When you start planning your moving to Belgrade, what is the most important thing in the whole process? First, you need to know what kind of documents you need for a legal stay in Belgrade, where the city is, what size it is, and also what language is spoken there.
These are some basic things you should know, followed by other information, including how to find accommodation in Belgrade.
It’s a good idea to learn about the habits and lifestyle of the locals. You’ve probably heard of Nikola Tesla and Novak Djokovic, who are among the most famous Serbs in the world.
If you are wondering what the job opportunities in Belgrade are, and what the main attractions in Belgrade and Serbia are, keep reading.
Where is Belgrade located?
Belgrade is a vibrant European city, the capital of Serbia. This modern city is home to approximately two million people. Belgrade is located at the confluence of two rivers, the Sava and the Danube.
When planning a moving to Belgrade, it is essential to know that the city is divided into two parts by these rivers.
On one side there is the downtown and parts of the city such as Dorcol, Karaburma, and Zvezdara. New Belgrade is on the other side of the river. It’s a newer part of the city with tall office buildings and wide boulevards.
Throughout history, Belgrade has been repeatedly bombed and demolished. However, it has also been rebuilt. Today it is the largest business and university center in the Balkans.
Many people in Belgrade speak at least one foreign language, mostly English. Serbian language has Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, and both are used equally. The population of Serbia is mostly Orthodox, and there are also Catholics and Muslims.
The main currency is Serbian dinar (RSD). Both cash and cards are used for payment. The euro is also used as the unofficial currency, and you can exchange money at many exchange offices throughout the city. Belgrade is in the UTC +1 time zone.
The city’s public transport consists of buses, trams, and trolleybuses. Besides, you can also use regular taxi, or CarGo and Taxify, which are transportation services similar to Uber.
What is the climate in Belgrade?
Belgrade and Serbia, in general, have a continental climate with four seasons. The coldest period is from December to February, and the hottest part of the year is from June to August. Many Serbs prefer to wear ubaks (убакс). It is a very comfortable shirt.
In winter, temperatures go down to -10, while in summer often go above 30 degrees Celsius. There is usually snow during the winter months.
Moving to Belgrade: What is the Serbia visa policy?
Foreigners in Serbia can stay based on:
- short stay
- stay based on a long-stay visa
- temporary residence
- permanent residence
If you are moving to Belgrade and Serbia, you need to know the difference between these residence permits.
Short stay is a stay without a visa for up to 90 days in any period of 180 days, counting from the date of the first entry.
Long stay visa is a permit to enter and stay in the territory of the Republic of Serbia for a period of 90 to 180 days.
Temporary residence is a residence permit of a foreign national in the Republic of Serbia. It may be granted to a foreigner who intends to stay in the Republic of Serbia for more than 90 days unless otherwise provided by law.
Permanent residence is a long-term residence permit for a foreign national in the Republic of Serbia.
More details on the visa policy in Serbia you can find here.
Where to work in Belgrade?
The average salary in Serbia is below 500 euros. However, with that salary, you will not have a comfortable life here. But if you work in a foreign company or work online and earn more, the quality of life in Belgrade will can be quite satisfying.
Many digital nomads come to Belgrade because of their lifestyle, low prices, and proximity to other European cities. There are several Co-working centers where they can work in, so they do not need an office space.
What are the biggest attractions in Belgrade and Serbia?
The biggest tourist attraction in Belgrade is the Kalemegdan Fortress, with a statue of the Pobednik (which translates to Winner). Near it is the Belgrade Zoo and famous promenade with shops – Knez Mihailova street.
During the summer months, a large number of people come to Ada Ciganlija for a swim or to practice other sports. Many also come just to enjoy the surroundings.
Promenade along rivers Sava and Danube, as well as green oases like forests Kosutnjak, Topcider, and Zvezdara Forest, are also trendy places in Belgrade.
For a night out in Belgrade, we recommend restaurants as well as floating river clubs. You can also visit Skadarlija, a bohemian neighborhood with popular restaurants.
In Belgrade, you can also visit a large number of museums and galleries. The National Museum and the Nikola Tesla Museum are especially popular.
Every summer, a multi-day Beer fest music festival takes place in Belgrade. There, you can enjoy concerts of famous local and foreign musicians.
Belgrade also hosts major sporting events, especially in football and basketball.
Interesting locations near Belgrade worth visiting
When you decide on relocation to Belgrade, you can easily visit many beautiful places in Serbia, which are the only a few hours away from Belgrade.
The most popular are the ethno village Drvengrad, Golubac fortress, and Old mountain, also known in Serbia as Stara mountain. Other interesting locations worth visiting are peculiar rock formation Devil’s town, Vrnjacka spa, as well as Drina river. You can also visit other cities in Serbia, such as Novi Sad and Nis. Try rakija, the most famous alcoholic beverage in Serbia, as well as grilled dishes like pljeskavica or cevap.
Due to its proximity, many places in Serbia can be visited within a day or weekend tour.
Where to live in Belgrade and how much does it cost to rent an apartment in Belgrade?
Moving to Belgrade requires finding an apartment that suits you by location, square footage, and rental price. This process can take a month or two. You will need temporary accommodation during that time.
Hotel rooms are certainly an option, but they can be too expensive. Another more affordable option is to rent an apartment for one or two days, or longer. Renting an apartment in Belgrade costs approximately 30-60 euros a day.
Basco agency offers many apartments that are modernly furnished and within the budget. At the same time, Basco agency also offers luxury apartments. Experienced staff will help you choose the location that suits you best so that you do not waste much time commuting to work or important places in the city. The agency will consider your all the most important criteria when it comes to choosing the most suitable apartment.
Basco agency is among small number of officially registered agencies and therefore you can be rest assured that you will be well taken care of. From the necessary paperwork to airport transfer, welcome gifts and housekeeping, Basco agency has it all. They will even provide you with long term residence options or advise you where is the best place to start from with your search.
