Serbia Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in serbia, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Information and Communications Technology Market
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The information and communication technology (ICT) sector is one of the fastest growing and most competitive industries in Serbia, representing a key driver of economic growth and innovation. The Government of Serbia has set the digital transformation of public administration, industry, and services among its top national priorities. To support this, more than $70 million has been allocated for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technological and scientific research initiatives. In December 2024, Serbia assumed the chairmanship of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), an OECD-led initiative, reinforcing its position as a regional leader in cutting-edge ICT development.

According to the Statistical Office of Serbia, the ICT sector employs around 115,000 people and consists of more than 4,000 companies, including start-ups, medium-sized enterprises, and global corporations. The sector has become Serbia’s largest net exporting industry, with ICT service exports reaching $4.1 billion in 2024 and represented an estimated 7–8% of Serbia’s GDP – showcasing its role as a central pillar of the economy.

The United States is Serbia’s largest ICT trade partner. While U.S. exports to Serbia are concentrated in hardware, advanced software solutions, and technology licenses, Serbian firms demonstrate strong capabilities in delivering IT services to the U.S. market. Locally developed software is widely used in industries such as agriculture, healthcare, e-commerce, and logistics, and Serbian developers are increasingly active in creating innovative solutions for global clients.

In terms of infrastructure, a significant milestone was reached in 2021 with the establishment of the state-owned Data Center in Kragujevac, which hosts a wide range of national ICT infrastructure. The center is equipped with a Nvidia-powered supercomputer dedicated to artificial intelligence research and available for commercial leasing. The Government of Serbia has further announced the procurement of a second supercomputer to expand these capabilities, expected to be functional in October 2025. In 2022, Oracle opened its first regional private data center within this facility, offering services to both the government and private sector.

Serbia is also shaping its ICT landscape through scientific research and specialized institutions. The BioSense Institute in Novi Sad focuses on IT solutions in biosystems, particularly the use of smart technologies in agriculture, while the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Serbia (C4IR), launched in cooperation with the World Economic Forum in 2022, works primarily on biotechnology and AI applications in healthcare. Additionally, Serbia established in 2021 the first national AI Research Institute in Southeast Europe and was among the first countries in the region to adopt a comprehensive national AI strategy.

Major U.S. technology firms have strengthened their presence in the country. Companies such as Cisco, IBM, Microsoft, NCR Atleos, NCR Voyix, Oracle and Rivian have established development centers, campuses, or R&D hubs in Serbia. This cooperation underscores Serbia’s growing role as a reliable technology partner and a regional hub for high-skilled ICT outsourcing and research.

Leading Sub-sectors

  • Artificial Intelligence

  • Cybersecurity

  • Broadband Connectivity and Next Generation Networks

  • Digitalization

  • Smart Cities

  • Blockchain and Gaming

Opportunities

Serbia’s continued investment in AI, scientific research, and ICT infrastructure creates significant opportunities for international collaboration. U.S. companies, in particular, are well positioned to contribute to and benefit from Serbia’s expanding ICT industry. As the sector grows, it is expected to reinforce Serbia’s global reputation as a center for technological innovation and high-quality ICT services.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a leading sub-sector within Serbia’s ICT industry, supported by the Government’s Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence 2025–2030, which builds on the country’s first AI strategy from 2019 and its National AI Platform. The new framework focuses on ensuring the secure, responsible, and ethical use of AI to drive economic growth, job creation, and higher quality of life, while strengthening legal, institutional, and infrastructural foundations for innovation. Key initiatives include the establishment of a National AI Institute to support cross-sector development, launch of the AI4SME platform to boost small and medium-sized enterprises, introduction of new AI-focused master’s programs across universities, and significant state investments such as expanding the State Data Center to supercomputing capacity. These measures foster a vibrant ecosystem with opportunities for international collaboration, particularly for U.S. companies in areas such as advaGovTech applications, consulting services, and education programs. With healthcare, energy, transport, agriculture, and public administration identified as strategic sectors, Serbia is positioning itself as a regional hub for AI-driven digital transformation and innovation.

Cybersecurity

In 2023, the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications prepared a new Draft Law on Information Security, which harmonizes the domestic legal framework with the new EU legislation, improves the institutional and organizational framework and capacities, but also tackles some of the challenges previously identified in practice. The new Law is expected to be adopted before the end of 2025. The Draft was finalized in early 2024 and faced substantial delays. It was finally approved by Serbian Government in the beginning of 2025; however, the National Assembly has yet to add it to the session agenda. The Law regulates recovery measures after the incidents, envisions the establishment of the Office for Information Security and the strengthened role of National Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs). The Law also introduces the Operators of Significance, namely critical infrastructure and priority sectors such as energy, financial and banking, healthcare, digital infrastructure and water management and wast

Broadband Connectivity and Next Generation Networks

Mobile broadband connectivity is developed and widespread in Serbia, with 3G covering almost 99% of the population and 4G covering more than 90%. In addition to strong 3G and 4G networks, the Government of Serbia and the top mobile network operators are planning to roll-out 5G networks beginning in 2025 through spectrum allocation auctions. Key mobile operator companies are state-owned Telekom Srbija, and UAE-majority-owned Yettel and A1 Telekom Austria Group, owned by Mexican company America Movil.

Despite strong mobile connectivity, the Serbian Government recognizes the need to expand and strengthen its digital infrastructure. The Strategy for the Development of Next Generation Networks in the Republic of Serbia illustrates this recognition and promotes the use of cloud computing, the Internet of Things and 5G connectivity. Contrary to mobile broadband, fixed-broadband connectivity in Serbia will require further strengthening and expansion, with only 18% of the population having access to fixed broadband.

In August 2024, the Government adopted a regulation establishing the Program for the Development of Broadband Communication Infrastructure in Rural and Underdeveloped Areas of the Republic of Serbia for the period from 2024 -2026, aiming to provide internet connection to approximately 880 schools, public institutions, local institutions, as well as approximately 152,000 households.

Ministry of Information and Telecommunications adopted the Rulebook on the minimum conditions for issuing licenses for the 5G network on May 22, 2025, establishing the parts of the spectrum at 700MHz, 2600MHz and 3.4.-3.8. GHz for the auction, number of individual licenses, obligations of coverage and deadlines. The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RATEL) announced the 5G auction in August 2025 for the issuance of individual licenses, with deadline submission of October 2025. The spectrum will be divided between the three largest mobile operators - Telekom Srbija, Yettel and A1. The operators have already started with significant investments in infrastructure including radio equipment, network architecture, network software and intelligence. Other notable government documents include Strategy for the Development of the Electronic Communications System for the period until 2027 and the 2023 Law on Electronic Communications which recognizes the next-generation networks and in accordance with EU regulations, regulates the management of the radio frequency spectrum, the issuing procedure licenses, and the scope and the content of granted rights.

Digitalization

Since 2017, digitalization has been a key priority for the Government of Serbia — particularly for public administration, education, and the economy. In 2017, the Government established the Office for Information Technologies (IT Office) and e-Government to centralize administration, communication infrastructure, and government websites into one digital structure. The Office also coordinates the work of the National Center for Security of the ICT System (national CERT) and operates under the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications.

In December 2018, the IT Office and e-Government created the National Open Data Portal, a central portal for government data/information available to the public. This National Open Data Portal is directly linked to the Open Data Portal of the European Union. The biggest accomplishment is the establishment of an e-Government portal, which digitalizes administrative services, with a catalogue reaching 1,000 different services in 2024. The Government is making constant investments in digitization across every sector. Increasingly, government platforms are moving online as Serbia adopts e-government solutions.

However, a large portion of the public administration remains non-digitalized, and procedures require physical (personal or paper) engagement from the citizens. Upcoming projects include optimization and digitalization of judicial administration, e-health, digitalization of tax administration, vast and cross-cutting e-archive for official documents, as well as unified digitalization of customs and inspections procedures for foreign trade. Digitalization of government services will continue as technologies progress, creating a constantly growing market for software companies offering government services, procedure optimizations, digitization, AI applications and others.

Smart Cities

There are several initiatives in smart mobility, integration of new intelligent systems, public lighting, and charging stations for electric vehicles. Serbia is also progressively developing smart energy: smart public lightening, energy efficiency in public buildings as well as projects in smart communication: city cloud data centers, public Wi-Fi access and, smart benches. For the biggest cities, Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, Kragujevac, the Government is developing smart security projects connected with traffic and video surveillance, in connection to projects in smart environment. Smart Cities initiatives and commitments from Serbian government create opportunities for companies offering urban smart solutions and applications.

Blockchain and Gaming

While the Serbian Government is looking to implement blockchain technology in healthcare, urban planning, and other areas, it has yet to move forward with any specific projects. Serbia is also introducing tax incentives for technology startups - the corporate income tax rate is only 3% (half of the regular rate). The main market developer is the Serbian Blockchain Initiative (SBI), established in 2018, with three main goals: to increase local capacities in this area, provide regulatory support, and promote Serbia on the global blockchain market.

Serbia has also taken steps towards regulating Crypto economy, with the Law on Digital Assets adopted in 2020, enabling companies to participate in crypto exchanges as licensed operations.

Serbia’s gaming software industry is one of Serbia’s fastest growing sectors. According to the Serbian Games Association, Serbia is home to more than 70 companies employing over 1,500 professionals. Leading local gaming companies are U.S. owned Nordeus and 3Lateral, followed by GameCredits and OriginTrail.

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