Is Serbia in Schengen?
No. The Schengen area has 29 countries: 25 EU member states plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Serbia is not one of them, so a Serbian residence permit does not let you travel in the Schengen area without a visa.
Applying for a Schengen visa in Belgrade
Under the EU Visa Code (art. 6), you apply at the consulate competent for the place where you legally reside. If you live in Serbia, that means you need a Serbian residence permit to apply in Belgrade.
Germany's embassy, for example, accepts applications in Belgrade from Russian nationals only with a valid long-term Serbian residence permit (a sticker in the passport or a card); an entry stamp or a white card is not enough. Check the embassy page for your nationality.
Where to apply: examples
| Country | Where | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | VisaMetric visa centre, Makedonska 30 | 2 biometric photos, not older than 6 months, not printed at home |
| Austria | Embassy | Colour, 35 × 45 mm, ICAO |
| Slovenia | Embassy | Recent photo to the ICAO standard |
For other countries, check the embassy or visa centre page before you apply.
Processing time
- Check the current visa and service fees on the embassy or visa centre website.
- A decision is normally made within 15 calendar days (Visa Code, art. 23).
- Since 10 April 2026 the Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully running: your face and fingerprints are recorded at the Schengen border. It does not change the visa photo.
The Schengen visa photo: 35 × 45 mm, ICAO
The Austrian and Slovenian embassies in Belgrade ask for a colour photo, 35 × 45 mm, to the ICAO standard; Germany asks for two biometric photos. How many photos you need, and whether they also photograph you when you apply, depends on the country, so check with the visa centre. More on visa photo sizes: visa photos in Belgrade.
US visa from Belgrade
US visas are handled by the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade. Who can apply there is on rs.usembassy.gov, so check them before you book.
The US visa photo is different from the Schengen one: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), white or off-white background, no glasses, taken within the last 6 months, plus a JPEG file for the DS-160 form. See US visa photo in Belgrade.
Frequently asked questions
Is Serbia a Schengen country?
No. The Schengen area has 29 countries (25 EU countries plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein), and Serbia is not one of them.
Can I get a Schengen visa in Belgrade?
Yes, if you legally reside in Serbia: the EU Visa Code (art. 6) has you apply in the country where you live. Germany's embassy, for example, accepts Russian nationals in Belgrade only with a valid long-term Serbian residence permit; an entry stamp or white card is not enough.
What photo do I need for a Schengen visa?
A colour photo 35 × 45 mm meeting the ICAO standard (Austrian and Slovenian embassies). Germany asks for 2 biometric photos, not older than 6 months and not printed at home.
Does a Serbian residence permit let me travel in Schengen?
No. Serbia is outside the Schengen area, so you need a Schengen visa unless your nationality is visa-exempt.
What photo do I need for a US visa?
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), white background, no glasses, and a JPEG file for the DS-160 form. Details are on our US visa photo page.
- European Commission: Schengen area
- EU Visa Code, Regulation 810/2009 (consolidated 11 June 2024)
- German Embassy Belgrade: Schengen visa
- German Embassy Belgrade: information for Russian nationals
- Austrian Embassy Belgrade: tourist visa information (PDF, 03/2026)
- Slovenian Embassy Belgrade: visa information
- European Commission: Entry/Exit System (EES)
- U.S. Embassy in Serbia: Visas
- U.S. Department of State: Photo requirements
Checked against the official sources on . This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change: before you apply, check the requirements with the police (MUP), the embassy or the visa centre.
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