💰 Quick Context: The Serbian Dinar
Serbia uses the Serbian Dinar (RSD / дин.). Serbia is not in the EU or the eurozone. A coffee costs 200–400 RSD, a restaurant meal 800–2,000 RSD, and a hotel night 5,000–15,000 RSD. Quick math: roughly 100 RSD = $1 USD, so just move the decimal two places to convert to dollars. Belgrade (especially Knez Mihailova and Stari Grad) accepts cards widely, but you should carry cash for markets, smaller cities, and rural areas.
🎧 Order Serbian Dinar Before You Fly
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Order RSD → CEI Currency ExchangeCash vs. Card: What to Expect in Serbia
Serbia is more cash-dependent than Western Europe, but Belgrade is increasingly card-friendly. Novi Sad is also fairly modern for payments, while rural areas and smaller cities remain more cash-heavy.
Cards widely accepted: Hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and shops in Belgrade's Knez Mihailova, Stari Grad, and Savamala neighbourhoods accept contactless payments without issue
Cash-preferred situations: Local markets (Zeleni Venac, Kalenic), many restaurants outside city centres, taxis (unless using CarGo app), smaller shops, rural areas, and monasteries or historical sites
Outside Belgrade: Novi Sad's centre is fairly card-friendly, but smaller cities like Niš and Kragujevac are more cash-reliant. Rural Serbia is almost entirely cash-based
How much to carry: 3,000–5,000 RSD ($30–50) is a good backup in Belgrade. Bring more if heading outside major cities
How to Get Dinars for Your Serbia Trip
Serbia uses the Serbian dinar and is reasonably card-friendly in its cities. Belgrade's Knez Mihailova pedestrian street, the Skadarlija old town, every Maxi and Idea supermarket, and most chain restaurants take Visa and Mastercard contactless. Cash still helps at Zeleni Venac and Kalenic markets in Belgrade, smaller kafanas and traditional restaurants, taxi rides outside the CarGo app, and rural Vojvodina and Western Serbia stops. Serbia has a notable casa-de-cambio ("menjacnica") density along Kralja Petra and Knez Mihailova, where licensed shops often offer surprisingly tight spreads. Two routes for getting dinars: bring USD or EUR to exchange at a Belgrade menjacnica, or pull from a Banca Intesa or OTP Banka ATM after landing.
Bring USD/EUR to exchange or order dinars before you fly
For pre-arrival RSD, two paths. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange may stock Serbian dinars on request, with insured 2–5 day delivery. Most US home banks generally do not stock RSD. Backup that works particularly well in Serbia: pack EUR cash and exchange at a licensed Belgrade menjacnica on landing — the Belgrade exchange-shop ecosystem is famously transparent, with licensed shops along Knez Mihailova and Kralja Petra offering some of Eastern Europe's tightest EUR-to-RSD spreads. Serbia does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner. The cleanest setup for most Serbia trips: a Wise card for hotel and city restaurant card payments, plus EUR cash to swap at a licensed downtown menjacnica for daily dinar spending.
Withdraw from a Serbian bank ATM
On the ground, the cheapest source of dinars is a major Serbian bank ATM. Banca Intesa Serbia (the largest network), OTP Banka Srbija, Raiffeisen Banka Srbija, UniCredit Bank Srbija, and NLB Komercijalna Banka all give the actual interbank rate with no markup. Most don't add their own operator fee for foreign cards. Withdrawal limits run roughly 30,000–50,000 RSD per transaction. Bank ATMs cluster around Belgrade (Knez Mihailova, Terazije, Slavija), in Novi Sad's center, and at BEG (Belgrade Nikola Tesla) airport arrivals. Avoid the standalone Euronet machines that have appeared in the Belgrade Old Town tourist core; they tack on operator fees and push DCC. Decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD" or "in EUR". See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what a Banca Intesa Serbia withdrawal will actually cost on your card? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters & menjacnica booths
Three traps to walk past in Serbia, and one important exception. The currency-exchange counters in arrivals at BEG (Belgrade Nikola Tesla) advertise rates that look reasonable but routinely run 5–10% off the interbank rate. Honest exception worth knowing: licensed menjacnicas along Knez Mihailova, around Kralja Petra, and on Terazije in Belgrade often offer the country's tightest USD/EUR-to-RSD spreads, often 0.5–1.5% off interbank. They post their rates on lit boards and the spreads are very competitive. The unlicensed booths in the Skadarlija tourist quarter use the "no commission" framing while baking the markup into the rate. Third, the standalone Euronet ATMs that have moved into the Belgrade Old Town tourist hubs layer DCC pitches and operator fees. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at Banca Intesa, OTP, Raiffeisen, UniCredit, or NLB Komercijalna; decline DCC; and licensed Knez Mihailova menjacnicas are the one acceptable cash-to-cash route. Serbia does not yet have a city-specific guide on this site, but the Best ATMs section below covers the bank lineup.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-RSD timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Serbia
Serbia's major banks operate ATMs across the country. These machines typically offer fair exchange rates and do not charge excessive operator fees. Always choose RSD (dinars) when prompted to avoid DCC markups.
Banca Intesa Beograd
The largest bank in Serbia and part of the Intesa Sanpaolo group. Banca Intesa ATMs are found throughout Belgrade, Novi Sad, and every major city. The most extensive ATM network in the country.
Recommended
Raiffeisen Bank Serbia
Strong presence across Serbia with ATMs in cities and larger towns. Raiffeisen machines offer fair exchange rates and reliable English-language interfaces.
Recommended
UniCredit Bank Serbia
Good ATM coverage in Belgrade, Novi Sad, and other Serbian cities. UniCredit machines are straightforward and typically do not charge excessive foreign card fees.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
When an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in USD instead of RSD, always decline. Choosing USD means accepting a 3–8% markup hidden in their exchange rate. This can occur at tourist-area ATMs in Belgrade. Always select "RSD" or "local currency" at every prompt.
ATMs to Avoid in Serbia
Independent ATMs appear in Belgrade's tourist zones and can charge extra fees while pushing DCC with poor exchange rates. Stick to the bank ATMs listed above.
Euronet
Found in Belgrade tourist areas, particularly near Knez Mihailova and the Kalemegdan fortress area. Euronet ATMs aggressively push DCC and charge operator fees. Walk a few minutes to find a Banca Intesa or Raiffeisen ATM instead.
AvoidStandalone Unbranded ATMs
Unbranded machines in tourist shops and near popular landmarks. These typically charge extra per withdrawal and offer unfavorable exchange rates through DCC.
AvoidPaying by Card in Serbia
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, shops, and supermarkets in Belgrade and Novi Sad
American Express is accepted at some larger hotels and upscale restaurants, but many businesses do not take it. Do not rely on Amex as your only card
Discover has very limited acceptance in Serbia. Not recommended as a travel card here
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Contactless payments are increasingly common: Most modern terminals in Belgrade and Novi Sad support tap-to-pay, but acceptance is not universal outside major cities
Apple Pay and Google Pay have growing acceptance in cities, especially at chain stores and modern restaurants, but do not count on them everywhere
CarGo app: Serbia's ride-hailing app accepts card payments, offering a convenient cashless alternative to traditional taxis
Where Cards May Not Work
Local markets: Zeleni Venac, Kalenic, and other open-air markets are almost entirely cash-only
Restaurants outside city centres: Many restaurants in smaller cities and rural areas are cash-only
Taxis: Traditional taxis in Serbia typically require cash unless you use the CarGo app
Monasteries and historical sites: Entry fees and donations at Serbia's monasteries and cultural sites are usually cash-only
Rural areas: Expect to pay with cash for nearly everything outside Belgrade and Novi Sad
Tipping in Serbia
Tipping Guide
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Serbia. Service charges are not typically included in the bill
Restaurants: 10% is generous and appreciated for good service. Rounding up the bill is also common
Cafés: No tip expected. Leaving small change is fine
Taxis: Round up to the nearest convenient amount. No percentage-based tip is expected
Tour guides: 500–1,000 RSD per person for a full-day tour is generous
Hotels: 100–200 RSD for porters if they assist with luggage. Not expected for housekeeping
Belgrade, Novi Sad & Beyond: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
Belgrade is rapidly modernizing for card payments: Stari Grad and Savamala are very card-friendly, with most restaurants, bars, and shops accepting contactless
Novi Sad (EXIT Festival city): The city centre is fairly card-friendly, especially around Zmaj Jovina street and the Petrovaradin area during festival season
Cash-only outside major cities: Many restaurants and shops in smaller cities are cash-only. Always have dinars on hand when travelling beyond Belgrade and Novi Sad
CarGo app for rides: Serbia's ride-hailing app accepts card payments, so you can skip carrying cash for transportation in Belgrade
Euros are sometimes informally accepted: Especially near borders and for accommodation bookings, but always pay in dinars for the best rate
Airport ATMs: Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) has major bank ATMs in the arrivals hall. Use these instead of exchange counters for a better rate
Very affordable: Serbia is very affordable compared to Western Europe. Your money goes much further here, making it an excellent-value destination
Money Safety in Serbia
Staying Safe
Use ATMs inside bank branches or shopping centres rather than street-facing machines, especially at night
Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas like Knez Mihailova street, busy markets, and public transport
Carry a second card on a different network. Serbia's Euronet ATMs have a skimming reputation, so if your primary card is compromised, a backup from a different bank keeps you going in Belgrade and Novi Sad.
Let your bank know you are visiting Serbia before departure. Balkan transactions are flagged by some fraud detection systems, particularly for US-based banks unfamiliar with the region.
Banca Intesa and UniCredit ATMs in Belgrade dispense up to 50,000 RSD per transaction (about $450), so one withdrawal covers several days of affordable Serbian dining and sightseeing.
Serbia is generally safe: Violent crime against tourists is rare. Standard precautions about keeping cash secure in crowded areas are sufficient
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Serbia use the euro?
No. Serbia uses the Serbian Dinar (RSD). Serbia is not in the EU or the eurozone. Some tourist-facing businesses in Belgrade may accept euros at a poor rate, but you should always pay in dinars. Withdraw RSD from Banca Intesa, Raiffeisen, or UniCredit ATMs.
Do I need cash in Serbia?
In Belgrade's Knez Mihailova and Stari Grad, cards work at most restaurants, shops, and supermarkets. Outside the city centre, cash becomes essential. Local markets (Zeleni Venac, Kalenic), traditional taxis, monasteries, and most businesses in smaller cities like Niš are cash-only. Carry 3,000–5,000 RSD ($30–50) as backup in Belgrade, more outside the capital.
Is tipping expected in Serbia?
Appreciated but not mandatory. At restaurants in Belgrade or Novi Sad, 10% is generous. Rounding up the bill is also common. Cafés don't expect tips. Taxi drivers appreciate rounding up. Tour guides receive 500–1,000 RSD per person for full-day tours.
What is the CarGo app?
CarGo is Serbia's ride-hailing app (similar to Uber). It accepts card payments, making it the easiest cashless transport option in Belgrade. Traditional taxis usually require cash. Download CarGo before your trip if you want to avoid carrying cash for rides.
Are exchange offices (menjačnice) a good deal?
Licensed exchange offices in Belgrade's centre offer competitive rates, often better than ATM withdrawals. Avoid those at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (rates are significantly worse). City-centre menjačnice near Knez Mihailova and Terazije offer the best rates. Compare to Google before exchanging.
Is Belgrade expensive?
No. Serbia is one of Europe's most affordable countries. A coffee costs 200–400 RSD ($2–4), a restaurant meal 800–2,000 RSD ($8–20), a pint of beer 250–400 RSD ($2.50–4), and a hotel night 5,000–15,000 RSD ($50–150). Budget travelers can get by on $30–40 per day.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend Serbian dinars like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-FX-fee card (contactless) | Best (no fees, mid-market rate) | ★★★★★ | Daily spending in Belgrade and Novi Sad |
| Serbian bank ATMs (Banca Intesa, Raiffeisen, etc.) | Low (no operator fee, fair rate) | ★★★★★ | Cash for markets, taxis, and rural areas |
| Euronet / independent ATMs | High (fees + poor rates + DCC) | ★★★☆☆ | Never recommended |
| Airport exchange counters | High (5–12% markup) | ★★☆☆☆ | Absolute emergency only |
Serbia Quick Facts
| Currency | Serbian Dinar (RSD / дин.). Roughly 100 RSD = $1 USD |
| Cash vs. Card | Card-friendly in Belgrade and Novi Sad. More cash-dependent elsewhere. 3,000–5,000 RSD backup recommended |
| Best ATMs | Banca Intesa Beograd, Raiffeisen Bank, UniCredit Bank |
| Contactless | Increasingly common in Belgrade and Novi Sad, not universal elsewhere |
| Card Acceptance | Good in Belgrade and Novi Sad centres. Less reliable in smaller cities and rural areas |
| Tipping | 10% at restaurants is generous. Round up for taxis. Not expected at cafés |
| DCC Risk | Can occur at tourist-area ATMs in Belgrade. Always choose RSD |
| Best Strategy | No-FX-fee card in cities. Bank ATM cash for markets, taxis, and rural areas |