Currency in Serbia: RSD Send & Spend FX Guide
Resources for Expats, Travelers, and Entrepreneurs Navigating Life and Trade in Serbia with the Serbian dinar.
What's in this Serbia currency guide?
What currency is used in Serbia?
The official currency of Serbia (country code: RS) is the Serbian dinar, with symbol Дин. and currency code RSD.
What is a good Serbian dinar exchange rate?
The BestExchangeRates.com currency comparison table below helps you see the total cost of your currency transaction by showing the exchange rates offered by different providers. It also makes it easy to spot potential savings from market-leading FX services compared to bank rates.
To see a full list of rates, enter your transaction type, currencies and amount then click ‘GET RATES’:
Loading rates...
|
|
|
Good things to know about the Serbian dinar
The Serbian dinar (RSD) is the official currency of Serbia, a country located in the Balkans. Here are a few things to know about the Serbian dinar:
- The Serbian dinar is abbreviated as RSD and is divided into 100 para.
- The National Bank of Serbia is responsible for issuing and regulating the Serbian dinar.
- The exchange rate for the Serbian dinar is determined by supply and demand in the foreign exchange market.
- Serbia has a mixed economy, with a significant public sector and a large agricultural sector. The country is also a major producer of copper, zinc, and other minerals, and has a growing manufacturing and service sector.
- The Serbian dinar has been relatively stable in recent years, but the currency has faced challenges due to economic challenges such as high unemployment and a large budget deficit.
For more RSD information check out our selection of Serbian dinar news and guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency should I use in Serbia?
The domestic currency in Serbia is the Serbian dinar.
What is the Serbian dinar currency code and symbol?
The three letter currency code for the Serbian dinar is RSD — symbol is Дин..
Which countries use the Serbian dinar?
It is the domestic currency in Serbia.
Is the Serbian dinar a closed currency?
No, the Serbian dinar is freely available and convertible. See guide: What is a closed currency?
What are equivalent amounts of USD and RSD?
Here are some popular conversion amounts for USD to RSD (US dollar to Serbian dinar)*.
| USD | RSD |
|---|---|
| $ 9.8290 | Дин. 1,000 |
| $ 49.15 | Дин. 5,000 |
| $ 196.58 | Дин. 20,000 |
| $ 982.90 | Дин. 100,000 |
More amounts
*Converted at the current USDRSD interbank exchange rate. Calculate actual payout amounts for Send Money and Travel Money exchange rates.
Travel money for Serbia
Using Wise for Serbian dinar travel money is a smart choice for savvy travelers. With its competitive exchange rates and low fees, Wise allows you to convert and manage multiple currencies effortlessly.
Be careful when using your own bank's Debit/Credit Card, as your bank may also charge an extra 3% as an “Overseas Transaction Charge” plus “Overseas ATM” fees for withdrawing cash on top of the standard Visa/Mastercard 2.5% from market mid-rate.
For card purchases, if you are offered a choice of currencies always select to Pay in Serbian dinar otherwise you will typically get much worst dynamic currency conversion (DCC) exchange rates.
If you really want Serbian dinar cash before departure, you can save money by ordering online. You generally get better rates and can pick up the RSD cash locally or even on travel day at the airport.
Serbia: Travel Guide
Traveling to Serbia requires careful financial planning to ensure a smooth and cost-effective experience. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate currency considerations and manage your money effectively during your visit.
Diverse, welcoming and a hell of a lot of fun – everything you never heard about Serbia is true. Best of all, this landlocked country in the heart of the Balkans is still delightfully off the tourist trail. While the feisty Serbian spirit is embodied in Belgrade’s world-class nightlife and Novi Sad’s epic EXIT festival, look beyond these historic metropolises and you’ll discover a crucible of cultures and unsullied outdoors ripe for exploration.
Whether it’s spending time in the cafes of Belgrade, being the only person at the World Heritage ruins of Gamzigrad, trekking to the monasteries around Novi Pazar, or eating your way through kilos of grilled meat, Serbia has enough to entertain and experience.
Currency tips for Serbia.
When paying with cash in Serbia, all prices are rounded to whole dinars. If paying with a credit/debit card, the exact amount will be charged (no rounding). You can pay for larger items and bills including hotels in Euros by arrangement, some businesses actually request it but RSD is predominant and used for all out of pocket purchases and in testaurants bars etc.
If you are from outside the Eurozone there is no point in changing to Euros for use or change in Belgrade, change Sterling on arrival. Better still use ATMs for cash and pay bills by debit or credit card from an account that uses interbank rate.
Be aware of taxi offering to take Euro or Dollar, it might be convenient but will be at a very poor exchange rate.
Exchange offices are ubiquitous in major cities, and they routinely accept euros, U.S. dollars and pounds sterling. You can change euro for dinar on virtually every street and the rate is almost always pretty good. ATMs are also widespread. Dinar is not available outside of Serbia.
The prices of food and accommodation are reasonable. For example, in Belgrade, a coffee might cost you €1-1,50, a restaurant meal may range from €5-10, and a hostel dorm bed near the city center may cost anywhere from €12-18.
Travel tips for Serbia.
The art nouveau town of Subotica revels in its Austro-Hungarian heritage, bohemian Niš echoes to the clip-clop of Roma horse carts, and minaret-studded Novi Pazar nudges the most sacred of Serbian Orthodox monasteries.
Established wine regions and thermal spas cradled in rolling hills date back to Roman times. On the slopes of Kopaonik, Zlatibor and Stara Planina, ancient traditions coexist with après-ski bling, while super-scenic Tara and Đerdap national parks brim with hiking, biking, rafting and kayaking opportunities.
Don’t mention the war or politics. This is another point which to tourist might seem a bit odd or trivial, but which is best steered clear of. You should be aware that most of the people you will talk to in Serbia, and especially in Belgrade, will have lived through the trauma of recent wars. A stroll through Nemanjina Street and you will realize why this wound is still sore for Serbia.
How to travel in Serbia?
Bus services are extensive, though outside major hubs, sporadic connections may leave you in the lurch for a few hours. In southern Serbia particularly, you may have to double back to larger towns. Reservations are only worthwhile for international buses and during festivals. Tickets can be purchased from the station before departure or on board.
Several car-hire companies have offices at Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade. Small-car hire typically costs €25 to €45 per day. Check where you are not able to take the car. In Belgrade and other large towns you may have to purchase parking tickets from machines, kiosks or via SMS (in Serbian only).
Serbian Railways (www.serbianrailways.com) links Belgrade, Novi Sad, Subotica, Niš and Užice in the west; check the website for smaller stations between the cities. Train enthusiasts will enjoy the scenic Šargan 8 railway in Mokra Gora. Trains usually aren't as regular and reliable as buses, and can be murderously slow, but they're a fun way to met locals and other travellers.
Everyday Costs in in Serbia
How much does it really cost to live, work, or travel in Serbia? Here's what to expect for daily expenses and expat living.
Currency Guide for Serbia (ISO Code: RS)
Traveling to Serbia offers a fantastic opportunity to explore a rich cultural heritage without straining your wallet. For a mid-range stay of one week, travelers should budget approximately 900 to 1,200 Euros (about 1,000 to 1,400 USD). Here’s a quick glance at typical daily expenses in Serbian dinars (RSD) to help you plan:
- 🍽️ Meal at a local restaurant: 1,500 RSD
- ☕ Coffee: 300 RSD
- 🚍 Public transport fare: 150 RSD
- 📱 Prepaid SIM card: 2,000 RSD
- 🏨 Budget hotel or Airbnb: 6,000 RSD per night
Overall, Serbia is considered an affordable destination, especially compared to the United States or the UK. While dining and accommodation costs are significantly lower in Serbia, expect to pay about 50% less than what you would in the U.S. or 30% less than in the U.K. — making it a haven for budget-conscious travelers eager to immerse themselves in its vibrant history and stunning landscapes.
Expat Living in Serbia
For expats planning to settle in Serbia, monthly living expenses can range from 80,000 to 120,000 RSD, depending on lifestyle choices. This estimate covers rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and leisure activities. When it comes to banking, most locals use cards, and modern payment systems are widely adopted. It's advisable to open a local bank account to avoid excessive foreign transaction fees and take advantage of Serbia's relatively low ATM withdrawal fees.
When considering currency exchange options, expats may find it more beneficial to utilize online transfer services like Wise or OFX for sending and receiving money, especially for larger transactions. These services typically offer better rates and lower fees compared to local currency exchanges. However, for day-to-day expenses, it’s generally advisable to withdraw cash from ATMs in Serbia, ensuring you’re not burdened by high charges or hidden fees.
USD/RSD Market Data
The below interactive chart displays the USD/RSD change and UP📈 DOWN📉 trends over the past 1 Year.
Send Money to Serbia - Best Rates
To get a good (and fair) exchange rate when sending money to Serbia you need to find and compare exchange rates for International Money Transfers (IMTs).
The available FX rates for sending money abroad can be very different to the mid-market (wholesale) rate which you see reported online and in the News.
You should especially compare your own bank's exchange rates to those available from Money Transfer specialists to see how much you can save - we make that calculation easy in the below table.
Get a better deal for foreign transfers to Serbia
When sending money to Serbia it’s important to compare your bank’s rates & fees with those we have negotiated with our partner money transfer providers. To get a better deal you should follow these 4 simple steps :
- Open an account with a BER reviewed FX provider (id docs may be required)
- You specify the local or Serbian dinar amount you want to transfer
- Make a local currency domestic transfer for the requested amount to the provider's bank account in your country
- Once your funds are received by the provider the converted RSD amount will be transfered to the recipient account you specify in Serbia.
Use the above calculator to compare the exchange rates of FX specialist providers rates versus your bank's standard rates you can hopefully save around 5% and maybe more - end result is more Serbian dinar deposited into the recipient bank account and less margins and fees kept by the banks!