General Information

The negotiating framework with Serbia was adopted by the European Council on 17/12/2013. It has since facilitated the increase in trade between Europe and Serbia. The latter benefits, in particular, from European financing or multilateral financing in the transport, infrastructure, water and environment sectors.

In addition to practical advantages (electricity costs among the lowest in Europe, a qualified, competitively-priced workforce, free trade with Russia, different state subsidies, etc.), the taxation system is highly attractive to businesses (corporate rate of 15%). There are no longer any restrictions on the regulation of currency exchange and dividends can be repatriated without limit.

Some economic activities are still regulated and subject to a concession, authorisation or registration in a register. It is therefore recommended to seek information from the Serbian Agency for Information and Foreign Investment: https://ras.gov.rs/en/invest-in-serbia

Means of Payment & Banking Specificities

Transactions in Serbia are still often processed by advance payment. Cash payment by SWIFT transfer before shipment is therefore recommended. The confirmation of credit notes issued by Serbian banks is studied on a case by case basis depending on the counterparty and the duration of the documentary credit.