portal for Foreigners. Depending on the legal basis, a foreigner may receive either a temporary residence permit or a Single Permit, and either can generally be issued for up to three years. In some categories, a temporary residence permit itself may include the right to work without a Single Permit.

How to get the work permit to work in Serbia?

Under Serbia’s current system, the process depends on the basis of stay, but in standard employment situations the key route is the Single Permit for temporary residence and work.

In general, the process now looks like this:

1. Check whether you need a visa to enter Serbia.
2. If required, apply for a D visa on the appropriate basis, such as employment.
3. Submit your application for temporary residence or a Single Permit through Serbia’s official Portal for Foreigners.
4. Prepare the supporting documentation required for your specific basis of stay.

Depending on the case, the basis may be employment, self-employment, intra-company transfer, talent, digital nomad status, family reunification, business activity, or another category recognized by Serbian law.

Foreigners should also make sure their accommodation or stay is properly registered after arrival. Serbia’s official guidance states that registration of stay must generally be completed within 24 hours.

Hopefully, this guide has given you a clearer overview of the kinds of jobs foreigners pursue in Serbia and the current visa, residence, and work-authorization framework. Because the rules depend heavily on your citizenship and the basis of your stay, it is always a good idea to check Serbia’s official guidance or speak with a qualified immigration professional before making plans.