Have you backpacked in Serbia without registering with police?

Question

Have you backpacked in Serbia without registering with police?

How necessary it is to report to the police station to register as a foreigner if planning to stay in private accommodation (with friends) for a period of up to 3-4 weeks in Serbia?

Apparently all foreigners need to register but usually hotels take care of it. Since I am not planning to stay in hotels during my stay in Serbia, I'm wondering how many travelers have managed to cross the border with Montenegro without any hassle.

The rule is all foreigners staying in private dwellings must register with police within 24 hours of arrival in Serbia. Failure to do so may result in fines (or bribes) at the exiting borderpoint.

Answer 1

Well, 3-4 weeks is a long period and you might have problems if police happen to stop you for a regular check. I visited Belgrade last years and didn't check in the police, but I was staying only for 4 days. It will be better if you do it, it's not a complicated procedure

Have a great time and warm regards from south ;op

Answer 2

it is a rule that you have to register with the police to confirm that the visa that was issued is legit, coz of all the people trafficking that happening in eastern europe not so much in serbia). but..i brought a friend from south africa with me to serbia (im a serb, living in south africa) and we went to the police station to register. the clerk just wrote some **** down on a form..we were done in 5 min..i dont think that gets filed or put into any computerised database using which they can check whether u actually did this..my friend entered serbia twice during his trip and the clerk said we needed to report to the police evrytime he entered..we only did it once..

honestly its a useless procedure but to be safe, do it...

Answer 3

You seem to know all about the rules. So just apply them and you'll be fine. If your question is how necessary it is to register, then the answer is: very necessary. Just as necessary as the rules proscribing it.

In Montenegro too. Do you think any state would give up on the revenue collected from foreign tourists' registering? Not likely.

My experience is that you don't have to do it within 24 hrs though. But failing to report altogether does result in heavy fines. You don't have to wait for the borderpoint for that: they can fine you on the spot anywhere they find you without the registration paper.

edit@fridex85: You shouldn't make general conclusions based on your (limited) personal experience. You were just lucky, that's all. Of course it is absolutely necessary to do it, and my personal experience with many foreign friends, family and contacts proves it. One of them disregarded it and paid a huge fine, many others did too, but got away with the reasonable/real fine based on the duration of their stay - but they all had to do it. So please don't misguide people on this, the consequences are not at all pleasant.