How to teach English in Serbia in 2026: salaries of 60,000–140,000 RSD ($550–$1,365) a month, degree and TEFL requirements, the single residence and work permit, living costs and how to get hired.
You can teach English in Serbia with a bachelor’s degree and a 120-hour TEFL certificate, and most jobs are in private language schools in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš. Pay is modest by European standards, but living costs are low, hiring is year-round, and the 2024 single permit has made legal work simpler. This guide covers 2026 salaries in dinars and dollars, the visa process, living costs and how to get hired.
TL;DR
- Salary (2026): about 60,000–140,000 RSD ($550–$1,365) a month at language schools; 120,000–250,000 RSD ($1,100–$2,300) at international schools; 1,500–3,000 RSD ($14–$28) an hour for private lessons.
- Requirements: a bachelor’s degree is expected by most employers, plus a 120-hour TEFL certificate. Native speakers are preferred but not required.
- Visa: foreign teachers work on Serbia’s single permit for residence and work (in force since February 2024), applied for online with the employer.
- Cost of living: roughly 110,000–124,000 RSD ($1,080–$1,215) a month including rent; Belgrade public transport has been free since January 2025.
- Best for: teachers who want a European lifestyle on a budget and are happy to top up income with private students.
- Verdict: a good first or second TEFL posting for quality of life, not for saving money.
Last updated: November 2026
Table of Contents
- Is There Demand for English Teachers in Serbia?
- Requirements to Teach English in Serbia
- Serbia Work Visa and Single Permit for Teachers
- English Teacher Salary in Serbia (2026)
- Types of Teaching Jobs and Where to Find Them
- Cost of Living in Serbia for Teachers
- Pros and Cons of Teaching in Serbia
- How to Get Hired: Step by Step
- Related Guides
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Is There Demand for English Teachers in Serbia?
Yes, steady demand exists, but it is concentrated in the private sector. English is compulsory in Serbian schools, and adults study it for jobs in IT, outsourcing, tourism and companies working with EU partners. That keeps private language schools busy with evening classes, business English and exam preparation for IELTS and Cambridge certificates.
Public schools rarely hire foreign TEFL teachers directly, because state teaching posts require Serbian teaching qualifications. Most foreigners work in language schools, international schools, kindergartens with English programmes, or as private tutors. Belgrade has the most vacancies, followed by Novi Sad and Niš, with smaller markets in Kragujevac and Subotica.
If you are comparing destinations across the region, Serbia sits between the cheaper markets and the better-paid EU ones. Our guides to teaching English in Croatia and teaching English in Bulgaria show how neighbouring countries compare.
Requirements to Teach English in Serbia
| Requirement | Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | Expected by most employers | The single permit asks for proof of the qualification the job requires, usually your degree |
| TEFL / TESOL / CELTA | Usually required | 120 hours is the standard; some schools ask for Level 5 or CELTA |
| Native speaker | Preferred, not required | Fluent non-native speakers are hired, often with a C1–C2 certificate |
| Teaching experience | Helpful | Needed for international schools (often 2–3 years plus a teaching licence) |
| Criminal record check | Commonly requested | Get it from your home country before you travel |
| Health insurance | Required for residence | Proof of cover until you are enrolled in the Serbian system through your job |
The TEFL certificate matters more than the degree subject. If you do not have one yet, a 120-hour TEFL course meets what Serbian language schools ask for, and a course with observed teaching practice helps you stand out for business English roles.
Bring original documents and keep scanned copies. Serbian authorities may ask for degree certificates with an apostille and a certified translation into Serbian, so check with your employer which documents need legalising before you leave home.
Serbia Work Visa and Single Permit for Teachers
Since February 2024, foreign workers in Serbia apply for a single permit that combines temporary residence and the right to work. It replaced the old system, in which teachers first got a temporary residence permit and then a separate work permit from the National Employment Service.
How the single permit works
- Where to apply: online through the Foreigners’ Portal (welcometoserbia.gov.rs). You or your employer can submit the application, and the fee is paid on the portal.
- Documents: passport, photo, proof of address (tenancy agreement or landlord’s consent), a draft employment contract, your diploma, and documents from the employer such as its business registration.
- Processing: the authorities have a 15-day deadline to decide once the application is complete; you then attend an appointment for biometrics.
- Validity: up to three years, renewable. Apply for a renewal no earlier than three months and no later than the day it expires.
Do you need a visa before you arrive?
Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Canada and Australia can enter Serbia visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and can apply for the single permit from inside the country. Nationalities that need a visa to enter must first get a D visa (long-stay visa) for employment and then apply for the single permit while it is valid.
Do not teach on a tourist stay. Working without the permit can lead to fines and problems with future residence applications. Ask any employer at interview stage whether it will sponsor the single permit, because some small schools prefer to hire teachers on freelance contracts that do not cover residence.
English Teacher Salary in Serbia (2026)
Salaries are modest, but they compare well with the cost of living outside central Belgrade. Language schools often pay by the teaching hour, so your monthly income depends on how many classes you get, and summer can be quiet.
| Job type | Monthly pay (RSD) | Monthly pay (USD, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Private language schools (full-time) | 60,000–120,000 | $550–$1,100 |
| Average TEFL teacher (all employers) | 92,000–140,800 | $900–$1,365 |
| Private / bilingual schools | 80,000–140,000 | $730–$1,280 |
| Universities and private faculties | 80,000–150,000 | $730–$1,380 |
| International schools (Belgrade) | 120,000–250,000 | $1,100–$2,300 |
| Private lessons / part-time | 1,500–3,000 per hour | $14–$28 per hour |
Benefits are lighter than in Asia or the Gulf. Language schools rarely pay for flights or housing, though some help you find a flat. International schools are the exception and may offer housing allowances, health insurance and flights for qualified, licensed teachers.
If saving money is your main goal, compare Serbia with the highest-paying TEFL countries, where housing and flights are often included.
Types of Teaching Jobs and Where to Find Them
Private language schools
This is where most foreign teachers start. Expect afternoon, evening and Saturday classes for children, teenagers and adults, with a growing share of business English for IT and outsourcing companies. Many schools hire year-round.
International and bilingual schools
Belgrade has several international schools following British, American or IB curricula. They pay the most but usually want a teaching licence and two to three years of classroom experience, and they recruit months in advance for August starts.
Private tutoring and online teaching
Many teachers combine a part-time school contract with private students or online classes. Tutoring is common for exam preparation and company employees, and it can lift your monthly income noticeably.
Where to search
- International job boards such as TEFL.com, Dave’s ESL Cafe and Teach Away.
- Serbia’s largest job portal, Poslovi Infostud, which lists language school vacancies.
- Direct applications to schools in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš, and expat Facebook groups.
- Broader job-hunting tips in our guide to finding work in Serbia.
Cost of Living in Serbia for Teachers
Serbia is one of the cheaper places in Europe to live, though rents in Belgrade have risen sharply in recent years. Living outside the centre or sharing a larger flat can save around 20,000 RSD (about $200) a month.
| Expense | Monthly cost (RSD) | Monthly cost (USD, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat, outside Belgrade centre or other cities | 38,000–54,000 | $370–$520 |
| One-bedroom flat, central Belgrade | about 70,000 | about $680 |
| Room in a shared three-bed flat, Belgrade | about 45,000 | about $435 |
| Living costs excluding rent (food, utilities, phone, leisure) | 68,000–82,000 | $660–$795 |
| Public transport in Belgrade | Free (since 1 January 2025) | $0 |
| Total for a single person including rent | 110,000–124,000 | $1,080–$1,215 |
For housing, banking, healthcare and SIM cards, see our complete guide to preparing for a move to Serbia.
Pros and Cons of Teaching in Serbia
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low barrier to entry and year-round hiring | Salaries are low by European standards |
| Simpler single permit since 2024 | Few jobs include flights or housing |
| Affordable living and free Belgrade transport | Hourly contracts mean income can drop in summer |
| Lively cafe and nightlife culture, easy travel around the Balkans | Belgrade rents have risen quickly |
| Non-native speakers can get hired | Paperwork may need apostilles and translations |
How to Get Hired: Step by Step
- Get a 120-hour TEFL certificate (or higher) and gather your degree, transcripts and a criminal record check.
- Ask which documents need an apostille and Serbian translation, and arrange them before you travel.
- Apply to language schools and international schools online, timing applications for August–September or January.
- Interview, often by video, and be ready to teach a short demo lesson.
- Sign a contract with an employer that will support your single permit, then apply through the Foreigners’ Portal.
- Register your address, attend your biometrics appointment and collect your permit card.
Teaching English in Serbia works best as a lifestyle move. Teachers who want higher pay in Central Europe often look at teaching English in Hungary as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you teach English in Serbia without a degree?
Sometimes, but it limits you. Some private language schools and tutoring agencies hire teachers without a degree, yet the single permit application asks for a diploma or other document proving the qualification the job requires. A bachelor’s degree plus a 120-hour TEFL certificate makes hiring and paperwork far easier.
How much do English teachers earn in Serbia?
Full-time language school teachers typically earn 60,000–140,000 RSD (about $550–$1,365) a month, depending on hours and experience. International schools in Belgrade pay roughly 120,000–250,000 RSD (about $1,100–$2,300). Private lessons usually bring 1,500–3,000 RSD (about $14–$28) an hour, which many teachers use to top up a school salary.
What visa do I need to teach English in Serbia?
Most foreign teachers need Serbia’s single permit for residence and work, introduced in February 2024. Your employer supports the application, which is filed online through the Foreigners’ Portal. It replaced the old two-step process of getting a temporary residence permit and then a separate work permit.
Do I need to be a native English speaker to teach in Serbia?
No. Serbia has no nationality rule for English teachers, and many schools hire fluent non-native speakers with a TEFL certificate. Some private schools and clients prefer native speakers or pay them more, so non-native applicants should highlight a C1–C2 certificate such as IELTS or Cambridge.
When is the best time to look for English teaching jobs in Serbia?
Language schools hire year-round, but the busiest recruiting windows are late summer for a September start and January for the second term. International schools in Belgrade recruit months ahead for August. Arriving in late August or early September gives you the widest choice of interviews.
Is Serbia a good place to save money as an English teacher?
Modest savings are possible but Serbia is not a savings market. A single teacher spends roughly 110,000–124,000 RSD (about $1,080–$1,215) a month including rent, close to a typical language school salary. Teachers who save usually add private students or online classes to their schedule.
Conclusion
Serbia suits teachers who value low living costs, an easy-going social life and simple entry requirements more than high savings. Get your TEFL certificate and documents ready, line up an employer that will sponsor the single permit, and use our complete guide to teaching English abroad to compare Serbia with other countries.
