Given the good variety of landscapes, openness to foreigners and the existent tax rebate, filming in Serbia is done with relative ease and usually at significantly better rates than Western Europe.
While language is still a barrier in smaller cities, many educated Serbs under the age of 40 speak good English. There is also a decent pool of English-speaking media and film professionals. Therefore hiring a cameraman or location manager who can communicate with international crews can be done with relative ease.
It is advisable for foreign journalists to have a local Serbian fixer if they do not speak the language. Central government officials are open to talking to foreign media and their staff can handle communication. However, getting to smaller cities and more remote communities requires extensive local knowledge.
Access for Foreign Journalists and Filmmakers
Serbia ranks 76th in Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index. Alongside countries like Hungary or Greece, Serbia has some room for improvement in terms of freedom of speech and transparency.
However, local institutions are generally open to foreign media and tend to be quite engaging if the targeted issue is not too controversial. Access to institutions for foreign media is pretty much similar to anywhere else in the Balkans.
Access & Filming Permits in Serbia
Filming in Serbia is now easier as local authorities have simplified the process for film permits for publicly-owned spaces.
While the paperwork is pretty straightforward, it is still advisable to decide on shooting locations at least 30 days in advance when filming in Serbia.
Filming permits are either very cheap or can be granted for free in many cases, especially if one can prove the production promotes the country internationally.
Our film and production fixers have a good experience in getting permits for filming in Serbia, so please feel free to drop us a line if there is any way we can help.
Visas
Serbia is currently undergoing EU accession negotiations, but is not yet part of the Union. However, EU citizens can visit the country without a visa. The same applies for US, Russia, India, China, Australia, New Zealand and other countries Serbia has separate treaties with.
The website of the Serbian Foreign Affairs Ministry is a straightforward way to understand visa requirements.
For media professionals who require a visa, one of the necessary steps is getting an invitation letter for an organization in Serbia, which is something our fixers can help with.