Last Updated: 10 November 2000
Still Current at: 14 December 2000

The FRY consists of two Republics: Serbia and Montenegro. Since June 1999, Kosovo - a province of Serbia - is under the administration control of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)

SERBIA

THE SITUATION IN SERBIA IS AT PRESENT CALM. HOWEVER, TRAVELLERS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION AND TO KEEP THEMSELVES INFORMED OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Visitors should check local developments before starting their journey. Special care should be taken in border areas and visitors should avoid all areas of military activity. In particular visitors should avoid the Presevo Valley area in southern Serbia, where clashes have occurred between the security forces and armed groups. Following NATO's air campaign against the FRY last year, British nationals should avoid drawing attention to themselves or becoming involved in political discussion.

LOCAL TRAVEL

Due to widespread public protest following the recent election results, travel within Serbia may be subject to disruption. Parts of the energy sector are on strike, which has led to power cuts, and protests have included road blockades.

LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

Identification should be carried at all times.

If you are not staying in a hotel, it is essential that you register with the police within three days.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

FRY law requires British nationals to obtain a valid visa, and to have had it stamped at an authorised border point recognised by the Federal government. Visas are not available at the border and must be obtained in advance from a FRY Embassy or Consulate or from the FRY Interests Section of the Cypriot High Commission in London (tel: 020 7370 6105). The Federal government does not recognise entry points at the Croatia/Montenegro (Debelji Brijeg) or Albania/Montenegro (Bozaj/Hani-i-Hotit) borders, or those on Kosovo's external borders with Albania or Macedonia.

Those who have entered Serbia without a visa, or who were allowed to enter the FRY at a border point not recognised by the FRY authorities, are liable to arrest and probable fines or imprisonment for violation of FRY law.

HEALTH

The Serbian health system is suffering from widespread shortage of medicines and other essentials. Travellers should ensure they have adequate insurance to cover medical evacuation.

GENERAL

European green card vehicle insurance is not valid in Serbia. Visitors should ensure that they have hard currency in Deutschmarks to pay for insurance and road tolls. Fuel is in short supply in Serbia: those in foreign registered cars will need petrol/diesel coupons, obtainable at the border, to purchase fuel from state-run petrol stations. However, there is no guarantee that fuel will be available.

Visitors should be aware that credit cards and travellers' cheques, although theoretically in use, are in practice rarely accepted. Payment is expected in cash, preferably Deutschmarks, although dinars remain the normal currency for everyday transactions. Visitors should only change money through official exchange offices or banks, not through money exchange dealers.

CONTACT DETAILS

The UK has no diplomatic relations with the FRY, but consular services are available from the British Interests Section, which is based in the former Embassy building in Belgrade (tel: +381 11 645 055; fax: +381 11 659 651). Visitors are advised to register their presence at the British Interests Section.

MONTENEGRO

THE SITUATION IN MONTENEGRO IS AT PRESENT CALM. HOWEVER, TRAVELLERS ARE ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION AND TO KEEP THEMSELVES INFORMED OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Visitors should check local developments before starting their journey. Border areas and any other areas of military activity should be avoided.

LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

Identification should be carried at all times.

If you are not staying in a hotel, it is essential that you register with the police within three days.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Although Montenegro has waived all visa requirements, it has done so without the consent of the Federal government. Travellers entering Montenegro without a visa should not, therefore, attempt to travel into Serbia. Visitors to Montenegro should also be aware that Montenegrin borders could be closed without warning by the Federal authorities. Those without a visa, or who were allowed to enter the FRY at a border point not recognised by the FRY authorities, are theoretically liable to arrest for violation of FRY law. Recently there have been a number of arrests of international visitors by the Federal military authorities.

HEALTH

Travellers to Montenegro should ensure they have adequate insurance to cover medical evacuation.

GENERAL

European green card vehicle insurance is not valid in Montenegro. Visitors should ensure that they have hard currency in Deutschmarks to pay for insurance.

Visitors should be aware that credit cards and travellers' cheques, although theoretically in use, are in practice rarely accepted. Payment is expected in cash, preferably Deutschmarks. Visitors should only change money through official exchange offices or banks, not through money exchange dealers.

CONTACT DETAILS

The UK has no diplomatic relations with the FRY, but consular services are available from the Honorary Consulate in Podgorica (tel: +381 81 625 816; fax: +381 81 622 166), or from the British Interests Section in Belgrade (tel: +381 11 645 055; fax: +381 11 659 651). Visitors to Montenegro are advised to register their presence at the Honorary Consulate.

KOSOVO

WE ADVISE AGAINST ALL HOLIDAY AND OTHER NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO KOSOVO.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Despite the presence of KFOR, there are still significant dangers in Kosovo, including mines and other unexploded ordnance. Violence in Kosovo is currently not directed against British nationals, but there is still a high level of danger in some areas. Following NATO's air campaign last year and ongoing tension in Kosovo, British nationals should avoid drawing attention to themselves or becoming involved in political discussion. Use of the Serbian language may lead to violent reactions from local ethnic Albanians.

Visitors on essential business should check local developments before starting their journey.

LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

Identification should be carried at all times.

LOCAL TRAVEL

Delays at the border crossings between Kosovo and Macedonia are not unusual. Travellers should be prepared for a long wait and plan accordingly. Travel at night should be avoided. Fuel is accessible but the quality is not always acceptable.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Travellers can currently enter Kosovo from Macedonia or Albania without a visa (long term visa arrangements for Kosovo have yet to be decided by the UN Mission in Kosovo). Visitors are advised not to attempt to travel to Serbia or Montenegro from Kosovo. The Federal Government does not recognise entry points in Kosovo. Visitors who have entered the FRY at a border point not recognised by the Federal Government or who enter the FRY without a visa are liable to arrest in Serbia and Montenegro for violation of FRY law. Recently there have been a number of arrests by the Federal Military Authorities of UN personnel who entered the FRY without visas.

HEALTH

Medical treatment can be very expensive.

GENERAL

We recommend that all visitors abroad take out adequate comprehensive travel insurance. For Kosovo this should cover medical evacuation.

European green card vehicle insurance is not valid in Kosovo. Visitors are required to arrange local vehicle insurance within 28 days of their arrival.

The Deutschmark is legal currency in Kosovo. The current banking system is embryonic and payment is expected in cash. Credit cards are not accepted. Visitors should bring enough Deutschmarks to cover all their expenses while in Kosovo.

CONTACT DETAILS

British Office, Xhemajl Kada Nr 37, Dragodan Pristina (tel: +381 38 549 559, +381 38 549801, +381 38 549802). Visitors are advised to register their presence at the British Office in Pristina when they arrive.

British Diplomatic Missions in Yugoslavia: contact details

For medical and inoculations advice, contact your GP. The Department of Health's Health Advice for Travellers website provides travel health information for people travelling abroad from the UK. The site advises on health risks around the world and how to avoid them, a country-by-country immunisation checklist and how to obtain medical treatment abroad.
Visa information is available from the relevant Embassy/Consulate in London.
FCO Travel Advice is also displayed on BBC2 CEEFAX (see p470 for details). NB: While every care has been taken in preparing these notes, neither Her Majesty's Government nor any member of the British Consular Staff abroad can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.

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