Serbia is not in the eurozone. The local currency is the Serbian dinar (RSD), and almost all shops, restaurants, taxis, and bus tickets must be paid in dinars by law. You can comfortably travel in Serbia using a mix of an international debit card for ATM withdrawals and a credit card for hotels and larger restaurants.
The exchange rate is roughly 1 EUR = 117 RSD (relatively stable, soft peg). The Serbian dinar is rarely available outside Serbia, so you should plan to get most of your cash from local ATMs or exchange offices after arrival. The airport exchange has the worst rates; wait until you are in the city.
Last checked: 2026-05-28. For corrections, contact us.
Short answer: Serbia uses the Serbian dinar (RSD), not the euro. Pay by card in cities, but carry some cash for small towns, markets, taxis and rural areas. Exchange money at banks or licensed exchange offices rather than on the street.
The Serbian dinar (RSD, sometimes written as DIN) is issued by the National Bank of Serbia (NBS). Banknotes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 RSD. Coins exist for 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 RSD but are rare in daily use.
The dinar has been remarkably stable against the euro for over a decade, held within a narrow corridor by the National Bank's managed float. As of 2026, the rate hovers around 117 RSD per EUR and 108 RSD per USD. For quick mental conversion, divide RSD prices by 117 for euros, or by roughly 100 for an approximate dollar figure.
Three main options, in order of typical value:
The best rates and lowest fees. Independent exchange offices (look for the "menjačnica" sign) are everywhere in central Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš. Compare rates posted on the board outside — they are required to display buy and sell rates. There is no commission on top of the posted rate. Bring euros, US dollars, Swiss francs, or British pounds; less common currencies (CAD, AUD, JPY) may require larger offices.
Reliable, available 24/7, and accept Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro cards from any country. Banca Intesa, Erste Bank, Komercijalna Banka, and Raiffeisen Bank ATMs are widespread. Most charge a small ATM fee (around 200-400 RSD) and use the official exchange rate. Avoid stand-alone Euronet ATMs in tourist areas — they offer dynamic currency conversion at poor rates.
Banks (Mon-Fri, 08:00-17:00) will exchange cash but typically at slightly worse rates than independent menjačnica offices. Useful for large amounts or unusual currencies.
Belgrade Airport exchange rates are 8-12 percent worse than the city centre. Exchange only what you need for the first day; do the rest in town.
Card acceptance has expanded rapidly in Serbia. In Belgrade, Novi Sad, and tourist towns, almost all hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, taxis (when booked through CarGo or Yandex Go), and larger shops accept Visa and Mastercard contactless payments. Maestro is widely accepted; American Express less so.
Outside cities, in small villages, family restaurants (kafane), and traditional markets (pijaca), cash remains the norm. Bus tickets at minor stations and rural taxi rides often require cash. Always carry enough dinars for at least one day.
Apple Pay and Google Pay work on most Serbian card terminals. Several local payment apps (IPS QR codes on receipts) are common but mainly for residents; tourists can ignore them.
ATM rules to keep your costs low in Serbia:
Serbia is one of the cheapest destinations in Europe. Rough daily budgets (food, transport, modest sightseeing, excluding accommodation):
| Traveller | Daily budget (EUR) | Daily budget (RSD) |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 15-25 EUR | 1,800-3,000 RSD |
| Mid-range tourist | 35-60 EUR | 4,100-7,000 RSD |
| Comfort traveller | 80-150 EUR | 9,400-17,500 RSD |
See our full Serbia travel costs guide for accommodation and category-by-category breakdowns.
Tipping is appreciated but not the strict obligation it is in the United States. Common practice:
Tips should be paid in cash where possible; tipping on a card payment often does not reach the staff member.
Serbia is not a high-scam destination, but a few patterns are worth knowing:
Tell us your dates and interests. We will suggest a practical route that accounts for transport, timing, and the experiences you care about.
We help you build a practical itinerary tailored to your dates, interests, and pace.
Official and trusted sources for Serbian money matters:
Last checked: 2026-05-28.
Sources used and cross-checked for this guide:
Reviewed and fact-checked by the editorial team led by Patrick, using the official sources listed above.
Stay connected in Serbia
