Guide to Doing Business and Investing in Serbia 2026

Situation in Serbia

Despite challenges, including occasional political tensions and economic pressures, Serbia is witnessing a steady growth and modernisation, while maintaining a balance between its traditional alliances and aspirations for EU membership.

The current government prioritises economic and social development, focusing on modernising and transforming the public sector, developing infrastructure, promoting digitalisation, improving education, and strengthening human rights. Accession to the European Union remains a top foreign policy priority for Serbia, which has been an official EU candidate since 2012.

As of early 2026, Serbia has opened 22 out of 35 negotiation chapters with the EU, with only two provisionally closed: Science and Research (Chapter 25) and Education and Culture (Chapter 26). There has been no further progress in opening or closing chapters since December 2021.