In short: for the trip you need a valid passport (Greece, Croatia and Slovenia are in the Schengen area), plus a green card and vehicle registration for the car; for minors not travelling with both parents a notarised consent is recommended. From 2026 the EU is introducing the EES, with ETIAS expected later in the year.
The real holiday begins at the border — and a single mistake with your documents can turn you back. This guide brings the exact conditions for 2026 for the three most common destinations from Serbia: Greece, Croatia and Slovenia. All three are in the Schengen Area, and Serbia is outside the EU, so the same basic rules apply. Note: the regulations may change — before the trip, check the current conditions on the website of the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Passport — required for Greece, Croatia and Slovenia
For all three countries a valid biometric passport is required. As Greece, Croatia and Slovenia are in Schengen, and Serbia is a third country, an ID card is NOT enough — for none of them (Croatia has been in Schengen since 2023, so it has not accepted an ID card since then).
- The passport should be valid for at least 3 months after your planned return.
- With a biometric passport no visa is needed for a tourist stay of up to 90 days in a period of 180 days (in total across the whole of Schengen).
EES — the system at the border (in force from April 2026)
EES (the Entry/Exit System) is in full application from 10 April 2026 — it electronically records the entry and exit of travellers from non-EU countries at the external borders of Schengen (for our routes these are the Greek crossing of Evzoni and the Croatian Bajakovo).
- At the border, biometric data are taken for the first time (a photo and fingerprints).
- The system is free and requires no advance registration — everything is done at the crossing itself.
- The rules of entry do not change; only the way of recording changes, so the first crossing takes a little longer, and the following ones are faster.
ETIAS — the announced travel authorisation (end of 2026)
Along with EES, the EU is also introducing ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System) — an electronic travel authorisation for citizens of countries that enter Schengen without a visa, among them Serbia. According to the EU’s official announcements, ETIAS is not yet in force: it is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026, and the EU announces the exact date at least six months in advance.
- ETIAS is filled in online before the trip; it is not a visa and does not replace the passport — a biometric passport remains required.
- The fee is 20 euros, and children under 18 and people over 70 are exempt from payment. The authorisation is valid for 3 years (or until the passport expires).
- A transitional period is envisaged during which travellers will not be refused solely because they do not have ETIAS.
Until the official start of ETIAS, a valid biometric passport is enough for a trip to the coast from Serbia. Check the current conditions before the trip on the website of the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Children and minor travellers
- Every child must have their own biometric passport — the entry of a child in a parent’s passport (the old “white booklet”) has not been valid since 2012.
- Minors under 16 who travel without both parents (alone, with one parent or with a third person) should have notarised consent from the parents, certified before a notary public.
- The consent must contain the details from the passport and correspond to the date of travel.
What to bring to the coast
A short list so you forget nothing:
- A passport (and a copy/photo on your phone), for all travellers.
- Consent for children travelling without both parents, if required.
- Travel health insurance (recommended) and the medicines you use.
- Cash in euros for smaller taverns and beaches (cards are accepted in most places).
- Sun cream, water shoes for the rocky coves and a charger/adapter.
The border and our minibus transfer
We drive tried-and-tested routes: for Greece via the Bogorodica – Evzoni crossing (through North Macedonia), for Croatia via Batrovci – Bajakovo, and for Slovenia via Bregana. Departure is at night, so we reach the border when queues are usually smallest — more about this in the guide when to leave for the coast. You can check the situation at the crossings yourself via live cameras — we list the official sources in the guide border crossings and live cameras.
With the door-to-door minibus transfer, passengers only need to have a passport (and documents for children); the driving, tolls and vehicle insurance are taken care of by the carrier. Everything about the destinations and prices is on the pages Greece (Belgrade to Greece transfer), Croatia (Belgrade to Croatia transfer) and Slovenia (Belgrade to Slovenia transfer), and in the price list.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go to Greece, Croatia or Slovenia with an ID card?
No. All three countries are in Schengen, and Serbia is outside the EU, so a valid biometric passport is required. An ID card is not enough for any of them.
How long must the passport be valid?
At least 3 months after your planned return. Check the validity in good time, as issuing a new passport takes a while.
Does a child need a separate passport?
Yes, every child must have their own biometric passport. If a minor under 16 travels without both parents, notarised parental consent is also required.
Is a visa needed for Greece, Croatia or Slovenia?
No, for a tourist stay of up to 90 days in a period of 180 days — with a biometric passport. Check the current conditions before the trip on the website of the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Do I need ETIAS for summer 2026?
According to the EU’s official announcements, ETIAS is expected only in the last quarter of 2026, with a transitional period — for a holiday a valid biometric passport is enough. When it comes into force, citizens of Serbia will need ETIAS (a fee of 20 euros, children under 18 and people over 70 exempt, valid for 3 years). Check the exact date before the trip.
