Law on Official Use of Languages and Scripts
The law regulates official Serbian and Cyrillic use, Latin script under legislation and minority languages and scripts. The official document includes amendments and correction 48/2018.
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Language rights and public administration
The Official Use of Languages and Scripts Act governs languages used by authorities, in proceedings, public documents, registers and public names. It covers Serbian and Cyrillic, Latin script under statutory rules, and national minority languages and scripts. The current text includes Official Gazette RS 45/1991, 53/1993, 67/1993, 48/1994, 101/2005, 30/2010, 47/2018 and correction 48/2018; some changes derive from other laws. The separate 2021 law on Serbian in public life does not replace this catalogue item.
Article 6 entitles everyone to use their own language and understand the facts in that language in proceedings determining their rights or duties. This differs from selecting a minority language for the entire proceedings. Articles 12–13 govern language selection in first instance proceedings, informing the party and recording the choice in the minutes. Second instance proceedings are conducted in Serbian, subject to statutory language and translation rights.
Article 11 requires local government to introduce a minority language and script into equal official use through its statute when the minority comprises at least 15% of residents under the latest census. This must occur within 90 days of establishing the statutory conditions. The Act separately governs minority names in a settlement reaching 15%, even where the language is not official across the municipality. Settlement and municipal population figures are therefore not interchangeable.
For example, a party to administrative proceedings asks to understand the facts and use their language. The authority should establish the request and applicable procedural rules, rather than reject it merely because the municipal minority population is below 15%. A request for a bilingual street sign follows another part of the Act and the local statute.
If language rights are refused, examine the remedy within the particular proceedings and competent oversight of official language use. Record the request and response. There is no single appeal for every violation, and not every violation automatically invalidates a decision.
This explanation is informational; translations are editorial, not official. Check the authority's official languages, local statute and rules of the particular proceedings.
What is this for?
Distinguishes procedural language rights from territorial official-language status.
Who can use it?
Parties, minority members and bodies exercising public powers.
When should it be used?
For proceedings, public documents, registers or official signs.