In Serbia, the government provides financial support to families through a one-time parental allowance, which is aimed at helping parents cover child-related costs. This allowance is available to mothers for their first, second, third and fourth child. Social support does not extend beyond the fourth child.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the parental allowance in Serbia, the following conditions must be met:
Citizenship and Residency: The mother must be a citizen of Serbia and reside in the country. However, foreign citizens with permanent resident status in Serbia are also eligible if the child is born on Serbian territory.
Special Circumstances for Fathers: In certain situations, the child's father can claim the allowance - for example, if the mother is a foreign citizen, has passed away, or has been deprived of parental rights to name a few.
Child Allowance Amounts in Serbia as of July 2024
The amount of parental allowance varies depending on the number of children:
First Child: RSD 366.122 paid as a lump sum. This is equivalent to GBP 2.63/ EUR 3.13.
Second Child: RSD 324.772 paid in 24 equal monthly instalments. This is equivalent to GBP 2.33/ EUR 2.77.
Third Child: RSD 1,948.632 paid in 120 equal monthly instalments. This is equivalent to GBP 13.98 GBP/ EUR 16.65.
Fourth Child: RSD 2,922.948 paid in 120 equal monthly instalments. This is equivalent to GBP 20.96/ EUR 24.97.
In addition to the above amounts, a lump sum of RSD 10,000 is provided for purchasing baby products, further assisting parents in the early stages of child-rearing. This lump sum is equivalent to GBP 71.79/ EUR 85.45.
Implications for Employers
Employers need to be aware of the parental allowance policies to provide accurate information to their employees and to ensure compliance. Employees should ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and apply for the allowance promptly to benefit from the financial support that is available to them by the Serbian government.