Comparison of Serbian banks for expats

In 2026 choosing a bank in Serbia for expats - it's not only about convenience but also financial security. Differences in fees, account opening speed, and English support can cost thousands of euros per year. Below is a comparison of the five largest banks based on criteria that truly matter for foreigners.

Service costs: where is it cheapest?

Rates are shown in EUR (exchange rate 1 EUR = 117 RSD).

Bank	Monthly fee (provided balance)	Transfer fee in EUR	Withdrawal at other ATMs	Annual card maintenance
Banca Intesa	0 EUR (balance ≥ 500 EUR)	0.2 % (min 5 EUR, max 30 EUR)	1.5 % (min 2 EUR)	12 EUR
Raiffeisen Bank	0 EUR (balance ≥ 300 EUR)	0.15 % (min 3 EUR, max 25 EUR)	1 % (min 1.5 EUR)	10 EUR
OTP Bank	2 EUR (balance < 200 EUR)	0.3 % (min 5 EUR, max 40 EUR)	2 % (min 3 EUR)	15 EUR
Komercijalna Banka (NLB)	0 EUR (balance ≥ 400 EUR)	0.25 % (min 4 EUR, max 35 EUR)	1.2 % (min 2 EUR)	14 EUR
Erste Bank	1 EUR (balance < 100 EUR)	0.2 % (min 4 EUR, max 30 EUR)	1.8 % (min 2.5 EUR)	18 EUR

Conclusion: Raiffeisen Bank offers the lowest fees with a minimum balance of 300 EUR. OTP Bank turns out to be the most expensive option for irregular customers.

English support: where is it better?

Bank	Share of branches with English-speaking staff	Notes
Banca Intesa	80 %	Online chat and mobile app are fully in English; small offices may have difficulties.
Raiffeisen Bank	100 % in major cities (Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, Kragujevac)	In provinces responses can be delayed.
OTP Bank	70 %	Some branches require an appointment.
Komercijalna Banka (NLB)	60 %	In provinces they often switch to Serbian without warning.
Erste Bank	90 %	In-house translators; online banking fully in English.

Recommendation: If English is critical, choose Erste Bank or Banca Intesa. For provincial towns Raiffeisen is a better fit.

Account opening speed

Bank	Minimum time (non-resident)	Maximum time	Required documents
Banca Intesa	3 working days	10 days	Passport, proof of address, tax number (P.I.B.), sometimes a criminal-record certificate
Raiffeisen Bank	1 working day	7 days	Passport, proof of address, P.I.B.
OTP Bank	5 working days	14 days	Passport, proof of address, P.I.B., sometimes an employment certificate
Komercijalna Banka (NLB)	4 working days	12 days	Passport, proof of address, P.I.B.
Erste Bank	2 working days	5 days	Passport, proof of address, P.I.B.

All banks require proof of address in Serbia (rental contract or municipal extract). Without it the account will not be opened.

Tip: For a quick start, pick Raiffeisen or Erste. If you lack a P.I.B., Banca Intesa is the better option.

Additional services for expats

• Banca Intesa - free transfers between euro and dinar accounts, 1 % cashback on foreign purchases.
• Raiffeisen Bank - free international transfers up to 1000 EUR per month with a balance ≥ 1000 EUR.
• OTP Bank - loans for foreigners with income from abroad (rate from 6 % per annum).
• Komercijalna Banka (NLB) - English SMS notifications at no extra cost.
• Erste Bank - free access to international ATMs (Mastercard/Visa) without fees.

What documents are needed in 2026?

1. Passport (with a valid visa or residence permit).
2. Proof of address - rental contract or municipal extract.
3. Tax number (P.I.B.) - issued free of charge at any Serbian tax office.
4. Criminal-record certificate (required, for example, by OTP Bank).
5. Proof of income (for credit products).

Where to get a P.I.B.: any tax office (Poreska uprava). The procedure for foreigners takes 1-2 days.

Which bank to choose depending on the situation?

• Lowest fees: Raiffeisen Bank (if you can keep 300 EUR).
• Fastest opening: Erste Bank or Raiffeisen Bank.
• Best English: Erste Bank or Banca Intesa.
• International transfers: Banca Intesa (low fees) or Raiffeisen (free up to 1000 EUR).
• Loans for expats: OTP Bank (with verified foreign income).

Useful links

• How to get a P.I.B. in Serbia
• Comparison of international transfer fees in Serbia
• Official bank websites: Raiffeisen, Erste Bank