With millions of people around the world nowadays working remotely, more and more countries are finding themselves deemed the next “hotspot” for these digital nomads.
With the rising cost of literally everything in many Western countries, many are looking abroad to live for a while in hopes of better prices as well as a better way of life.
While many countries in Europe offer a good quality of life for digital nomads, some are, of course, more expensive than others. One country in South Eastern Europe that is gaining popularity with digital nomads for its low cost of living and high quality of life is Serbia.
Why Serbia?
Serbia is considered one of the cheapest countries in Europe for digital nomads, and for some reason, not many people seem to know about it yet. With its capital city of Belgrade being one of the most cost-effective capital cities for remote workers to live in, there’s a lot going for it in addition to its low price point.
Not being in the EU or in the Schengen zone means you are not limited by the same time constraints that are as strict as other popular digital nomad choices in Europe.
While most flock to the buzzing capital city of Belgrade, smaller hotspots such as Novi Sad and Nis also welcome many Digital nomads.
The Fine Print
Serbia is aiming to establish itself as a digital nomad hub, and there’s talk of a digital nomad visa coming soon, in addition to other benefits such as tax incentives.
While the digital nomad visa is not here yet, most nationalities can stay up to three months on a normal tourist visa and then can pop over to any Schengen country, as Serbia doesn’t count towards their 90/180-day limit.
So, as one of the European countries that offer the chance for a long stay, why not settle down in Serbia for a while and enjoy all of what it has to offer?
Low Cost Of Living
Some estimates put the average living costs in Belgrade at around €1,300 a month, including most bills and expenses, making it much cheaper than anywhere back in the U.S., and many digital nomads with experience in Serbia will tell you that number is high, and they that have gotten by on less than that.
Some recent figures indicate that a basic one-bedroom apartment can cost around $500 a month and utilities another $100.
Public transport should run you around $20 a month, and adding the low cost of groceries and phone cards, the total should still come in far under any U.S. or U.K. city.
Culture, Nature, Food, And Friendly People
Digital nomads like Serbia for its strong Balkan spirit and the city of Belgrade’s long and complex history has led to a unique melting pot of East meets West cultures and cuisines.
The food scene is alive and well here in Belgrade and beyond, and those who move here are instantly won over by the filling yet healthy Mediterranean meets Slavic diet.
Serbia also has a high level of English, and those who come here will happily discover that English is widely spoken and understood. This is just another reason why Belgrade is a foreigner-friendly city,
Good Connectivity
The average internet speed for Serbia in November 2022 was 60.5 Mbps broadband and 46Mbps wifi.
The cities have numerous co-working spaces and internet cafes, so staying connected for work should not be an issue.
Transportation is good here as well, with Belgrade being a rather small city; it’s very walkable.
The public transportation system is very efficient, connecting the city to other popular areas in the country, as well as many connections via ground and air to other regions in Europe and further afield.
Expat Community
There is a growing community of digital nomads in Serbia, and established expat groups and digital nomad communities are easy to find. Connecting with others is easier in Belgrade, although other cities such as Niš and Novi Sad also have a thriving expat scene.
With a buzzing nightlife scene, it should not be too hard to make new friends here. The major cities also have numerous meetups, coworking spaces, hubs, and cafes where most expats come to work.
One resource to check out if you are interested in making the move would be Expats In Belgrade, to read about expats’ experiences in Belgrade and better decide if it’s for you.
