Studying in Serbia: the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not on the European Commission’s list for Serbia. The social security agreement with Germany covers health insurance, but the German liaison agency DVKA says nothing on temporary benefit-in-kind cover. No visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days within 180 days. For longer stays the Federal Foreign Office names a residence permit. As an Erasmus+ student you pay no tuition fees at the host university. The University of Belgrade lists living costs of 400 to 600 euros per month in its information for exchange students, while its website gives 600 to 800 euros.
Study abroad in Serbia at a glance
| Point | Information (as of October 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | The EHIC is not listed for Serbia. The social security agreement covers health insurance, temporary benefit-in-kind cover is not described | European Commission, DVKA |
| Visa | No visa for stays of up to 90 days within 180 days. Stays over 90 days need a residence permit | Federal Foreign Office, University of Belgrade |
| Tuition fees | Erasmus+ students are exempt from fees for studies, enrolment and examinations. Small charges may apply | European Commission, University of Belgrade |
| Living costs | 400 to 600 euros per month according to the information sheet for exchange students, 600 to 800 euros according to the website (both undated) | University of Belgrade |
| Auslands-BAföG (German study grant abroad) | Possible under the prior-year rule. Responsible office according to the DSW allocation: Studierendenwerk Marburg | German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW), flyer as of January 2026 |
All information is general guidance and not individual advice. The linked official pages are binding.
How are you insured in Serbia?
European Health Insurance Card and social security agreement
The European Commission does not list Serbia among the countries where the EHIC applies. The Federal Foreign Office, however, states that free treatment in state hospitals is possible and that insured persons must present their EHIC for it. Whether and to what extent the card helps you in Serbia should therefore be clarified with your health insurer before departure.
A social security agreement exists between Germany and Serbia. The German Liaison Agency for Health Insurance Abroad (DVKA) names, for the German side, health insurance including cash and benefit-in-kind benefits for maternity. The page does not describe temporary benefit-in-kind cover, nor certificates from the health insurer or residence rights. The page was last updated on 8 April 2025. The guide Study Abroad in Turkey covers the same questions for a country outside the EU.
Private travel health insurance and repatriation
The Federal Foreign Office notes that medical care in Serbia is not comparable with Germany across the whole country. It names Belgrade as the place with the largest range of care. The page asks you to check whether your cover includes air ambulance flights to Germany, and it refers to travel insurance with repatriation cover. The University of Belgrade also requires its own insurance for foreign students, which costs 66 euros per month.
Before departure, statutory insured persons should clarify with their health insurer whether it issues form A/T 11. Keep all receipts so that reimbursement can be checked. We have not documented a reimbursement rate for Serbia.
Do you need a visa for Serbia?
For tourist purposes the Federal Foreign Office names no visa for stays of up to 90 days within 180 days. If you intend to stay longer than 90 days, the residence permit can be applied for online via the Serbian government website before departure, in person at a Serbian mission abroad, or after entry at the responsible foreigners’ police office in Serbia. The page contains no information on studying.
The University of Belgrade states in its information for exchange students that a residence permit (authorisation of temporary stay) is mandatory for stays of 90 days or more. Foreign students must register with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels, hostels and student halls do this automatically. The document carries no date, so check the current rules with the Serbian mission before you travel.
- Passport valid for the whole length of your stay
- Residence permit for stays longer than 90 days, applied for online, at the mission or after entry
- Registration with the police within 24 hours, unless you live in a dormitory or hotel
The Federal Foreign Office has no travel warning for Serbia, neither for the whole country nor for individual regions (page status 25 October 2026, unchanged since 14 October 2026). It points to tensions near the border with Kosovo that cannot be ruled out. Check the situation again before departure.
What does a study abroad semester in Serbia cost?
Tuition fees
As an Erasmus+ student you are exempt from fees for studies, enrolment and examinations at the host university, according to the European Commission. Small charges, for example for insurance or the student representation, may apply. The University of Belgrade names the fee exemption for Erasmus+ exchange students, but it names no amounts for other exchange students.
Living costs
The University of Belgrade lists 400 to 600 euros per person and month in its information for exchange students. This covers accommodation, insurance, utilities, food, local transport and personal expenses. The university website gives 600 to 800 euros and calls it an approximate estimate. Both figures are undated, which is why we state both. A dormitory place (Rifat Burdžević) costs 420 euros in a single room and 350 euros in a double room per month according to the information sheet, including utilities.
Funding: Erasmus+ and Auslands-BAföG
According to the Erasmus+ list of participating countries of the European Commission, Serbia is an associated third country. Your host university sets the monthly grant. We do not state an amount, because we have no documented figure for Serbia. Ask the International Office.
Auslands-BAföG can fund a partial study stay in Serbia, but only under the conditions for countries outside the EU and Switzerland. According to the DSW flyer (as of January 2026), you must have studied at least one year in Germany beforehand, and funding is generally limited to two semesters. The responsible office according to the DSW allocation is the Studierendenwerk Marburg.
Example calculation: For five months at 400 to 600 euros per month (University of Belgrade information sheet) you pay 2,000 to 3,000 euros, and at 600 to 800 euros per month (university website) 3,000 to 4,000 euros. According to the university, the figures include insurance. Tuition fees do not apply to Erasmus+ students. Flights and the semester fee of your home university are not included. The sum is a guide, not a promise.
How to prepare before you leave
- Ask your health insurer in writing how you are insured in Serbia, and ask about form A/T 11 before you sign the Learning Agreement.
- Take out private travel health insurance with repatriation cover, because the EHIC is not listed for Serbia and a flight home is not guaranteed.
- Ask the Serbian mission how to apply for a residence permit for stays over 90 days, and whether you apply online, before departure or after entry.
- Plan to register with the police within 24 hours if you do not live in a dormitory or hotel.
- Submit the Auslands-BAföG application about six months before the start, and clarify responsibility with the Studierendenwerk Marburg.
- Ask the International Office about the Erasmus+ grant amount and any charges for small fees.
- Check the situation near the Kosovo border before departure, because the Foreign Office points to tensions there.
Frequently asked questions
Does my European Health Insurance Card work in Serbia?
The European Commission does not list Serbia for the card. The Federal Foreign Office mentions the card for free treatment in state hospitals. Clarify the scope with your health insurer before departure.
Do I need a visa for Serbia?
For stays of up to 90 days within 180 days the Federal Foreign Office names no visa. For stays over 90 days you need a residence permit, which you apply for online, at the mission or after entry.
Do I have to pay tuition fees in Serbia?
As an Erasmus+ student you are exempt from fees for studies, enrolment and examinations. Small charges may apply.
What are the living costs in Belgrade?
The University of Belgrade lists 400 to 600 euros in its information for exchange students and 600 to 800 euros on its website. Both figures are undated.
Do I have to take out insurance with the University of Belgrade?
Yes. According to the University of Belgrade, health insurance is mandatory for foreign students and costs 66 euros per month.
Who is responsible for Auslands-BAföG in Serbia?
According to the DSW allocation, the Studierendenwerk Marburg is responsible. The prior-year rule applies because Serbia is not part of the EU or Switzerland.
Sources
- Federal Foreign Office, Serbia: travel and security information (page status 25.10.2026, German)
- European Commission, FAQ social security: European Health Insurance Card (no date)
- German Liaison Agency for Health Insurance Abroad (DVKA), scope for Serbia (last update 08.04.2025, German)
- European Commission, Erasmus+ programme guide: eligible countries (no date)
- European Commission, Erasmus+: studying abroad (last update 18.12.2025)
- University of Belgrade, Study in Belgrade: cost of living (no date)
- University of Belgrade, information for foreign students: visa, travel, accommodation (no date)
- German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW), flyer Auslands-BAföG (as of January 2026, German)
Sources accessed on 25 October 2026, unless stated otherwise.
Related articles
- Study Abroad in Turkey: Insurance, Visa, Costs
- Study Abroad in Switzerland: Health Insurance, Visa, Costs
- Study Abroad in Norway: Health Insurance, Visa, Costs
Status: October 2026. This guide provides general information and does not replace individual advice.
