Money in Serbia: Dinar, ATMs, Cards & Tipping

The Serbian dinar (RSD)

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.

Where to exchange money in Serbia

Three main options, in order of typical value:

Exchange offices (menjačnica)

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.

ATMs (bankomat)

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

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.

Avoid: airport exchange and hotel desks

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.

Cards and digital payments

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.

Using ATMs without losing money

ATM rules to keep your costs low in Serbia:

• Always choose "without conversion" when the ATM asks. Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) lets the ATM convert to your home currency at a poor rate — your own bank's rate is almost always better.
• Use bank-branded ATMs (Banca Intesa, Erste, Komercijalna, Raiffeisen, OTP). Avoid Euronet machines, which have very high fees and aggressive DCC prompts.
• Withdraw larger amounts to amortise the fixed ATM fee. The maximum single withdrawal is usually 20,000-30,000 RSD (170-260 EUR).
• Notify your bank before travelling. Some non-European banks block Serbia transactions by default.
• Use a fee-free travel card like Wise, Revolut, or N26 to minimise foreign-transaction costs.

Daily cash budget by traveller type

Serbia is one of the cheapest destinations in Europe. Rough daily budgets (food, transport, modest sightseeing, excluding accommodation):

See our full Serbia travel costs guide for accommodation and category-by-category breakdowns.

Tipping in Serbia

Tipping is appreciated but not the strict obligation it is in the United States. Common practice:

• Restaurants: 10 percent is standard for good service. Many casual kafane have no tip expectation; round up or leave a small note. Service charges are not usually included; check the bill.
• Cafes and bars: Round up to the next 50 or 100 RSD for the barista or bartender.
• Taxis: Round up to the nearest 100 RSD, or 10 percent on longer rides.
• Hotels: 100-200 RSD per bag for porters, 200-500 RSD for housekeeping at the end of a multi-night stay.
• Guides and drivers: 10-15 percent for full-day private tours.

Tips should be paid in cash where possible; tipping on a card payment often does not reach the staff member.

Common money scams to avoid

Serbia is not a high-scam destination, but a few patterns are worth knowing:

• DCC on cards and ATMs: Always choose the local currency (RSD), not your home currency.
• Taxi overcharging: Unmetered fares at Belgrade Airport are a long-standing problem. Use the official taxi voucher at the airport stand, or book CarGo, Yandex Go, or Pink Taxi on the app.
• Bill padding in tourist restaurants: Check itemised receipts in tourist-heavy parts of Skadarlija; mistakes are sometimes "favourable" to the restaurant.
• Fake exchange offices in Belgrade Old Town: Rare but exist. Stick to offices with clear posted rates and a visible Tax-Free or NBS license number.