SERBIA HANDBOOK Military Family Services Europe / MFS(E) Riga-Remote Team [email protected] www.cafconnection.ca / www.connexionfac.ca Date published: 01 July 2019 Date revised: 10 March 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS GREETINGS FROM YOUR MFS(E) RIGA-REMOTE TEAM 1 EUROPEAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ............................ 3 USING THIS GUIDE .................................................... 3 SOME HELPFUL RESOURCES ....................................... 1 OVERVIEW OF BELGRADE ........................................... 2 Maps ............................................................................................................. 2 Geography/Politics .......................................................................................... 4 Climate ......................................................................................................... 5 Languages ..................................................................................................... 5 Religion ......................................................................................................... 6 Cost of Living ................................................................................................. 7 Canadian/Expat Community ............................................................................. 8 Cultural Nuances, Etiquette and Traditions ......................................................... 8 Public Holidays ............................................................................................... 9 News ............................................................................................................. 9 BEFORE YOU COME ................................................... 10 EMERGENCY INFORMATION ..................................... 11 Public Safety and Security .............................................................................. 11 Emergency Contacts ...................................................................................... 11 GETTING SETTLED .................................................... 12 Making Phone Calls ....................................................................................... 12 Calling Within Europe .............................................................................. 12 Calling Outside of Serbia ......................................................................... 12 Calling Canada from Serbia ...................................................................... 12 Calling Serbia from Canada ...................................................................... 12 Some Country Codes: ............................................................................. 13 Summary: ............................................................................................. 13 Toll Free and Charges for Calls ................................................................. 13 Where to Live ............................................................................................... 14 Houses and Realtors ...................................................................................... 15 BASE INFORMATION ................................................ 16 Exchange/Commissary .................................................................................. 16 Schools ....................................................................................................... 16 Morale, Welfare and Recreation ....................................................................... 16 Housing ....................................................................................................... 17 Post Office ................................................................................................... 17 TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION ................................... 18 Subsidized Travel .......................................................................................... 18 NON-UNIT Fund and CANEX/SISIP Grant .......................................................... 18 Air Travel ..................................................................................................... 18 Public Transit ............................................................................................... 18 Train ........................................................................................................... 23 Taxis ........................................................................................................... 23 Car Rental ................................................................................................... 24 Hotels ......................................................................................................... 24 Travel Advisories .......................................................................................... 24 ADMINISTRATION .................................................... 26 Banking ....................................................................................................... 26 Local Currency ....................................................................................... 26 Bank Accounts and Financial Considerations ............................................... 26 Bank Cards ............................................................................................ 26 Credit Cards .......................................................................................... 26 Online Banking Payments – IBANs, BICs, and TANs .................................... 27 Money Transfer ...................................................................................... 27 Insurance .................................................................................................... 27 CRA and Residency Status for Spouses/Dependents ........................................... 28 Child Benefits ............................................................................................... 29 Pets ............................................................................................................ 30 POSTAL SERVICES .................................................... 31 Personal Mail ................................................................................................ 31 Canadian Forces Post Office ..................................................................... 31 Serbian Postal Services ........................................................................... 31 HEALTH SERVICES ................................................... 32 General ....................................................................................................... 32 Hospitals ..................................................................................................... 32 Private Clinics ............................................................................................... 33 Pharmaceutical Services ................................................................................ 33 Dental Clinics ............................................................................................... 33 Social Services ............................................................................................. 34 Social Worker ........................................................................................ 34 Padre .................................................................................................... 34 CAF Member Assistance Program .............................................................. 34 Family Information Line .......................................................................... 35 Local Resources ..................................................................................... 35 A. A. Meetings ....................................................................................... 35 Great West Life / Allianz ................................................................................ 35 Dental Claims ........................................................................................ 35 Medical Claims ....................................................................................... 36 ON THE ROAD ........................................................... 37 General ....................................................................................................... 37 Driver’s Licence ............................................................................................ 38 Information on Driver’s Licence in Canada and Renewal ..................................... 38 Roadworthiness Test/Safety ........................................................................... 40 Car Insurance ............................................................................................... 41 Vehicle Registration ....................................................................................... 42 Emission Sticker ........................................................................................... 42 European Green Zones ............................................................................ 42 Fuel Card ..................................................................................................... 43 Items in Your Car .......................................................................................... 43 Biking/Motorcycles ........................................................................................ 44 Bicycles ................................................................................................ 44 Motorcycles ..........................................................................................