Working while studying in Serbia is allowed for a foreign student, but within clear limits. Since 1 February 2024, the Law on Employment of Foreigners gives a student with temporary residence for study the right to work without the single permit for residence and work, provided the work does not exceed 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month during the study period. The minimum wage in 2026 is 371 dinars net per hour, so part-time income helps with expenses but is not enough on its own to cover living costs. In this guide we explain the legal rules, work through student cooperatives, expected wages and realistic jobs for international students.

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What does the Law on Employment of Foreigners say about students?

The Serbian Law on Employment of Foreigners defines a “student” as a foreigner with temporary residence for study who is enrolled in an accredited study programme. After the amendments that started to apply on 1 February 2024, the law states that a foreigner with temporary residence on the basis of study and international student exchange has the right to work without the single permit. It also sets the limit on student work during the period of study activities at 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month.
Note that some websites, including official pages that have not been updated, still say a student needs a separate work permit from the National Employment Service, which was the rule before 2024. So confirm your status before signing any contract, through the National Employment Service or the international students’ office at your university, especially as the law imposes a fine of between 800,000 and 2,000,000 dinars on an employer who breaks the rules.

Condition	Details
Basis of residence	Valid temporary residence for the purpose of study
Student status	Enrolment in an accredited study programme
Number of hours	Up to 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month during the study period
Permit	No single permit is required since February 2024, according to the text of the law
Contract	A written contract with the employer or through a student cooperative

The key here is your residence: if your residence expires or its basis changes, your right to work lapses. So follow the renewal dates for student temporary residence in Serbia closely.

Working through student cooperatives (Omladinska zadruga)

Youth and student cooperatives, called Omladinska zadruga in Serbian, are the most common way for students to work in Serbia. They act as an intermediary between the student and employers, providing temporary and seasonal jobs without a permanent employment contract. People aged 15 to 30 can join, and this work is considered “temporary and occasional”, not exceeding 120 working days a year.

How do you join a student cooperative?

• Choose a well-known cooperative in your city, and contact it to ask whether it accepts foreign students and which documents it needs.
• Prepare your passport, residence card and a certificate of enrolment from your university.
• Open a Serbian bank account to receive your pay, as we explain in opening a bank account and transferring money in Serbia for students.
• Pay the nominal membership fee, if there is one, and then follow the daily job announcements.

The advantage of cooperatives is that pay arrives regularly, weekly or monthly, and a student under 26 may benefit from tax relief on this type of income within certain limits. Ask the cooperative for the current details before you start.

Minimum wage in Serbia 2026

The Serbian government set the 2026 minimum wage at 371 dinars net per working hour, an increase of about 10% on the previous year. The government decided to raise it to 405 dinars net per hour from 1 January 2027 (decision of 20 August 2026), which is about 32,400 dinars for 80 hours. The minimum monthly salary varies with the number of working hours in the month: about 59,360 dinars net for a 160-hour month, up to 68,264 dinars for a 184-hour month. Since a student does not work more than 80 hours a month during study, this is roughly what to expect:

Working hours per month	Approximate income at minimum wage (net)	Approximate equivalent in euros
40 hours	about 14,840 dinars	about €125
60 hours	about 22,260 dinars	about €190
80 hours (maximum)	about 29,680 dinars	about €250

These figures are calculated at the minimum wage, and some jobs pay more, especially those that need languages or technical skills. The dinar exchange rate changes, so treat the euro equivalent as approximate.

Realistic jobs for international students in Serbia

The student job market in Serbia depends heavily on the Serbian language, so your chances vary with your language level. The most realistic fields are:

• Student cooperative work: product promotion, stocktaking, warehouses and events, which often do not need advanced Serbian.
• Restaurants, cafés and hotels in big cities and tourist areas.
• Customer service centres that need Arabic or English, mostly in Belgrade and Novi Sad.
• Private tutoring in Arabic, English or maths, and lessons for new international students.
• Translation between Arabic, English and Serbian for those who master the languages.
• Research assistance or teaching assistance inside the university for postgraduate students.

As for online freelance work for clients outside Serbia, its legal and tax status for a foreign student is not entirely clear, so consult an accountant or your university’s office before relying on it.

Where do you find the most student job opportunities?

Most opportunities are concentrated in the big cities. Belgrade is the biggest market, with most of the student cooperatives, customer service centres, restaurants and international companies, but rents are higher there too. Novi Sad comes second, with an active tech sector and opportunities in services and events. In Niš and smaller cities living is cheaper, but fewer jobs are available and competition for them is higher. It is best to balance the cost of a city against its job opportunities before choosing where to study, and to look for jobs through cooperatives’ websites, university notice boards and international student groups in your city.

Work challenges for international students

• Language: most jobs that deal with the public require Serbian, so learning it doubles your chances. Start with learning the Serbian language.
• Relatively low wages compared with Western Europe, although living costs are lower too.
• Study pressure: many faculties require attendance and hold periodic exams, and failing a year can cost you more than you earn.
• Scholarship conditions: if you are on the World in Serbia scholarship, review your scholarship contract before taking any job.

Is working enough to cover living costs?

The University of Belgrade estimates a student’s needs at about €600 to €800 a month, covering accommodation, food, transport and insurance, while the income from 80 hours at minimum wage is only about €250. So part-time work may cover roughly a third of your expenses, no more. Do not travel relying on work, and remember that proof of financial means is required when you apply for residence. Plan your budget with the cost of living in Serbia for students and your first-year budget for studying in Serbia, and choose a cheaper city from among the best cities in Serbia for students.

Tips for legal and safe work

• Do not work without a written contract that states the pay and the number of hours.
• Stick to the 20-hours-a-week limit during your studies, and keep a record of your hours.
• Keep your pay slips, as you may need them when you renew your residence.
• Avoid offers that pay cash with no documentation at all.
• Treat work as an opportunity to build experience, in preparation for working in Serbia after graduation.

FAQ about working while studying in Serbia

Do I need a work permit as a foreign student in Serbia?

Under the law as applied since February 2024, a student with a study residence permit does not need the single permit, but confirm your status with the National Employment Service.

How many hours can I work per week?

Up to 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month during the period of study activities.

What is the hourly wage in Serbia for students?

Legally no less than 371 dinars net per hour in 2026, and it may be higher depending on the job and skills.

Can I work full-time during the summer holiday?

The hours limit in the law is tied to the period of study activities, but check the current rules before working full-time during holidays.

Can I work without knowing Serbian?

Yes, in some simple jobs and in customer service centres in English or Arabic, but opportunities grow a lot once you learn Serbian.
Working while studying in Serbia is a legal and useful option if you respect your residence and the hours limit, but it is a supplementary source of income, not a main one. Make your studies your priority, treat work as experience and extra income, and start your journey from Study in Serbia.