VISA REGIME
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For holders of diplomatic and official passports: |
Visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days |
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For holders of national passports and other travel documents: |
Holders of biometric passports do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days for |
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Note: |
Holders of an emergency travel document in transit require a visa |
ENTERING AND LEAVING THE COUNTRY
From January 1, 2025, new rules for entry into Israel and stays of up to 90 days will come into effect. Complete information can be found on the website of the Israel Population & Immigration Authority at https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/.
From that date, all citizens of the Republic of Serbia will be required to obtain an "ETA-IL approval" - Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) by applying through the provided link before traveling. A positive decision means travel to Israel is permitted with a stay of up to 90 days per visit. The approval will be valid for up to two (2) years, and a fee of 25 new Israeli shekels (approximately 6.32 EUR) will be charged upon application.
Applications can be submitted at any time prior to traveling to Israel, but it is recommended that requests for travel authorization be submitted no later than 72 hours before making any flight reservations, hotel bookings, or other similar expenses related to planned travel to Israel.
Israeli citizens or holders of an Israeli ID number are exempt from applying via ETA-IL. From June 1 to December 31, 2024, the ETA-IL system will operate as a pilot program for application submissions. During this pilot phase, submitting an application will be voluntary and exempt from fees.
Other important information: At the border crossing, instead of stamping the passport, the Israeli border authorities issue a residence card, which must be kept during the entire stay in the country and shown when leaving Israel. For tourist travel purposes, the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country, and for regulating one’s residence the passport must be valid for at least six months after the visa expiration date. Because of the country’s specific security situation, the Israeli authorities carry out rigorous border control upon travelers’ entry into and exit out of the country ― a detailed questioning about the reasons for stay, contacts made, addresses of residence, and a thorough inspection of luggage. If there are stamps in the passport which indicate an earlier stay in Islamic and Arab countries, this may lead to additional questioning. In some cases, border authorities may request to check the travelers` private e-mails and social media activities.
These checks are carried out in order to prevent the abuse of tourist stay, or to prevent illegal immigration and illicit employment, which has been on the rise in recent years, especially from the countries of the former Soviet Union and the Balkans, including Serbia. There have been recorded cases of airport detention and deportation of Serbian citizens, due to suspicion of the stated reasons for their stay in Israel.
In accordance with Israeli regulations on movement restrictions, all foreign citizens of Palestinian origin, including those from the Republic of Serbia, must undergo a special approval procedure for passage through Israeli territory. To enter Israel, specifically the West Bank, they are permitted to use only the "Allenby Bridge"/"King Hussein Bridge" road crossing on the border with Jordan. Entry through Ben Gurion International Airport is allowed solely with a pre-obtained permit from the Ministry of Defense of the State of Israel. Serbian citizens who, in addition to Serbian, have travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority, are required to present those documents at Israeli border crossings.
Should there be any uncertainties regarding the aforementioned regulations, citizens of the Republic of Serbia are advised to contact the Embassy of the State of Israel in Belgrade prior to traveling https://embassies.gov.il/beograd/Pages/default.aspx.
SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT
No social security agreement has been concluded.
USEFUL INFORMATION
SECURITY SITUATION — Considering the state of war declared in the State of Israel on October 7, 2023, citizens of the Republic of Serbia are strongly advised to refrain from traveling to this country until further notice.
In cases where travel and stay in Israel are necessitated by urgent obligations, citizens of Serbia are advised to implement enhanced safety measures. It is recommended to follow the instructions issued by competent state authorities, particularly those provided by the "Home Front Command" via the "National Emergency Portal" at https://www.oref.org.il/en.
It should be noted that certain areas of Israel, especially those surrounding the Gaza Strip and the border zone towards Lebanon, are closed due to ongoing combat operations. In regions where sirens are occasionally heard, signaling the threat of rocket attacks, it is imperative to follow movement instructions and promptly enter shelters when a danger is announced.
In Israel, particularly in larger cities, mass protest gatherings have been occurring frequently, primarily on Saturday evenings, though they may also take place on other days of the week, especially in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Such events can lead to sporadic traffic disruptions. Therefore, citizens of Serbia are advised to avoid these gatherings during their stay in Israel and to adjust their movements accordingly.
TRANSPORT — Most passengers use Ben Gurion International Airport, which is located near Tel Aviv, whereas the other international airport is in the extreme south of the country near Eilat. There are also land border crossings with Egypt and Jordan, but the borders with Lebanon and Syria are completely closed. There are several border crossings with Palestine ― the West Bank, while entry into the Gaza Strip is allowed in exceptional cases and with a special permit issued by the Israeli authorities. More detailed information on border crossing points and crossing conditions is available at: https://english.mod.gov.il/Departments/Pages/CrossingAuthority.aspx
Israeli regulations allow the use of foreign licenses, including Serbian driver's licenses, by persons residing in Israel for up to one year. Conversion of a foreign driver’s license into an Israeli one is obligatory for all persons who have a temporary stay longer than a year or are already in the procedure of immigrating to Israel.
OTHER INFORMATION — The official languages in Israel are Hebrew and Arabic, and English and Russian are widely used. During the Sabbath, which begins on a Friday at sundown and ends on a Saturday at sundown, public institutions and most shops are closed. At that time, traditionally observant Jews do not use electrical appliances, mobile telephones or drive vehicles. Foreign travellers should keep this in mind if they plan a visit to the neighbourhoods where this group of the population lives.
Contact information: During your stay in Israel, for consular assistance and protection you may contact the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Tel Aviv, at the following telephone number: +972 3 604 55 35, and e-mail: srb.emb.israel@mfa.rs
Only in cases of genuine emergency, contact with the Embassy should be made exclusively via text message or WhatsApp (number: +972 5 263 156 20)