Citizens Can Already Pay Fees Online Through ePlati, and from 2027 the System Will Automatically Fill in All Payment Details
Citizens and businesses in Serbia can use the ePlati system, established by the Office for IT and eGovernment, to electronically pay all fees and charges related to public administration procedures, without the need to subsequently submit a certified payment slip as proof of payment. Currently, the system allows users to electronically generate a general payment slip, which they complete themselves. The goal is that, from 2027, the entire process will be fully automated – citizens will simply select a service, and the system will automatically display what needs to be paid, to whom, and in what amount.
“Anyone who has ever waited in line just to pay a fee or charge, only to return to the counter because proof of payment was missing or a reference number was entered incorrectly, knows how significant these changes are. Today, ePlati enables simpler electronic payments, and from 2027 we expect a system in which citizens will be able to select a service while the system automatically calculates and displays what is being paid, how much, and to whom. This means less administration, fewer errors, and easier interaction with public institutions,” said Jelena Bojović, Program Director at NALED.
This reform was launched in 2025 and is being implemented in two phases. In the first phase, currently underway, the ePlati system enables citizens to create a general payment slip electronically, while public authorities are required to record such electronically generated and paid transactions without requiring citizens to submit proof of payment. Citizens who choose this method of electronic payment should access the ePlati system (www.plati.euprava.gov.rs), select the “general payment slip” option, and enter information about the service provider, payer, recipient, payment amount, and purpose of payment, after which the system generates a unique reference number. Once the payment is completed, the institution providing the service will be able to verify the payment ex officio. This represents the first step toward simpler administration, eliminating the need to visit multiple counters, store paper receipts, or risk losing proof of payment. It also reduces the risk of abuses that occurred in the past, such as using the same payment slip multiple times or adding zeros to already certified payment slips.
In the second phase, once full system integration is completed in 2027, citizens will no longer need to enter account numbers, payment amounts, or payment purposes themselves. After selecting the desired administrative procedure, the system will automatically display all applicable fees and charges, and the payment slip will be pre-filled. Multiple fees related to the same procedure will be consolidated into a single payment, reducing time, errors, and unnecessary costs. Citizens are already familiar with a similar approach through certain services provided by the Ministry of Interior, such as the issuance of personal documents and driver’s licenses. This successful model is now being expanded to cover all public services.
As part of the fee and charge payment digitalization reform launched by the Ministry of Finance, national government bodies have until June 30, and local self-government units until October 30, to register all their fees and charges in the official Unified Register of Non-Tax Revenues, which is a prerequisite for the full implementation of the second phase. To date, approximately 1,600 fees and charges have been registered, and NALED is calling on all competent institutions to accelerate their efforts to ensure the reform is implemented within the planned deadlines.
According to NALED’s analyses, there are more than 2,000 non-tax charges at the national level in Serbia, regulated by over 500 laws, while more than 400 local decisions introduce additional local fees. As a result, it is often difficult for citizens and businesses to determine which obligations exist and how much they amount to. A 2024 business survey showed that 72% of companies believe that numerous and high parafiscal charges significantly contribute to the grey economy. Full integration of the ePlati system with the Administrative Procedures Register and the Unified Register of Non-Tax Revenues will provide a publicly accessible and up-to-date record of all fees and charges.
The fee and charge payment digitalization reform is being implemented by a Working Group led by the Ministry of Finance, with the participation of the Office for IT and eGovernment, the Republic Secretariat for Public Policies, the Treasury Administration, and NALED. The reform has also been recognized within Serbia’s Reform Agenda under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. It has been supported by GIZ, the Better Way project, and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden. Training for officials from local and national government institutions has been provided by the World Bank and UNDP.
