π·πΈ Job offer letter in Serbia: what to include
Updated July 2026 Β· General information, not legal advice
Read in Π ΡΡΡΠΊΠΈΠΉ Β· Deutsch
Serbia has become a significant tech and relocation hub, and its Labour Law is strict on one point above all: the written employment contract must be signed before the employee starts work β unregistered work carries real penalties. The offer letter is where you align on terms before that signature.
Quick facts
- Contract form
- Written contract mandatory before work begins
- Probation
- Up to 6 months
- Annual leave
- Minimum 20 working days
- Salary convention
- Candidates usually discuss NET monthly salary in RSD or EUR
- Notice
- Employee resignation: 15 days by default (contract may extend to 30)
What to include in a Serbian offer letter
A Serbia offer normally covers:
- Position and place of work
- Salary β be explicit about net vs gross: Serbian candidates talk net, payroll runs gross
- Contract duration (indefinite or fixed-term; fixed-term is capped in total duration)
- Probation period (up to 6 months) and how it can end
- Annual leave (minimum 20 working days, plus slava and public holidays)
- Meal and holiday allowances where the employer provides them
The net salary convention
Unlike most of the EU, salary conversations in Serbia are held in net monthly terms, often in EUR even though payment is in dinars. The formal contract, however, states the gross amount. An offer that only quotes gross will confuse local candidates; an offer that only quotes net will complicate payroll. Quote both.
Probation and termination
Probation may last up to six months. If the employee does not meet expectations during probation, the employer may terminate with a short notice period (at least five working days) and a reasoned decision. After probation, termination follows the general β and more demanding β Labour Law grounds.
Leave and allowances
Minimum annual leave is 20 working days, and employees are entitled to statutory allowances that foreign employers sometimes miss: holiday pay (regres) and a meal allowance (topli obrok) are common components of Serbian compensation structures under collective agreements or employer policy.
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Create a free offer βFrequently asked questions
Should a Serbian offer quote net or gross salary?
Both. Candidates negotiate net monthly amounts; the contract and payroll use gross. Quoting both figures avoids the single most common misunderstanding in Serbian hiring.
How long can probation last in Serbia?
Up to six months, and it must be agreed in the employment contract.
When must the employment contract be signed in Serbia?
Before the employee starts working. Starting work without a signed, registered contract exposes the employer to fines.
Related guides
This guide is general information for employers, not legal advice. Employment rules change and collective agreements may set different terms β confirm the specifics with local counsel before sending an offer.