The Republic of Serbia

SerbiaSouthern Europe
-3:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country

General Information

National Identity
Official Language(s)Serbian
National CurrencySerbian Dinar (RSD)
National Day(s)15 February (Statehood Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalBelgrade
Economic CapitalBelgrade
Cultural CapitalLeskovac
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 5.5 – 6 h Direct flights
Primary AirportBelgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG)
Primary PortPort of Belgrade (inland river port)
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline0 km (landlocked)
Highest PointMidzor (2,169 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverDanube River (longest river in Serbia, flows through or along 10 countries, major international waterway)
ClimateContinental

Border Countries

Bosnia and HerzegovinaBulgariaCroatiaHungaryKosovoMontenegroNorth MacedoniaRomania
8

Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research

Key Facts

Serbia’s Resava Cave is estimated to be 80 million years old, making it one of the country’s oldest caves.

The name of Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, means “white fortress”/“white city” and dates back to the 9th century and the white fortress wall that used to encircle the city.

The largest gorge in Europe, the Derdap Gorge, is in eastern Serbia.

The ancient city of Sirmium (today’s Sremska Mitrovica) in Serbia was one of the four Roman capitals.

Serbia is home to Davolja Varosh (Devil’s Town), an unusual natural formation featuring tall stone pillars created by erosion.

Serbian Pirot carpets are woven on vertical looms using traditional geometric patterns, with designs carrying symbolic cultural meanings.

Nikola Tesla, the famous inventor and electrical engineer, was an ethnic Serb, and Belgrade has a museum dedicated to his life and work.

The Kolo is a lively folk dance performed by groups of dancers, often holding hands and moving together in circular formations.

Slava is a distinctive Serbian tradition in which families celebrate their patron saint and gather for food and festivities.

Serbia has several medieval Orthodox monasteries, many known for their historic architecture and frescoes.

Chevapi are a popular Serbian food consisting of small grilled rolls of seasoned minced meat.

The Uvac River is famous for its dramatic winding meanders and is an important habitat for griffon vultures.

Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research

Economic Overview

Macroeconomic Snapshot

GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-

Economic Comparison

IndicatorSerbiaUAESerbiaUAE
GDP, current pricesUSD Billions--
GDP, PPPCurrent int$--
Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%)--
GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita--
PopulationMillions of people--
Unemployment rate% of total labor force--
Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%)--
General government gross debt% of GDP--
Income levelWorld Bank classification--

Foreign Trade

No data available for this section yet.

Political Overview

Leadership

Head of State

H.E. Ana Brnabic

Since 28 September 2026

Head of Government

H.E. Prof. Dr. Duro Macut

Since 16 April 2025

Minister of Foreign Affairs

H.E. Marko Duric

Since May 2024

Minister of Finance

H.E. Sinisa Mali

Since May 2018

Minister of Trade

H.E. Jagoda Lazarevic

Since April 2025

Minister of Economy

H.E. Adrijana Mesarovic

Since May 2024

Minister of Defense

H.E. Bratislav Gasic

Since May 2024

Political Summary

Political System

Parliamentary republic with a unicameral 250-seat National Assembly.

The President is head of state; the Prime Minister heads the government.

Ruling Party

Outgoing caretaker government: Serbian Progressive Party (SNS)-led coalition.

Main Opposition Force(s)

Student-backed electoral list (preliminary parliamentary majority in October 2026)Serbian Progressive Party (SNS)-led allianceParty of Freedom and Justice (SSP)Green–Left Front (ZLF)Other parliamentary groupsParliamentary alignments are subject to final results.

Next Presidential Election

-

Next Legislative Election

-

Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research

Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs

52Organizations
25Member
1Founding Member
10Partner, Observer or Participant
16Not a Member

Last Updated: October 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations

Competitiveness Indexes

IndexYearRank Out ofSerbiaUAE

No index matches.

Bilateral Relations

Diplomatic Relations and Representation

Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations21 Mar 200719 years of relations
H.E. Ahmed Hatem Al Menhali
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Ahmed Hatem Al MenhaliUAE Ambassador to Serbia · Resident
H.E. Vladimir Maric
Foreign Ambassador
H.E. Vladimir MaricAmbassador of Serbia to the UAE · Resident

Last Updated: October 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research

Consular Information

Tourists
Residents
Students
Golden Visa Holders
Serbia Nationalsin the UAE
----
UAE Citizensin Serbia
----

Main Agreements and MoUs

Agreement / MOUStatusNotes
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 5 Oct 2024.Entered into force on 1 Jun 2025.
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 17 Feb 2013.Entered into force on 25 Dec 2014.
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 13 Jan 2013.Entered into force on 2 Jul 2013.
ASAAir Services Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 14 Mar 2014.Entered into force on 10 May 2015.
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists

Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research

UAE Foreign Assistance

UAE Aid to SerbiaTotal Amount
Amount (USD Mn)-

Bilateral Visits

Official Visits from the UAE

  • H.E. Lana NusseibehMinister of State
    Oct2026
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab Emirates
    Jul2026
  • H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al NeyadiMinister of State for Youth Affairs
    Jul2026
  • H.E. Saqr GhobashSpeaker of the Federal National Council
    Jun2026
  • H.E. Sana bint Mohammed SuhailMinister of Family
    Jun2026
  • H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al ShamsiMinister of Climate Change and Environment
    May2026
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab Emirates
    Sep2025
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab Emirates
    Jul2025
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab Emirates
    Oct2024
  • H.E. Mohamed bin Mubarak Fadhel Al MazroueiMinister of State for Defense Affairs
    May2024
  • H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu Dhabi
    Sep2023
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab Emirates
    Jun2023
  • H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign Affairs
    Apr2023
  • H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign Affairs
    Jan2023
  • H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab Emirates
    Oct2022

Official Visits to the UAE

  • H.E. Jagoda LazarevicMinister of Domestic and Foreign Trade of Serbia
    May2026
  • H.E. Tatjana MacuraMinister without Portfolio responsible for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment of Serbia
    May2026
  • H.E. Aleksandar VucicPresident of Serbia
    Mar2026
  • H.E. Dr. Duro MacutPrime Minister of Serbia
    Feb2026
  • H.E. Aleksandar VucicPresident of Serbia
    Jan2026
  • H.E. Marko DuricMinister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia
    Dec2025
  • H.E. Aleksandar VucicPresident of Serbia
    Jun2025
  • H.E. Ivica DacicDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Serbia
    May2025
  • H.E. Aleksandar VulinDeputy Prime Minister of Serbia
    Dec2024
  • H.E. Ana BrnabicPrime Minister of Serbia
    Feb2024
  • H.E. Aleksandar VucicPresident of Serbia
    Dec2023
  • H.E. Tomislav MomirovicMinister of Internal and Foreign Trade of Serbia
    Sep2023
  • H.E. Aleksandar VucicPresident of Serbia
    Feb2023
  • H.E. Ana BrnabicPrime Minister of Serbia
    Feb2023
  • H.E. Ana BrnabicPrime Minister of Serbia
    Jan2023
  • H.E. Aleksandar VucicPresident of Serbia
    Sep2022
  • H.E. Ana BrnabicPrime Minister of Serbia
    May2022
  • H.E. Aleksandar VucicPresident of Serbia
    May2022

The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.

Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research

Trade

Non-Oil Bilateral Trade

-

Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners

-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports

Key Trade Commodities

-

Foreign Direct Investment Flows

Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)4.5USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)703.8USD Millions

Capex and jobs data include estimated values.

Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets

Major Companies and Investments

Major Serbian Companies in the UAE

  • Energoprojekt ENTELEnergoprojekt ENTELEngineering and construction
  • EgzaktaEgzaktaBusiness consulting, digital transformation, IT and AI

Major UAE Companies in Serbia

  • Mubadala Investment CompanyMubadala Investment Company-
  • DP WorldDP WorldPorts and logistics
  • MasdarMasdarRenewable energy

Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research

Business Support

Dubai Chambers

Business Council(s)Serbian Business Council
International Office(s)-
Joint Business Council(s)-

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Various UAE Chambers

Cooperation Opportunities

Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.

Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research