Serbia is building a monumental National Stadium in Surčin, even though… formally it has no right to do so. Work is in full swing — cranes and workers are on site — but the lack of key permits and a skyrocketing budget raise serious questions.

Construction continues despite lacking a permit

At the construction site in Surčin, near Belgrade, the scene resembles that of a typical large-scale infrastructure project: cranes lift steel components, trucks deliver materials, and workers labor tirelessly. Everything suggests that the construction of Nacionalni Stadion has entered a decisive phase. The problem is that… officially, it shouldn’t be happening yet.

Serbia’s Ministry of Finance has not yet issued a permit for building the main facility. The investor only holds permission for preparatory work — including earthworks, foundation laying, installation works, and piling. Applications for further phases — such as the Nova 6 access road, parking areas, and linear infrastructure — have either been rejected or remain unresolved.

© Fenwick Iribarren Architects 

Statements from president and suspicions of irregularities

President Aleksandar Vučić has publicly acknowledged a four-month delay but assures that the stadium will be completed and all costs settled. When asked about the missing permits, he responded: I have no idea whether they exist or not. Congratulations. There must be some crime involved.

According to the TV program Oko, less than €300,000 has been spent on the project so far this year. Meanwhile, official data from the revised 2025 Fiscal Strategy indicate that the total cost of the complex will exceed 112 billion dinars — nearly €1 billion.

Controversies surrounding spatial development plans

There is also confusion around the spatial development plan. A public session dedicated to the so-called fourth phase of the plan has already been postponed three times — most recently to June 13. In the meantime, the Ministry of Construction changed regulations, allowing for electronic public consultations in cases of high public interest.

The organization Ministry of Space sharply criticized these actions, claiming that citizens have been deprived of real influence over decisions concerning public space. Meanwhile, the Renewable Energy and Environment Regulatory Institute (RERI) stressed that the session planned for June 11 was illegal, since the new regulations could not be enforced before June 7.

The development plan covers an impressive area of 813.6 hectares — including the entire waterfront zone on the left bank of the Sava River, from Block 45 to the Ostružnica Bridge. It is one of the largest urban planning projects in modern Serbian history.

© SERGIO_SPECTOR

Stadium will be accessible by rail

As part of preparations for EXPO 2027 in Belgrade, construction has begun on a new railway line connecting Zemun Polje with Nikola Tesla Airport and the National Stadium in Surčin. According to Finance Minister Siniša Mali, the project is crucial to ensure efficient transportation for the several million visitors expected during the event. The new line will be 18.3 km long, double-tracked, electrified, and capable of speeds up to 120 km/h.

Four new stops will be built along the route: Singidunum, Aerodrom, Surčin, and National Stadium. Upon completion, scheduled for the end of 2026, the line will enable fast connections between the EXPO complex and Belgrade’s central station Prokop in about 30 minutes. According to the minister, the work is proceeding according to plan.