VISA REGIME
| For holders of diplomatic and official passports: | Visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days during a six-month period |
| For holders of national passports and other travel documents: | Visa not required for stays of up to 90 days in a period of six months * |
| Note: | Holders of an emergency travel document in transit require a visa, unless they leave the international transit area of the airport at which they landed (Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg). |
ENTERING AND LEAVING THE COUNTRY
To enter Germany, citizens of the Republic of Serbia must possess a biometric travel document, valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from Germany.
Visa is not required for holders of biometric passports for stays in Germany up to 90 days within a period of 180 days, if the purpose of the trip is tourism, business trip, visit or some other reason that does not relate to certain activities which require having a permit: language course, work, student exchange, continuing education, etc. For stays exceeding 90 days or for performing certain activities it is necessary to obtain the German National Visa - "D visa". Residence Act contains regulations governing travel and residence in Germany, providing for the following grounds for obtaining residence permit: education, employment, family reunification, special right to re-entry, etc.
Citizens of the Republic of Serbia who come to Germany to work or study must immediately report their place and address of residence to the competent service (Einwohnermeldeamt) and show their visa to the Foreigners Authority (Ausländermat), where it will be changed to a residence permit for work or schooling.
SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT
The following agreements have been concluded with Germany in the field of social security:
- Social Security Convention of 12 October 1968 and the Agreement on the Implementation of the Agreement of 12 May 2011, in effect as of 1 April 2012,
- Protocol between liaison bodies,
- Protocol between the liaison bodies of the Republic of Serbia and Republic of Germany concerning mandatory insurance for work injuries and occupational diseases.
Citizens of the Republic of Serbia who are covered by the National Health Insurance Fund of Serbia may be, under certain conditions, sent abroad for treatment. Insured citizens temporarily staying abroad are entitled to emergency medical care. Prior to departure, the citizens of the Republic of Serbia should contact the liaison body of the Republic of Serbia – the National Health Insurance Fund, to get information on the manner of implementation of procedures and how to exercise the right to emergency medical care abroad.
The German liaison body is Deutsche Verbindungsstelle Krankenversicherung Ausland, based in Bonn.
USEFUL INFORMATION
HEALTH SITUATION — Health care in Germany is at a very high level, and medical facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Patients receive adequate medical services. Emergency telephone number is 112 or 116117 (in urgent but not life-threating situations).
Before going to Germany, it is recommended to obtain adequate travel medical insurance, as the prices of health services are extremely high.
SECURITY SITUATION — After the terrorist attacks in 2016 and 2017, Germany was placed among countries with increased level of security risk from terrorist attacks.
Security measures are applied on daily basis and increased during large gatherings. There is increased presence of police forces during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. It is recommended to stay vigilant and take precaution when attending large gatherings, open-air concerts, etc.
The crime rate in Germany is higher in city areas. It is recommended to park the car in a garage or a guarded parking lot due to the risk of burglary.
It is not advisable to leave documents, valuables or luggage in a parked car. Wallet and document theft is very common in Germany on streets, in restaurants, shops and public transportation. It is recommended to avoid walking at night in unknown and remote parts of big cities, especially in areas with legal street prostitution.
Emergency telephone number is 112.
TRANSPORT —Germany has well-developed road, rail, air and water transport. The use of roads throughout Germany is not subject to toll payment. In central city areas of Berlin, Hanover and Cologne, traffic is prohibited for all vehicles (including vehicles with foreign license plates) without an emissions sticker. An emissions sticker is available at the nearest vehicle inspection agency (TÜV, Dekra, etc.) after crossing the German border. More information is available at www.umwelt-plakette.de
Information on no-drive zones for cars with certain diesel and petrol engines is available at: https://www.adac.de/verkehr/abgas-diesel-fahrverbote/fahrverbote/dieselfahrverbot-faq/
Operating a motor vehicle in Germany requires the possession of a national driver's license and an International driving permit, or official translation by the authorised body of the Republic Serbia or AMSS. A Joint Statement on the procedures for the replacement of driver's licenses was signed with Germany, allowing the citizens of the Republic of Serbia, who have regulated stay in Germany for at least 185 days, to exchange their Serbian driver's license for a German driver's license, without the obligation to take a driving test. It is recommended to start the procedure of changing the driver's license before the expiration of 6 months from the date of registration of residence in Germany.
When entering Germany, an oval sticker with the international vehicle registration code for Serbia must be visible on the back of the vehicle near the license plate. Mandatory vehicle equipment in Germany includes warning triangle, first aid kit and reflective safety vest. If the person operating the vehicle is not listed in vehicle documents as the owner, he/she must have an international authorisation (permission to operate someone else's vehicle abroad). There is no speed limit on highways, but the speed of 130 km / h is recommended. In case of traffic accident, it is necessary to call the police (telephone number 110 or 112). The police prepare the accident report which is necessary for making a claim with the insurance company.
Information to drivers and tourists, as well as assistance in the event of vehicle breakdown are provided by the German motoring associations ADAC (tel. 089 2020 4000, website: www.adac.de) and AvD (tel. 0800 990 990 9, website: www. avd.de)
OTHER INFORMATION — When entering or leaving the Federal Republic of Germany, citizens of the Republic of Serbia must declare money (cash or securities) in the amount of 10,000 euros or above. Avoiding this or concealment carries a fine of 1 million euros.
The import of certain types of weapons, ammunition and knives is completely prohibited. The import of weapons and ammunition for participation in sports competitions is only possible with the prior permission from the competent German authority (Bundesverwaltungsamt).
Certificate of rabies vaccination is mandatory when bringing pets. Each animal must be microchipped, and all vaccination dates must be entered and stamped in the accompanying document. Animals from countries outside the EU must have an official certificate from the competent veterinary service, which also includes the microchip number. Certain breeds of dogs (Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Doberman) are subject to special import regulations, and certain types of particularly dangerous or crossed breeds are not allowed to enter Germany (Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier).
Information about the rules for bringing in goods when entering Germany are also available via the application "Customs and Travel" ("Zoll und Reise"), which can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play (Android Market):
https://www.zoll.de/DE/Service_II/Apps/Zoll_und_Reise/zoll_und_reise_no….
Information on which drugs are allowed / registered in Germany is available at: https://www.pharmnet-bund.de/static/de/index.html.
The official currency is the euro. Payment in another currency is not allowed. Credit cards are accepted in almost all establishments. Money can be withdrawn at ATMs with an EC or a credit card containing a PIN number.
Public transport in Germany is very well organised, and tickets can be bought at different prices, depending on the number of stops, the number of people who use the transport and the length of stay.
Pupils and students can get discounts for museums, cinemas or theatres by showing their school or student ID. The same applies to the International Student ID (ISIC).
In Germany, citizens, including foreigners, are required by law to be in the possession of a valid and recognised identification document (passport or ID card), which German competent authority may request for inspection. It is recommended to have a copy of the passport, which may be required for the purpose of issuing a travel document when the passport is lost or stolen.
Tourist information is available at www.germany.travel/en/index.html.
Important emergency telephone numbers include: 110 – Police, and 112 – Firefighters and reporting an accident.
Contact information
For consular assistance and protection while in Germany, you may contact:
- Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Berlin (address: Taubertstr. 18, D-14193 Berlin), phone: + 4930 / 895-77-00 and e-mail: info@botschaft-serbien.de,
- Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Munich (address: Böhmerwaldplatz 2, D-81679 MÜNCHEN), phone: + 4989 / 982-475-21, 982-47-50 and e-mail: gk.muenchen@mfa.rs,
- Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Stuttgart (address: Taubenstrasse 4, D-70199 Stuttgart), phone: + 49711 / 601-706-0 and e-mail: gk-stutgart@t-online.de,
- Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Frankfurt (address: Thueringer Strasse 3, 60316 Frankfurt am Main), phone: + 4969 / 9043-6760 and e-mail: info@gksrbfra.de,
- Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Düsseldorf (address: Klosterstrasse 79, D-40211 DISELDORF), phone: + 49211 / 239-55-00 and e-mail: info@gksrbijedis.de,
- Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Hamburg (address: Harvestehuder Weg 101, D-20149 HAMBURG), phone: + 4940 / 416-22-60, 416-22-612 and e-mail: info@gkrshamburg.de.