In Serbia, the official currency is the Serbian dinar (RSD): the euro is sometimes tolerated, but paying in local cash remains the norm and spares you unfavourable rates.
The Serbian dinar (RSD), an essential currency
Serbia is not part of the eurozone and has not adopted the single currency. The country uses the Serbian dinar, identified by the international code RSD and often abbreviated as "дин" or "din" locally. The dinar moves under a managed floating exchange regime: there is no fixed parity with the euro, but the National Bank of Serbia steps in to limit the scale of fluctuations. In practice, one euro buys more than a hundred dinars, an order of magnitude that varies from day to day: we only publish indicative counter rates, recalculated each day.
You will come across banknotes of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 dinars (as well as smaller denominations and coins for small change). Get used to handling amounts with several zeros: a coffee or a transport ticket is quickly paid in hundreds of dinars, without this reflecting a high cost of living.
The euro in Belgrade: accepted, but not everywhere
Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš are tourist cities where the euro circulates informally. Some hotels, rental agencies or traveller-oriented shops accept payments in euros, and rents or large transactions are often denominated in euros. But this leniency comes at a cost: the merchant applies their own conversion rate, almost always unfavourable, and gives you your change in dinars. For everyday purchases (markets, kiosks, neighbourhood restaurants, transport, taxis, small museums), only the dinar is truly expected.
The golden rule for a stress-free trip: have a working float of cash in dinars from the moment you arrive. This saves you from urgently hunting for an ATM and from having a payment refused over a modest amount.
ATMs and cards on site
Cash machines (bankomat) are plentiful in urban centres and dispense dinars. Be careful, however: many offer "dynamic currency conversion" (DCC), which charges you in euros at an unfavourable rate; always decline this option and choose to be debited in dinars. Bank cards work fine in hotels and major chains, but outside the big cities and in rural areas, cash still has the edge. The culture of paying in cash remains strong in Serbia.
Why exchange your dinars in advance in Paris
The Serbian dinar is a less common currency in France. Arriving with dinars in your pocket saves you time and peace of mind, especially if you land in the evening or head to a remote region. Since it is a currency with more limited availability, we recommend that you reserve your banknotes in advance to guarantee the amount you want on the day of pickup.
At Paris Change, a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), you exchange your euros commission-free, with more than 53 currencies available. Our single shop is located at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris, by the Saint-Michel station (line 4, RER B and C), and remains open 7 days a week. You can order your currencies online and come and collect them in store, with no waiting. For a currency like the Serbian dinar, this advance reservation is the best way to secure your stock of banknotes before departure.
How much cash should you plan for?
It all depends on your travel style, but plan to have enough to cover the first few days (transport, meals, small expenses) in dinars, then top up via local ATMs. Bear in mind the European customs rule: any cash sum equal to or above €10,000 must be declared when entering and leaving the European Union.
Frequently asked questions
Can you pay in euros everywhere in Serbia?
No. The euro is sometimes accepted in hotels and certain tourist shops, but at an unfavourable rate. For everyday spending, Serbian dinars in cash remain indispensable.
Is it better to exchange in France or in Serbia?
Exchanging a starting amount into dinars in Paris saves you from any surprises on arrival. You can then top up locally via ATMs, always declining the conversion into euros offered on screen.
Are Serbian dinars easy to obtain in Paris?
It is a less common currency: we advise reserving it online in advance to guarantee the availability of banknotes on the day you visit the shop.
Prepare for your stay with complete peace of mind: order your currencies now and collect your Serbian dinars 7 days a week at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, commission-free.
