Types of Employment Contracts in Serbia
The Serbian Labour Act (Official Gazette RS 24/05, 95/18) prescribes various forms of work engagement. Understanding contract types is key to knowing your rights.
Permanent and fixed-term contracts
The open-ended (permanent) employment contract is the standard form offering the greatest protection. The fixed-term contract may not exceed 24 months in total. Exceptions include: replacement of an absent worker, project-based work, seasonal work, increased workload, and trainees. If the employee continues working after expiry, the relationship is automatically considered permanent.
Training contracts and occasional work
The vocational training and development contract lasts up to 1 year; the trainee does not enjoy all standard employee rights. The contract for occasional and temporary work may be concluded with unemployed persons, old-age pension recipients and students, for up to 120 working days per year. The remuneration must not be lower than the minimum wage proportionally.
Service contracts and supplementary work
Beyond the Labour Act, Serbia also uses the service contract (Law on Obligations) for one-off tasks without an employment relationship. Income tax and health contributions are payable on the fee. The Labour Act also provides for <strong>supplementary work</strong> (Art. 202) – a full-time employee may work up to <strong>one-third of full-time hours</strong> for another employer under a separate written contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my employer extend a fixed-term contract without limits?
No. The total duration of fixed-term contracts with the same employer cannot exceed 24 months. If the employment continues, it automatically becomes permanent and the employee can seek court confirmation of that status.
What is a traineeship in Serbia and how long does it last?
A trainee is employed to gain work experience and pass a professional examination. Duration is set by profession-specific laws (typically 6–12 months) and uses a fixed-term employment contract with pay per the applicable collective agreement.
Can you work for two employers simultaneously in Serbia?
Yes. The Labour Act provides for supplementary work – a full-time employee may additionally work for another employer up to one-third of full-time hours under a separate written supplementary work contract.