Why Serbia has become popular for remote workers
Fast internet, very affordable living, a welcoming attitude toward foreigners, and one of the best freelancer tax setups in Europe. Belgrade in particular ticks boxes that are hard to find in combination.
Serbia was relatively unknown among remote workers until around 2020. Since then it has grown significantly in visibility β Belgrade now has a real expat and nomad community, English is widely spoken among younger people, and the infrastructure for remote work is strong.
Internet speed
Serbia has excellent internet infrastructure. Fibre connections are the standard in apartments, with download speeds typically of 100β500 Mbps. Most cafes and coworking spaces have fast, reliable wifi. This is not a country where you will struggle with connectivity.
Can you just show up and work?
Yes, for the first 3 months. Most Western nationalities can enter visa-free and work remotely without any registration. After 90 days, you need to either leave or get a formal residence permit.
The tax advantage
Serbia's freelancer registration (called pausalac) uses a fixed monthly tax rather than a percentage of income. For most service workers in Belgrade, this is β¬80β250/month covering everything β income tax, health insurance, and pension contributions combined.
As your income grows, you pay the same fixed amount β so the effective percentage keeps falling. This is what attracts many nomads who are earning well and want to reduce their tax burden legally.
Coworking spaces
Belgrade has a growing number of coworking spaces, mostly concentrated in New Belgrade and the Savamala/DorΔol areas. The most well-known:
- Impact Hub Belgrade β Professional, international crowd. Good events and networking.
- Startit Centre β Tech-focused, vibrant startup community.
- Various smaller spaces in Savamala and DorΔol β More relaxed atmosphere, popular with creatives and solo freelancers.
Monthly desk memberships typically cost β¬80β200. Daily passes are available at most spaces. Most have fast fibre internet, meeting rooms, and coffee.
Monthly cost of living as a nomad
| Item | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1-bed, city centre) | β¬450β700 |
| Food and going out | β¬300β500 |
| Coworking (optional) | β¬80β200 |
| Transport | β¬30β60 |
| Freelancer tax (once registered) | β¬80β250 |
| Total comfortable | β¬950β1,400 |
The nomad community
Belgrade has a real expat and nomad community. Facebook groups like "Expats in Belgrade" and "Digital Nomads Belgrade" are active. There are regular meetups, language exchanges, and events. You will not struggle to meet people.
Downsides to be aware of
- Air quality β Belgrade has notable pollution in winter, ranking among Europe's worst on some days. This is a real consideration for anyone with respiratory issues.
- Language barrier β Outside tourist areas and among older generations, English is limited. Daily life tasks like dealing with landlords or government offices require patience or a translator.
- Bureaucracy β Setting up legally takes time and paperwork. Using a lawyer makes it manageable, but it is not as frictionless as, say, Georgia or Mexico.