Money, cards and cash in Serbia

Serbia uses the dinar, cards are accepted almost everywhere, and yet New Year's Eve is the one night when you will certainly need cash. Cloakrooms, tips and musicians are paid in notes, and cash machines run empty on 1 January. Sorting this out before 30 December avoids the only genuinely awkward moment of the trip.

The currency

The Serbian dinar is the only legal currency and prices everywhere are listed in it.

Euros are not officially accepted in shops or restaurants, although some places will take them at an unfavourable rate.

Plan to exchange money rather than relying on paying in euros, which costs you more every time.

Where to exchange

Licensed exchange offices are common in the centre and offer better rates than hotels or the airport.

Rates are displayed outside and there is no commission at licensed offices, which is required by law.

Avoid exchanging on the street, which is illegal and where short-changing is the point of the exercise.

Opening hours over the holidays

Exchange offices work normally until 30 December and with shorter hours on 31 December.

On 1 January most do not open at all, and on 2 January many still do not.

Exchange what you need for the whole holiday period by 30 December.

Cards

Cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and taxis, and contactless payment is standard.

Smaller places, kiosks and markets are cash only, and that includes many neighbourhood restaurants.

Tell your bank you are travelling, as transactions from Serbia are sometimes blocked automatically.

Cash machines

Machines are widespread in the centre and dispense dinars, with a fee charged by the machine operator.

Over the holidays they empty faster than they are refilled, particularly on the morning of 1 January.

Withdraw what you expect to need on 30 December, not on the night itself.

Why you need cash on the night

Cloakrooms charge per item and take cash almost everywhere, even in expensive venues.

Musicians who play at your table are tipped in cash, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

Tips to waiting staff are also given in cash, as card terminals rarely allow a tip to be added.

Tipping

Tipping is customary but not obligatory. Ten percent of the bill is the usual figure in restaurants.

On New Year's Eve slightly more is expected, because staff work the hardest shift of the year.

Taxi fares are usually rounded up rather than tipped by percentage.

How much cash to carry

For a group of four, an amount covering cloakroom, tips and a taxi home is a sensible minimum.

If a band plays at the table and songs are requested, budget considerably more, as this is paid separately.

Do not carry everything in one pocket; venues are crowded and things get lost.

Paying a deposit from abroad

Most venues require a deposit to confirm a booking, paid by bank transfer or card.

International transfers take several working days and carry bank charges, so send them early.

Ask whether the account is in the name of a company rather than a private individual. It should be.

Receipts

Fiscal receipts are issued by law and you should receive one for every purchase.

Keep the receipt if you pay a deposit, as it is the only proof the booking exists.

For larger amounts, ask for written confirmation with the venue name, date, number of people and what is included.

Prices to expect

Prices on New Year's Eve are considerably higher than on ordinary nights, across all categories of venue.

The price advertised is rarely the final cost, as drinks, cloakroom, parking and tips are added on top.

Budget roughly a third above the advertised price per person and you will be close to the real figure.

A simple checklist

Exchange money by 30 December, withdraw cash the same day, tell your bank you are travelling.

Carry cash for the cloakroom, tips and transport, and a card for everything else.

Keep written confirmation of anything you have paid for in advance.

VAT refund for visitors

Visitors from outside the country can reclaim VAT on goods above a minimum value, provided the shop issues the required form at the time of purchase.

The form is stamped by customs when leaving the country, and the refund is claimed afterwards, so keep the goods accessible until then.

Over the holidays the customs desk at the airport is busier than usual, so allow extra time if you plan to use it.

Splitting a bill

On New Year's Eve the bill is normally kept for the whole table rather than per person, which surprises visitors used to separate bills.

Agree within your group how it will be divided at the start of the evening, while everyone is still clear headed.

Asking a waiter to split a table bill at five in the morning in a full room does not work, however politely it is asked.