SERBIAN PASSPORT: VISA FREE DESTINATIONS (INCLUDING VISA-ON-ARRIVAL + ETA DESTINATIONS) 2025

Looking to obtain a powerful alternative passport by investment in 2025?

While Serbia is not a member of the EU yet (going into 2025, it’s still a candidate country), a Serbian passport does offer visa-free travel access to 138 countries around the world – including Russia, Turkey, Brazil, South Korea, Japan and Europe’s Schengen Area.

If Serbia were to join the EU, Serbian passport holders would gain even greater travel benefits and access to live and work freely within EU member states. (That is yet to happen, though.)

In addition, the country recognizes dual citizenship, making its passport an excellent option for those seeking a second, “uncorrelated’ citizenship.

And whilst the country doesn’t have a formal Citizenship By Investment program, its Citizenship By Exception protocol can open the doors to Serbian citizenship on the basis of a donation to the government…

The following three passport ranking indices can give you a better sense of the Serbian passport’s power, relative to those of other countries.

Serbia issues three types of passports:

  • Ordinary Serbian Passports: Issued to Serbian citizens and used for general international travel.
  • Official Serbian Passports: Issued to certain government employees and their families, offering additional visa-free access to some countries.
  • Diplomatic Serbian Passports: Generally issued to Serbian diplomatic staff members.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of getting a Serbian CBI passport below…

Serbian Citizenship By Exception Program 2025

THE SERBIAN PASSPORT AT A GLANCE

Visa-Free Destinations: Access to 138 destinations  (including eTA and visa-on-arrival countries)

Biometric Passport: Yes (The Serbian passport includes a microchip containing the holder’s photograph, fingerprints, and signature. This feature enhances security and facilitates faster border control procedures.)

Machine-Readable: Yes

Passport Strength: Top 40 Global Ranking

EU Candidate Country: Yes

Dual Citizenship Recognized: Yes

Document Validity: 10 Years (Adults); 5 Years (Age 3-14 Years); 3 Years (Age 0-3 Years)

PROS AND CONS OF THE SERBIAN PASSPORT (2025)

Why choose the Serbian passport as part of your Plan B portfolio?

SERBIAN PASSPORT PROS

  • Visa-Free Travel: Serbian passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 138 countries, including many in Europe, Asia, South America, and parts of Africa.
  • Regional Mobility: In addition, Serbian passport holders enjoy freedom of movement within the Balkans: Serbian citizens can travel freely with just their national ID card to several neighbouring countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.
  • Low Cost of Living: For those working and earning remotely, living in Belgrade is a compelling proposition: According to Numbeo.com, the cost of living here, inclusive of rent, is 220% cheaper than in New York, and 58% lower than in London.
  • Quality of Life: Offering a unique blend of cultural richness, affordability, vibrant social life, and opportunities for growth, Belgrade, the country’ capital, is often referred to as the “Berlin of the Balkans”. Serbian passport holders who reside in the country can also access affordable healthcare, education, and other public services.
  • Warm and Hospitable People: Serbians are known for their warmth and hospitality, often going out of their way to welcome newcomers and make them feel at home.
  • Great Food and Culinary Scene: Serbia offers a rich and diverse culinary scene, with a mix of traditional Balkan dishes, Mediterranean influences, and modern international cuisine. Residents have access to a wide range of fresh, delicious, and affordable food, both in restaurants and local markets.
  • Growing Expat and Digital Nomad Community: Belgrade, in particular, is becoming a popular destination for digital nomads, freelancers, and expatriates due to its affordable cost of living, good internet connectivity, and dynamic social scene.

SERBIAN PASSPORT CONS

  • Limited Visa-Free Access to Key Destinations: Serbian citizens need a visa to enter several major countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
  • Uncertain EU Membership Timeline: Although Serbia is an EU candidate, the timeline for accession is uncertain and could be delayed by various political, economic, or social factors.
  • Economic Challenges: Serbia faces certain domestic economic challenges, such as lower average salaries, higher unemployment rates compared to Western Europe, and some economic instability.
  • Political and Bureaucratic Issues: Serbia has a history of political instability, corruption, and bureaucratic inefficiencies, which can impact daily life, business operations, and access to public services.
  • Limited Global Mobility Compared to Stronger Passports: Although the Serbian passport offers access to many countries including the Schengen Countries, it ranks lower in global mobility compared to passports from EU countries, the U.S., Canada, etc. It does, however, score higher than the Turkish passport, given that it already affords the bearer visa-free access to the Schengen Zone for 90 out of every 180 days.
  • Relatively Lower International Recognition: The Serbian passport and citizenship may not have the same level of global recognition as those from more developed countries.
  • Infrastructural Limitations: While Serbia offers a decent quality of life, some aspects like public infrastructure and road quality may not always be on par with Western standards. This could affect daily comfort and convenience, especially for those used to higher standards of infrastructure and services.

A Detailed Look At The Serbian Passport’s Visa Free Travel Benefits…

VISA-FREE COUNTRIES

Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Austria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Eswatini, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French West Indies, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,  Macao, Malta, Mayotte. Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Caledonia, North Macedonia, Norway, Palestinian Territories, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Reunion, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St. Maarten, St. Pierre and Miquelon, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Wallis and Futuna and Zambia.

VISA-REQUIRED COUNTRIES

Afghanistan, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Canada, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, El Salvador, Eritrea, Falkland Islands, Ghana, Gibraltar, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iraq, Ireland, Kiribati, Liberia, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niger, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Solomon Islands,  Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Venezuela and Yemen.

VISA-ON-ARRIVAL COUNTRIES

Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niue, Oman, Palau, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, and Zimbabwe.

E-VISA COUNTRIES

Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast),  Equatorial Guinea,  Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, India, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Montserrat, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, St. Helena, Syria, Togo, Uganda and Vietnam.

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