Cost of Living in Belgrade

Keep in mind that Serbian Bureau of Statistics lies about average salaries, so the people dont revolt and the main party stays in power. The real situation is that average salary is around 350 euros, and the prices of everything is the same as in west Europe. Exept real estate and cigarettes.

As Americans we visited Belgrade Nis and Novi Sad on extended vacations over the years.We found Serbia overall to be calm and friendly. My wife and I retired in Novi Sad August 2007.We fully intended to purchase an apartment and we did successfully. Although this isn't a hate-filled message we wanted to inform not only Americans of some factual things but other green card holders of the United States.But on a different note it truly doesn't matter whom is the president of the United States it has never been to any united states citizens advantage whether being a naturalized citizen or temporarily working in the United States. We haven't returned to the United States since we moved to Serbia in August 2007 and we never will again. To Americans wanting to move abroad permanently here is factual current advice all Americans should know including green card holders from any country that's entered the United States.

1.Renouncing United States citizenship can only be done at a U S embassy or consulate abroad. The former cost was $450 usd years ago but currently it costs $2,350 usd.

2.There's 5 lengthy interviews at the U S embassy or U S consultant abroad. They ask why would any American citizen want to renounce their citizenship amoung many other ridiculous questions.Not only do they ask questions but the U S government has a psychologist attend to ask questions too.They ask why wouldn't any American want to live in the United States? Stupid questions like that.

3.It normally takes 4 months to renounce U S citizenship.Once it's done former U S citizens need a U S visa to enter the U S again. Its irreversible once renounce happens.

4.Before any U S citizen renounced the IRS does a lengthy search into any possible back taxes owed to the U S government which wasn't any problem for us because we didn't owe any.

5.Very important information here please pay attention if interested!!!
Every U S citizen that's worked has paid into social security retirement pension program for the allotted time required is entitled to U S Social security retirement benefits monthly for their lifetime including benefits to their spouse upon their death.There are some countries the U S government won't send payments to but arrangements can be made to pick up a monthly check at the U S embassy in those countries. Otherwise you can get your monthly pension each month direct deposit.

6.Many countries tax U S social security retirement pensions at a rate of 10% up to 38% annually depending upon the country's tax agreements with the United States.

7.It's important to know which countries tax retirement pensions abroad. But once any U S citizen becomes a citizen of the country they chose no more taxes on their pension happens.Double taxation treaties refer to U S citizens working in other countries.But as mentioned priory many countries do tax u s retirement pensions abroad.
Colombia Peru Russia and Ukraine are just a few of those countries that tax heavily on u s retirement pensions.

8.The United States is the only place in the world that taxes U S citizens on real estate purchased, a car purchased new or used, opening a business abroad plus many other things. Taxes must not only be paid in the country of residence which is understood annually but it must be paid to the U S government annually too.
There are many perks of renouncing U S citizenship especially since taxes on our former home we sold in Oregon USA averaged $19,000 usd each year and it was a modest home nothing fancy. Our taxes on our beautiful spacious apartment in Novi Sad is a set rate of $313usd annually. In the United States our property taxes graduated annually upwards not downwards. Thanks for reading this informative post but just maybe it's helped someone understand the benefits of retirement abroad.

Happy new year

I spent one month in Serbia two weeks in Belgrade two weeks in Nis.If you're looking for a place that pretty much has it all for a much reduced standard of living without giving up convience,then Nis is that place. Ofcourse Belgrade is nice too which we enjoyed during our visit.

No worries covid19 has put the world on notice and it's the beginning of the end even though people around the world won't accept the outcome the proof is total inaliation. However people around the world desperately needed a wake up call, but remember it's just the beginning of much more to come no matter how much others cannot accept doom and gloom being a stark reality.

Belgrade is by far the richest city of all cities in former Yugoslavia, except Zagreb and Ljubljana who are much smaller cities.
So in Belgrade you have all kinds of people, rich, poore, etc. but the fact is Belgrade can offer you lots of chances you would not have in smaller exYU cities.
Belgrade has been growing at fast pace since 2000, and during the last few years the city is even faster transforming itself, faster than anytime in history. Many people lifted up themselves out of poverty.
For example you can not find a good electrician, for less than 50 euro per 2 hours, good independent car-mechanic won't come to work in your service if you don't pay him 1000-2000 euro, professional waiter won't work if you don't pay him 600 euro plus at least 600 tips, hairstylist 500euro + tips 500 euro.
Of course if you are not skilled, or independently working, but just a helper of a professional, you can not earn even a third of what I wrote.
I lived during the 90es outside of Serbia, in West Europe and USA, and I returned in 2001, with a little savings started my own business, on the market, everything was lacking at those times in Belgrade, and enterpreneurs who knew how to fulfill the gap made millions. I muself know a few self-made millionaires (from 2-3 to 40 million) who during the 90es could not afford to eat, and after selling some little estate, invested into machines, started production or import of things everyone needed.
There are many such cases, so everyone can come and visit Belgrade, and many haters will start loving it, or hate it even more, it's all up to you guys!

Belgrade is the largest city of ex-Yugoslavia and certainly has a lot to offer to everyone. People are generally very kind and helpful and I feel at home in this city whenever I come for a visit or on business.
Night life is rich and diverse and the city itself is not mentally and spiritually sterile. I always look forward to coming back, and any turist will probably feel the same way as Belgradians are easy-going people and great friends. ZG ♡ BG Lijep pozdrav! ;)

Average salary in Belgrade is 74,000 RSD / 636€ per month by the newest data.

90% of Belgrade earns around 250-300 euros a month and that is the whole truth. I dont know where do people come up with those numbers 500, 600, 700?? That's nonsense.

This is great estimate. I have two children which make us four person family. An calculation is right. I am wondering how regular people survive in Belgrade with low/average salaries and have children. Answer is probably that we leave still in big families where everybody work and contribute for youngest ones. I am working for US companies development so I can afford to have two children but still nothing fancy.

@#Anonymous on Aug 12, 2019 :
Apparently you are also doing well at killing your own children in schools and shopping malls... Congrats, keep practicing, and make the world a better place

My wife and I visited Belgrade May 2019 not as tourists but to see how many buildings we're damaged with bombs from NATO 20 years ago. We weren't impressed to see so few buildings destroyed,or to find out the small number of Serbs that died during the 78 days of NATO bombing.You never send boys to do a man's job.Be happy that NATO pilots were flying those U S bombers and not real U S pilots, otherwise Belgrade would've been leveled and no Serbs left.As we were looking at some damaged buildings a Serbian man told my husband NATO most vicious military on earth my husband laughed and said give the U S military a reason and we'll show Serbia what vicious really looks like afterall the U S military does one thing very well anialating countries and people, best in the world, practice makes perfect.

Also, 67,864 RSD is netto (after tax). Many European countries and US calculate average salary in brutto (before tax). Average Belgrade salary before tax is 941 eur, which is 110,906 RSD. But as you can see, government taxes are high so basically person who earns 576eur after tax, pays about 365 in taxes (original salary would be 941eur)

IT sector brings the average salary up in Belgrade, I'm netting (after taxes) around 140K, and I'm not even a senior yet...

I visited Belgrade Novi Sad and Nis on a one month vacation in April.The weather was nice not very expensive either.

Things may improve but it's doubtful especially since many from small towns left Belgrade for economic reasons.If monthly saleries would increase to RSD 65k throughout Serbia the economy would turn around quickly on a positive note.It'll take time if that happens but it won't happen soon.

I've read so many comments on Numbeo and the majority of them are negative as to salaries and different opinions according to how life is.Theres no such thing as the perfect salary, never will be.Numbeo is a format asking others to be truthful about current costs of living, and that's something everyone should appreciate because honest input is essentially needed,atleast that's how I feel it should be.Instead of contributors just putting numbers out there try to make them accurate because it helps everyone.Numbeo is about cost of living not life experiences, remember that too. Thank you

# Anton Grosic Yes there's alot of trolls here, maybe you're one too maybe not.It remains to be seen the level of low pay which is a reality for the majority of Serbs.Eastern Europe is spinning out of control just as Western Europe with low wages.There's nothing to look forward to even the youth simply because the government is moving backwards not forwards.Painting a Rosey picture as you've done is easy but when Serbs look at their wages the cost of living doesn't match the wages people receive.My brother is a mechanical engineer,his pay very low.Hes been trying to get a work visa for the U S for almost two years now.He's highly qualified,a professional.The U S keeps on rejecting his applications for a visa.My brothers friends say the same.Europe and the European Union should've treated the U S better over the years but they didn't.The U S has walked away from all of Europe and honestly I don't blame them.

Numbeo gives the net monthly salary after taxes.510eur 600eur to 700eur in New Belgrade net per month? Sorry to burst your bubble# Nicole but I have a professional position in New Belgrade,a doctor of 16 years,a specialist.My brother lives in Western Europe, salaries there aren't calculated before taxes.I don't know which official statistics you're speaking about other than your own.The information you provided isn't correct by any means.Let Numbeo calculate salaries and listen to people that actually live in Belgrade instead of giving false salaries and other information as you've done.My net pay after taxes averages between 480 to 550 each month tops.I know general workers that make half of that each month net.How do I know that? Because their patients of mine and I extend them credit after looking at their monthly salary from their employers.

Hey Gory just asking me if I'm from Albania or Kosovo says you're just like all of the other losers in Serbia.Take your narrow minded tiny little dick down your rat hole because that's all your needle dick could ever satisfy,a rat. Abigail

@Anonimus - Man, you are a total idiot and I am sure you know that. My name is Goran, not short for anything. What is your name and where are you from? Albania, Kosovo???
But, even if you go to Serbia from time to time, which I doubt, why you do that if you hate it so much? It is obvious that you are a CNN type of idiot since your comments are completely removed from reality. For you, and those like you, Serbia is land of good , kind people. Inform yourself before you start embarrassing yourself even though you are not using your real name. So, go back to your rat hole where you belong!

@Anonymous -
There are so many 'Anonymous' comments here so it is hard to answer some of them. But, one of these 'Anonymous' (comment dated February 28th) is obviously very miserable and unhappy with being in Serbia. Why don't you leave and go some place where you will be happy. Besides, your nonsense comments about US and Russia in relations to events is Serbia are so ridiculous. US has inflicted damage to Serbia worth billions of $$ and now they are 'helping' for free??
He said - 'Serbia is nothing more than a shithole, literally, just as their people are, let Serbia rot no other countries care'.
I wonder if even a mother could love an idiot of this magnitude? My condolences to your mother, wherever she is.

As somebody said a graduated IT junior worker will agreed to work in IT outsourcing web developing jobs here even for 200 euro a month for 150 working hours which is about only 1.3 euro an hour starting hourly rate if you give him/her a proper accomodation-a room with all facilities and free food.

Renting a house in suburbs of Belgrade area is an excellent idea for foreign entrepreneurs coz you can put 2 people on site in 2 separate rooms and an additional 3rd room is an official office.That way people here do not travel to work and they work to the maximum coz they have everything free of charge(accommodation+food) and a salary.90% of IT professionals and in my own opionon highly skilled IT professionals in Belgrade are coming from undeveloped small cities outside Belgrade from undeveloped areas in country and they are agreed to work for 200-250 euro any IT outsourcing task with accommodation/food provided.

Accommodation in suburbs is about 50 euro per person per room in 3-4 bedroom house and the food is about 100 euro from cheap online food distributors they bring the food at your doors without any additional cost per worker to fill up their freezer so they can cook and take as much as they want.The pain is you have to deal with Serbian language.Almost 95% of online services are in Serbian and Google translate option doesn't help a lot since you will get wrong translation due to high complexity of Serbian/Slavic language.

So in all 250 euro is a cost to rent for a large 3 bedroom house in suburs+200 euro per IT worker+200 euro per additional IT worker with free room and food provided+100 euro per person for food,that's all about 850 euro a month for a large fully furnished house,2 workers on site per month all expenses.Setting up your business in centre of city is 300% more expensive anywherea between 1500-2000 euro.

Those 2 IT workers can make about anything between 2-5 thousands euro in outsourced IT projects to rich EU and USA countries with foreign IT manager/local company(DOO)owner who is native english/german/french/scandinavian speaker.

Public transport in Belgrade sucks unfortunatelly.In order to manage Belgrade public transport you need a local people to assist you,the service and quality of buses and trams are out of any comments.

Usual salary in private sector is 170-250 euro a month.In public sector much higher about 400 euro but that's for vip people reserved.Shops,bars,shopping malls,social activities are great.Many Serbian people from smaller places invest their savings in Belgrade's tourism industry and activities for EU tourists.It is a city to relax and to forget all your worries but you must find some relieble and honest people before you come.

A city has many fake real estate agents and fake tourist guider.Be aware of unregistered airport's taxi drivers.

Do not enter into any taxi on Belgrade's airport.

Get a bus no 72/A1 which are passing each 10 minutes.

The bus 72/A1 ticket is less than a euro/80 eurocents.

If you get a fake taxi from airport they will charge you 100 or 150 euro for 20 km half an hour drive from airport to the centre ,once you arrive in centre of city.One of the most bad experience with tourists in Belgrade are unregistered and fake taxi drivers on Belgrade's airport.Be aware of them and do not trust them any word they say to you.

Be aware of many scammers although majority of people if very honest and they will assist you free of charge.The best rule to have a good time in Belgrade is to first find local honest people from FB or similiar social network to wait for you on airport then to come.

A friend of mine is renting a fully furnished house in Zeleznik area which is about 17 km from centre of Belgrade for 170 euro a month,3 bedrooms 85 m2-900 square feet total space,large kitchen,balcony and a guard dog in yard with frequent bus lines you're in less than 20 minutes in the centre of city.Each room is fully furnished with central heating and he has plenty of trees,greens and fresh air around.Utility bills are about 50 euro a month in summer time increasing up to 80 euro in winter snowy time for all house not per room,but not more than that.In all for =250 two hundred fifty euro for a fully furnished house 85m2/900sqf with all utility bills included in winter time/220 euro in a summer.There are 4 persons there staying and paying each 60 euro per person for 30 days in month of staying,that's 2 euro a day with all bills included.
Finding houses in suburbs of Belgrade is much easier and 2-3 times cheaper than in centre of city.One of them is from England and he says nobody had asked him anything about permision of stay or similiar papers unlike renting a house in England or Netherlands or Germany.He just gave the money to the landlord/owner and he got a house key after 15 minutes of inspection of house.No hassles no deposits no stupit bureaucracy like in EU.He works there as a native english teacher part time 3-4 hours a day and he makes about 50-60 euro a day after one on one english clasess to the local low age young students from rich Belgredian families who are lookgin especially for native English teacher,billed on hourly basis about 12-15 euro per 2 persons by table.His wife is about to come soon.He says he enjoyed in Belgrade for last couple of months like never in his life in boring England.After giving english classed he spends his 50 euro a day salary in Belgrade pubs and sightseeing all day.No taxes on that income.Nothing.

I know a lady from UK she came in Belgrade 6 years ago,she is renting a 3 bedroom apartmant in a Belgrade suburb area for 150 euro,in 1 bedroom is a IT professional for sleeping/living and other 2 rooms are redo into office space.

In one of the room a young freshly graduated IT professional aged 22 years is working on IT outsourcing project for UK clients that mentioned English lady is supplying from UK.

The guy gets about 260 euro monthly salary for extensive website admin works 150 hours a work and UK's lady/firm owner is making about 5K euro a month from just that one single guy in IT outsourcing services in Belgrade with free room to stay and free food as well along with 260 euro a month salary.

I do talk just a primer how easily is to make a money in Belgrade and to live pleasantly if you know to deal with EU/USA companies as a foreigner.A UK's lady came in Belgrade 6 years ago as a tourist,but she made a lot o local networks and friendships and she started IT outsourcing business with just 500 euro/400 GBP.She say in UK/England you can just survive with that money for a week or two without any worker.In Belgrade she has a large 3 bedroom house/office and an IT worker.

Prices for renting in Belgrade do vary a lot.Local people can easily find a 30 square meters furnished apartmant in a suburbs area about 15-20 km from center of the city for just 100 euro without bills.The cheapest way to rent anything in Belgrade is a room or house in suburbs,you just pay rent 100-120 euro and the bills are small indeed about 30-40 euro for electricity,water and internet/wi-fi.

Centre of city is horribly expensive for rent and is almost reserved for tourists.The prices shown in list abour rents are a bit high.The more you go from center of the city the cheaper sometimes 2-3 times than numbers shown.

Hostle industry is booming.I had a friend in centre of Belgrade she is the owner of several hostels.If you rent an apparmtent for your self alone it can goes up to 30-35 euro a day.If you rent a bed you can find in for 5 euro a day.

She rents a bed for 5 euro a night.Belgrade is quite cheap if you know local people to assist you.Stay away from wild unregistered taxi drivers from local airport at any price.

Never jump into any taxi from airport a usually fee will be about 100 euro although official price is just 15-20 euro.Use bus no.72 or A1 the difference is about 10-15 minutes and it cost just 89 dinars/0.8 euro bus ticket for 20 km long way from airport to the centre.

All these prices shown are for people who come straight away.Knowing local people will help you a lot.I personaly live with 200-250 euro a month in Belgrade single.120 euro for a fully furnished 35 m2 in a suburb with all bills included,dialy expenses for food are about 2-3 euro per person if you are not food lover and if you do not eat like a pig.

Belgrade is one the cheapest capital in Europe but you must be carefuly do not trust anybody 100%.Tourism is huge here and many people from small cities in Serbia are coming to Belgrade to work in tourism industry.

Public transport is a pain one of the worst in Europe rent a car of find a a local driver.Anything else is ok.Good bars,shops,people,very cheap 1st class medical and dental services,I know many people from USA and Western Europe coming here for surgery and dental services,they say it is up to 90% cheaper than in their countries.

Just to complete information, you didn't add median monthly salary on the list. The median net monthly salary in Serbia is 38,500 that means more than 50% earn less.

Hello, I will move to Beograd in end of August and I am looking for a furnished appartment to rent by month. Could someone help me? with any information? rent site etc?
Thank you

Well only 10 percent of 7 million inhabitants in Serbia live good as mentioned below. You cannot take as reliable information a surgeon salary because how many of us are a surgeon?? Just take compare of avg. salary and you already see that its struggling! Avg salary as mentioned above is 46,000 and estimate for one person to live without rent is 52,000! That means each month without rent you need to earn extra money just to survive!

Belgrade is very very expensive city compared to Serbian salaries. With average monthly salary of 46,000 you pay rent in suburb that is 22,000 and you are left with 24,000. The bills are at least 15,000 and you are left with 9,000. That's enough for one person for food max. for 10-15 days what about other quarter of month???

Shame for government, in Chicago,IL with average salary you can make a rent, pay bills, buy food and even save money!

I'm living in Belgrade for 15 years, and I'll share with you net salaries after tax for some fields (these are average of course some get more or less because maybe they are better/worser in that field or they work more/less time so it's just avg amount per month for that field.)

Retail/Supermarket workers - 220$-300$
Teachers in public schools - 400$-490$
Bank tellers - 350$
Pharmacy workers - 350$-600$
Bank Branch Managers - 900$-1000$
Post Office worker - 400$-450$
Aircraft Mechanic - 700$-800$
Starter IT workers - 500$
Average IT worker salary - 1000$
Managers in top corporations - 750-1200$
Managers in international(European,American) companies - 1000-1500$

This is not 100% true because everything can vary on situation but this is average.

Making comment because I'm seeing a lot of scams targeted towards foreigners.

Any one bedroom apt in Belgrade over 250eur is a SCAM, they're targeting foreigners that don't know enough Serbian to get the "real" rental prices - usually 200eur+bills in center but cheaper everywhere else

Groups like "Belgrade Foreign Visitor Club" on FB are where a lot of these scam artists congregate.

The average serb can not afford a 300eur one bedroom apt plus bills reasonably. Use your head when looking to rent

*prices might be higher for short rentals, but 6 month and over they're solid

Hello, question, is education and healthcare free? What is the second nicest city after Belgrade? how expensive is a motorcycle and car insurance, thank you!

#Hop

Dear, prices of descend apartments are expensive! But in Serbia people can't afford those so they end up living in some old "grandma's furniture" aprartments. No one that I know looked for an apartment on cityexpert.com
I've lived in one room with my husband for three years, working all day 6 days per week, and still didn't have enough money for food after paying rent and utilities (300e). Not to mention travel or restorants - nothing.
Is life suppose to be like that?

We left Serbia two months ago and found descend jobs with our MA university education.

Living in Serbia is impossible.
If you are in your twenties no one wants to hire you because of the lack of experience or politics, and you will never be able to afford your own apartment or car...
Young people are very bad threated in Belgrade who has mostly old population.
Serbia is the third world dieing country.

Lived in Belgrade for my entire adult life, currently I am 29 years old. The cheapest way to live is to share a small apartment with a roomate outside the city center(I mean really outside) wich will cost you arround 100e a month with utilities. Buy food at a big supermarket, cook at home and never go out. You need at least 500e/month for a decent life.

Belgrade one room apartment costs 200eur+100eur utilities= ~300eur
For food you need at least 5eur/day= 150e monthly. Let's take into account monthly bus pass ~50eur. That's about 500eur circa. For apartment, some modest food and transportation. The average person here makes 200eur per month. Basically Serbia is surviving due to its large diaspora $$ donations. Population is dropping rapidly cause most of the young people are leaving for the West.

Hello everyone? i am planning to move to Belgrade in the summer. Single guy, no dependents. Are there any other online resources besides cityexpert.rs to find apartments? Thanks in advance.

Theo you will live like a god with 300 000 dinars. Most 4 person families live with 70 000 dinars so you have 5x more.

Hello guys! I have a question! 300.000 dinars to live in Belgrade, with my wife and my 2 kids, is it a good salary?

I'm not a consumist person, I love cook and I don't like expensives clothes.

Is it possible have a good life in Belgrade and to enjoy some trips in Europe?

Thank you!!

I am foreigner livng in Belgrade and I love it, there is lot coworking spaces, great food, generous people, just these aparment prices are not right. Apartments are much more expensive, don't know why they are leaving incorrect prices, just type https://cityexpert.rs/en and search the apartments and prices by yourself.

well, welcome to Balkans mr.Dane. Some people are actually fed up with steryle clean and boringly empty northern cities and they come to the south to breath a fresh air of exotic mix of euro-orient. I find Belgrade fine, it is cheap, with good food and friendly people. People are very cosmopolitan and educated and love to have good time.

@yousuf - depends on company, from 700/800e up to 1.5k.

guys, so much fake info here that I must comment. If you are a student or very modest person okay but if you want western more or less relaxed life and of course to save a bit a side for vacation or tickets back to home from time to time you will need 2000 eur a month for family of 2 adults and 2 small children and modest car without rent like myself. Bus transport is not ao good but better than before. Most suburbs area are bad bad with bad infra, it is oposite of west, if you have money you live downtown not outside since downtown has better infra. yes you need car if you are busy person that goes around alot. I assume you are not living to eat so for full package of 1 person that wants all western amaneties and plane ticket here and there you need 1000 eur with flat and you wont be living like king, that is perception of student. wardrobe is expensive and selection is bad. dinning out is cheap. technics and mobiles are expensive.

Stay

Hello ; Any idea about the expected salary for Engineers with Master Degree ( MSc) in Belgrade ? Any idea of part time wages for the same