Serbia CV Format 2026: Complete Writing Guide
Everything you need to write a professional CV for Serbian employers — format rules, Europass guidance, salary benchmarks, local job boards, and a step-by-step section guide.
Serbia CV Format Rules
- Length: 1 page for early-career; 2 pages for senior professionals — the regional standard.
- Photo: Professional headshot, top right. Expected across all sectors.
- Language: Serbian (Cyrillic or Latin script) for local roles; English for IT, multinationals, and export-oriented companies.
- Format: Europass is widely accepted, especially for EU job mobility. Standard chronological CV also fully acceptable.
- Personal info: Include date of birth and nationality — standard in Serbian CV conventions.
- File: PDF. Named FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf.
Serbia CV Sections — Step by Step
1 Contact Information
Full name, phone (with +381 country code), professional email, city (Belgrade, Novi Sad, etc.), LinkedIn URL. Include date of birth and nationality — Serbian employers commonly expect both.
2 Professional Summary (Profesionalni profil)
3–4 sentences. Emphasise technical expertise, results, and sector experience. For tech roles (Belgrade has a booming IT scene): mention specific languages, frameworks, and any EU project experience.
"Full-stack developer with 7 years of experience in fintech and e-commerce platforms. Led development of payment gateway serving 2.3M users across SEE region. Proficient in React, Node.js, and AWS. Seeking senior engineering role in a product-driven company with EU market focus."
3 Work Experience (Radno iskustvo)
Reverse-chronological. Job title, company, city, dates. 3–4 achievement bullets per role with quantified results. Serbian employers respond well to concrete metrics: revenue generated, cost savings, team size managed, projects delivered on time.
4 Education (Obrazovanje)
Degree, institution, city, graduation year. Serbian employers highly regard domestic universities: University of Belgrade, University of Novi Sad, and University of Niš. Include GPA equivalent if it was high (8.5+/10 is Serbian equivalent of honours).
5 Skills (Veštine)
Languages (list Serbian, English, and any others with level); technical skills by category; certifications. English proficiency is expected in IT, finance, and international companies. German and French are valued for EU-oriented roles.
Serbia CV Sample (International Applicant)
Many people applying for jobs in Serbia are applying from abroad. This sample follows Serbian conventions (photo, date of birth, nationality, languages with levels) for a skilled trade role. Replace the details with your own, or build it in the editor with a ready-made template.
Serbia Salary Benchmarks 2026
| Role / Sector | Monthly Salary (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer (mid-level) | €1,800 – €3,500 | Belgrade IT sector, booming |
| Senior Developer / Tech Lead | €3,500 – €6,000 | Product companies pay top of range |
| Finance / Accounting | €1,000 – €2,200 | Multinational companies pay premium |
| Marketing Manager | €1,200 – €2,500 | Digital marketing specialists in demand |
| Civil Engineer | €900 – €2,000 | Infrastructure projects expanding |
| Healthcare (Doctor) | €1,200 – €2,800 | Public hospitals lower; private clinics higher |
| BPO / Customer Support | €700 – €1,200 | Large sector in Belgrade and Novi Sad |
| Teacher / Education | €600 – €1,100 | Public sector lower than private |
Where to Find Jobs in Serbia
- Infostud.com — Serbia's largest job board. Essential for all sectors including IT, finance, retail, and manufacturing.
- HelloWorld.rs — Premier IT and tech job board. All major Serbian tech companies and international firms post here.
- LinkedIn — Strong presence for professional and senior roles. Many multinational companies active on LinkedIn Serbia.
- National Employment Service (nsz.gov.rs) — The state employment agency (Nacionalna služba za zapošljavanje). Lists vacancies across Serbia, including many manual, industrial and entry-level roles.
- BizzIt.rs — Tech-focused job board covering Belgrade's growing startup and software development scene.
- Human Resource Management Service (suk.gov.rs) — Vacancies and public competitions in the state administration.
Serbia CV Do's and Don'ts
DO
- Include a professional photo — expected across all sectors
- Write in Serbian for local companies; English for IT/multinationals
- Include date of birth and nationality — Serbian standard
- Mention Europass compatibility for EU-oriented roles
- Quantify results with specific numbers and metrics
- Include LinkedIn URL — widely used by Serbian recruiters
DON'T
- Exceed 2 pages — Serbian recruiters expect concise CVs
- Use only generic skill descriptions without evidence
- Skip the cover letter for senior or specialist roles
- Ignore references — Serbian employers may contact previous employers directly
Serbia CV: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct CV format for Serbia?
One to two pages, reverse-chronological, with a professional photo, date of birth and nationality in the header. A standard CV and the Europass format are both accepted. Send it as a PDF named FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf.
Should I use the Europass CV format for Serbia?
Europass is widely accepted, especially for EU-oriented employers and international companies, but it is not required. A clean one- or two-page chronological CV is just as acceptable for most Serbian jobs.
Should my Serbian CV be in Serbian or English?
Serbian (Latin or Cyrillic script) for local companies and the public sector. English for IT, multinationals and export-oriented companies. If you are applying from abroad, an English CV is normal; list your Serbian level honestly.
Do I need a photo on a CV for Serbia?
Yes. A professional headshot in the top-right corner is expected across all sectors in Serbia.
I am applying from abroad. What should my CV include?
Your nationality, passport validity, work authorisation status, trade or professional certificates, languages with levels, and when you can start. Serbian employers hiring from abroad need this to plan the permit process.
Do foreigners need a work permit to work in Serbia?
Yes, most foreign nationals do. Since 1 February 2024, Serbia issues a single permit (jedinstvena dozvola) that combines temporary residence and work for a specific employer. The application is made online through the government's Foreigners Portal (eforeigner.welcometoserbia.gov.rs), with the employer's involvement, and usually takes several weeks. Be cautious of any agent who asks for a large fee in exchange for a job offer.