Language in Serbia
Serbian is the official language, with a unique feature: it uses both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets interchangeably. English proficiency is moderate and improving, especially among younger people.
English Proficiency
Where English works:
- Belgrade business settings
- Tourist areas
- Upscale restaurants and hotels
- Among people under 40
- IT and tech sectors
Where it's limited:
- Government offices
- Older generation
- Rural areas
- Local markets
- Some healthcare settings
The Serbian Language
Alphabets: Serbian officially uses Cyrillic but Latin script is equally common in daily life, especially in business contexts.
Difficulty: Serbian is a Slavic language with complex grammar, including 7 cases. It's challenging for English speakers but pronunciation is phonetic.
Useful Serbian Phrases
| English | Serbian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Zdravo | ZDRAH-voh |
| Thank you | Hvala | HVAH-lah |
| Please | Molim | MOH-leem |
| Yes/No | Da/Ne | Dah/Neh |
| How much? | Koliko? | KOH-lee-koh |
| I don't understand | Ne razumem | Neh rah-ZOO-mem |
| Do you speak English? | Govorite li engleski? | Go-vo-REE-teh lee en-GLES-kee |
| Goodbye | Doviđenja | Do-vee-JEN-ya |
| Cheers! | Živeli! | ZHEE-veh-lee |
Learning Serbian
Free resources:
- Go Speak Serbian (online course)
- Duolingo (Serbian available)
- YouTube channels for beginners
Paid options:
- Language schools in Belgrade (€10-20/hour group, €20-40/hour private)
- University courses
- Online tutors (iTalki, Preply)
Recommended approach:
- Learn Latin and Cyrillic alphabets
- Master common phrases
- Practice numbers and basics
- Take classes if staying long-term
Language Considerations for Residency
For residence permits: No language requirement
For citizenship: Basic Serbian knowledge required (language test)
Other Languages
- German: Fairly common as second foreign language
- Russian: Some similarity to Serbian, older generation may understand
- Other Balkan languages: Croatian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin are mutually intelligible with Serbian
Tips for Expats
- Learn to read Cyrillic - it's useful for street signs and menus
- Younger Serbians generally speak good English
- Google Translate works well for Serbian
- Locals appreciate any attempt to speak Serbian
- Consider taking classes if planning long-term stay
Pro Tips
- •English is widely spoken in Belgrade, especially among under-40s
- •Learn to read Cyrillic - many signs use it
- •Locals appreciate any attempt to speak Serbian
- •No language requirement for residence permits
- •Google Translate works well for Serbian
Have questions about language in Serbia?