The National Bank of Serbia (NBS) will transfer approximately €288 million to the state budget from its 2025 operating profit, Governor Jorgovanka Tabakovic announced to parliament.
The payment represents a substantial share of the central bank's total operating profit for the year, which stood at €394 million.
The transfer underscores the government's reliance on central bank dividends to bolster public finances.
By channeling nearly three-quarters of its annual surplus into the state budget, the NBS is providing a direct fiscal injection that can help offset budget deficits or fund public spending priorities without increasing sovereign borrowing.
This move aligns with broader trends in emerging markets where central banks with strong balance sheets are increasingly called upon to support government coffers.
The decision reflects the NBS's profitability, driven by interest income and foreign exchange operations, while also highlighting the political economy of central bank independence in Serbia.