Russian Mir/UnionPay cards in Serbia

Where Mir cards are accepted in Serbia in 2026

Mir cards work in government institutions (taxes, fines, fees) through terminals at the Republican Tax Administration and at the Ministry of Finance of Serbia.

In large supermarket chains - Konzum, Maxi, Lidl, Mercator - terminals usually support Mir, but smaller branches may refuse, so check at the checkout.

Fuel stations NIS Petrol, Lukoil, OMV accept the card, sometimes asking to see a passport.

State hospitals and clinics (for example, Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade) also accept Mir.

Tickets for intercity buses (Lasta, Nis Ekspres) and trains of Železnice Srbije (ŽS) can be paid with the card. In urban transport (GSP Belgrade) Mir does not work - only contactless bank cards or cash.

Important: in private clinics, restaurants and hotels a refusal is possible. It's better to confirm in advance.

Banks serving Mir cards in 2026

1. AIK Banka - the only issuer of Mir cards for individuals.

Annual service fee - 12 EUR.
Cash-withdrawal fee at other ATMs - 2 %.

1. Postanska štedionica - serves Mir cards for pensioners and civil servants.

Annual service fee - 8 EUR.

1. Erste Bank and OTP Bank - accept Mir cards for payment, but do not issue them.

Cash-withdrawal fee - 1,5 %.

How to obtain a Mir card at AIK Banka

1. Passport + JMBG.
2. Fill out the form in Serbian.
3. Sign the contract.
4. Wait 5-7 working days.
5. Pay the annual service fee - 12 EUR.

AIK Banka branches

• Belgrade: ul. Knezja Miloša 102, tel. +381 11 30 22 100
• Novi Sad: ul. Zmaj Jovana 1, tel. +381 21 48 91 200
• Niš: ul. Vožd Karađorđeva 17, tel. +381 18 52 55 500

UnionPay in Serbia: where to pay and withdraw cash

ATMs

UnionPay works in ≈ 90 % of all ATMs, including those of Banca Intesa, UniCredit Bank Srbija, Raiffeisen Bank, Sberbank Srbija. Cash-withdrawal fee - 0-2 EUR (depends on the acquiring bank).

Retail outlets

Ikea, Media Markt, Möbelix, Decathlon, Zara, H&M accept UnionPay. In small shops a refusal is possible, so ask at the checkout.

Hotels and apartments

Most international chains (Hilton, Marriott) accept UnionPay. In private apartments found via Booking.com or Airbnb the card works only with the owner's consent.

Air travel

Air Serbia accepts UnionCard for ticket payment.

Issues

• In some ATMs of Banca Intesa and UniCredit the card must be activated through the bank's mobile app.
• In government institutions (taxes, fines) UnionPay often does not work - it's better to have cash or a bank transfer.

Where to withdraw cash with Mir and UnionPay cards

Mir cards

Work only at ATMs of AIK Banka (≈ 150 units) and Postanska štedionica (≈ 80 units).

• At own ATMs - 0 EUR.
• At other ATMs (e.g., Banca Intesa) - 2 EUR + the owner-bank's commission (usually 1-2 %).

UnionPay cards

Practically everywhere:

• Banca Intesa - ≈ 1 200 ATMs
• UniCredit Bank Srbija - ≈ 800 ATMs
• Raiffezin Bank - ≈ 600 ATMs
• Sberbank Srbija - ≈ 300 ATMs

Cash-withdrawal fee - 0-2 EUR at other ATMs, 0 EUR at own ATMs.

Problems with Russian cards in Serbia (2025-2026)

Card blocking in private banks

Banks Sberbank Srbija, OTP Bank may block cards without notice (suspected money-laundering, profile mismatch).
What to do: call the issuing bank, provide documents (employment contract, bank statement).

Restrictions in government institutions

In tax offices, courts, police stations Mir and UnionPay cards are often not accepted, even if terminals support them.
Solution: pay cash or by bank transfer; for taxes it is convenient to use ePorezi with any other card.

Online payment

Many Serbian e-shops (Tehnomanija, Kikinda) do not accept Mir and UnionPay. Exceptions - Amazon (when linked to a Serbian account) and AliExpress (through UnionPay).
Work-around: virtual card from AIK Banka or intermediaries such as PayPal.

Amount limits

• AIK Banka - limit 5 000 EUR per month for Mir.
• Banca Intesa - limit 10 000 EUR per month for UnionPay.

What to do: request a higher limit or spread transactions across several cards.

Alternative payment methods for Russian expats

Local Serbian cards

• Banca Intesa - Euronet card (annual fee 10 EUR, free withdrawals at own ATMs).
• UniCredit Bank - UniCredit Card (annual fee 12 EUR, free withdrawals at own ATMs).
• Raiffeisen Bank - Raiffeisen Visa (annual fee 15 EUR, free withdrawals at own ATMs).

Virtual cards

• AIK Banka - MIR Virtual (annual fee 5 EUR, online only).
• Sberbank Srbija - UnionPay Virtual (annual fee 8 EUR).

Bank transfers

For large payments (rent, property purchase) it is convenient to use SWIFT: fee 10-30 EUR, time 1-3 working days. Full recipient details are required.