Overview
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia (Министарство унутрашњих послова, MUP) recruits uniformed police officers through a public competition for the Centre for Basic Police Training (Центар за основну полицијску обуку, COPO) in Sremska Kamenica. Successful candidates are trained there as police officers, traffic police officers for road accidents, or border police officers.
The 2026 competition offered 1,000 training places, split between the police administrations across Serbia. The largest share was for the City of Belgrade (360 places), followed by Vranje (54), Šabac (47), Novi Sad and Pančevo (44 each).
Who can apply
You must:
be a citizen of the Republic of Serbia;
have had registered residence in Serbia for at least one continuous year before applying, and registered residence in the area of the police administration you apply for;
be at least 18 and not older than 30 on the closing day of the competition;
have completed four-year secondary education;
have no security obstacles under the Law on Police;
hold a valid category B driving licence;
meet the MUP's health, psychological and physical criteria for authorised officers;
not have been expelled from basic police training for a serious breach of duty.
If you do not yet have a B licence, you can still apply if you have started driving lessons by the closing date, but you must send a certified copy of the licence to COPO by 10 December 2026.
Exam pattern
The selection procedure has two parts, a medical examination and a qualifying exam. Every part is eliminatory, and the whole procedure takes up to three days, depending on your results on the first and second days.
Medical examination
Carried out by the MUP's institute for workers' health care against set health criteria.
Qualifying exam
The qualifying exam has four parts, and each one is eliminatory:
| Part | What it checks |
|---|---|
| Serbian language culture and spelling | Correct written Serbian and spelling |
| Psychological selection | Psychological suitability for police work |
| Basic motor status check | Physical abilities |
| Interview | Suitability, assessed in a personal interview |
Candidates are identified by a code rather than by name during the checks.
Marking and results
The maximum total is 300 points. Candidates who pass every part are ranked by their combined score, taking into account the order of posts they chose and the needs of the police units. If two candidates have the same score, the one with more points in psychological selection is ranked higher, then the basic motor status check, then the Serbian language test.
Graduates of the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies who pass the qualifying exam are ranked ahead of other candidates. A commission sets the final ranking list, and the minister of internal affairs decides on admission. A candidate who is not admitted can ask the minister to review the decision within eight days of being notified. You may see your own results at every stage.
How to apply
Collect the application form from a police station or download it from the COPO website.
Submit it, with all documents, to the police station where you live within 15 days of the competition being published in the daily newspaper Politika. You can submit only one application.
In the application, list the posts you want to train for (police officer, traffic police officer for road accidents, border police officer) in order of preference.
Documents to attach include an extract from your medical record, original certificates of citizenship and birth, an original court certificate that no criminal proceedings are under way (no older than six months), certified copies of your secondary school diploma and all four years' reports, your ID card, and a certified copy of your category B licence. Late or incomplete applications are rejected.
Candidates called for the medical examination and qualifying exam pay their own travel, accommodation and medical examination costs.
After the exam
Admitted candidates sign a contract with the MUP within 15 days of the start of training, which gives them trainee status. Trainees receive accommodation, meals and the equipment needed for training.
Trainees who complete basic police training receive a certificate and are employed as trainee police officers. They must then stay with the MUP for at least five years or repay the actual cost of their training.
Preparation tips
Check that you meet every condition before applying, especially the age limit, the residence rules and the driving licence.
Revise Serbian spelling and grammar, as the language test is eliminatory.
Build general fitness ahead of the basic motor status check; failing any part ends your application.
Gather all original and certified documents early, because incomplete applications are rejected.
What is the age limit for MUP basic police training?
You must be at least 18 and not older than 30 on the closing day of the competition.
Do I need a driving licence to apply?
Yes, a category B licence. If you have started lessons by the closing date you may apply, but you must provide the licence to COPO by 10 December 2026.
How long must I work for the MUP after training?
At least five years, or you must repay the actual cost of your training.