Guides to life in Serbia
Walkthroughs of the situations everyone who moves to Serbia runs into: what happens at the counter, what you will be asked and what to say. Each one can be practised in a dialogue with a character.
Your flat · 23
The first message to an agent
Role-play: you message an agent about a listing — is the flat still free and when can you view it (Poruka agentu).
easy
Viewing a flat: what to ask
Role-play: you view a flat and ask the landlord what the price covers, how the heating works and who handles the address registration…
easy
Utilities: what is included and who pays
Role-play: you work out with the landlord what režije covers, what is paid separately and how the bills arrive (Režije i računi).
medium
Address registration: the talk with the landlord
Role-play: you find out whether the landlord will register your stay at the address and what that takes (Prijava boravka).
medium
Deposit, commission and the currency you pay in
Role-play: you settle the deposit, who pays the commission, and which currency the rent is paid in (Depozit i provizija).
medium
Signing the rental contract
Role-play: you go through the contract with the landlord, ask about the clauses you do not understand and ask for the verbal agreements to…
medium
Taking over the flat and the meters
Role-play: you take over the flat, note the meter readings and record the defects (Primopredaja stana).
easy
Reporting something broken
Role-play: you call the landlord, describe what has broken and agree who fixes it and when (Prijava kvara).
easy
Meeting a neighbour
Role-play: you run into a neighbour at the entrance, introduce yourself and learn how things work in the building (Upoznavanje sa komšijom).
very easy
A problem in the building: talking to the manager
Role-play: you catch the building manager on the stairs and report a problem in the building — the lift is out, the basement leaks, the…
medium
Ordering internet at home
Role-play: you call the provider, dictate your address, choose a package and book the installation visit (Priključenje interneta).
easy
Moving out: giving notice
Role-play: you tell the landlord you are leaving, agree the date and settle the deposit (Otkaz ugovora).
medium
Requesting an appointment by email
Role-play: you call to ask how to request an appointment in writing and talk through what your message will say (Zakazivanje termina).
easy
Asking about your application by phone
Role-play: you call to find out what has happened to your application — you give your name, your case number and take in a fast answer…
medium
Chasing up your diploma recognition
Role-play: time has passed and there is no answer. You call to find out where your case stands (Provera statusa priznavanja).
medium
Choosing an accountant: what to ask
Role-play: you call an accountant before hiring them — describe your situation and work out whether they suit you (Izbor knjigovođe).
medium
Calling an ambulance
Role-play: you call the ambulance — give the address, explain what happened and answer the dispatcher's questions (Poziv hitnoj pomoći).
hard
Booking a table by phone
Role-play: you call a restaurant — name the evening, the time and the number of guests, and settle the table (Rezervacija stola).
easy
Calling a repairman: describing the fault
Role-play: you call a repairman — describe what broke and how it behaves, and arrange a visit (Poziv majstoru).
medium
Arranging delivery of something large
Role-play: you are called about delivering a wardrobe — you answer about the floor, the lift and the entrance, and agree a window (Dostava).
easy
Noisy neighbours: sorting it out kindly
Role-play: a neighbour is noisy at night. You knock and try to sort it out without a quarrel (Buka u zgradi).
medium
You have been invited to a slava
Role-play: a neighbour invites you to their slava. You accept and find out what to bring and how it goes (Poziv na slavu).
easy
Asking a favour and offering one back
Role-play: you ask your neighbour a small favour and offer something in return (Komšijska usluga).
easy
MUP — police administration · 17
Registering your address yourself
Role-play: you come to the MUP to register your address with the landlord's papers and work out at the counter what is still missing…
medium
The ticket machine and the queue
Role-play: you arrive at the MUP, cannot make sense of the ticket machine and ask at the desk which number to take (Redomat i šalter).
easy
Handing in the application
Role-play: you hand in an application at the counter — explain your grounds, answer the officer's questions and get your confirmation of…
hard
A document is missing: what now
Role-play: your application was not accepted — a paper is missing. You work out which one, where to get it and whether your place is kept…
hard
Biometrics: photo and fingerprints
Role-play: you have been called in for biometrics and need to follow the officer's instructions — sit, look at the camera, do not smile…
easy
Collecting the foreigner's card
Role-play: you have come to collect a finished document — you show your slip, check the details on the card and ask about its validity…
easy
Changing your registered address
Role-play: you have moved to another flat and report it at the counter — the old address, the new one, the new owner's papers (Promena…
medium
Lost document: reporting and replacing it
Role-play: you have lost a document and come to report it — you say where and when, and find out how to get a replacement (Prijava nestanka…
medium
Ordering a certificate of residence
Role-play: you need a certificate — you explain what it is for and find out how to order and collect it (Uverenje o boravku).
medium
Changing the grounds of your stay
Role-play: your circumstances have changed — work, study or family — and you come to ask what that means for your stay (Promena osnova…
hard
Applying for permanent residence
Role-play: you submit an application for permanent residence — you tell the story of your stay and answer detailed questions (Stalno…
hard
Moving house once you have permanent residence
Role-play: you have permanent residence, you have moved, and you come to report it with the new owner's papers (Prijava prebivališta).
medium
A first enquiry about citizenship
Role-play: you ask your first, most general question about citizenship — where to go, where people start, where the official information…
hard
Requesting a police certificate
Role-play: an employer has asked for a police certificate. You go to the counter to work out which one and how to order it (Uverenje iz…
medium
Exchanging your licence for a Serbian one
Role-play: at the counter you find out what exchanging a foreign driving licence takes and what is required of you next (Zamena vozačke…
medium
Registering the car at the counter
Role-play: you hand in the papers to register a car and find out what is missing and what comes next (Registracija vozila).
hard
Reporting a lost item
Role-play: you lost a bag and come to report it — you describe the item and its contents and ask where else to look (Prijava gubitka).
medium
Bank · 10
Opening a bank account
Role-play: you open an account at a Serbian bank, answer the clerk's questions and find out what to do when a document is missing…
easy
Choosing an account package
Role-play: you are offered several account packages. You work out how they differ and which parts you actually need (Paketi računa).
medium
Collecting your card and sorting out the PIN
Role-play: you collect your new card, find out how to activate it, what happens with the PIN and what to do if it is lost (Preuzimanje…
easy
A foreign-currency account and money from abroad
Role-play: you open a foreign-currency account and find out what happens to money arriving from abroad (Devizni račun).
medium
Making a transfer and filling in the payment slip
Role-play: you make a transfer at the branch — you work through the fields on the payment slip and check the recipient's details (Nalog za…
medium
The account or the card is blocked
Role-play: a payment is refused and the account or card is blocked. You come in to find out why and what to do (Blokada računa).
medium
A first conversation about a loan
Role-play: you come to ask about a loan — what the bank looks at, what kinds there are and what to read in the contract (Kredit).
hard
The cash machine kept the card
Role-play: the cash machine swallowed your card or did not dispense the money. You go into the branch and explain what happened (Problem sa…
easy
Closing an account
Role-play: you close an account — you find out what must be settled first and ask for confirmation (Gašenje računa).
medium
A business account for a sole trader
Role-play: you open an account for your business — bring the registration papers and find out how it works (Poslovni račun).
medium
Office · 10
The monthly check-in with your accountant
Role-play: the routine monthly check-in — you report what happened and confirm what is needed from you (Mesečna provera).
medium
A question about invoicing a foreign client
Role-play: you are invoicing a client abroad and check with your accountant what the invoice must contain (Faktura za inostranstvo).
hard
The interview: telling them about yourself
Role-play: an interview — you describe your experience, answer questions and say why you are here (Razgovor za posao).
medium
Terms: net, gross and everything else
Role-play: the conversation about terms — you check which figure is meant and ask about the rest (Uslovi rada).
hard
Questions about the employment contract
Role-play: the contract is in front of you. You read it there and then, and ask questions (Ugovor o radu).
hard
Handing your documents to HR
Role-play: day one — you hand in your documents and find out what is missing and what to do with foreign papers (Papiri za kadrovsku).
medium
Agreeing your holiday with your manager
Role-play: you ask for leave on particular dates and agree how the work is covered (Godišnji odmor).
easy
Handing in your notice
Role-play: you tell your manager you are leaving and agree how to hand over your work (Otkaz i otkazni rok).
medium
Signing up as a volunteer
Role-play: you come to an organisation as a volunteer — you say what you can do and how much time you can give (Volontiranje).
medium
Making a donation and asking about the fund
Role-play: you want to support an organisation — you ask where the money goes and how to help (Donacija).
easy
Health centre · 10
Opening a sick note
Role-play: you are ill and come to your doctor for a sick note — describe how you feel and find out what to pass to work (Bolovanje).
medium
The medical certificate for a licence
Role-play: you need a medical certificate for a driving licence. You find out where to go and how the examination works (Lekarsko uverenje).
easy
Choosing your doctor
Role-play: at the health-centre reception you choose your assigned doctor and learn how booking works from now on (Izbor lekara).
easy
Booking an appointment
Role-play: you book with your doctor — pick a day and time and check what to bring (Zakazivanje pregleda).
easy
Describing your symptoms to the doctor
Role-play: you are with your doctor, describing what hurts and how, since when, and what you have already tried (Kod lekara).
medium
Asking for a referral to a specialist
Role-play: you ask your doctor for a referral to a specialist and find out what to do with the paper next (Uput kod specijaliste).
medium
Getting tests done: what and when
Role-play: with a test referral you find out when to come, how to prepare and when to collect the result (Laboratorija).
easy
At the dentist: the pain and the plan
Role-play: you have toothache. You explain to the dentist which tooth and how it hurts, and discuss what comes next (Kod zubara).
medium
The first pregnancy appointment
Role-play: a first appointment about a pregnancy — you tell your history and find out how things will be organised from here (Prva poseta u…
medium
At the paediatrician with your child
Role-play: you bring your child to the paediatrician — you describe what worries you and ask what is recorded in the child's booklet (Kod…
medium
City administration · 7
Putting the utility account in your name
Role-play: at the city administration counter you find out how to have the utility account transferred to your name (Prepis računa).
medium
Asking about an apostille
Role-play: at the municipal counter you find out what an apostille is, whether your document needs one and where to go with it (Apostil).
medium
Requesting a civil-registry extract
Role-play: at the municipal counter you order an extract — of birth or marriage — and work out which form you need (Izvod iz matične…
medium
Getting help with the e-government login
Role-play: you are trying to set up an e-government login but the registration will not go through. You come to the counter for help…
medium
A resident's parking card
Role-play: at the counter you find out how to get a resident's parking card and what it takes (Parking karta).
easy
Registering a child's birth
Role-play: at the municipal counter you register a birth — give the child's name, the parents' details and settle the spelling (Prijava…
medium
Asking about a foreign resident's rights
Role-play: at the city counter you ask what a foreign resident may take part in and where to check (Prava stanovnika).
hard
School · 7
Submitting your diploma for recognition
Role-play: you submit your education documents for recognition — you explain what and where you studied and answer questions about the…
hard
Enrolling your child in kindergarten
Role-play: you enrol your child in kindergarten — describe them, find out how places are allocated and what is needed (Upis u vrtić).
medium
Enrolling in school and getting grades recognised
Role-play: you enrol your child in school — explain where they studied and find out what to do with their records (Upis u školu).
hard
Talking to the teacher about how your child is doing
Role-play: you come to speak with the teacher — you listen, ask for specifics and agree what to do (Razgovor sa učiteljicom).
medium
Signing up for a Serbian course
Role-play: you sign up for a course — describe your level, ask about groups and the timetable (Kurs srpskog).
easy
Explaining an absence
Role-play: your child missed school. You explain why to the teacher and find out what to bring (Opravdanje izostanka).
easy
Joining the library
Role-play: you join the library and ask for easier books for someone learning Serbian (Upis u biblioteku).
easy
APR — business registers agency · 5
Choosing the form: sole trader or company
Role-play: at the APR counter you ask about the difference between the forms and work out who actually decides this (Preduzetnik ili…
hard
Filing to register as a sole trader
Role-play: you file the registration — check your details, the name and the address, and find out what comes next (Registracija…
hard
Choosing your activity code
Role-play: you explain what you do and work out which activity code fits (Šifra delatnosti).
hard
Changing your registered details
Role-play: your address has changed and you are adding an activity — you file the change in the register (Promena podataka).
medium
Closing down your registration
Role-play: you are closing the business — you find out what must be settled first and in what order (Prestanak obavljanja delatnosti).
hard
Tax administration · 5
The first visit to the tax office
Role-play: after registering you come to the tax office — introduce yourself, say what you registered and find out what is needed from you…
hard
A question about the flat-rate regime
Role-play: you come with a question about flat-rate taxation and work out what the office decides and what the accountant does (Paušalno…
hard
A tax-residence certificate
Role-play: a foreign client has asked for a tax-residence certificate. You find out how to order one (Uverenje o rezidentnosti).
hard
An overpayment: what to do with it
Role-play: you paid too much or to the wrong account and find out at the counter how to fix it (Preplata).
hard
The eco-fee: a letter arrived, what is it
Role-play: an unfamiliar letter about the eco-fee has arrived. You bring it to the counter to find out what it is and whether it concerns…
medium
Nikola Tesla Airport · 4
Passport control
Role-play: you answer the border officer about the purpose of your trip, its length and where you will stay (Pasoška kontrola).
easy
Customs at the airport
Role-play: you are stopped on the way out and asked about your luggage and about cash (Carinska kontrola).
easy
A taxi from the airport
Role-play: you take a taxi from the airport, give the address and ask for the meter (Taksi sa aerodroma).
easy
Coming back: explaining your trip at the border
Role-play: you are re-entering the country and the border officer asks more questions than usual. You answer calmly and honestly (Povratak…
medium
Shop · 4
Buying a SIM card
Role-play: you buy a SIM card in a mobile shop and choose a tariff (Kupovina SIM kartice).
very easy
A city transport ticket
Role-play: you buy a ticket at a kiosk and find out how to use it (Karta za gradski prevoz).
very easy
At the dry cleaner: the stain and the date
Role-play: you drop something at the dry cleaner — explain the stain and where it came from, and agree a date (Hemijsko čišćenje).
easy
A complaint: returning a faulty item
Role-play: something you bought does not work. You go to the shop, describe the fault and file a complaint (Reklamacija).
medium
Law office · 4
Ordering a certified translation
Role-play: you order a document translation from a court interpreter — you explain what it is for and agree a deadline (Sudski tumač).
easy
Collecting the translation and checking the stamps
Role-play: you collect the finished translation, check the spelling of your name and the stamps, and ask for a correction (Preuzimanje…
easy
Getting a signature certified by a notary
Role-play: a signature on a statement needs certifying. You come to the notary, show the paper and sign in front of them (Overa potpisa).
medium
Making a power of attorney
Role-play: you are leaving and want someone able to act for you. You explain to the notary exactly what should be delegated (Punomoćje).
medium
Health insurance fund · 4
The work permit
Role-play: at the counter you find out how a work permit is arranged and what is yours to do versus the employer's (Radna dozvola).
hard
Changing the basis of your work
Role-play: you are moving from employment to self-employment or the other way, and find out what changes (Promena osnova rada).
hard
Getting your health booklet
Role-play: at the health-fund counter you find out how to get a health booklet and on what basis you are insured (Zdravstvena knjižica).
medium
Opening maternity leave
Role-play: at the fund counter you work out how maternity leave is arranged and what is yours to do versus your employer's (Porodiljsko…
hard
Car centre · 4
Haggling over a used car
Role-play: you look at a used car — ask about it, find the flaws and negotiate (Kupovina polovnog auta).
medium
Checking the car's paperwork
Role-play: before buying you ask to see the papers and check them against the car (Provera dokumenata vozila).
hard
The vehicle inspection
Role-play: you arrive for the inspection — hand the car over, answer questions and find out what failed (Tehnički pregled).
easy
Broken down: the garage and the tow truck
Role-play: the car has died. You explain to the mechanic what happened and arrange a tow and a look (Kvar na putu).
medium
The street · 3
Asking the way
Role-play: you stop a passer-by, ask the way and — the hard part — understand the answer (Pitanje za put).
very easy
Pulled over: documents please
Role-play: you have been waved over for a document check. You answer calmly and hand over your papers (Zaustavila policija).
medium
A minor collision: sorting it out
Role-play: a light bump in a car park. You exchange details with the other driver and speak to the officer (Saobraćajna nezgoda).
hard
Insurance office · 3
Buying an insurance policy
Role-play: at an insurance agency you explain what the policy is for, compare the options and take one out (Zdravstveno osiguranje).
easy
Car insurance: the compulsory one and the rest
Role-play: you take out car insurance and work out how the options differ (Osiguranje vozila).
medium
Making a medical insurance claim
Role-play: you contact your insurer after a medical visit — you explain what happened and find out which papers are needed (Prijava štete).
medium
Main post office · 3
Sending documents by post
Role-play: you send important papers — you pick the service, write the address and ask for proof of sending (Slanje dokumenata).
easy
Collecting a parcel on a notice slip
Role-play: a notice slip was in your letterbox. You come for the parcel and work out what is required of you (Preuzimanje pošiljke).
easy
Collecting an electronic signature
Role-play: you come for an electronic-signature certificate and work out what you got and how to use it (Elektronski sertifikat).
medium
Sports centre · 3
Signing your child up for a club
Role-play: you sign your child up for a sports club — describe them and find out how it works (Upis na sekciju).
easy
A gym membership: the terms
Role-play: you sign up at the sports centre — you find out what the membership includes and on what terms (Članarina).
easy
Joining a club or a team
Role-play: you want to play with locals — you ask about the amateur team and about joining (Ulazak u ekipu).
easy
Exchange office · 2
Changing money for the first time
Role-play: you change money at an exchange office, ask about the rate and commission, and take the receipt (U menjačnici).
very easy
At the exchange office: asking the rate and counting out loud
Role-play: you ask the rate, check whether there is a commission and verify the amount with the teller (Kurs u menjačnici).
easy
Pharmacy · 2
At the pharmacy, without a prescription
Role-play: you explain what is bothering you and ask what is available without a prescription (U apoteci).
very easy
Collecting a prescribed medicine
Role-play: you come to the pharmacy with a prescription — you check whether the medicine is in stock and ask what the packaging says (Lek…
easy
Café · 2
At the café: order and ask for the bill
Role-play: you sit down at a café, order coffee, check something and ask for the bill (U kafiću).
very easy
Small talk with someone you barely know
Role-play: you run into an acquaintance at a café and keep a light conversation going (Ćaskanje).
easy