Serbia — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

Pošta Srbije (Post of Serbia) is Serbia’s national postal operator. Serbia has one of the Balkans’ richest stamp-issuing histories: as the Principality and Kingdom of Serbia (1866–1918), as part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes / Yugoslavia (1918–2003), as Serbia and Montenegro (2003–2006), and as the independent Republic of Serbia since 2006. Classical Serbian stamps from the 19th century are among the most beautiful in Balkan philately.

Notable Stamp Issues

Serbia’s first stamps appeared in 1866, depicting Prince Michael Obrenović III in a classical engraved portrait. The 1869 King Milan issues followed. The Serbian stamps of the First World War — produced in exile after the catastrophic 1915 retreat — are historically important. Yugoslavia stamps (1918–2003) covered the entire Federal Republic period. Serbia’s independent stamps since 2006 feature Belgrade’s Kalemegdan fortress, Serbian Orthodox monasteries, Nikola Tesla, and Serbian cultural heritage.

Collecting Tips

Classic Serbian stamps (1866–1918) are specialist material with multiple printing varieties documented in the Michel and specialized Balkan catalogues. The 1914–1918 exile period produces some of philately’s most historically charged material. Yugoslav stamps (1918–2003) are collected as a major Balkan philatelic area. Post-2006 Serbian republic stamps are available from Pošta Srbije’s philatelic bureau. Kosovo postal issues (from 2000) are a related but distinct collecting area.

Part of the Europe Postal Directory.