Welcome to Serbia!

There are no official subccategories of Workers in Serbia.

Fixed-term contracts are permitted in Serbia, but generally cannot be longer than 24 months. Employees on fixed-term contracts have the same rights and obligations as those on indefinite contracts.

Probationary periods are permitted in Serbia for a maximum of six months. During the probationary period, notice of at least five working days (or as contracted) is required to terminate the employment relationship.

Workers recognize 16 paid public holidays in Serbia, some of which are multiple days in duration. A worker may be entitled to more depending on their religion. If the public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is recognized on the next working day. Work performed on a public holiday must be compensated at 110% of the Worker's regular salary.

Workers receive at least 20 days of paid vacation per year in addition to a vacation allowance. In the first year of employment or until the Worker has worked for six months, they accrue half of the leave amount monthly. Accrued but unused leave is payable at termination.

Workers are entitled to sick pay any time they are ill or injured without limitation. Sick leave is paid by the employer. Workers must deliver a doctor's note within three days certifying the inability to work.

A regular workweek is 40 hours per week. Workers cannot work more than 12 hours per day including overtime. During the working day, Workers are entitled to a 30-minute rest break. Workers are also entitled to 12 hours of rest per day and 24 hours of rest per week.

Any hours worked in excess of the standard workweek are considered overtime. Overtime must be limited to four hours per day and eight hours per week. Overtime is payable at least 126%. Workers cannot opt out of overtime regulations.

A 13th month salary is not mandatory or customary in Serbia.

Termination must be based on one of the following approved legal grounds: failure to achieve work results due to incompetence, a work-related criminal act, failure to return to work within 15 days after a permissible leave, a Worker's intentional breach of a work duty or rule, non-compliance, redundancy, or (in limited situations) the Worker's refusal to add an annex to the employment agreement. Termination for inability to complete the job due to incompetence requires notice between 8 and 30 days. Any other grounds for termination such as consensual termination or termination by force of law, do not require notice.

Workers do not need to provide a reason for resignation, but must provide at least 15 days' written notice. The maximum notice period for a resignation is 30 days.

In the case of redundancy (layoff due to an employer's economic, organizational, or technical changes), Workers are entitled to severance.

A 13th month bonus is not required in Serbia

Pension insurance is 24%, 10% of which is an employer contribution. The mandatory state health insurance costs to the employer are 5.15%. Hot meal, holiday and past work allowances are either agreed upon as part of the worker's base salary or agreed upon in the Employment Contract.

There are no mandatory benefits required in Serbia, outside of the state provided insurance.

Maternity leave provided is 12 months for the first child. The amount of required maternity leave is increased to 24 months for the third and each subsequent child. Paternity leave is also provided for under the law. Personal leaves of up to five (5) working days during the calendar year should also be provided.