PROTOCOL GUIDELINES Updated – 1 October 2015

REPUBLIC OF SERBIA   MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PROTOCOL GUIDELINES
FOR MEMBERS OF FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS, CONSULAR POSTS AND
OFFICES OF INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Belgrade, July 2015

Updated – 1 October 2015

2
Welcome to the Republic of Serbia!
This guidebook has been issued with the intention of providing to the members of foreign diplomatic missions and consular posts in the Republic of Serbia basic information about their privileges and immunities observed by the Republic of Serbia in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, with respect for the principle of reciprocity and relevant laws and regulations of the Republic of Serbia.
Privileges and immunities are also granted to the offices of international governmental organizations and to the members of their international staff, subject to the provisions of relevant bilateral agreements on privileges and immunities of the status of international governmental organizations resident offices in the Republic of Serbia.
Privileges and immunities are guaranteed in order to ensure normal functioning of foreign diplomatic missions, consular posts and offices of international governmental organizations and members of their international staff. In the same time, members of foreign diplomatic missions, consular posts and offices of international governmental organizations are expected to observe the laws and regulations of the Republic of Serbia as a receiving State.
Diplomatic Protocol

3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREMISES OF THE MISSION …
…6
Opening of foreign diplomatic mission, consular post or office of
international governmental organization …
..6
Purchase and lease of property …
..7
Procedure to obtain approval …
..7
Fiscal Exemption from Purchase or Lease Taxation on Immovable Property …
..7
Taxes related to Purchase of Immovable Property …
..8
Property Lease …
…9
Inviolability and security of the mission premises …
..9
(Temporary) Closure of diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental
organization …
.9
HEAD OF MISSION …
…10
Agrément …
…10
Arrival of the Head of Mission…
…10
Presentation of True Copies of the Credentials …
..10
Call on the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps …
…11
Presentation of the Credentials …
…11
Dress code…
..13
Order of Precedence …
.13
Courtesy Calls on Dignitaries …
..13
Wreath Laying Ceremony…
..13
Absence of the Head of Mission – Appointment of a Chargé d’Affaires a.i…
…13
Final departure of the head of mission …
…14
NON-RESIDENT HEADS OF MISSION…
.14
Initial Visit – Arrival …
.14
Presentation of the Credentials …
…15
Courtesy Calls…
..15
Working Visits…
.15
Final Departure …
…15
VISITS OF FOREIGN STATE DIGNITARIES …
…15
State and Official Visits to the Republic of Serbia…
…15
Private Visits and Transit …
..16
Carrying of Firearms by Foreign Security Officers…
..16
Carrying of Communication Equipment by Foreign Security Officers…
..16
Greeting and Seeing off Visiting High-Ranking Foreign Dignitaries …
.17
DEFENCE ATTACHE …
…17
MEMBERS OF MISSION…
.17
Member of the Diplomatic Staff…
.17
Member of the Administrative and Technical Staff …
.18
Family Members …
.18
Member of the Service Staff…
.18

4
Private servant of the diplomatic agent …
..18
Members of the Office of International Governmental Organization …
.19
Locally Engaged Staff …
.19
Notification of Appointment…
.19
Initial Visa …
.20
Non-resident member of diplomatic mission …
..21
Registration of the new members of the mission …
..22
Issue of Identity Card…
…22
Identity Card Extension …
..23
Identity Card Replacement …
…24
Issue of Duplicate Identity Card …
.24
Termination of duty …
..24
Private gainful occupation …
.25
Health Care …
…25
PRIVILEGES …
…26
Persons authorized to sign application forms (franchise)…
..26
CUSTOMS-FREE IMPORT/EXPORT OF DUTIABLE GOODS …
..26
Import Tax Exemption…
.27
Restrictions on customs-free import of dutiable goods …
..28
Application for customs-free import of dutiable goods…
..28
Export Procedure …
…29
DUTY-FREE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF MOTOR VEHICLES …
…29
Application procedure for duty-free import of motor vehicles …
..29
“Temporary import” …
.30
Export and sale of a motor vehicle …
…30
PURCHASE OF HEATING OIL AND FUEL EXEMPT FROM DUTY AND IMPORT TAXES……31
Heating oil …
.31
Petrol and diesel fuel …
…31
Customs-free fuel import application procedure …
…32
Duty-free purchase of fuel on a local market …
..32
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND CIGARETTES …
…32
TAXES …
.33
Value added tax-free (VAT) purchases …
..33
Certificate on reciprocity or certificate on tax exemption provided by international treaty or
bilateral agreement…
.34
Procedure to claim direct tax exemption for the purchase of goods and services rendered
for official use by foreign mission…
.35
Procedure to claim direct tax exemption for the purchase of goods and services rendered for
personal use by staff of foreign mission …
.35
VAT refund…
…36
EXCISE DUTIES…
…37

5
PRIVILEGES OF CONSULAR POSTS HEADED BY HONORARY CONSULAR OFFICERS ……39
REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND REGISTRATION PLATES …
.39
Registration of motor vehicles owned by diplomatic mission, consular post or office of
international governmental organization and by members of their international staff…
…39
Replacement of a foreign driving license …
..41
Return of traffic license and registration plates …
..41
Compulsory insurance …
.42
TRAFFIC …
…42
Traffic violations …
…42
Traffic accidents …
.42
Allocation of parking space for the mission official vehicles …
.42
Towing of illegally parked vehicles from allocated parking spaces…
.43
ACQUISITION, POSSESSION AND CARRYING OF FIREARMS …
…43
Acquisition of firearms …
…44
Possession of firearms …
.45
Carrying of firearms …
.45
Loss of the firearms license or license to carry firearms …
…45
Return of the firearms license or license to carry firearms…
…45
Prohibitions and limitations …
..45
COMMUNICATIONS…
.46
Operation of radio-frequencies …
…46
SECURITY CONTROL OF AIR TRAVELLERS …
…46
Diplomatic couriers and diplomatic bags …
..47
Access to airport restricted areas and border control areas …
..47
Loss of the pass…
…48
Return of the pass …
..48
DIPLOMATIC AND PRECEDENCE LIST …
…48
RECEIPT AND DISPATCH OF MAIL …
.48
PUBLIC AND OTHER HOLIDAYS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA…
.49

6
PREMISES OF THE MISSION
The term “premises of the mission” in the Republic of Serbia refers to the buildings or parts of buildings and land ancillary thereto which are used for the official purposes of the foreign diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization, irrespective of ownership.
The premises of the mission are inviolable. Authorities of the Republic of Serbia may enter the premises only with the explicit consent or written request of the head of the mission. The mission premises, their furnishings and other objects thereon and its means of transport are immune from search, requisition, attachment or execution. Inviolable is the residence of the head of the mission, as well as the premises where diplomatic agents are accommodated.
It is a duty of the Republic of Serbia to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage, and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity.
Opening of foreign diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization
The Law on Foreign Relations (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia” No. 116/2007, No. 126/2007 and 41/2009) provides for that, upon a request of a foreign State and consequent recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, the Government of the Republic of Serbia shall decide on granting a consent for the opening of a mission of a foreign State or international organization in the Republic of Serbia, including the opening of separate offices of the mission in localities other than those in which the mission itself is established, if such request has been presented (Article 25 of the Law).
Upon the decision of the Government of the Republic of Serbia to grant consent for the opening of a foreign diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization in the Republic of Serbia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of a sending State, or the headquarters of international governmental organization, informs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia by a verbal note of the opening date of the mission, post or organization and of the appointment of its head.
Diplomatic mission or consular post shall be registered with the Diplomatic Protocol on the basis of its verbal note which should provide all relevant information and contacts (address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address, working hours, diplomatic staff, etc).
Office of international governmental organization enjoying privileges and immunities in the Republic of Serbia, shall be registered with the Diplomatic Protocol upon entry into force of a bilateral Agreement concluded between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the respective international governmental organization on the status of the office of the organization and its international staff in the Republic of Serbia. The office of international governmental organization is requested to notify the Diplomatic Protocol by a verbal note of its opening date and to provide relevant contact information.
Diplomatic missions, consular posts and offices of international governmental organizations are obliged to notify regularly the Diplomatic Protocol about any change pertaining to their functioning.

7
Purchase and lease of property
According to Article 83 of the Law on the Principal Property and Legal Relations (“Official Gazette of the SFRY”, Nos. 6/80, 36/90 and “Official Gazette of the FRY”, No. 29/96), foreign States, as well as organizations and specialized United Nations agencies, may, upon prior consent of the competent legal authorities of the Republic of Serbia, purchase buildings and apartments, including the land for their construction, to be used for the official purposes of their missions and the residence of the head of mission.
Offices of international governmental organizations may purchase or lease premises for their official use or for the use of their international staff if such provision is envisaged by a bilateral agreement on the office status.
Foreign missions may lease buildings or apartments for their official premises or for accommodation of the members of their staff. Leasing will not be conditional either on reciprocity or on the provisions of an agreement.
Under the authorization of the Directorate for the Real Estate of the Republic of Serbia, “DIPOS” a.d. (officially the Diplomatic Housing Enterprise at Serdar Jola Street No.17, Belgrade, telephone: 3670-470) is responsible for the management of the immovable properties owned by the Republic of Serbia. Diplomatic missions, consular posts and offices of international governmental organizations may contact “DIPOS” a.d. directly and get information of available business premises and accommodation, as well as of the conditions for their leasing and maintenance.
Procedure to obtain approval
Interested State may send, through its mission in the Republic of Serbia, a Note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia with a request to get approval to purchase property, subject to reciprocity, for the official use of its diplomatic mission or consular post in the Republic of Serbia.
The Note of the diplomatic mission or consular post will be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice (Sector for Normative and International and Legal Affairs – Department for International Legal Assistance, Nemanjina Street No.22-26, Belgrade). Upon the receipt of its reply, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will communicate the same, through diplomatic channels, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the sending State.
In the case of the construction of the premises, foreign diplomatic missions or consular posts are recommended, according to Articles 62 and 107 of the Law on Planning and Construction (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia” Nos. 47/03 and 34/06) to hire a firm or any other legal entity enlisted in a respective Registry of entities authorized for the elaboration of urban plans and technical documentation thereof. They are also advised to verify whether employees of such company or legal entity have got necessary qualification and license, as well as professional experience in the elaboration of technical documentation for such type of project. Foreign missions are expected to conclude a contract with the local company specifying details of their contractual duties and obligations. The said Law also specifies the procedure for the construction of a new building and enlists the documentation required to be submitted.
Fiscal Exemption from Purchase or Lease Taxation on Immovable Property
Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (Article 23) (“Official Gazette of the SFRY”, amendment No. 2/64) the sending State and the head of its mission are exempted in the Republic of Serbia from all national, regional or municipal dues and taxes in respect of the

8
premises of the mission, whether owned or leased, other than such as represent payment for specific services rendered. The exemption from taxation referred to in the mentioned Article will not apply to such dues and taxes payable under the law of the receiving State by persons contracting with the sending State or with the head of the mission.
Article 31, paragraph 1, item 2 of the Property Tax Law (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, Nos. 26/01, 45/02-US, 80/02, 80/02-dr.zakon, 135/04, 61/07, 5/09, 101/10, 24/11, 78/11, 57/12-US and 47/13) provides for that no taxes on transfer of absolute rights shall be paid, conditional on reciprocity, to the transfer of title of immovable property of diplomatic missions or consular posts of foreign States in the Republic of Serbia.
Property tax is paid neither to the property rights as provided for by an international treaty concluded by the Republic of Serbia on the exemption from property tax payment (Article 12, paragraph 1, item 12 of the Law). Offices of international governmental organizations may enjoy this privilege under the condition that such exemption has been envisaged by the provisions of a bilateral agreement on the status of the office of international governmental organization in the Republic of Serbia.
Taxes related to Purchase of Immovable Property
Pursuant to the provision of Article 23, paragraph 1, item 1, related to Article 24a, paragraph 1 of the Property Tax Law (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia” Nos. 26/01 and 57/12-US, hereinafter the Law), the transfer tax on absolute rights shall be paid on transfer against compensation of property rights to real estate exempted from the value added tax (VAT) payment, in accordance with the VAT Law.
Article 25, paragraph 1 of the Law provides for that the payer of tax on the transfer of absolute rights shall be the seller or transferor of the rights as referred to in Article 23, paragraph 1, items 1, 2 and 4 of the Law.
When transfer against compensation of the property right to a residential (newly built) building and the land occupying that building, is not subject to VAT payment under the Sale Contract, but to the absolute rights transfer tax, a foreign diplomatic mission or consular post purchasing that immovable property is not liable for paying the said tax, but subsidiary guarantor for such tax payment. Seller of the immovable properties is liable, in the capacity of a taxpayer, to submit tax declaration and to pay tax thereof.
Subsidiary guarantor is a second rank debtor, which means that respective Embassy (to which the property right has been transferred, and which is not liable by the contract for tax payment) shall be liable for the payment of such tax only if competent Tax Office fails to collect the tax from the seller either by means of regular or forced collection.
If the Embassy, under the Sale Contract of a residential building or a land ancillary thereto, accepts an obligation to pay tax on the basis of transfer of absolute rights (which implies only the case when transfer of property right on specific residential building and land is not subject to VAT payment), the Embassy shall be recognized as a joint guarantor for the tax payment on the basis of tax on transfer of absolute rights.
Joint guarantor is the debtor of the same rank as taxpayer, which means that Tax Office may, upon its own choice, ask the buyer to pay the tax without any previous attempt to collect the same from the seller.

9
Property Lease
Foreign diplomatic mission or consular post is not liable to property tax in respect to the building or a part of the building leased for the official purpose of its mission or post, residence of the head of the mission or post, including the residence of the members of its international staff. In this case payer of the tax on property is the owner of the leased property.
Inviolability and security of the mission premises
Foreign diplomatic missions or consular posts enjoy inviolability in the Republic of Serbia in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. Offices of international governmental organizations will be inviolable in the Republic of Serbia if such obligation has been prescribed by the provisions of a bilateral agreement on the status of the office to be opened.
Republic of Serbia, as a receiving State, attaches special attention to the protection of foreign missions and undertakes appropriate security steps and actions against intrusion and inflicted damage.
Foreign missions seeking additional security measures may address the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by a Verbal Note asking its assistance with the matter. Their request will be promptly forwarded to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia for further consideration and determination of the level of security measures to be taken.
It is the right and obligation of foreign missions to apply their own appropriate measures, by observing the law and regulations of the Republic of Serbia, for the protection of their premises, including the residence of the head of the mission. It is also advisable to get an insurance policy for the property concerned. Foreign missions may hire, if they deem it necessary, a company which will provide private security measures on commercial terms.
In the case of emergency and imminent danger affecting diplomatic missions, consular posts or offices of international governmental organizations and members of their international staff, the following services may be contacted by phone 24 hours a day:
Police – 192
Fire & Rescue Service – 193 Emergency Medical Service – 194
Missions may also contact directly the Department for Security Protection of Certain Persons and Facilities at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia at telephone number
3616 509.
(Temporary) Closure of diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the sending State or headquarters of international governmental organization is obliged to inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia by a verbal note of the (temporary) closure of its mission or office in the Republic of Serbia, and to provide the name of its diplomatic mission or office which will continue representing its interests in the Republic of Serbia on non-residential basis.
Foreign mission which is to be (temporary) closed has to notify the Diplomatic Protocol of the last date of its operation. Furthermore, it is obliged to send a notification of the final departure of

10
all members of its staff and to return their identity (ID) cards, including the ID cards of the members of their family forming part of their household.
Foreign mission which is to be (temporary) closed has to cover all outstanding public utility expenses. It is also expected to return documents and registration plates of the official vehicles registered to the mission.
Foreign mission will be considered closed in the case of absence of registered international member of the staff.
HEAD OF MISSION Agrément
Under Article 4 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the sending State must make certain that the agrément of the receiving State has been given for the person it proposes to accredit as head of the mission to that State.
Request for agrément for the new head of the diplomatic mission of a sending State in the Republic of Serbia should be submitted, together with his/her Curriculum Vitae, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.
Such request may be made, through diplomatic channels, in any of the traditional ways, whether in the form of a Verbal Note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the sending State to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, or a letter of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the sending State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.
Request for agrément for the new head of the diplomatic mission representing the sending State in the Republic of Serbia on non-residential basis, should be submitted either through the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Serbia in the sending State, or through the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Serbia in the State of permanent residence of the new head of the mission.
Arrival of the Head of Mission
When arriving to Belgrade to take up his/her duties in the Republic of Serbia, the head of mission-designate shall be welcomed at the airport during working hours by a representative of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
If requested by the mission, the Diplomatic Protocol shall make arrangements for the members of the diplomatic mission coming to welcome the head of mission-designate, to use the VIP Lounge at the “Nikola Tesla” Airport at the time and date indicated in the request.
If the head of mission-designate arrives to the Republic of Serbia by car, the Chief or Deputy Chief of the Diplomatic Protocol shall pay a courtesy call on him at his residence or at the diplomatic mission on the same day or on the first working day after the arrival, as agreed upon with the diplomatic mission.
Presentation of True Copies of the Credentials
True copies of the Letters of Credence and the Letters of Recall are presented to the Chief of Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, or, in his absence, to his Deputy.

11
The head of mission-designate who has presented true copies of his credentials, may perform limited official acts in the period pending the presentation of the original Letters of Credence to the President of the Republic of Serbia. During that period, the head of mission-designate may make appointments for calls on the officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and on diplomatic corps.
Call on the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps
It is customary for the head of mission-designate to pay a courtesy call on the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps before the presentation of original Letters of Credence.
Presentation of the Credentials
The Chief of Diplomatic Protocol shall inform the head of mission-designate of the date and time of the ceremony of the presentation of his/her Letters of Credence and of the Letters of Recall to the President of the Republic of Serbia.
Prior to the ceremony of the presentation of the Letters of Credence and of Recall to the President of the Republic of Serbia, respective diplomatic mission is obliged to submit on time to the Diplomatic Protocol written text of a 3 minute long speech of the head of mission-designate, a list of no more than five names of the members of the diplomatic mission who will accompany the head of mission-designate at the ceremony (including a spouse), a car pennant (flag) and musical score of his country’s national anthem for each musical instrument involved.
On the date and time set for the occasion, the Chief of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or his Deputy, shall arrive by an official car at the residence or office of the head of mission-designate.
The head of mission-designate occupying the seat of honour in the official car and accompanied by the Chief or Deputy Chief of Diplomatic Protocol proceeds to the Serbia Palace where the ceremony of the presentation of the credentials to the President of the Republic of Serbia will take place. The official car flying two pennants of the Republic of Serbia is followed by a car of the diplomatic mission with its members escorting the head of mission-designate to the ceremony.
The official car stops outside the Serbia Palace at Mihajla Pupina Boulevard No. 2 at Novi Beograd.
The head of mission-designate steps out of the car on the red carpet and stands in front of the Guard of Honour of the Serbian Armed Forces which is lined up on his right hand-side.
Military band strikes a march.
The head of mission-designate, followed by the Chief or Deputy Chief of Diplomatic Protocol, proceeds along the red carpet towards the Guard of Honour of the Serbian Armed Forces and stops in front of the flag of the Republic of Serbia and honours it by a slight bow.
Accompanying members of the diplomatic mission walk about two meters behind the head of mission-designate taking his left hand-side.
The head of mission-designate then proceeds along the red carpet to the end of the front line of the Guard of Honour and turns around facing the Commander of the Guard of Honour to receive his salute. The head of mission-designate acknowledges the salute by a slight bow.

12
At the Serbia Palace main entrance, the head of mission-designate is welcomed by the Chief of Protocol of the President of the Republic of Serbia.
The head of mission-designate, accompanied by the Chief of Protocol of the President of the Republic of Serbia and the Chief of Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, enters a Reception Hall followed by the accompanying members of the diplomatic mission.
President of the Republic of Serbia stands in the middle of the Reception Hall. As a rule, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia or representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chief of Cabinet to the President of the Republic of Serbia and the President’s Foreign Policy Advisor are also present at the Reception Hall.
The head of mission-designate and members of his suite advance and stop at the proper distance and greet the President by a slight bow. The suite of the head of mission-designate stands behind him/her in the order of precedence from left to right.
The Chief of Protocol of the President of the Republic of Serbia will announce the head of mission-designate to the President by loudly pronouncing his/her full name and the name of the country he/she is representing.
Having been introduced, the head of mission-designate addresses the President either by reading his 3 minute-long speech or by delivering it off the cuff.
After that, the head of mission-designate walks up to the President and presents his Letters of Credence and the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and walks back to where he stood earlier without shaking hands with the President. Members of the suite of the head of mission-designate remain at their places during the entire ceremony of the credentials presentation.
Upon receiving the Letters of Credence and Letters of Recall, the President delivers a brief reply speech.
After the President’s speech, the head of mission approaches the President again and they shake hands while being photographed. Then the President introduces the head of the mission to the officials of the Republic of Serbia attending the ceremony. The head of mission introduces members of his suite to the President and the attending officials of the Republic of Serbia.
When the introductions are over, the President invites the head of mission to a drawing room for an informal conversation.
In the meantime, the members of the suite are entertained by two Chiefs or Deputy Chiefs of Protocol.
When the audience with the President is over, the head of mission shakes hands with the President and with the attending officials of the Republic of Serbia, and leaves the Serbia Palace escorted by the Chief of Protocol of the President of the Republic of Serbia and the Chief of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or their Deputies.
On his way out of the Serbia Palace, the military band plays the national anthem of the head of mission’s country. The head of mission steps again on the red carpet and faces the Guard of Honour, which is this time lined up on the other side of the red carpet.
When the playing of the national anthem is over, the head of mission’s suite proceeds to their car, while the head of mission repeats the actions performed on arrival, i.e. goes past the military band, honours the flag by a slight bow and proceeds to the end of the line-up where he turns around and faces the Commander of the Guard of Hounour, receives his salute and, in turn, acknowledges it by a slight bow indicating that the ceremony is over.

13
The head of mission turns around and enters the official car in the company of the Chief or Deputy Chief of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This time the official car flies both the pennant (national flag) of the head of mission’s country and the pennant of the Republic of Serbia. The official car heads for the residence or the office of the head of mission where the Chief or Deputy Chief of Diplomatic Protocol takes his leave from the head of mission and his suite.
Dress code
For the ceremony, the head of mission and members of his diplomatic suite should be dressed either in a dark suit, national costume of the sending State or diplomatic uniform, upon the choice of the head of diplomatic mission.
Order of Precedence
Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary take up their functions upon presentation of their credentials to the President of the Republic of Serbia.
The order of the presentation of credentials to the President of the Republic of Serbia is determined by the date and time of the arrival of the heads of diplomatic mission to the Republic of Serbia.
Courtesy Calls on Dignitaries
Upon the presentation of the credentials, the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the request of the respective mission, shall make appointments for the new head of mission to pay a courtesy call on the officials of the Republic of Serbia (Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, etc.), and on the officials of the City of Belgrade and others.
Wreath Laying Ceremony
During his/her term of office, the head of mission may, if he/she wishes so, lay a wreath at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier on the Mount of Avala. The diplomatic mission should determine with the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the date and time for the wreath laying ceremony.
Heads of mission of certain countries may also lay wreaths at the special cemeteries and memorials honouring their countrymen who fought in World War One and World War Two.
Absence of the Head of Mission – Appointment of a Chargé d’Affaires a.i.
The head of mission may authorize a member of the diplomatic staff of the mission to act, in his absence, as a Chargé d’Affaires ad interim. Notification to that effect should be made by the mission in advance by a Verbal Note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, as envisaged by Article 19 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Verbal Note should provide the name and rank of the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. and the period during which he will act in that capacity.
In the case of absence or inability of the head of mission to appoint Chargé d’Affaires a.i, or in the case when the acting Chargé d’Affaires a.i. is to be replaced by a new one, the appointment

14
to that effect should be made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the sending State which shall notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia thereof by its Verbal Note.
In the case when no member of the diplomatic staff of the mission is present in the receiving State, a member of the administrative and technical staff may, with the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, be designated by the sending State to be in charge of the current administrative affairs of the mission or the post.
Final departure of the head of mission
The Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be notified in advance by a Verbal Note of the date when the functions of the head of mission come to an end, as well as of the appointment of the Chargé d’Affaires a.i.
When the impending final departure of the head of mission is notified, the Diplomatic Protocol will, at the request of the head of mission concerned, seek and arrange a farewell call of the head of mission on the officials of the Republic of Serbia (President of the Republic of Serbia, Speaker of the National Assembly, Prime Minister and other ministers).
The heads of missions are free to arrange directly their own farewell calls on other officials of the Republic of Serbia (secretaries of State, assistants to the ministers, etc).
If final departure is scheduled by plane, the head of mission will be seen off and bid farewell by the Chief of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or his Deputy, at the “Nikola Tesla” airport. At the request of the diplomatic mission, Diplomatic Protocol may book a VIP Lounge at the airport for that occasion.
NON-RESIDENT HEADS OF MISSION Initial Visit – Arrival
Arrangements for greeting an incoming, non-resident head of mission-designate at the “Nikola Tesla” airport in Belgrade are the same as the one envisaged for the resident head of mission.
The Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is obliged to provide transportation for the non-resident head of mission-designate from the airport to the hotel where he/she will stay while being in the Republic of Serbia, as well as for the ceremony of the presentation of the credentials including the courtesy calls of the non-resident head of mission-designate.
In the case that non-resident head of mission-designate arrives to the Republic of Serbia by car, he will be greeted by the Chief of Diplomatic Protocol, or his Deputy, at the hotel.
Non-resident head of mission-designate is expected to arrive to Belgrade at least one working day before the date scheduled for the presentation of the credentials to the President of the Republic of Serbia.
No formal farewell shall be arranged for the departure of the non-resident head of mission from the Republic of Serbia after the presentation of credentials.

15
Presentation of the Credentials
Non-resident head of mission-designate is obliged to preliminary present the Letters of Credence and of Recall to the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the country where they are both accredited on residential basis.
Ceremony of the presentation of the credentials of non-resident heads of mission-designate to the President of the Republic of Serbia is identical to the one by the resident heads of diplomatic mission.
Courtesy Calls
Following the call of non-resident head of mission-designate on the Chief of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or his Deputy, and the presentation of true copies of the credentials, the Diplomatic Protocol shall organize a programme of courtesy calls on other officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during his stay in the Republic of Serbia.
At the request of the non-resident head of mission, Diplomatic Protocol will also make every effort to organize, time permitting, courtesy calls on other dignitaries and officials of the Republic of Serbia.
Working Visits
When non-resident head of mission, during his term of office, comes to the Republic of Serbia on a working visit, programme of visit shall be prepared by the respective Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.
Final Departure
Appointments for the farewell calls of the non-resident head of diplomatic mission are arranged in the same way as those organized for the initial visit for the presentation of the credentials.
VISITS OF FOREIGN STATE DIGNITARIES
State and Official Visits to the Republic of Serbia
Protocol of the President of the Republic of Serbia, Protocol of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Protocol of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Protocol of the Ministry of the Interior and Protocol of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia are responsible for the organization and realization of the visits by heads of State or Government, speakers and members of Parliaments, ministers of foreign affairs, of the interior, of defence, and other ministers who are coming as guests of the respective authorities of the Republic of Serbia.
The mentioned protocol departments coordinate their activities and prepare the programme of visits in cooperation with the diplomatic mission of the sending State, with the official host of the Republic of Serbia and other relevant ministries.

16
Private Visits and Transit
When a high-ranking foreign dignitary of any of the above listed institutions visits the Republic of Serbia, either privately or in transit, the relevant Protocol department in charge will offer appropriate courtesy assistance, on the basis of the previous notification thereof by the diplomatic mission or consular post of the respective country.
Carrying of Firearms by Foreign Security Officers
The Government of the Republic of Serbia pays special attention to fulfilling its international obligations and responsibilities in respect of the protection and safety of internationally protected persons. For that reason, the competent authorities of the Republic of Serbia apply appropriate security measures according to international standards (close physical protection, appropriate transport, accommodation, etc) for all internationally protected persons against whom a possible security threat might arise while staying in the Republic of Serbia.
All requests to bring firearms into the Republic of Serbia by foreign security officers and to obtain the permission to carry firearms on their assignment while accompanying internationally protected persons, should be made by a Verbal Note submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia not later than ten working days before the visit.
The Verbal Note should provide the following information:

reasons for which the permission is requested; period for which the permission is requested; name of the person who will carry weapons;

type, number and validity of passport of the person who will carry weapons; model, type, serial number of the weapon and the number of bullets.
Usually permission is requested for one piece of firearms (pistol or revolver) per security officer or bodyguard and for one additional magazine with bullets.
The Law on Firearms and Ammunition (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, Nos. 9/92, 44/98 and 39/2003) envisages no reciprocity with respect to the permission to be granted. However, the practice of reciprocity shall be taken into account during the request consideration.
Permission for bringing firearms into the Republic of Serbia shall be granted only for the firearms listed in the Law on Firearms and Ammunition (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia” Nos. 9/92, 44/98 and 39/2003). Article 5 of the Law provides for the ban on sale, acquisition, possession, carrying, repair and alternation of firearms with devices such as silencers, telescopic sights with light beam or with devices for electronic light enhancement or infra red device, as well as of fragmentation and gas weaponry, cold weapons and devices not manufactured and adapted as firearms. Furthermore, under the Law there is also a ban on acquisition, possession and carrying of semi-automatic and combination of long barreled firearms except hunting ones, as well as acquisition, possession and carrying of semi-automatic and combination of short-barreled firearms and special firearms unless otherwise prescribed by the Law.
Carrying of Communication Equipment by Foreign Security Officers
Permission to bring into the Republic of Serbia portable radio equipment for foreign security officers and bodyguards should be requested in advance for the proposed frequencies. A request providing full details of the equipment must be submitted to the competent authorities of the Republic of Serbia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ten days before the visit.

17
Greeting and Seeing off Visiting High-Ranking Foreign Dignitaries
Head of diplomatic mission accredited to the Republic of Serbia may greet and bid farewell to high-ranking officials of his/her country at the “Nikola Tesla” airport, whether they are coming to an official or private visit, or being in transit.
All necessary arrangements for the official visits of high-ranking foreign officials are made by a representative of the respective diplomatic mission in cooperation with the relevant protocol service.
If the head or designated accredited representative of the respective diplomatic mission wishes to have an access to an aircraft to greet high-ranking dignitaries, a request thereof should be submitted to the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 24 hours before the scheduled landing of the aircraft, so that all necessary permissions could be obtained on time.
Such request should specify the name and title of the arriving foreign dignitary, the names and designations of all accompanying persons, flight details, including the flight number and the estimated time of arrival.
Only two members of the diplomatic mission may be allowed entry into the restricted area of the airport. Other members of the mission may be present at the VIP Lounge.
Upon landing, the foreign dignitaries and members of their party will be taken to the VIP Lounge where they will complete necessary border entry formalities.
The procedure for seeing off foreign dignitaries to the aircraft on their departure is similar to the one on arrival.
In the case of a private visit of foreign high-ranking officials, the diplomatic mission of the country concerned shall arrange well in advance appropriate courtesy measures with the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.
DEFENCE ATTACHE
Under Article 7 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, appointment of a Defence Attaché is subject to the prior approval (consentment) of the appropriate authorities of the Republic of Serbia. In some cases, approval is to be granted, conditional on reciprocity, to Assistant Defence Attaché, as well.
Notification of the first and last name, rank and class, including a brief Curriculum Vitae of the appointed Defence Attaché should be included in the request.
Defence Attachés and other members of military offices of the missions may establish and maintain contacts, in respect of the area of their activities, with the Foreign Liaison Section of the Department for International Military Cooperation of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia.
MEMBERS OF MISSION Member of the Diplomatic Staff
Member of the diplomatic staff is considered a person performing diplomatic function and having diplomatic rank of: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Apostolic Nuncio,

18
Ambassador, Minister Plenipotentiary, Minister, Minister-Counsellor, First Counsellor, Second Counsellor, Counsellor, First Secretary, Second Secretary, Third Secretary and Attaché. Members of the mission not having one of the above mentioned diplomatic ranks shall be considered as members of the administrative and technical staff, irrespective of the fact that they possess diplomatic passport issued by the sending State.
Persons who are nationals of, or permanently resident in the Republic of Serbia cannot enjoy the status of a member of the diplomatic staff.
Member of the Administrative and Technical Staff
Member of the administrative and technical staff is employed in the administrative and technical service of the mission, and may be holder either of diplomatic or service passport.
Members of the administrative and technical staff are the members of the mission and executive partners of international organizations employed in administrative and technical service.
Persons who are nationals of, or permanently resident in, the Republic of Serbia cannot enjoy the status of a member of the administrative and technical staff.
Family Members
Family members are a spouse and unmarried children (up to 26 years of age), as well as the parents of a holder of a diplomatic or an official ID or of his spouse, forming part of the same household.
The family members shall be notified to the Republic of Serbia in the same way as the newly appointed member of the staff. If initial visa is required for the members of the staff of the mission of the sending State, it has to be obtained for their family members, as well.
Persons who are nationals of, or permanently resident in, the Republic of Serbia cannot enjoy the status of a family member.
Member of the Service Staff
Member of the service staff is the mission member appointed by the sending State and in domestic service of the mission. Member of the service staff must have a service passport of the sending Sate.
Private servant of the diplomatic agent
Private servant is a persons in domestic service of diplomatic agent.
Private servants in the employ of the member of the diplomatic mission may also be nationals of a third State under condition that they have been properly notified and that they have been issued appropriate initial visa by the diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Serbia.
Head of the diplomatic mission may employ two private servants, while diplomatic agent may employ one.
Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may ask the Employment Contract of the private servants to be submitted for verification.

19
Upon the ending of the engagement of private servants in the employ of a diplomatic agent, or upon termination of functions of a diplomatic agent with the mission in the Republic of Serbia, private servants are obliged to leave the territory of the Republic of Serbia.
Private servants who have ended their engagement with the household of one diplomatic agent and left the Republic of Serbia, are eligible to be hired by a new diplomatic agent for domestic employment in the Republic of Serbia. However, this new employment must be notified in the same way as the previous one following the above described procedure.
Members of the Office of International Governmental Organization
Member of the staff of the office of international governmental organization is a foreign national appointed by the headquarters of international governmental organization according to the provisions of a ratified bilateral agreement concerning the opening of the office of the respective international governmental organization in the Republic of Serbia. Notification of the arrival of a new member of the office of international governmental organization and family members forming part of a household should be made by a Verbal Note of the headquarters of the international governmental organization concerned.
The status of the family members of the household of the appointed member of the international governmental organization is regulated in the same way as the status of the family members of the household of the member of the diplomatic mission or consular post.
Nationals of the Republic of Serbia and foreign nationals with permanent residence in the Republic of Serbia cannot be notified as members of the staff of the office of international governmental organization.
Locally Engaged Staff
Members of the locally engaged staff are the staff members of the mission who have been employed by the diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization on the basis of Employment Contract.
Members of the locally engaged staff of the diplomatic mission or the office of the international governmental organization may be either the nationals of the Republic of Serbia or foreign nationals whose stay in the Republic of Serbia has been approved under the Law on Foreigners.
Members the locally engaged staff enjoy no privileges or immunities in the Republic of Serbia.
Notification of Appointment
Notification of the appointment of a new member of the diplomatic mission and family members forming part of his household, is necessary in the case when the initial visa requirement is not provided for by a bilateral Agreement ratified between the Republic of Serbia and the sending State, but the requirement of preliminary notification.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the sending State shall send the notification of the appointment of a new member of the diplomatic mission and of his family members, 30 days before their arrival to the Republic of Serbia, by a Verbal Note thereof to the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Serbia in the sending State or to the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Serbia accredited to the sending State on non-residential basis.

20
The Verbal Note notifying the appointment of a new member of the diplomatic mission should provide the following information:
first and last name of the new member of the mission;

position and title to be occupied in the diplomatic mission according to the categories recognized by international conventions and practice, or signed bilateral agreements; first and last name of the member of the mission to be replaced; date, place and state of birth; citizenship; type of passport (diplomatic, service, special, laissez-passer), its number and date of
validity which must exceed for 6 months the last date of the appointment of the member of the diplomatic mission in the Republic of Serbia;
first and last name of the family members forming part of the household of the member
of the mission, their relationship to the principal applicant, their date and place of birth, type and number of their passports;
the Republic of Serbia;
expected duration of the term of office of the new member of the diplomatic mission in expected date of arrival and assumption of duties of a new member of the mission.
Notification of the appointment of a new member of the office of international governmental organization and of his family members is made by the headquarters of international governmental organization to the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the country where the respective governmental organization has its seat. Notification should follow identical procedure and provide the same information as those applicable to the member of the diplomatic mission, unless it has been provided for otherwise by an Agreement on the status of the office of international governmental organization to be opened in the Republic of Serbia.
As of 1 October 2015, notification of appointment is required for the nationals of the following countries: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt (for holders of diplomatic passports), Finland, Guinea, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Initial Visa
Initial visa request for a new member of the diplomatic mission and for his family members is to be submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the sending State to the diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Serbia in the sending State, or to the diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Serbia accredited to the sending State on non-residential basis.
Initial visa request in the form of a Verbal Note should provide the following information:
first and last name of the new member of the diplomatic mission; date and place of birth; position and title to be occupied in the diplomatic mission; first and last name of the member of the mission to be replaced; passport information (type, number, issue and validity date) of the applicant; expected duration of the applicant’s term of office; expected date of arrival and assumption of duties;

21

first and last name of the family members forming part of the household of the new
member of the mission, their relationship to the principal applicant and their passport
details.
As of 1 October 2015, initial visas are to be obtained for the nationals of the following countries: Afghanistan, Algiers, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Botswana, Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Columbia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Egypt (for the holders of service and special passports), Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Holly See, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mauritania, Morocco, Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, the Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Papa New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Great Britain, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Initial visa is also required for the holders of passport issued by the Organization of United Nations.
Nationals of the Belgium, China, India, Israel, Russian Federation, Tunis and Vietnam who are holders of diplomatic or service passport of the sending States and who are appointed to assume their duties in the diplomatic mission or consular post in the Republic of Serbia, require neither initial visa nor notification of their appointment as provided for by the provisions of the bilateral agreement ratified by the respective sending State and the Republic of Serbia.
Non-resident member of diplomatic mission
When the seat of a diplomatic mission or consular post of the sending State is in a third State, notification of the appointment of the non-resident member of the mission is made under the same procedure as the one applied for the resident member of the mission.
Non-resident member of the mission and family members forming part of household are not entitled to Identity Cards.
Upon a specific request of a non-resident mission, courtesy Identity Card may be issued only to the head of the respective mission.

22
Registration of the new members of the mission
Diplomatic missions, consular posts and offices of international governmental organizations are expected to notify the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia immediately, or within five days, of the arrival of a new member of the staff.
The request for the registration of a new member of the staff and of family members forming part of household should be submitted by a Verbal Note which will provide the following information:
first and last name of the new member of the mission; position and title to be occupied in the diplomatic mission according to international conventions or relevant bilateral agreement;

date of arrival and assumption of duties;

first and last name of the member of the mission to be replaced; expected duration of the applicant’s term of office in the mission;

first and last name of the family members forming part of the household of the member
of the mission including their relationship to the principal applicant.
The following documents should be submitted attached to the Verbal Note:
two copies of the Application Forms provided by the Diplomatic Protocol which are
signed by the applicant and verified by the stamp of the diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international organization;

passport of the member of the staff of the mission whose details have been specified in
the Notification of arrival and which has been presented upon entry into the Republic of
Serbia;
passports of the family members of a member of the staff of the mission whose details
have been specified in the Notification of their arrival and which they have presented upon their entry into the Republic of Serbia;
three photographs of size 30mmx25mm each, taken within the last six months.
The validity of the Identity Card may be minimum 6 months, and maximum 3 years. Validity of the Identity Card cannot exceed the period of the passport validity.
In the case that the period of stay of a new member of the mission is shorter than 6 months, the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia will issue no Identity Card to the applicant. However, it will press a stamp in the passport granting an approval of temporary stay to a new member of the staff in the Republic of Serbia.
Issue of Identity Card
Special Identity Cards (Diplomatic, Consular or Service ID Cards) are issued on the basis of the Law on Foreigners (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia” No. 97/2008), and according to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, as well as to other international conventions and bilateral agreements on the status of the offices of international governmental organizations opened in the Republic of Serbia. The Identity Card is a document providing information about the status of a member of the diplomatic mission, consular post or international governmental organization in the Republic of Serbia, including the accorded privileges and immunities.

23
Diplomatic Identity Card is issued to a diplomatic agent of diplomatic mission or consular post, with specified diplomatic rank.
Diplomatic Identity Card may be issued to a member of the office of international governmental organization if such provision has been envisaged by a bilateral agreement on the status of the members of the international governmental organization.
Consular Identity Card may be issued to a consular officer. One of the following consular ranks may be specified in the Consular Identity Card: Consul-General, Consul and Vice-Consul.
Service Identity Card may be issued to a member of administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission, consulate general and consulate, as well as of an international governmental organization office if such provision has been envisaged by a bilateral agreement on the status of the members of the international governmental organization.
Identity Card may be issued to an honorary consular officer. Consular employees employed at a consular post headed by an honorary consular officer are not entitled either to privileges or immunities in the Republic of Serbia.
Members of the staff of the office of international governmental organization and their family members forming part of their household may be issued Special Identity Cards if such provision has been envisaged by a bilateral agreement on the status of the international governmental organization in the Republic of Serbia. One of the following categories may be specified in a Special Identity Card: head of the office, member of the staff of the office, member of the administrative and technical staff of the office of the international governmental organization.
Information about the nature and character of the functions which members of diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization perform in the Republic of Serbia may be included into the Diplomatic List in addition to their ranks, but not into their Identity Cards.
One of the following titles may be specified in the Service Identity Card issued to the members of the staff of the executive partners of the international governmental organization: head of executive partner, member of the staff of the executive partner, member of administrative and technical staff, followed by the name of the relevant organization (executive partner) and international governmental organization of the partner concerned.
Identity Card Extension
Upon expiration of the validity of the Identity Card of a mission member or of а family member, the diplomatic mission, consular post or office of the international governmental organization should, if needed, apply for its extension by a Verbal Note addressed to the Diplomatic Protocol, with attached:

two photographs of size 30mmx25mm each, taken within the last six months.

expired Identity Card.
Application for Identity Card extension should be submitted within 30 days prior to its expiration date.

24
Identity Card Replacement
Replacement of Identity Cards is done in the following cases:
if the title or rank of its holder has been changed; if the face features of its holder have been changed;
if it cannot be used due to its wear or tear. Request for the Identity Card replacement should be submitted to the Diplomatic Protocol by a Verbal Note accompanied by the following documents:

two stamped Identity Card Application Forms filled out and signed by the applicant; three photographs of size 30mmx25mm each, taken within the last six months, with
printed full name of the applicant on the back; Identity Card to be replaced.

In the case that some new information has been entered in the passport of a mission member or of family member, and in the case that a new passport has been issued, the following documents
should be submitted in addition to the above mentioned ones:
applicant’s passport;

new signed and stamped Application Form with the latest information.
Issue of Duplicate Identity Card
Duplicate Identity Card is issued in the case of loss of the original one. The holder of the Identity Card is obliged to report its loss immediately to the nearest police station.
The procedure to apply for a duplicate Identity Card is the same as the one for the original. The following documents should be submitted with the Application Form:

police report on the Identity Card loss;

certificate issued by the “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia” at Kralja Milutina
Street No. 27, Belgrade, confirming that the lost (or stolen) Identity Card has been declared null and void;
two photographs of size 30mmx25mm each, taken within the last six months.
Termination of duty
Diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization is obliged to inform the Diplomatic Protocol immediately by a Verbal Note when the functions of a member of the mission have come to an end and to specify the last date of tour of duty.
Submitted obligatorily with the Verbal Note to that effect should be all documents issued to the member of the mission and to family members, as well as to private servants (ID Cards, airport passes, firearms license, permit to carry firearms, etc).
New member of the staff of the mission will be issued Identity Card only if the Diplomatic Protocol has been duly notified of the termination of the functions of the predecessor.

25
Private gainful occupation
A member of diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization, including the members of family forming part of household, may not carry on for personal profit any professional or commercial activity in the Republic of Serbia.
However, a member of the family forming part of the household of the member of the staff of diplomatic mission or consular post may carry on a private gainful occupation only if such option has been provided for by a bilateral agreement concluded between the Republic of Serbia and the sending State.
Diplomatic mission or consular post is obliged to inform the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by a Verbal Note of the intention of a member of the family forming part of the household of the member of the mission or post to gain employment in the Republic of Serbia, and to request a permission of the competent authorities of the Republic of Serbia for each specific professional occupation thereof.
Diplomatic Protocol shall communicate to the relevant diplomatic mission or consular post the information of the concerned authority which has granted approval to the family member forming part of the household of the member of the diplomatic mission or consular post, to be employed in the Republic of Serbia.
Legal status of the family member pertaining employment in the Republic of Serbia shall be in accordance with relevant domestic employment laws and regulations of the receiving State.
Members of the family of a member of diplomatic mission or consular post cannot be exempted from immunity in regard to the rights and obligations pertaining to their employment.
Health Care
Member of the staff of the diplomatic mission or consular post and their family members who are not nationals of, or permanently resident in, the Republic of Serbia are entitled to medical service free of charge, on the conditions envisaged by the provisions of relevant international conventions, or a health-care bilateral agreement concluded between the Republic of Serbia and the respective sending State.
Members of the office of international governmental organization and their family members are entitled to health care on the basis of a bilateral agreement concluded between the Republic of Serbia and the organization they represent.
Health care service includes the following: medical exams and treatment in health institutions or at home, medical assistance or any other care including those during pregnancy and after childbirth, drugs and medical supplies, as well as dental service.
Health care provided on the basis of bilateral agreements does not include the following: treatment in rehabilitation centers, psychiatric hospitals, oncology and radiological institutes, tuberculosis hospitals and natural spas.
Members of the diplomatic mission or consular post accredited in Belgrade and members of their family may use the health care service at the “Savski Venac” Medical Center at Pasterova Street, No.1. Dental service is provided by the “Vračar” Institute at Kneginje Zorke Street, No. 15.

26
PRIVILEGES
Diplomatic missions and consular posts of the sending State and members of their international staff, who have been duly registered with the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shall be entitled, on the basis of reciprocity, to privileges in the Republic of Serbia to be exercised through the Diplomatic Protocol.
Under the provisions of a ratified bilateral agreement regulating the status of the office of international governmental organization in the Republic of Serbia, such office and members of its international staff, who have been duly registered with the Diplomatic Protocol, shall be entitled to privileges in the Republic of Serbia to be exercised through the Diplomatic Protocol.
In view of the fact that the purpose of the privileges is not to benefit individuals, but to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of diplomatic mission, consular post or the office of international governmental organization and of their international staff, certain conditions, prescribed by Serbian laws and regulations, have to be met concerning the import of goods into, and their purchase in the Republic of Serbia exempt from duty, tax or excise. Quantities of these goods should be reasonable, i.e. to serve the purpose of meeting the official needs of the mission and the private needs of the members of its staff.
Members of the staff of the diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international organization who are nationals of, or permanent resident in, the Republic of Serbia are not entitled to the above mentioned privileges.
Persons authorized to sign application forms (franchise)
All application forms (franchise) submitted to the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for duty-free import or purchase of goods must be signed by the head of the diplomatic mission or consular post and certified by its stamp.
All application forms of the office of international governmental organization submitted to the Diplomatic Protocol for duty-free import or purchase of goods in accordance with the provisions of a bilateral agreement on the status of the international governmental organization concluded between the Republic of Serbia and the international governmental organization concerned, must be signed by the head of the office and certified by its stamp.
In the absence of the head of the diplomatic mission or consular post, application forms must be signed by a person notified to the Diplomatic Protocol as Chargé d’Affaires a.i. whose signature and initials specimen have been duly deposited with the Diplomatic Protocol.
Diplomatic missions and consular posts are obliged to regularly inform the Diplomatic Protocol by a Verbal Note of any change in respect to the person authorized to sign diplomatic correspondence, and to submit, attached to the Verbal Note, a specimen of the signature and initials of the head of the diplomatic mission or consular post, as well as the signature and initials of Chargé d’Affaires a.i, including a specimen of the mission’s seal.
CUSTOMS-FREE IMPORT/EXPORT OF DUTIABLE GOODS
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia shall ensure that diplomatic missions, consular posts and offices of international governmental organizations, and their international

27
staff who are duly registered with the Diplomatic Protocol, may enjoy their privileges in respect to customs-free import or export of dutiable goods.
Diplomatic Protocol shall monitor closely the quantity of goods imported exempt from tax, duty or excise. When it is deemed that such import is in excess of reasonable requirements for an official or personal use of the diplomatic missions or consular posts, and of their international staff, Diplomatic Protocol shall seek an explanation from the missions concerned before deciding whether approval will be granted or not.
Import Tax Exemption
Republic of Serbia, as the receiving State, shall, in accordance with its laws and regulations, approve import of, and grant exemption from, all customs duties, taxes and related charges other than charges for storage, cartage and similar services.
Article 215 of the Customs Law (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia” No.18/2010 of 26 March 2010) provides for customs duties exemption for:

diplomatic missions or consular posts accredited to the Republic of Serbia, for goods
intended for their official use;
heads of diplomatic missions or consular posts and the members of their families forming
part of their household, for goods intended for their personal use; and international governmental organizations, for goods intended for their official use.
The same Article also provides for customs duties exemption, on the basis of the provisions of international agreements, for:
diplomatic agents of the diplomatic missions and members of their families forming part
of their household, for goods intended for their personal use;
members of the staff of diplomatic missions or consular posts, for their household effects.
This privilege may be conditional on reciprocity in the case that the sending State fails to provide the same privilege to the diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Serbia on its territory.
Office of international governmental organization and members of its international staff registered with the Diplomatic Protocol may enjoy the privilege of custom-free import if such option has been provided for by a bilateral agreement ratified between the Republic of Serbia and the respective international organization.
Goods imported duty-free may not be sold or given away to another person for their use before being declared and cleared through the Customs.
In the Republic of Serbia duty-free import is granted,
1. on the basis of the reciprocity, to:
diplomatic agents and consular officers of diplomatic mission or consular post
accredited to the Republic of Serbia and members of their families forming part of their household who have been duly registered with the Diplomatic Protocol, for goods intended for their personal use;

28
administrative and technical staff for household effects imported within first 12
months from the date of their registration with the Diplomatic Protocol and their Identity Card processing.
2. on the basis of a bilateral agreement, to:
– members of diplomatic, administrative and technical staff of office of
international governmental organization and their family members (spouse and children up to 26 years of age forming part of their household in the Republic of Serbia, under conditions that they are not nationals of, or residents in, the Republic of Serbia).
Restrictions on customs-free import of dutiable goods
Under Article 220 of the Customs Law of the Republic of Serbia, goods imported duty-free, may not be transferred to another person or given for use to another person or otherwise used, other than for the purposes for which they were relieved from import duties, prior to the payment of such import duties, before the expiry of a three-year period from the day when they were released for free circulation. Such goods may not be pledged, lent or used as a security for satisfaction of another obligation.
In the case when customs authorities authorize that the goods may be intended for different use, the level of import duties is determined in accordance with the condition of goods and with regulations in force at the time when the request for the payment of import duties has been submitted.
When the goods are disposed of contrary to the provision of paragraph 1 of the mentioned Article, import duty shall be calculated in accordance with the condition of goods and in accordance with the regulations in force at the time when the decision on collection of import duties has been made.
Application for customs-free import of dutiable goods
Diplomatic mission (or consular post) is obliged to apply for duty-free import of dutiable goods by submitting to the Diplomatic Protocol an appropriate Application Form (franchise). All boxes and columns in the Application Form must be properly filled out and printed following the instruction on the back of the form.
All Application Forms must be singed by the head of diplomatic mission (or consular post) and bear the official stamp of the diplomatic mission (or consular post).
All Application Forms are to be handed over to the desk of the Diplomatic Protocol at Kneza Miloša Street No. 26.
The following information should be entered into appropriate columns of the Application Form, indicating:

mission;
whether the goods are imported or exported; whether the imported/exported goods are intended for the official use of the mission or for the personal use of the member of its staff;

full name of the diplomatic mission if the goods are imported for the official use of the

29
full name and rank of the member of the diplomatic mission and number of diplomatic,
consular or service Identity Card, if the goods are imported/exported for personal use.
One Application Form (franchise) may not specify intended import/export for more than one person at a time.
If the personal or household effects of a member of the staff of the diplomatic mission are imported, four (4) copies of the printed list of the effects into Serbian language, signed by the head of the mission or authorized person and stamped by the seal of the mission, are to be attached to the Application Form itself.
Export Procedure
Customs-free export procedure is pretty much the same as the one for the customs-free import of goods. The only difference is that the word “import” is crossed out on the Application Form, while the word “export” is underlined.
If the personal or household effects of a member of the staff of the diplomatic mission are exported, four (4) copies of the printed list of the effects into Serbian language, singed by the head of the mission or authorized person and stamped by the seal of the mission, are to be attached to the Application Form.
Special Remark
If the personal or household effects of the members of the diplomatic mission intended for export include items of domestic or foreign origin which are likely to be under special protection and ban from being exported (antiquities, paintings, books, carpets and other artifacts), the diplomatic mission is obliged to provide to the Diplomatic Protocol and the relevant Customs authorities, a certificate, attached to the Export Application Form, which has been issued by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia stating that the export of those effects has been approved.
Donations and Humanitarian Aid
Diplomatic missions, consular posts or offices of international governmental organizations are not entitled to apply for customs-free import of goods for donations or humanitarian aid through Application Form (franchise).
Procedure for the import of goods for that purpose has been regulated by the Law on Donations and Humanitarian Relief (“Official Gazette of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia”, Nos. 53/2001, 61/2001 and by its Amendment No. 36/2006, and “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 101/2005 – dr. zakon).
DUTY-FREE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF MOTOR VEHICLES Application procedure for duty-free import of motor vehicles
Foreign missions may apply for a duty-free import of motor vehicles on the Application Form of the Diplomatic Protocol (franchise) used for duty-free import of other goods. In addition to the data concerning the mission and the applicant of this privilege, the Application should contain

30
the data concerning the imported vehicle: make and type of the vehicle, year of manufacture, model, engine and chassis numbers, engine power and color.
The privilege to import duty-free a vehicle to the Republic of Serbia is extended to:

Diplomatic mission and consular post for official purposes;

Office of international governmental organizations for official purposes, in accordance
with the provisions of a bilateral agreement on the office status;

Member of the diplomatic staff of the mission, duly registered with the Diplomatic
Protocol;

Family member of the diplomatic agent, duly registered with the Diplomatic Protocol;

Member of the administrative and technical staff of the mission within one year of
registration with the Diplomatic Protocol.
“Temporary import”
Member of the administrative and technical staff, who has not used the privilege to import dutyfree a vehicle within one year of registration with the Diplomatic Protocol, may import a motor vehicle on a “temporary import” basis, provided a written statement by the Embassy (by a Verbal Note) that the duty-free imported vehicle shall be exported from the Republic of Serbia, or that it shall be customs cleared in the Republic of Serbia upon termination of appointment of the person who imported the vehicle duty-free. This privilege may be used only once.
In order to qualify for a temporary duty-free vehicle import, diplomatic missions are obliged to submit to the Diplomatic Protocol the following documents:
1. Verbal Note specifying:
First and last name, rank and title of the member of the mission applying for temporary
duty-free import of a vehicle Data on the vehicle (make, type, new or used vehicle) and the manner it has been
purchased (sale and name of previous owner) A guarantee that the imported vehicle shall be exported or customs cleared upon
termination of appointment of the applicant A guarantee that the applicant has not already used the privilege of duty-free import of
motor vehicle
A statement of the diplomatic mission that it shall pay all dues in case the applicant fails
to act in keeping with his application commitments, and
2. Duly filled-out Application Form (franchise) signed by the head of the diplomatic mission with the official mission or post stamp affixed.
This privilege may be used only once during the appointment of the applicant. One application refers to one car only. The vehicle acquired in this manner cannot be older than six years.
Export and sale of a motor vehicle
Diplomatic missions and registered members of their staff may export a duty-free imported/purchased motor vehicle. Application is to be submitted on the Application Form (franchise).
Before its export, the Central Customs Office, that has granted the temporary import of the

31
vehicle, should be notified first that the imported vehicle has been unregistered, by submitting an appropriate Application Form (franchise) of the Diplomatic Protocol, in which the word “import” is crossed and the word “export” underlined.
Vehicles imported duty-free by diplomatic missions and their staff may be sold without payment of customs duty or other import dues and taxes three years after the date of the import.
Vehicles may be transferred between eligible persons without payment of customs duty and VAT on the condition that:
Diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization
transfers the vehicle to another mission enjoying the same status;
Member of the diplomatic or administrative and technical staff transfers the vehicle to
another person, registered with the Diplomatic Protocol, who is entitled to a duty-free import of a motor vehicle.
Before the transfer of a motor vehicle imported free of customs duty and other dues to another person enjoying the same privilege, it must be unregistered with the relevant Customs Office who has originally registered such vehicle.
In exceptional cases, a vehicle may be disposed of or sold in the Republic of Serbia before the expiry of the three-year period, if its owner has completed his/her appointment in the Republic of Serbia or if the vehicle is in such a condition that it does not pay to have it repaired (damage over 25 percent of its commercial value) provided his owner has paid all duties and charges and notified the relevant customs authorities.
PURCHASE OF HEATING OIL AND FUEL EXEMPT FROM DUTY AND IMPORT TAXES
Heating oil
Diplomatic missions, consular posts and members of their international staff, duly registered with the Diplomatic Protocol, are entitled to import in the Republic of Serbia, exempt from duty and import taxes, heating oil in reasonable quantities, on condition of reciprocity.
Offices of international governmental organizations and members of their international staff, duly registered with the Diplomatic Protocol, are entitled to import, exempt from duty and import taxes, heating oil in accordance with the provisions of a bilateral agreement between the Republic of Serbia and the international organization concerned.
Diplomatic missions, consular posts and offices of international governmental organizations shall submit to the Diplomatic Protocol for verification their requests for a customs-free import of a reasonable quantity of heating oil on the Application Form (franchise).
Petrol and diesel fuel
Diplomatic missions and consular posts in the Republic of Serbia and members of their international staff, on condition of reciprocity, and offices of international governmental organizations, on condition of the provisions of a bilateral agreement on the office status, are entitled in the Republic of Serbia to a customs-free import and/or VAT-free or excise-free

32
purchase of limited quantities of fuel on the local market. Application for such import or purchase is made on the Application Form (franchise).
The right to these privileges shall be granted at the beginning of each trimester in accordance with the following quotas:
FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS
Official vehicle of the head of diplomatic mission (A-001)
1.500 litres
Official vehicle of the mission
900 litres
Private vehicle of the member of the diplomatic staff
900 litres
Private vehicle of the spouse of the member of the diplomatic staff
300 litres
Private vehicle of the member of the administrative and technical staff
600 litres
FOREIGN CONSULAR POSTS
Official vehicle of the head of the consular post (A-001)
900 litres
Official vehicle of the consular post
900 litres
Private vehicle of the consular officer
900 litres
Private vehicle of the spouse of the consular officer
300 litres
Private vehicle of the member of the administrative and technical staff
600 litres
Customs-free fuel import application procedure
Foreign missions are obliged to submit requests for duty-free import of fuel at the beginning of each trimester not failing to specify the period they are applying for. Enclosed with the Verbal Note the following documents are to be submitted:
1. An Application Form (franchise) of the Diplomatic Protocol in quadruple, typed,
specifying the total quantity of fuel according to the type (super, lead-free and diesel) of fuel the mission is importing for the ongoing trimester.
2. A list of vehicles on a Diplomatic Protocol Form specifying the requested details:
– First and last name of the vehicle’s owner and his title and rank – Make of the vehicle
– Registration plates
– Type and quantity of fuel for each vehicle.
Duty-free purchase of fuel on a local market
Foreign missions are entitled to duty-free fuel by purchasing it on the local market on the basis of a list of motor vehicles submitted on the Diplomatic Protocol Form. The list should be previously verified by the Diplomatic Protocol.
All requests for the acquisition of fuel should be signed by the head of the mission with the official mission or post stamp affixed.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND CIGARETTES
Foreign missions and their international staff, duly registered with the Diplomatic Protocol, are

33
entitled to a customs-free import of spirits and cigarettes on the following annual quotas:
Heads of diplomatic missions and military attaches – up to 360 bottles of hard liquors
and 100.000 cigarettes, Members of the diplomatic and career consular staff – up to 240 bottles of hard liquors
and 80.000 cigarettes.
For increased official purposes of the missions in the case of visits of official delegations, receptions on national day celebrations, etc., upon separately explained requests (by a Verbal Note) by the head of mission, additional quantities of alcoholic drinks and cigarettes may be approved.
Import of wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages (up to 25% of alcohol) is not limited by quotas, but it is understood that they will be imported in reasonable quantities.
TAXES
In accordance with the provisions of international conventions, the sending State and the head of its mission in the Republic of Serbia shall be exempt from all national, regional or municipal dues and taxes in respect of the premises of the mission, whether owned or leased. Members of a diplomatic mission shall be exempt from all dues and taxes personal or real, national, regional or municipal, other than such as represent dues and taxes for private income coming from the Republic of Serbia and payment for specific services rendered.
In accordance with the provisions of international conventions, the Law on Property Tax envisages that, on condition of reciprocity, no taxes shall be paid on immovable property of diplomatic missions and consular posts.
As for taxes on the sale of immovable property, in accordance with the above Law, diplomatic missions and consular posts are exempt from this tax, on condition of reciprocity, only in the case when they, as sellers, transfer the ownership right of the immovable property. The provisions of this Law envisage that fiscal exemptions to which diplomatic missions and consular posts are entitled “shall not apply to such dues and taxes payable under the law of the receiving State by persons contracting with the sending State of the head of mission”.
According to the Law on the Principles of the Tax System, all staff of missions and private servants shall be exempt from all taxes on private income earned working for diplomatic missions and consular posts or for offices of international governmental organizations, on condition that they are not citizens of, or residents in, the Republic of Serbia.
Value added tax-free (VAT) purchases
Diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization is entitled to value added tax-free (VAT) purchases provided a certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming reciprocity, or a certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that, under an international treaty or bilateral agreement, tax exemption is provided for the purchase of goods and services rendered and the import of goods.
Value added tax-free (VAT) purchases in the Republic of Serbia are conferred to:
1. For official use:

34
Diplomatic mission and consular post, with the exception of consular post headed by
honorary consular officer, Office of international governmental organization or office of its executive partner, if so
provided under a bilateral agreement.

2. For personal use:

Diplomatic agent and family members forming part of а household, who is neither citizen
of, nor resident in, the Republic of Serbia;
Consular officer and family members forming part of а household, who is neither citizen
of, nor resident in, the Republic of Serbia, with the exception of honorary consular officerс;
Member of the administrative and technical staff of diplomatic mission and consular
post, with the exception of the member of the staff of consular post headed by consular honorary officer;
Member of the staff of the office of international governmental organization and
members of family forming part of а household, if so provided under a bilateral agreement;
Member of the administrative and technical staff of the office of international
governmental organization offices, if so provided under a bilateral agreement.
Certificate on reciprocity or certificate on tax exemption provided by international treaty or bilateral agreement
At the beginning of each calendar year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia shall provide a principal certificate to each diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization and to the members of their international staff for a value added tax-free (VAT) purchase.
This certificate is issued to a foreign diplomatic mission and consular post on condition of reciprocity.
The certificate is issued to offices of international governmental organizations and to their executive partners offices (at the request of the relevant partner of the international organization), in accordance with the provisions of a bilateral agreement on the office status.
These certificates are provided for the purchase and import of goods and services rendered, in particular for:

the official use of the mission and

the personal use of the staff of mission (document for the personal use of the staff is
issued jointly for all persons entitled to purchase of goods and services and for import of goods exempt from VAT).
Each principal certificate should be provided with a separate number and contain quantitative restrictions, if any such exist under reciprocity or provisions of an international treaty. The missions shall keep the originals until they exchange them for a new one at the beginning of a new calendar year at the Diplomatic Protocol. Duplicate of certificate shall not be issued.
Foreign mission shall submit directly to the Tax Administration Head Office (3-5, Save Maškovića Street, Belgrade) an up-to-date list of persons entitled to VAT exemption and refund.

35
The list should contain the signature of the head of mission and the official mission stamp affixed.
Procedure to claim direct tax exemption for the purchase of goods and services rendered for official use by foreign mission
Holders of this right may be directly entitled to tax exemption for the purchase of goods and services rendered for official use if they submit to the VAT payer (supplier of goods or provider of services), or to the relevant customs authority the following documents:

photocopy of the principal certificate;

original copy of the official order for the purchase of goods and services rendered
or the import of goods free of VAT, which is issued by the authorized person of the VAT holder on the VAT Official Use Form.
Prior to issuing the first official order, the authorized representative of the VAT holder provides to the Tax Administration Head Office the data on the persons authorized to issue orders along with their signatures deposited with the document, as well as information on any changes concerning persons having this authority within 15 days from the date these changes have been made.
The authorized person of the VAT holder shall issue an official order on VAT Official Use Form in three copies, not filling the information in the table and those from sections marked as footnotes 1 and 2.
The VAT payer (supplier of goods or provider of services) or the relevant customs authority will fill out the marked sections of the official order (VAT Official Use Form), namely:

marked as footnote 1.
VAT payer (supplier of goods or provider of services) fills out the data from the table and those from the sections marked as footnotes 1 and 2; relevant customs authority fills out the data from the table and those from sections
The VAT payer (supplier of goods or provider of services), or the relevant customs authority shall keep two copies of the official order (VAT Official Use Form) and shall return the third copy to the VAT holder.
Procedure to claim direct tax exemption for the purchase of goods and services rendered for personal use by staff of foreign mission
Holders of this right may be directly entitled to tax exemption for the purchase of goods and services rendered for personal use if they submit to the VAT payer (supplier of goods or provider of services), or to the relevant customs authority the following documents:

photocopy of the principal certificate;

original copy of the official order for the purchase of goods and services rendered
or the import of goods free of VAT for the personal use of the holders of this right, which is issued by the authorized person of the VAT holder on the VAT Personal Use Form.
Prior to issuing the first order, the authorized representative of the VAT holder provides to the Tax Administration Head Office the data on the persons authorized to issue orders along with

36
their signatures deposited with the document, as well as information on any changes concerning persons having this authority within 15 days from the date these changes have been made. It is not required to provide the list to the Diplomatic Protocol.
The authorized person of the VAT holder shall issue an order on VAT Personal Use Form in three copies, not filling the information in the table and those from sections marked as footnotes 1 and 2.
The VAT payer (supplier of goods or provider of services) or the relevant customs authority shall fill out the marked sections of the order (VAT Personal Use Form):

marked as footnote 1.
VAT payer (supplier of goods or provider of services) fills out the data from the table and those from the sections marked as footnotes 1 and 2; relevant customs authority fills out the data from the table and those from sections
The VAT payer (supplier of goods or provider of services), or the relevant customs authority shall keep two copies of the order (VAT Personal Use Form) and shall return the third copy to the VAT holder who issued the order (diplomatic mission, consular post or office international governmental organization).
VAT refund
In the case the VAT holders, irrespective of whether they purchased goods or obtained services for official or personal use, choose to purchase goods or obtain services by not using entitlement to direct tax exemption, they shall be eligible for the refund of the VAT paid upon receipt of the invoice from the supplier of goods or provider of services, i.e. upon payment of the VAT from the import of these items.
VAT holders shall submit their applications for VAT refund to the Tax Administration Head Office on REF 5 Form – Application for VAT refund by diplomatic mission/consular post or office of international governmental organization.
VAT refund application for each holder of this right shall be signed, stamped and issued by the person authorized to issue official and personal order forms for the purchase of goods and services free of VAT (VAT Official Use and VAT Personal Use Forms);
VAT refund applications shall be submitted by the holders of the right within 30 days from the expiration of the calendar three months in which the goods and services have been provided in the Republic of Serbia or in which the goods have been imported into the Republic of Serbia;
With the application for the refund, VAT holders shall submit to the Tax Administration Head Office the following documents:
originals and copies of the receipts paid for the goods purchased and services
rendered in the Republic of Serbia, issued to the name of the VAT holder; originals and copies of the documents on the goods imported into the
Republic of Serbia.
The Tax Administration Head Office shall verify whether conditions have been fulfilled for a VAT refund and shall certify the original receipts and documents on the goods imported into the Republic of Serbia.

37
After verifying whether the conditions for VAT refund have been met, the Tax Administration Head Office shall provide a decision in writing within 15 days from the date of the submission of the application.
The Tax Administration Head Office shall send to the VAT holder both the written decision and the certified original receipts and documents on the goods imported into the Republic of Serbia.
All receipts and invoices for the purchase of goods and services rendered that are submitted by VAT holders claiming VAT refund shall be sent to the Tax Administration Head Office with the application for a refund and must be paid and issued to the name of the VAT holder (name of diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization, or of their staff).
If cash register receipts are issued for the purchase of goods or services rendered to the holder of the right, the supplier of goods or the provider of services shall write on the back of the receipt the number of the principal certificate, the name of the mission, the first and last name of the VAT holder, and shall sign it and affix a stamp thereof.
Forms may be downloaded from the web site of the Tax Administration of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia at www.poreskauprava.gov.rs.
EXCISE DUTIES
Manufacturers or importers are entitled to excise duty exemption on excisable goods purchased by diplomatic mission, consular post or office international governmental organization (hereinafter: final users) as follows:
1. for official use:
diplomatic mission or consular post in the Republic of Serbia, with the exception
of consular post headed by honorary consular officer,
2. for personal use:

consular post;
office of international governmental organization.

diplomatic agent and family members forming part of household; consular officer and family members forming part of household, with the exception of honorary consular officer;

members of the administrative and technical staff of diplomatic mission or
members of the staff of the office of international governmental organization and
their family members forming part of their household, who are neither citizens of, nor resident in, the Republic of Serbia;
members of the administrative and technical staff of the office of international
governmental organization and their family members forming part of their household, who are neither citizens of, nor resident in, the Republic of Serbia.
As for the sale of excisable goods for the official use of diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization, the manufacturers or importers of such goods may be eligible for exemption of excise duties if they submit the following documents:

38
photocopy of certificate on reciprocity or certificate on excise duty exemption provided
for by an international treaty, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter: principal certificate).
original copy of the official order for the purchase or the import of goods free of excise
duties, which is issued by the authorized person of the final user.
The official order is issued on the Official Order for the purchase or import of duty-exempt excisable goods in three copies. The taxpayer shall keep two copies of the Official Order and shall return the third copy to the final user of goods.
Prior to issuing the first official order, the authorized representative of the final user (head of mission) shall provide to the Tax Administration Head Office (3-5, Save Maškovica Street, Belgrade), the data on the persons authorized to issue orders along with their signatures deposited with the document, as well as information on any changes concerning persons having this authority within 15 days from the date these changes have been made.
Manufacturers or importers may claim duty-exemption on purchase of excisable goods for the private use of members of diplomatic mission, consular post or office and international governmental organization and their family members provided they submit the following documents:

photocopy of the principal certificate,

original copy of the official order for the purchase or the import of duty-exempt excisable
goods, for the personal use of the final user, which is issued by the authorized person of the final user, whose signature is deposited with the Tax Administration Head Office.
The official order is issued in three copies. The taxpayer shall keep two copies of the official order and shall return the third copy to the final user. The authorized person of the final user (head of mission) shall provide to the Tax Administration Head Office a list with the names of persons entitled to purchase excise-duty exempt goods, within 15 days from the date these changes have been made.
As for the purchase of goods without the levied excise by the importer of excisable goods, when importing such goods the final user (diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization) shall submit to the Customs authority a photocopy of the principal certificate and two copies of the Official Order for the purchase or import of goods without payment of excise duty (SNA) or the Personal Order for the purchase or import of goods without payment of excise duty for the personal use by the final user (LNA), a copy of which is returned to the final user.
Forms may be downloaded from the web site of the Tax Administration of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia at www.poreskauprava.gov.rs.
For all questions related to regulations in force concerning VAT and excise duties, diplomatic missions, consular posts or office of international governmental organizations may contact directly the Tax Administration Head Office (3-5, Save Maškovica Street, Belgrade) by phone at 3950-556.

39
PRIVILEGES OF CONSULAR POSTS HEADED BY HONORARY CONSULAR OFFICERS
Consular posts headed by honorary consular officers enjoy in the Republic of Serbia privileges and immunities in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (“Official Gazette of SFRY – International treaties and other agreements”, No. 5/66).
In accordance with Article 62 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, consular posts headed by honorary consular officers shall be permitted entry of, and granted exemption from customs duties, taxes, and related charges other than charges for storage on the following articles, provided that they are for the official use of a consular post headed by an honorary consular officer: coats-of-arms, flags, signboards, seals and stamps, books, official printed matter, office furniture, office stationary and similar articles supplied by or at the instance of the sending State to the consular post.
Consular posts headed by honorary consular officers are not exempted from VAT and excise duties.
REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND REGISTRATION PLATES
Registration of motor vehicles owned by foreign diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization or by their international staff, as well issuance of registration plates are governed by the provisions of the Rules on the registration of motor vehicles and trailers (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, Nos. 69/2010, 101/2010, 53/2011, 22/2012 and 121/2012), adopted in accordance with Article 268 of the Law on Safety of Road Transport (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, Nos. 41/2009, 53/2010 and 101/2011).
Applications for registration of motor vehicles and the replacement of a foreign driving license are submitted directly to the police authority in accordance with the seat of the diplomatic mission. In Belgrade, diplomatic missions shall apply directly to the Belgrade City Police Administration, Vehicle Registration and Licensing Section, 12a, Ljermontova Street. Applications must be duly signed by the head of diplomatic mission.
Nationals of the Republic of Serbia and foreign nationals with permanent residence in the Republic of Serbia are not entitled to privileges and immunities, including the privilege to be issued registration plates intended to diplomatic missions, consular posts or offices of international governmental organizations and to their international staff.
Registration of motor vehicles owned by diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organization and by members of their international staff
The number of official motor vehicles owned by diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organisation is not established in advance. It is assumed that diplomatic missions shall have a reasonable number of motor vehicles according to the official needs of the mission.
Members of the diplomatic staff and their spouses are entitled to one motor vehicle each registered on their name.

40
Members of the administrative and technical staff are entitled to register one motor vehicle on their name, while their spouses are not entitled to this privilege.
Article 5 of the Rules sets that, when applying for registration, diplomatic missions should submit the following documents:
Certificate on the vehicle’s roadworthiness with technical data of the vehicle issued by
the manufacturer or by licensed vehicles catalogues issued and verified by companies authorized to check the vehicle’s roadworthiness, as well as a certificate that the vehicle passed the roadworthiness test, in the case it was individually manufactured or modified, valid for the Republic of Serbia. This certificate must not be older than 30 days;

Compulsory third-party insurance policy for the vehicle;

Receipts that all dues and taxes for the vehicle have been paid;

Receipts that all registration fees have been paid, specifying the registration plates or the
chassis number in the case it’s a first-time registration;
Evidence of ownership, i.e. of the vehicle’s origin, in the case it’s a first-time registration.
In the case of transfer of ownership, an evidence of ownership as well as a document specifying the origin of the vehicle’s motor provided it has been subsequently installed in the vehicle. And an evidence of the legal grounds to use the vehicle;
Evidence of the identity of the vehicle’s owner (a valid diplomatic, consular or service
identification card issued by the Diplomatic Protocol).
Article 37 of the Rules stipulates that official vehicles belonging to diplomatic mission and consular post and official vehicles belonging to office of international governmental organisation entitled to diplomatic status in the Republic of Serbia and to the members of their international staff, are issued special registration plates with the “A” prefix. In addition to “A” plates, missions are also issued oval plates designating the diplomatic status of the person the vehicle is registered to or the person using the vehicle, as follows:
“CMD” – vehicle of the head of diplomatic mission, “CD” – vehicle of the member of diplomatic staff, and “CC” – vehicle of the consular officer.
Consular post headed by honorary consul officer is entitled in the Republic of Serbia to register one official motor vehicle belonging to the sending State. This vehicle shall be issued registration plates with an “A” prefix along with a special oval plate with “CC” designation.
Vehicles belonging to the members of the administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission or consular post shall be issued registration plates with an “A” prefix but no special oval plate.
When applying for registration of vehicle into the Register of motor vehicles, the diplomatic missions are required to specify the status of the person the vehicle belongs to or the vehicle’s operator (head of diplomatic mission, diplomatic agent or consular officer).
When applying for registration of their own motor vehicles, diplomatic agents and members of the administrative and technical staff shall pay only the actual costs for registration plates, traffic license, vehicle registration sticker and the additional oval plate.
Renewal of registration is done each year, in keeping with a renewal notice provided by the Diplomatic Protocol to all diplomatic missions at the end of each year, for the following calendar year.

41
Replacement of a foreign driving license
Replacement of a foreign driving license for a driving license of the Republic of Serbia is governed by Article 178 of the Law on Safety of Road Transport (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Nos. 41/2009,53/2010 and 101/2011). This article stipulates that a foreign driving license entitles the members of the foreign missions in the Republic of Serbia to operate a vehicle for six months from the date of their entry in the Republic of Serbia to assume their assignments. In order to operate their motor vehicles after the six-month period, the staff of missions is obliged to replace the driving license for a driving license of the Republic of Serbia. The Rules on driving licenses (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 73/10) govern the conditions required to replace a foreign driving license.
The application shall contain the following documents:

Valid foreign driving license;

Serbian translation of the foreign driving license, certified by an authorized legal
interpreter or by the stamp of the diplomatic mission;

Passport;

Diplomatic or service identity card;

For administrative and technical staff, a medical report that is not older than six months,
certifying that applicants are eligible to operate motor vehicles. For the diplomatic staff only a statement saying that the diplomatic agent does not have a condition that might impair his driving faculties, translated in Serbian and affixed with the mission stamp;
Valid document stating what vehicles the applicant may operate (in the case that the
foreign driving license does not state the category or type of vehicles or if it expired);

Receipts for:
a) Fees for the making of the driving license b) Fees for the issuance of the driving license and
c) National administrative taxes (members of diplomatic staff are exempted from
national administrative taxes).
Enclosed with the application may be one printed photograph, size 50mmx50mm that shows the true likeness of the applicant’s face, which has not been retouched nor made in photo booths. The photograph should not be older than six months.
A foreign driving license shall not be replaced if it is provisional, probationary or other or if the license to be replaced is invalid, annulled, withdrawn or cancelled by the issuing authority.
Foreign driving licenses of the staff of diplomatic missions and consular posts, other foreign missions and offices of international governmental organizations in the Republic of Serbia, except for honorary consuls, on the basis of which the relevant authority has issued the driving license shall be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia – Consular Affairs Department.
Return of traffic license and registration plates
For every disposed vehicle (exported, sold in the Republic of Serbia or other), diplomatic missions shall return the traffic license and registration plates to the relevant Police Authority Vehicle Registration and Licensing Section.

42
Compulsory insurance
Acquisition of third-party insurance is compulsory and forms a part of the motor vehicle registration process. It is strongly recommended that all motor vehicles purchased under privilege carry comprehensive insurance cover (theft, damage, etc.) to the market value of the vehicle in the Republic of Serbia.
TRAFFIC
Members of diplomatic missions, consular posts or offices of international governmental organizations in the Republic of Serbia, and members of their family households, are obliged to fully respect the provisions of the Law on Safety of Road Transport (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 41/2009 of 2 June 2009), which is in keeping with Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Traffic violations
Pursuant to Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations or other international treaties and bilateral agreements, it is the duty of the members of the staff of diplomatic missions, consular posts or offices of international governmental organizations to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State, the rules on safety of all participants in traffic included.
Bearing in mind that traffic infringements (including speeding, parking or other violations) endanger the safety not only of the person committing the violation but of other participants in traffic as well, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cannot accept the mission’s call upon diplomatic and official immunity, i.e. call that infringements occurred in the course of the performance of official duties.
Consequently, submission of traffic and parking violation tickets including the towing for wrongly parked vehicle or issuance of an additional fine for public parking is not considered as a violation of immunities and the Diplomatic Protocol does not intervene with relevant authorities to seek the cancellation of traffic violation charges.
Having in mind the aforementioned, it is the duty of the owners of the vehicles with diplomatic registration plates to pay for all the charges made thereof.
Traffic accidents
In the case of an involvement in a traffic accident resulting in bodily injuries, death or heavy damage, persons driving vehicles with registration plates marked with “A” prefix, must stop the vehicle, call the police and wait at the scene of the accident for the arrival of police officers to conduct a traffic accident investigation.
Allocation of parking space for the mission official vehicles
Under the provisions of the Law on General Administrative Procedure, Law on Safety of Road Transport and Decision on Public Parking Space in Belgrade, the Belgrade City Secretariat for Traffic, at the request of diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organisation, may allocate, where feasible, parking spaces, marked by horizontal

43
and vertical signalization, for a certain number of official vehicles necessary for the functioning of the mission (vehicles with diplomatic plates).
Diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organisation shall make applications to the Diplomatic Protocol by a Verbal Note signed by the head of mission/office of the international governmental organisation.
Applications by diplomatic missions and consular posts shall be considered on condition of reciprocity, while applications by offices of international governmental organizations on condition of provisions of a bilateral agreement on the office status.
The parking space shall be allocated outside the building housing the diplomatic mission, or, if not feasible, in another appropriate place.
On its decision, Belgrade City Secretariat for Traffic shall issue a certificate which shall be submitted to the relevant mission, consular posts of office of international governmental organisation through the Diplomatic Protocol.
Allocated parking spaces may be used only for the parking of the vehicles of the mission. Vehicles parked on the allocated parking space must have an appropriate sticker placed on a visible spot. Stickers are available at the premises of “Parking servis Beograd” Company, at 22, Starine Novaka Street, Belgrade.
Following the initial decision on the allocation of parking spaces, diplomatic mission, consular post or office of international governmental organisation shall apply, at the beginning of each calendar year, for the renewal of the reservation of parking spaces under the same procedure.
The Decision on public parking lots in Belgrade prohibits that fences or similar obstacles be placed on allocated parking spaces.
Towing of illegally parked vehicles from allocated parking spaces
According to the Law on Safety of Road Transport, the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia is authorized to conduct traffic control and act accordingly issuing official orders that vehicles parked on unauthorized places (public areas, sidewalks, green areas and other traffic areas) be towed away (including vehicles that don’t have the appropriate parking stickers), which implies traffic violation. Such orders may also be issued by an officer of municipal public services inspection.
The “Parking servis Beograd” shall tow away illegally parked vehicles to an appropriate towing impound yard and the impound fee shall be paid by the owner of the illegally parked vehicle.
ACQUISITION, POSSESSION AND CARRYING OF FIREARMS
Acquisition, possession and carrying of firearms, including hunting firearms and firearms for personal protection, is regulated by the provisions of the Law on Firearms and Ammunition (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia” Nos. 9/92, 44/98 and 39/2003) and other by-laws: Regulation specifying conditions and modalities to store and keep firearms and ammunition (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia” No. 1/99), Regulation specifying the conditions to carry out and the modalities to conduct the program for handling firearms (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia” Nos. 1/99 and 30/2000), as well as Regulation on application forms,

44
approval forms, firearms licenses and other documents and registers envisaged by the Law on Firearms and Ammunition (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia” No. 1/99).
Acquisition, possession and carrying of firearms shall be approved on the condition of reciprocity. The reciprocity must be clearly confirmed in each Verbal Note requesting acquisition, possession or carrying of firearms and ammunition.
Acquisition of firearms
Acquisition of firearms may be done either by importing or buying them on the local market with a licensed firearms dealer.
One may import to the Republic of Serbia only firearms that can be purchased, possessed and carried in the Republic of Serbia according to the Law on Firearms and Ammunition.
Foreign missions shall submit their firearms-related applications (import or acquisition locally with a licensed firearms dealer) in the form of a Verbal Note to the Diplomatic Protocol. The Note should contain:
1. Data on the owner:

First and last name

Diplomatic title or function in the diplomatic mission or consular post

Date, place and country of birth

Number of diplomatic passport and its expiration date

Number of diplomatic identity card and its expiration date
2. Data on the firearm: make, brand, caliber and serial number.
3. Certificate on reciprocity with the sending State as regards the import, or purchase,
possession and carrying of firearms.
Enclosed with the note should be a duly completed Application Form for the acquisition, possession and carrying of firearms, signed by the head of the mission and with the official mission or post stamp affixed.
In addition to the completed application form for acquisition of firearms, the applicant is required also to submit a permit for firearms handling. Should the law of the applicant’s country lay down that the owner of the firearm is to hold such permit, the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia shall accept its original with an enclosed translation into Serbian language, certified by the mission. In the case that the applicant does not hold such a permit, the member of the mission shall contact one of the licensed centers in the Republic of Serbia that will provide appropriate training for firearms handling, upon the completion of which the permit will be issued.
Foreign defense attaches and security officers in diplomatic missions and consular posts are exempted from firearms training.
The application for the acquisition of ammunition shall be submitted to the Diplomatic Protocol on the same application form by marking the appropriate section. The purchase of ammunition shall be granted only to the members of the diplomatic staff that possess a registered firearm and the quantity shall not exceed 60 (sixty) rounds per year for a firearm with rifled barrels.
Possession of firearms

45
Diplomatic missions shall submit to the Diplomatic Protocol a Verbal Note requesting the issuance of a firearms license. Enclosed with the note should be a duly completed Application Form for the acquisition, possession and carrying of firearms, signed by the head of the diplomatic mission and affixed with the mission stamp.
Carrying of firearms
To carry a firearm outside the premises of a diplomatic mission or consular post, a license to carry firearms for personal safety is required.
A license to carry firearms is issued in exceptional cases provided there exist justified reasons for the protection of the applicant’s personal safety.
The application for the issuance of a license to carry firearms shall be submitted to the Diplomatic Protocol with a Verbal Note. Enclosed with the note shall be the duly completed application form for the possession of firearms, a photocopy of the diplomatic passport, a photocopy of the diplomatic identity card and a photocopy of the firearms license.
Loss of the firearms license or license to carry firearms
In the case the firearms license or the license to carry firearms is lost, diplomatic missions shall be obliged to inform thereof the nearest police authority and the Diplomatic Protocol with a Verbal Note. Enclosed with the note shall be a certificate stating that the firearms license or license to carry firearms has been declared null and void in the “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”.
Return of the firearms license or license to carry firearms
It is the duty of missions to have the firearms licenses or licenses to carry firearms returned to the Diplomatic Protocol immediately upon the termination of appointment of the member of the mission.
Prohibitions and limitations
Article 5 of the Law on Firearms and Ammunition prohibits sale, acquisition, possession, carrying, repair and alteration of firearms with devices such as silencers, telescopic sights with light beam or with devices for electronic light enhancement or infrared device, fragmentation and gas weaponry, cold weapons and devices not manufactured or adapted to be firearms.
In addition to firearms listed in paragraph 1, Article 5 of the Law, private persons are also prohibited to acquire, possess and carry semi-automatic and combination long barreled firearms with the exception of hunting firearms, as well as to acquire, possess and carry automatic longbarreled firearms, automatic and combination short-barreled firearms and special firearms, unless otherwise prescribed by the Law.
Carrying of firearms for personal safety without a license is prohibited.
Carrying of hunting, sports and special firearms outside hunting grounds, firing ranges or other specific facilities is prohibited.
COMMUNICATIONS

46
Operation of radio-frequencies
Article 87 of the Law on electronic communications (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 44/2010) stipulates that diplomatic missions or consular posts may use radiofrequencies, on condition of reciprocity, provided an individual permit issued upon the request of the mission by the Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communication and Postal Services (RATEL) of the Republic of Serbia.
Diplomatic missions or consular posts shall send their applications for the issuance of a license to use radio-frequencies to the Diplomatic Protocol with a Verbal Note. Enclosed with the note shall be the Application Form for the issuance of individual licenses for the use of radiofrequencies by diplomatic missions or consular posts. The Application Form may be downloaded at the website of the Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communication and Postal Services at www.ratel.rs. The Application Form must be signed by the head of the mission and affixed with the official mission stamp.
The request for the issuance of a radio station license shall specify the data on the radio station, such as location and purpose, type of the radio station, technical data on radio stations, antenna specifications, etc.
The fees and terms of radio-frequency use from this Article shall be determined on the principle of reciprocity, following the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in accordance with international agreements.
The right to use radio-frequencies granted to a diplomatic mission or consular post cannot be ceded, leased or in any other way transferred to a third person.
The diplomatic mission or consular post shall get the license to use radio-frequencies prior to importing into or acquiring radio stations in the Republic of Serbia and to show the license to the appropriate border authorities when crossing the state border, i.e. to the provider of acquired items. The same regime applies to satellite telephone stations.
SECURITY CONTROL OF AIR TRAVELLERS
In keeping with international treaties and general practice, the relevant authorities of the Republic of Serbia shall conduct a control of all passengers including diplomatic agents and their personal luggage. The only exception is the diplomatic bag bearing a visible external labeling and seal.
Passengers and luggage are subject to control by electronic devices or by simple search before boarding the aircraft.
Flight companies are obliged to carry out the luggage check including the luggage of diplomatic agents. These security checks do not breach provisions of international treaties.
Like every other person, the diplomatic agent may refuse to have his luggage checked by security personnel. In that case, the flight company has the right to refuse to transport this person.
Diplomatic couriers and diplomatic bags

47
According to the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the diplomatic bag, as a consignment of goods of special significance, is accorded in the Republic of Serbia special treatment in handling and storing it. According to the relevant laws and instructions, all consignments, including the diplomatic bag, are to be recorded and declared to the Customs on a special form prescribed for these purposes.
The accompanied or unaccompanied diplomatic bag shall bear visible external labeling (seal or leaden seal, the sender’s name and the consignee’s address), and the diplomatic courier is to be provided with an official document, courier’s letter, indicating his status and the number of packages constituting the diplomatic bag.
On arrival, a diplomatic courier is being awaited in the customs control area, and on departure he is escorted until the customs control desk.
If the diplomatic bag is taken possession of from the safe boxes of a commercial aircraft or if it is dispatched in them, or taken possession of from the diplomatic courier or the captain of a commercial aircraft unable to leave the aircraft, or if the diplomatic bag is delivered to the captain, authorized representatives of the diplomatic mission, escorted by a relevant airport service officer, may be allowed access to the aircraft.
In the cases when the accompanied or unaccompanied diplomatic bag is bulky or of excessive weight, the diplomatic mission is to contact directly the officer of the “Nikola Tesla” Airport Services Department, in order to see what kind of assistance will be required as well as the number of airport workers necessary to handle the bag. The diplomatic missions are expected to pay for these services and to sign appropriate invoices.
If the diplomatic bag is suspected of containing items that cannot be described as “items necessary to conduct all official business by the Mission”, as required by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Customs may ask that it be sent back or opened for inspection.
The non-diplomatic items shall be subject to customs formalities right there on the spot or in the customs warehouse, as appropriate. A faster procedure will be applied to exempt them from duties and charges on the basis of the list of pertaining items and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Application Form (franchise for the import or export of these items).
Access to airport restricted areas and border control areas
In accordance with international conventions on international civil aviation and laws of the Republic of Serbia, access to airport restricted areas and border control areas may be approved only by the Ministry of Interior. The access regime at the border crossing “Surčin-Beograd” at “Nikola Tesla” Airport is regulated by full or temporary passes in accordance with the provisions of the Law on the Protection of the State Border (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 97/2008).
Passes are granted on the condition of reciprocity in keeping with the size of the mission and the official needs of the mission. A diplomatic mission is entitled to a limited number of passes granted to the mission international staff to access the restricted airport areas in order to conduct official duties (meeting and seeing off state delegations, diplomatic couriers, and diplomatic bags).
Ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary accredited to the Republic of Serbia and their

48
spouses may enter the restricted airport area simply by showing their ID cards.
Other staff members of a diplomatic mission, holders of diplomatic or service identity cards issued by the Diplomatic Protocol, may enter the restricted areas only with a full or temporary (daily) pass.
Members of the mission’s local staff who are citizens of the Republic of Serbia or foreigners with permanent residence in the Republic of Serbia, are not entitled to be granted a pass to restricted airport areas.
Diplomatic missions or consular posts shall apply to the Diplomatic Protocol for the issuance of full and temporary pass with a Verbal Note. Enclosed with the note should be submitted the following documents:
two application forms, dully filled-out, signed by the applicant and the head of the mission and affixed with the mission stamp;

two photos size 30mmx40mm, taken not later than six months prior to their submission; photocopy of diplomatic/service identity card, and

photocopy of diplomatic/service passport.
Loss of the pass
In the case the full pass is lost or stolen, the diplomatic mission must immediately report the loss to the competent border authorities at the airport and to the Diplomatic Protocol with a Verbal Note. Enclosed with the note shall be a certificate stating that the lost pass has been declared null and void in the “Official Gazette”.
Return of the pass
The diplomatic mission must return the full pass to the Diplomatic Protocol immediately upon the termination of its member tour of duty.
DIPLOMATIC AND PRECEDENCE LIST
An up-to-date version of the Diplomatic and Precedence List is available at the official web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at www.mfa.rs.
The Diplomatic Protocol updates and publishes the Diplomatic List regularly once a year.
RECEIPT AND DISPATCH OF MAIL
Foreign missions may leave and collect their mail intended for the Diplomatic Protocol at the Desk of the Diplomatic Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 26, Kneza Miloša Street each working day from 09.00-12.00 a.m.
As concerns mail for other departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic missions and offices of international governmental organizations may leave their mail at the Mail Dispatch Desk of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or collect it in their respective boxes at the Ministry, at 24, Kneza Miloša Street, every working day from 8.00-15.00.

49
In the case missions need to deliver mail marked as “very urgent” out of working hours or during weekends or public holidays, they may do so through the Out-of-Hours Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 24, Kneza Miloša Street. Prior to coming to the Ministry, the mission is requested to notify such deliveries by phone to 3616-333.
PUBLIC AND OTHER HOLIDAYS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA
Public and other holidays in the Republic of Serbia are regulated by the provisions of the Law on Amendments of the Law on Public and Other Holidays in the Republic of Serbia (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”, Nos. 43/2001, 101/2007 and 92/2011).
Public holidays:
Sretenje – Statehood Day, 15 & 16 February New Year’s Day, 1& 2 January
Labour Day, 1& 2 May Armistice Day, 11 November
Religious holidays:
Christmas Day, 7 January
Easter, Good Friday and Easter Monday
Public holidays – observance:
Saint Sava Day, 27 January
Holocaust Remembrance Day, 22 April Victory Day – 9 May
Vidovdan- Kosovo Battle Remembrance Day, 28 June National World War II Victims Remembrance Day, 21 October
The Law stipulates that, if a public holiday falls on Sunday, the holiday is postponed for the next working day.
The Law stipulates that employed citizens of the Republic of Serbia are entitled not to work on the following religious holidays:
1. Christian Orthodox – first day of Slava – patron saint of the family; 2. Catholics and members of other Christian religious communities – first day of
Christmas and Easter holidays-Good Friday and Easter Monday; 3. Members of Muslim community – first day of the Ramadan Bayram and first day
of the Kurban Bayram;
4. Members of the Jewish community – first day of Yom Kippur.