Teaching English in Serbia - one of the most popular ways to earn money for expats and locals. In 2026 the market remains stable, but competition has increased, especially in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš. Below is a practical guide: how to start, where to find students, how much you can realistically earn and what legal nuances to consider.
Private lessons vs school work
Private lessons
The most flexible option: you choose the students, the time and the format yourself. In 2026 the average price per hour in Belgrade is 15-25 EUR (1800-3000 RSD), in Novi Sad and Niš it is 12-20 EUR (1400-2400 RSD). Teachers with CELTA or TEFL certificates often charge up to 30 EUR (3600 RSD) per hour.
Pros
- Full control over schedule and price.
- Ability to work from home or any convenient location.
Cons
- No official social guarantees (vacation, sick leave, pension).
- Finding students is entirely your responsibility.
- Risk of dishonest clients who may refuse to pay after the lesson.
Working in a language school
Schools such as Go! English, British Council Serbia and English Language School "Step" offer a fixed rate: 10-15 EUR (1200-1800 RSD) per hour for beginners and 15-20 EUR (1800-2400 RSD) for experienced teachers. The schedule is usually stable, but often includes evening and weekend groups.
Pros
- Official registration (employment contract or civil-law contract).
- Social benefits if the school pays taxes.
- No need to find students - they are already there.
Cons
- Less flexibility in choosing students and pace of teaching.
- Certificate (CELTA, TEFL, DELTA) and work experience are required.
How to legalize teaching
Private teachers
If you work for yourself, register as ИП (sole proprietorship) or ООО.
- ИП - 50-100 EUR (6000-12000 RSD) per year, income tax - 10 % up to 80 000 EUR per year, 20 % above.
- ООО - 300-500 EUR per year, but it allows you to hire staff and use a more flexible tax system.
Teachers in schools
Most schools hire staff under an employment contract, so taxes and social contributions (about 25-30 % of salary) are paid by the employer, and you receive "white" income and a work record book. If the school offers a civil-law contract, clarify who will pay the taxes - often this falls on the teacher.
Important: if you register an ИП, submit quarterly reports on time, otherwise the fine can reach 20 000 RSD.
Where to find students and vacancies
- Preply - commission 18-33 %, average rate 15-25 EUR/hour.
- iTalki - commission 15 %, rates 12-20 EUR/hour.
- Tandem and HelloTalk - free apps, income depends on your activity.
- Facebook groups (e.g., Expats in Belgrade or Уроки английского в Сербии) - postings without commission.
School vacancies
- British Council Serbia posts vacancies on its website britishcouncil.rs. CELTA or equivalent is required.
- Go! English (Belgrade, Novi Sad) - 12-18 EUR/hour, employment contract.
- English Language School "Step" - experience and certificate needed.
- Skyeng - online school, some teachers work remotely from Serbia, rate 10-15 EUR/hour.
Local ads and word-of-mouth
Post flyers in supermarkets Maxi, Konzum, at universities (Belgrade University, Novi Sad University) and popular cafés. Fellow expats often look for tutors for children or business English classes.
Offline
Face-to-face contact allows quick adjustments to the program. Renting a room in studios like English Hub or Lingua costs 10-20 EUR/hour. Prices for students in central Belgrade can reach 30 EUR/hour.
Online
No geographic limits, but competition is higher. A reliable internet connection is required (recommended ≥ 50 Mbps). Platforms - Zoom, Google Meet, Skype; some schools (e.g., Skyeng) provide their own tools. Rates 12-25 EUR/hour.
Hybrid
Many combine offline and online: lessons in coworking spaces Impact Hub Belgrade, Locus Workspace and simultaneously stream them to remote students.
Certificates and qualifications
Popular certificates
- CELTA - 1200-1800 EUR, 4-5 weeks of training.
- TEFL - 200-600 EUR, less prestigious but acceptable for many schools.
- DELTA - around 3000 EUR, for experienced teachers.
School requirements in 2026
- British Council and Go! English - CELTA or at least 2 years of relevant experience.
- Skyeng and Preply - TEFL is enough or even practical experience without a certificate.
- Private students often prefer teachers with proven qualifications, but a certificate is not mandatory.
Courses in Serbia
- TEFL Serbia (Belgrade) - about 500 EUR.
- British Council sometimes runs short intensive courses.
Taxes and accounting
For ИП
- Income tax - 10 % up to 80 000 EUR per year, 20 % above.
- VAT is not paid if annual revenue is below 80 000 EUR.
- Reporting - quarterly income tax declaration and annual tax return.
- Late-filing penalty - 5 000-20 000 RSD.
For school employees
- With an employment contract, taxes and social contributions are paid by the employer.
- With a civil-law contract you pay the tax yourself (rate ≈ 20 %).
Practical tips
- Open a separate account for income/expenses (e.g., at AIK Bank or OTP Bank).
- Accounting services Fono and Accountable cost 20-50 EUR per month and help automate reporting.
How much you can earn in 2026
Private lessons
- Beginner: 10-15 h/week × 15 EUR ≈ 600-900 EUR/month.
- Experienced: 20-25 h/week × 25 EUR ≈ 2000-2500 EUR/month.
- High-end: 30+ h/week × 30 EUR ≈ 3600+ EUR/month.
School work
- Entry level: 15-20 h/week × 12 EUR ≈ 720-960 EUR/month.
- Experienced: 20-25 h/week × 18 EUR ≈ 1440-1800 EUR/month.
These figures are realistic benchmarks, not guarantees; your income will depend on your English level, certifications and ability to attract clients.