SchengenClock
Verified June 2026

Do Serbians need ETIAS?

Yes

Yes. Serbian citizens with a biometric passport are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Serbians will need an ETIAS authorisation to enter the Schengen area.

Needs ETIAS?
Yes
Cost
€20
Validity
3 yrs
From
Q4 2026

Serbia's citizens have enjoyed visa-free travel to the Schengen area since the Western Balkans visa liberalisation of December 2009, provided they hold a biometric passport. That visa-free status is exactly what brings them within ETIAS once it launches.

Serbia itself is outside the Schengen area, so your days at home do not touch the 90/180 count - the rule only applies once you enter Schengen. ETIAS is an online authorisation, not a visa, and does not change the 90-days-in-180 limit.

Biometric passports only

Serbia's visa-free access - and therefore ETIAS eligibility - depends on holding a biometric Serbian passport. Note a quirk of the liberalisation: holders of passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (largely for residents of Kosovo) were excluded from the visa waiver, so they are not covered. Your biometric passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure.

How Serbians will apply

When ETIAS launches, Serbians will apply online on the official EU portal, pay €20 (free under 18 or over 70), and receive an authorisation linked to their passport for up to 3 years. It is not a visa - see what ETIAS is and how it differs from a visa.

ETIAS gets Serbians to the border; it does not extend the stay. Check how many days are left with the free 90/180 calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Do Serbians need ETIAS?

Yes. Serbian citizens with a biometric passport are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Serbians will need an ETIAS authorisation to enter the Schengen area.

How much will ETIAS cost Serbians?

€20 per application, free for travellers under 18 or over 70. One authorisation lasts up to 3 years. See ETIAS cost.

When will Serbians need ETIAS from?

From the launch of ETIAS, expected in the last quarter of 2026. No exact date is set yet - track it on the ETIAS start date page.

Does ETIAS change the 90-day limit for Serbians?

No. ETIAS lets you travel, but the 90/180-day rule still caps short stays at 90 days in any 180. Plan it with the 90/180 calculator.

Sources