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The cost of living in Serbia
THE COST OF LIVING IN SERBIA
To help prospective students better understand the expenses they are likely to incur while in Serbia, we have prepared a cost breakdown for you! But do not be worried beforehand! Being one of the most affordable countries in Europe, studying in Serbia will not break your bank. To help you figure out how much money you will need while in Serbia, we have focused on 5 areas where your money will most likely go each month: rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and entertainment. We excluded tuition fees from the equation since those are paid per year, usually in one installment.
1. ACCOMMODATION
The price of living in Serbia will differ depending on which city you study in. Belgrade, the capital, is usually more expensive than smaller cities or towns. Let’s imagine that you will move to the capital. It is the biggest city in the country and probably the most expensive. However, even being the priciest, it is very inexpensive compared to other European capitals. For example, if you rent a whole apartment in a central location, be prepared to set aside around 300 EUR each month. To save some money, you have an option to share a flat with other students and spend less! The most affordable alternative would be to live in a student dorm, where a spot in a shared room is around 100 EUR monthly.
2. UTILITIES
The same goes for utilities: if you rent an entire apartment on your own, utilities can add up to 150 EUR per month. However, if you live in a shared flat, the bills will be significantly cheaper, somewhere between 50 to 75 EUR per month. If dorms are your cup of tea, you are lucky, since utilities are included in the price. Just be aware that the number of spots in the dorms is limited.
3. GROCERIES
The biggest portion of your budget would probably go to paying the rent and utility bills. However, food can be one of the largest budget items also! Good thing it is not very expensive in Serbia! Again, it will depend on where you are and on your eating habits, but on average, you will probably spend around 200-250 EUR per month for your groceries. However, food can be even cheaper: eat at student canteens and spend only 1-1.5 EUR per meal. How affordable is that?
4. TRANSPORTATION
Getting from one place to another via public transportation is also reasonably priced. For instance, a one-way ride in Belgrade is about 0.75 EUR, while a monthly ticket costs less than 10 EUR for both domestic and international students. In smaller cities, transportation is even more affordable. When it comes to traveling around Serbia, a one-way bus ticket from the capital to the city of Niš, which is situated around 250 km away from Belgrade, costs approximately 10 EUR. For even more inexpensive alternatives, consider taking a train.
5. ENTERTAINMENT
In the end, do not forget to have fun during your studies. It is lovely to relax after a long exam period and enjoy a bit. Serbian cities offer a lot of options for going out, engaging with sport activities or pursuing other fun hobbies. To give you an idea, going out to a trendy restaurant for dinner or to a popular club can cost around 10-20 EUR in Belgrade and probably less in other cities. As in every other country, some “student” places are even cheaper. If you are into fitness, you would need to set aside around 20-25 EUR per month for a gym membership. To help you relax and be creative, you can also attend a pottery course for 50 EUR per month (classes plus material included). If you are into hiking, there are plenty of organizations that offer one-day hiking trips that will cost around 10-15 EUR. Moreover, so many options that can help you unwind are FREE! So, help yourself and choose what is the best for you. To stay up to date and find out more on this topic, do not miss checking out our website.