Buying a local SIM card at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) used to be a quick “plug-and-play” purchase. However, following a telecom rule update in February 2025, foreign travelers must now present a passport to register and activate any prepaid SIM. In this article, you’ll find where to buy a SIM card at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG), current tourist plans from A1, Yettel, and MTS, passport registration steps, and convenient eSIM alternatives for a smooth arrival in Serbia.
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You can buy a tourist SIM card at telecom kiosks and the airport post office counter located in the Terminal 2 arrivals area near baggage claim.
Here are details about two operators having their own small kiosks at Belgrade airport:
Opening hours: around 9 AM and close somewhere between 8 PM and 10 PM (not open 24/7).
If you’re landing late at night, buying an eSIM before departure is the more reliable way to be online the moment you step off the plane.
Tourist SIM cards at Belgrade Airport cost between 600 RSD (~$5.93 USD / €5.11) and 1,999 RSD (~$19.77 USD / €17.04), with data allowances ranging from 10 GB to 500 GB.
Prices at official airport kiosks match standard city-center rates, though third-party convenience stores may add a small markup. Here is what each carrier offers:
| Carrier | Plan Name | Data Allowance | Calls Included | Validity | Price (RSD / USD / EUR) |
| A1 | Welcome SIM | 200 GB | None | 7 days | 1,000 RSD (~$9.89 / €8.52) |
| A1 | Welcome SIM (Extended) | 200 GB | None | 15 or 30 days | +500 RSD (15 days) / +1,500 RSD (30 days) |
| A1 | Welcome Unlimited | Unlimited | None | 30 days | 1,999 RSD (~$19.77 / €17.04) |
| Yettel | Pripejd | 100 GB | None | 15 days | 600 RSD (~$5.93 / €5.11) |
| Yettel | Pripejd Plus | 150 GB | None | 15 days | 950 RSD (~$9.39 / €8.10) |
| Yettel | Transit | 500 GB (Serbia) + 500 MB (EU roaming) | None | 15 days | 1,200 RSD (~$11.86 / €10.23) |
| MTS | Turist SIM | 15 GB | None | 5 days | 600 RSD (~$5.93 / €5.11) |
| MTS | Super Turist SIM | 10 GB | Unlimited MTS-to-MTS calls | 30 days | 1,800 RSD (~$17.80 / €15.34) |
Tip: Yettel’s Transit package is ideal if you are visiting other European destinations on the same trip, as it includes EU roaming data.
Foreign tourists must register every prepaid SIM card against a real ID or passport before it can be fully activated.
If you buy your SIM card at a staffed airport desk or official carrier store, the agent scans your passport and completes the registration on the spot for free.
If you purchase a SIM through an unstaffed channel or reseller that does not collect your ID at checkout, you have 30 days from activation to register your passport via the carrier’s mobile app, official website, or a physical store.
Once you fail to register within 30 days, your SIM card being restricted to emergency calls and the carrier’s customer support helpline only.
Yettel provides the best overall network performance and reliability in Serbia, while A1 delivers the fastest 5G download speeds.
MTS trails behind both competitors in speed and general coverage metrics, though its 30-day Super Turist SIM plan remains a budget-friendly option for month-long stays.
| Performance Category | Winner | Key Comparison Details |
| Coverage Experience | Yettel | Scores 7.6/10 vs. MTS (7.5/10) and A1 (6.9/10). |
| Download & Upload Speed | Yettel & A1 (Tie) | Both average 86–88 Mbps download speed, outperforming MTS (65.6 Mbps). |
| 5G Download Speed | A1 | Leads at 368.5 Mbps, followed by MTS (299.8 Mbps) and Yettel (268.1 Mbps). |
| Consistent Quality | Yettel | Scores highest in network reliability at 84.1% vs. A1 (81.8%) and MTS (81.3%). |
| Video & Gaming Experience | Yettel | Outperforms both competitors in streaming and online gaming quality. |
If you prefer to bypass airport queues, skip local registration paperwork, or simply avoid worrying about late-night counter hours, setting up an eSIM before you leave home is often the smoothest route.
Providers like Gigago make this easy and reliable by offering Serbia eSIM that connect directly to the high-speed A1 network.
Everything is handled digitally: you buy it only, get your QR code by email, and it activates automatically once you land at BEG. No passport copy, no registration paperwork or physical SIM swaps required.
Plans are flexible and budget-friendly, ranging from $4.50 USD for light starter data up to $35.50 USD for high-data, extended stays.
Yes. Serbian law mandates that all prepaid SIM cards be registered to a verified identity, and a physical passport is the standard ID used for foreign visitors.
It is not guaranteed. Airport kiosks generally close between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, and staffing can vary due to airport construction. If you land late at night, ordering an eSIM before departure is highly recommended.
No. SIM registration is completely free and is automatically handled by counter staff when they scan your passport during purchase.
To access cheap mobile data for apps and experience sharing, travelers can use Serbia SIM cards. This essay will explain where to look for the best SIM card for Serbia as well as how to use them.
