According to convention, one deputy position is allocated to each junior partner in the ruling coalition, being ranked according to the size of their respective parties.

The office of the Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia was established on 11 February 1991, during the government of Dragutin Zelenović.

It was initially held by four people: Slobodan Prohaska, Velimir Radivojević, Nikola Stanić and Jovan Zebić.

Since then, the office was usually held simultaneously by several people at the same time (in the government of Zoran Đinđić there were eight Deputy Prime Ministers at one point).

Also, Deputy Prime Ministers may or may not combine the post with another government portfolio.