Newcomers Guide for Personnel Assigned to NATO MLO Belgrade Is Authored and Maintained by the Personnel of MLO
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December 2017 NATO MILITARY LIAISON NEWCOMERS OFFICE 5 BIRČANINOVA STREET GUIDE 11 000 BELGRADE Serbia January 2018 NATO MLO BELGRADE Birčaninova 5 – Serbian MoD building Tel: +381 11 362 86 70 Fax: 00381 11 334 70 34 ARRIVALS GUIDE FOR NATO PERSONNEL The Newcomers guide for Personnel assigned to NATO MLO Belgrade is authored and maintained by the personnel of MLO. The objective of this guide is to assist new MLO members and their families during the relocation process and after arrival, by giving an overview of the procedures upon arrival and some basic information about the city and the office, to help you get started. The Arrivals and Staff Guide is not intended to provide a complete analysis of the subjects and was not written by legal experts. It is assembled through daily practice. The information is believed accurate as of the date of this guide, but is subject to change. Please suggest any sort of corrections and ammendments to this Guide. We look forward to meeting you! 1 NATO MLO Belgrade welcomes you! A word from our Chief: Welcome to the NATO Military Liaison Office in Belgrade. I hope that you find your stay in Belgrade rewarding and enjoyable and this Guide useful. You are now a member of NATO MLO BE and it is my job to support you throughout your time here. Arriving at any new job can be a daunting experience. Inevitably, there are a few administration and organization hoops to jump through in your first month or so and we will help you through these. Even once your arrivals procedure is over living in an unfamiliar international environment can also be a little confusing so we will help you settle in. 2 WELCOME TO SERBIA AND TO THE NATO MLO BELGRADE! You are about to embark on a new adventure. We trust this will be a positive experience for you and your family, if they are following you here. Before arriving in Serbia you may have done some research and prepared yourself for what you may expect upon arrival. Depending on our background, we all have different expectations about a new place. Most of us experience a variety of emotions as we prepare to live, work, and execute family matters in a foreign environment. We may feel: excited, foreign; a little fearful; a little sad and homesick, or even a little frustrated by the lack of communication due to language difficulties. Whatever you feel when you first arrive it's important to remember to manage your expectations by keeping a positive attitude and embracing your new lifestyle. The more open and receptive you are, the more you will learn about your new surroundings and the different practices, which will likely result in a quicker integration into your community. Some practices you will enjoy and adopt, others you will leave behind and move on. Our experiences in a new environment often depend on how we integrate and accept these new and different cultural norms. Although not formally, we are all ambassadors for our nations. 3 ARRIVALS AND STAFF GUIDE FOR NATO PERSONNEL TABLE OF CONTENTS WELCOME ........................................................................................................................................ 3 1. ORGANIZATION AND LOCATION OF NATO MLO BELGRADE .................................... 7 NATO MLO BELGRADE CONTACT: ................................................................................................... 7 KEY SUPPORT PERSONNEL WITHIN THE MLO: ................................................................................ 8 OTHER SUPPORT RESOURCES ......................................................................................................... 8 BELGRADE CITY EMERGENCY INFORMATION ................................................................................. 8 EMERGENCY INFORMATION – MLO AND MOD .............................................................................. 8 NON-EMERGENCY INFORMATION .................................................................................................. 8 2. RESIDENCE, PASSPORT, VISA AND TRAVEL INFORMATION ................................... 9 VISAS AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS REQUIREMENT - GENERALLY .................................................... 9 CHECK-IN ....................................................................................................................................... 10 RESIDENCE .................................................................................................................................... 10 YOUR DIPLOMATIC/SERVICE ID FOR SERBIA ................................................................................. 10 KFOR HQ ID CARD ......................................................................................................................... 10 RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR DEPENDENTS ......................................................................................... 10 GUESTS FROM ABROAD ................................................................................................................ 11 IMPORTING GOODS FOR PERSONAL USE ..................................................................................... 11 PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES ........................................................................................................ 11 3. TRAVEL FROM AND TO SERBIA ...................................................................................... 11 FLYING TO SERBIA ......................................................................................................................... 11 DRIVING TO BELGRADE, SERBIA .................................................................................................... 12 ARRIVING TO SERBIA BY TRAIN ..................................................................................................... 14 ARRIVING TO SERBIA BY BUS ........................................................................................................ 15 DOOR-TO-DOOR SHUTTLE BUS/VAN ............................................................................................ 15 IMMUNIZATION RECORDS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR COMING TO SERBIA ................................ 15 BRINGING PETS IN AND OUT OF SERBIA ....................................................................................... 15 FIREARMS ...................................................................................................................................... 15 4. ACCOMODATION ................................................................................................................. 16 TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATIONS ................................................................................................ 16 FINDING A HOME IN THE LOCAL AREA AND YOUR LEASE AGREEMENT ....................................... 16 YOUR BILLS .................................................................................................................................... 18 INTERNET & CABLE TV................................................................................................................... 19 5. MOBILE TELEPHONES........................................................................................................ 19 MOBILE TELEPHONE CONTRACT ................................................................................................... 19 DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR MOBILE TELEPHONE COMPANIES ............................... 19 DEPOSITS AND DISCOUNTS ........................................................................................................... 20 6. HEALTHCARE FOR INTERNATIONAL MILITARY PERSONNEL ................................ 20 4 VMA .............................................................................................................................................. 20 PRIVATE HEALTH CARE .................................................................................................................. 20 ADDITIONAL PRIVATE INSURANCE................................................................................................ 20 PHARMACIES ................................................................................................................................. 20 7. BELGRADE – THE CITY INFORMATION ......................................................................... 21 USEFUL PHRASES ........................................................................................................................... 22 SECURITY ....................................................................................................................................... 24 IDENTITY THEFT AND SCAMS ........................................................................................................ 24 WEATHER ...................................................................................................................................... 24 SENDING MAIL TO AND FROM SERBIA ......................................................................................... 26 8. MONEY/BANKING/FINANCES ............................................................................................ 26 GENERAL INFORMATION .............................................................................................................. 26 DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................. 27 CARRYING CASH ............................................................................................................................ 29 EXCHANGE OF MONEY/WIRE TRANSFER/CARRYING OF CASH....................................................