Serbia

SAFETY: adequate
Since the war, great efforts have been made to improve the overall situation. Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence (17 February 2008) creates occasional tension in the southern regions of the country. Petty crime is high, mainly car theft.

TRANSPORT: adequate
The roads, two thirds of which are paved, are often in poor condition. It is therefore advisable to drive carefully and to avoid travelling at night. Public transport, both road and rail, is acceptable. Air links, both domestic and international, are steadily increasing.

Main airports: Belgrade (Batajnica), Niš, Novi Sad.

ACCOMMODATION: adequate

The hotel offering is limited and of modest quality, but the opening of new establishments is rapidly changing the situation.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Republic of Serbia – Location: the Balkans, south-eastern Europe. Borders: Hungary to the north, Romania to the north-east, Bulgaria to the east, Macedonia to the south, Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo to the south-west, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia to the west – Time zone: UTC +1, the same as Italy, observes daylight saving time – Area: 77,000 sq km – Capital: Belgrade – Population: 7,656,000 – Religion: Orthodox and Muslim – Languages: Serbo-Croatian (official language), Albanian in the southern regions; English is widely understood, especially in the capital – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: New Serbian dinar (CSD). There are no restrictions on importing foreign currency, but sums worth more than 2,000 euros must be declared – Credit cards: limited acceptance outside the capital– Exchange: bring euros, easy to exchange.

ELECTRICITY: 220 V and 50 Hz (as in Italy) – Sockets: two-pin type, bring an adapter.

DOCUMENTS: identity card valid for foreign travel or valid passport for stays of up to 90 days – Driving: Italian driving licence – Car: Green Card valid for Serbia or short-term local insurance.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 00381 – GSM: coverage over almost the whole country. Standard: GSM 800/1900 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators: Telekom Srbija, Telenor and Vip mobile – Internet: available in the main cities – Web domain: .rs – Emergency numbers: international enquiries 901; police 92; fire brigade 93; ambulance 94; roadside assistance 011 9800/2419822/2419555/011 2401699.

RULES, LAWS AND CUSTOMS: local law provides penalties for drug offences and offences against the person similar to those laid down in the Italian penal code.

HEALTH: no compulsory vaccinations are required. Medical staff in Serbia are generally well trained, while most healthcare facilities are inadequate. The availability of medicines in pharmacies is limited.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1-2 January, New Year; 7 January, Orthodox Christmas; 15 February, National Day; April, Orthodox Good Friday and Easter; 1-2 May, Labour Day.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 7.00-19.00, Sat 8.00-15.00 – Banks: Mon-Fri 7.00-19.00, Sat 8.00-15.00 – Shops: Mon-Sat 8.00-20.00 (supermarkets and food shops: 6.00-20.00).

CLIMATE: dry continental, with cold winters and scorching summers. Snowfalls are frequent during the winter months.

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USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY

Embassy and Consulate of Serbia
Via dei Monti Parioli 20 – 00197 Rome – Tel. 06 3200805– Fax 06 3200868

Consulates General
Via Matilde Serao 1– 20144 Milan – Tel. 02 4812019/72095466– Fax 02 48010426
Strada Del Friuli 54 – 34136 Trieste – Tel. 040 410125/410126 – Fax 040 421697

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN SERBIA

Embassy of Italy

Bircaninova 11 – 11000 Belgrade – Tel. 00381 11 3066100 – Fax 00381 11 3249413 – Web: www.ambbelgrado.esteri.it – E-mail: segreteria.belgrado@esteri.it