Freelance in Serbia

The freelance market in Serbia

Serbia has a strong IT community in Belgrade and Novi Sad, with many developers, game designers and 3D artists working for foreign clients. Since 2022 many relocated specialists from Russia and Ukraine have settled here. Competitive prices and a time zone close to Western Europe make Serbian freelancers popular with EU clients.

Taxes and legal status

Individuals who receive income from abroad can declare it themselves each quarter through the tax portal, with a standard deduction for costs. Others register as a flat-rate entrepreneur (paušalni preduzetnik), paying a fixed monthly amount set by the municipality and the type of activity. A flat-rate entrepreneur who works mostly for one client must pass an "independence test", otherwise the income is taxed like a salary.

This is general information as of 2026, not tax or legal advice. Rates and thresholds change, so check them with the tax authority or a local accountant before you register.

Getting paid

Foreign clients pay by SWIFT or SEPA transfer to a Serbian bank account in EUR, and Payoneer and PayPal are also used. Banks require a contract or invoice for incoming foreign payments.

• SWIFT and SEPA transfers in EUR
• Payoneer
• PayPal
• local bank transfers

Skills in demand

• software development
• game development and 3D art
• UI/UX design
• digital marketing
• video editing
• translation between Serbian, English and Russian

Tips for freelancers in Serbia

• Check the independence test before you work long-term for one client as a paušalac.
• European clients value the close time zone: mention your working hours in CET.
• Keep contracts for every foreign payment, since banks ask for them.

Hiring a freelancer from Serbia

Local time in Serbia is UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer), so agree in advance on the hours when you are both available for calls. Describe the task, the deadline and the budget in your first message, ask for examples of similar work, and fix what counts as done before work starts. If the work is for a local audience, a freelancer who knows the language and the market will save you rewrites.

Kits for freelancers in Serbia

Kits is an international freelance marketplace that is not tied to one country. Freelancers in Serbia can publish services with a portfolio and a clear price, or respond to clients' jobs, and talk to clients in the built-in chat. The first listing on each account is free, and the site works in nine languages, from English and Spanish to Russian, Turkish and Georgian.