The Serbian flag is made up of three horizontal stripes that are equal in size. The top stripe is red, the middle stripe is white, and the bottom stripe is blue. The red represents freedom and revolution, the blue represents justice and truth, and the white represents peace and unity.

On top of the stripes and left-of-center is the Serbian coat of arms (a Byzantine, two-headed eagle behind a shield).

The history of the Serbian flag​

The flag of Serbia has a long and complex history that dates back to the 19th century.

It was first used as a national flag in 1835, when it was hoisted by Serbian rebels during the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire. The Serbian flag was designed to mimic the flag of the Russian Empire, which at the time was a major ally of Serbia.

After the uprising was successful and Serbia gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire, the flag was officially adopted as the national flag in 1882.

Serbia's flag was later used as the national flag of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, the flag of Serbia was once again adopted as the national flag of the Republic of Serbia. Today, it continues to be an important symbol of Serbian national identity and is flown with pride by Serbians all over the world.

Serbian flag facts​

First use​

The Serbian flag was first used as a national flag in 1835, when it was hoisted by Serbian rebels during the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire.

Design​

The flag was designed to mimic the flag of the Russian Empire, which at the time was a major ally of Serbia.

Adoption​

After the uprising was successful and Serbia gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire, the flag was officially adopted as the national flag in 1882.

Later uses​

The flag was later used as the national flag of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Present day​

Following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, the flag of Serbia was once again adopted as the national flag of the Republic of Serbia. Today, the flag continues to be an important symbol of Serbian national identity and is flown with pride by Serbians all over the world.

A lot of expats to Belgrade are asking the question:

Is Serbia safe to move to right now, given the situation in Ukraine with Russia?

The answer to that question is a resounding yes. You have absolutely nothing to worry about moving to and living in Serbia during this time.

Serbia is over 1,600km from Ukraine (perhaps slightly less if you take a direct route through Romania). Romania itself acts as a large buffer between Serbian and Ukrainian territory.

Other points to consider:

• Serbia is not part of NATO. Therefore, any potential conflict between Russia and NATO would not directly involve Serbia. Serbia would remain one of the few truly neutral countries in the Balkan region.
• Serbia has a good relationship with both the EU and Russia.
• Serbia has amicable relations with Ukraine also, including some defensive cooperation (mostly to do with training and arms production).
• Serbia remembers what NATO did to Yugoslavia which would undoubtedly influence their decision to stay out of a NATO-led conflict with Russia.

Are there currently Ukrainian refugees in Serbia?​

At present, there are approximately 2,500 Ukrainian refugees living in Serbia.