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4 clusters · 9 sources · 35 days · First seen · Last updated

Digital payment and mobile banking growth in Serbia

Overview

Serbia is experiencing a significant shift toward cashless transactions and digital payment methods. Consumer sentiment remains high, with a Visa Stay Secure study indicating that 98% of consumers trust digital payments and approximately 90% believe new technologies enhance online shopping safety.

Data from the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) confirms substantial growth in card usage. By the end of the second quarter of 2026, the country recorded 7.1 million card users and 13.7 million issued cards, a 5.5 percent increase from the previous year. Card-based purchases in stores rose 19.3 percent year-over-year to 237.9 million transactions. Supporting infrastructure has expanded, with merchant POS solutions increasing by 10.1 percent and the ATM network growing by 6.8 percent.

Recent data highlights a surge in mobile banking, with payments via mobile applications increasing by nearly 27 percent between April and June compared to the previous year. Instant payments through the IPS system reached 34 million transactions in a three-month period, setting a daily record of over 600,000 payments on May 15.

Expanding on this digital transition, new regulations effective September 16 require all Serbian state authorities and local governments to register with the ‘Plati’ (Pay) system. This mandate aims to eliminate the need for citizens to present paper receipts for state fees or taxes. Administrative clerks must now verify payments using a citizen’s unique identification number (JMBG), name, and surname. Officials who fail to comply with these legal obligations face fines ranging from 30,000 to 150,000 dinars.

Entities

National Bank of Serbia · Serbia · Visa · Platì · eUprava

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Serbia implements digital payment verification for state fees

    Starting September 16, Serbian state and local authorities must use the ‘Plati’ system to verify fees, removing the requirement for citizens to provide paper payment receipts.

  2. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Serbia sees surge in mobile banking and digital payments

    Mobile banking in Serbia is surging, with app-based payments up nearly 27 percent and IPS instant transactions reaching 34 million in three months, according to National Bank of Serbia data.

  3. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Serbia reports significant growth in cashless card payments

    The National Bank of Serbia reports that card payments have more than doubled in five years, with 13.7 million cards issued and a significant rise in cashless transactions as of mid-2026.

  4. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Serbia sees 98% consumer trust in digital payments

    A Visa study reveals that 98% of Serbian citizens trust digital payments, with 90% viewing new technologies as a means to make online shopping more secure.

Sources

bankarstvo.mk · biznis.rs · dalmatinskiportal.hr · espreso.co.rs · novaekonomija.rs · politika.rs · poslovni.hr · szabadmagyarszo.com · te2.rs

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history