- How medicine works in Serbia
- How to get a Serbian compulsory medical insurance (zdravvo osigura)
- Attachment to the Health House
- Medicine for children
- Private medicine in Serbia
- Dentistry: public and private
- Maternity hospitals (have given birth)
- Insurance for residence permit
- Quality of medicine in Serbia
- Emergency medicine
- Pharmacies
- How to get a medical certificate (lekarsko uverenje)
- Cities of Serbia from the point of view of medicine
- Some general recommendations from immigrants with experience
How medicine works in Serbia
Serbia has a compulsory health insurance system managed by the Republican Health Insurance Fund (RFZO Republi ki fond za zdravstveno osiguranje). This is an analogue of the Russian OMS or the Turkish SGK. All Serbian citizens and foreigners with a residence permit who pay dues have access to public health care.
Medical care in Serbia is organized according to a three-tier principle:
1. Health House (Dom zdravlja)the primary link. These are district polyclinics where the patient goes first: to a therapist, pediatrician, gynecologist or dentist.
2. General/District Hospital (Opšta/Okružna bolnica) secondary level. They are referred here for consultations with specialized specialists, hospitalization or surgery.
3. Clinical Center (Klinički centar)The tertiary level, which includes the largest public hospitals for complex cases. In Belgrade, this is the University Clinical Center of Serbia, a huge hospital complex where the most serious diseases are treated.In addition to them, large cities have specialized institutes and clinics that treat specific diseases (for example, cancer or cardiovascular) and perform the most complex interventions.
In addition to the state network, private medicine is well developed in Serbia. There are private clinics in every district of Belgrade and in all major cities.
How to get a Serbian compulsory medical insurance (zdravvo osigura)
A foreigner can be insured in the RFZO system if he is officially employed by a Serbian company, is an individual entrepreneur (preduzetnik) or the owner of an LLC (DOO) and pays monthly health insurance premiums. Family members (spouse and children) of the main policyholder are also considered insured. If you do not have the listed grounds, you will only be able to apply for VMI, and not for state insurance. Freelancers and digital nomads, as a rule, formalize individual entrepreneurs and thus open their way to compulsory medical insurance.
What do I need to do to get insurance?
The process of obtaining a health insurance card (zdravstvena kartica) is simple, but requires consistent actions:
1. Get confirmation from the PIO (Pension Fund).First, you need to contact the Pension Fund (PIO Penzijsko i invalidsko osiguranje) and get a document confirming that you pay contributions as an individual entrepreneur or employee.
2. Pay the fee.A small fee is charged for issuing the card - about 400 dinars (approximately 350 rubles) per person.
3. To submit documents to RFZO.You must bring printouts of personal cards (personal card), copies of translations of children's birth certificates and a certificate from the Pension Fund to the branch of the Medical Insurance Fund (usually located in the building of the local Health Center).
At this stage, they may sometimes ask for additional papers, for example, those who receive a residence permit upon reunification sometimes require a notarized certificate of lack of income in Russia. However, many manage to do without it.
The whole procedure usually takes about half an hour. A temporary document for three months is immediately issued, and a plastic card will need to be picked up later. A temporary certificate already gives full coverage.
An important caveat: full-fledged compulsory medical insurance coverage (including scheduled visits, tests and hospitalization) does not occur immediately, but only after deduction of insurance premiums for three months. If you have just started paying contributions, the first three months of the compulsory medical insurance will cover only emergency care.
The RFZO system is designed so that the insured employee or sole proprietor "pulls" the whole family with him. The spouse (especially if he does not work) and minor children automatically receive the right to free medical care. Pensioners receiving pensions in Serbia are also covered. For those who move with children, this is a huge plus. Pediatric pediatricians, vaccinations, routine checkups are all free and accessible.
Attachment to the Health House
After receiving insurance, you need to attach to the Health Home at your place of residence. This step may not work out the first time and require your patience. If you still have a poor command of Serbian, it is recommended to bring someone with you to help in the dialogue with the registry. It is also useful to make sure in advance that your policy is displayed on the official website of the insurance company. Once attached, you will be able to make an appointment with a doctor by phone or via the app.
Rules for making an appointment with a doctor
1. An appointment with a therapist or pediatrician in the Health Care Home is usually conducted through a single telephone line. "Free windows" open a week in advance. If you can't get through, you can try to make an appointment in person at the clinic.
2. The district doctor does not work every day: there are days without appointments or only for routine checkups. It may not be possible to make an appointment on the same day or the next, although in emergency cases it is acceptable to come to any available specialist without an appointment.
3. The doctor does not make an appointment for a follow-up appointment on his own, but only names the date of the next visit. You can only make an appointment with him again in person through a nurse at the exit from the office; it is impossible to do this through a shared call center. Those who forget to approach the nurse immediately are forced to return to the clinic on purpose.
4. Even if you come for an examination at the end of your illness, a certificate (for school) will be opened from the first day of your sick leave.
Medicine for children
Many immigrants note that Serbian doctors don't fuss. They give the patient as much time as they need, especially when it comes to children. The attitude towards small patients is as friendly as possible.
It is important for parents moving with their children to understand the vaccination system. In Serbia, the vaccination calendar is almost identical to the Russian one. Many vaccines are imported. To attach children to the doctor, you need to translate the vaccination certificates and enter the dates in the local map. You can create a sign with vaccinations, where you can enter the dates in Serbian, print them out and give them to the pediatrician.Vaccination. In Serbia, you can get vaccinated both in public clinics (Dom Zdravlya) and in private clinics. Mandatory vaccinations according to the national calendar are available in government institutions. Additional vaccines (for example, against rotavirus or influenza) or vaccinations for those who do not have a residence permit can be found in private clinics. When choosing a private clinic, it is recommended to check the availability of the necessary vaccine by phone in advance. It is important to know that most health insurance does not cover vaccination.
Private medicine in Serbia
Private medicine in Serbia is a large and competitive industry. Prices are lower than in Western Europe, and the level of doctors is often quite high (many Serbian doctors studied or interned abroad).
Laboratory tests.One of the strengths is the availability of private laboratories. In Belgrade and Novi Sad, they are literally on every corner. The prices are quite affordable. For example, a basic set (general blood test + lipid profile + glucose) will cost about 1300 dinars (about 1100 rubles). If you need something more complicated, such as hormonal tests, you will have to pay extra: each additional test costs about 500,000 dinars.
- A feature that may surprise you: blood can be taken without gloves - this is typical for many Balkan countries, and you should be prepared for this. The results are usually returned on the same day, but you often need to pick them up yourself, rather than by email.
- Popular labs include CITILAB, which has a Russian-speaking administrator, and Beo-lab with a user-friendly website. However, there are also negative reviews (for example, about getting questionable results in Aqualab), so the choice should be approached responsibly. In general, tests can be performed without a doctor's referral in any private laboratory.
- If you have a health card, you can take tests free of charge at the Health Home with a referral from your doctor.
Gynecology.The cost of an initial gynecologist appointment in private clinics in Serbia ranges from 3,000 to 7,000 dinars. At the same time, it is important to clarify whether ultrasound and other manipulations are included in the price, which are often paid separately. In some clinics (for example, CITILAB), Russian-speaking specialists receive patients.
It should be borne in mind that not all private clinics that are praised in immigrant chat rooms are really good. Sometimes the quality of services leaves much to be desired, and the prices are too high.
Dentistry: public and private
According to state insurance.The Health House has its own dentistry. Sign upit is possible by phone, and recording is often possible the very next day. Free treatment usually includes basic procedures: examination, cleaning, treatment of uncomplicated caries.It is not available to everyone, but only to certain categories.: children under 18 years of age, students, the disabled, pregnant women, as well as patients before and after certain operations (transplantation, oncology, jaw injuries). Prosthetics under compulsory medical insurance are performed only for pensioners over the age of 65, and often you have to pay extra for the prosthesis itself. Therefore, most foreigners, even if they have insurance, apply to private dentists.At the same time, orthodontics (for example, braces for children) is carried out according to compulsory medical insurance, but prosthetics, implants and any aesthetic procedures are not, they will have to be paid for independently.
Private dentistry.Not all private dentists who are praised in chat rooms are really good. There are cases when a clinic that positions itself as modern turned out to be a small office without an X-ray, where a substantial amount was charged for the examination.
Maternity hospitals (have given birth)
If you have compulsory medical insurance and you have been monitored for pregnancy at a Health Care Home, you receive a referral (UPT) to the state maternity hospital assigned to your polyclinic. In this case, the birth will be free.
Paid deliveries without insurance in a state maternity hospital (for example, in the Zemun Medical Center) they cost from 160,000 dinars;(about 120,000 rubles). In a private maternity hospital from 300,000 dinars;(about 220,000 rubles).
Important:LCA covers childbirth only if pregnancy occurs 3 to 6 months after the policy is issued. Check this point with your insurance company in advance.
Insurance for residence permit
When applying for a temporary residence permit in Serbia, medical insurance is a mandatory requirement. It is needed both for the initial status and for its renewal. The minimum insurance amount should be about 20,000 euros. For foreigners without a residence permit, the main option is travel insurance, which can be issued remotely. Some Serbian insurance companies (Dunav Osiguranje, Winner, Unica, Generali) may also offer insurance options without a residence permit, however, a Serbian identification number (JMBG) is often required to obtain a full-fledged VMI.
Important: Private insurance is a temporary solution for obtaining a residence permit. As soon as you apply for the status and start paying taxes, you can switch to the RFZO state system, which provides much broader coverage.
What else do you need to know about residence permit insurance
Where to buy.It is not necessary to buy a policy from a Serbian company. The policy of any insurance company that has the right to work in Serbia is suitable. Many immigrants apply for insurance through Russian companies that have partners in Serbia.
How to check.Be sure to call the insurance company after purchase and confirm that the policy is active. Save the letter with the policy number - they may ask for it at the registry office of a private clinic.
Residence permit insurance (RFZO). Private insurance purchased for a residence permit and government insurance through RFZO are two different things. Private insurance often has limitations (it does not cover chronic illnesses, dentistry, vaccination, disability, etc.). RFZO provides full access to public medicine.
The cost of the LCA. An annual VMI policy in Serbia can be purchased at a price starting from 13,000 dinars (approximately 10,000 rubles)per year. However, be careful: cheap policies, which are often bought only for obtaining a residence permit, have very little coverage. For example, the policy of the company Dunav Osiguranje;(about 13,000 RSD per year) includes only 150 euros for all treatment and only 3 doctor's appointments. When choosing a policy, carefully read the terms and conditions, especially the coverage limits.Quality of medicine in Serbia
In 2026, Serbia plans to invest almost 5 billion euros in healthcare, which is a historical maximum. Nine new hospitals are being built, Health Homes are being renovated, and equipment is being purchased.
There is a shortage of doctors in the country, especially pediatricians. Due to the high flow of patients (up to 50 children at the pediatrician per shift during the virus season) doctors don't always have time for a full-fledged examination.
According to officials, the number of patients on waiting lists has decreased by 36,000 since October 2024. The problem remains, but the government is actively working to solve it.
Emergency medicine
The ambulance service in Serbia is called Hitna pomo. The number to call is 194 (the single emergency number in the whole country is 112). The ambulance operators speak English, but an accredited interpreter may be required to visit the team.
When to call.You can and should call an ambulance for advice on where to go in a particular situation. They know the schedule and specialization of hospitals. The team is also called in to provide first aid (resuscitation, blood pressure check) and make a decision on hospitalization. The speed of arrival.The arrival time depends on the severity of the case and the workload of the service, usually ranging from 10 to 15 minutes to an hour. In case of minor injuries (when the patient can move), it may be recommended to contact Urgent Care Center or one of the clinical centers on their own. Refusal of help.An ambulance service has no right to refuse assistance, regardless of nationality, status, or insurance. All calls are recorded, and in case of unlawful refusal, you can threaten legal proceedings. If you don't have insurance, they will still provide assistance, but you will be billed. So that you understand the price order: just calling an ambulance crew for a foreigner without insurance will cost about 9,000 dinars (6,650 rubles), plus hourly pay for doctors, nurses and a driver. For adults. The main emergency center is Urgentni centar Univerzitetski klinički centar Srbije (Pasterova, 2). However, there is a strict triage system. Life-threatening patients ("red" level) are admitted without waiting lists. With moderate conditions ("yellow" level) "After the reds. And with mild ailments ("green" level), such as sore throat or ear, you can wait half a day or longer. In such cases, it is often wiser to immediately go to a private clinic if there is no threat to life. For children. Emergency pediatric care is organized according to the principle of even/odd days between Univerzitetska de ja klinika (Tir ova, 10)and Institut za zdravstvenu zatitu majke i deteta Srbije
Where to contact in case of emergency in Belgrade:
Other institutions are Gradski zavod za hitnu medicinsku pomo (Franše D’Eperea, 5) and KBC Zemun.
Private round-the-clock clinics. As a paid alternative, you can contact MediGroup, Bel Medic, Opštu bolnicu Avala (there are Russian-speaking staff) or Medikal time hospital.
Pharmacies
There are several large pharmacy chains in Serbia (for example, Maelia, Apoteka Beograd), as well as private pharmacies. Some medications, such as antidepressants, are strictly prescribed. Information on pharmacy chain websites is often relevant only for over-the-counter medications, so it's better to call pharmacies or visit them in person to find prescription drugs. Sometimes you can find the right drugs without a prescription in small non-chain pharmacies, even if large chains do not have them. There are also round-the-clock pharmacies on duty.
Since 2024, Serbian pharmacies do not accept Russian prescriptions. To buy a prescription drug (antibiotics, hormonal, strong painkillers, antidepressants), you need to get a new prescription from a Serbian doctor. This can be done for a fee in a private clinic - often the doctor prescribes a prescription without a second full examination, if you show him a Russian prescription or an extract from the card.
It is forbidden to order medicines from abroad by mail in Serbia Parcels with drugs are delayed at customs and are not delivered. Before moving, it makes sense to stock up on the necessary prescription medications for several months in advance.
How to get a medical certificate (lekarsko uverenje)
In Serbia, certificates are needed for various purposes: for school or kindergarten, for admission to university, for obtaining a driver's license, for work (including for sole proprietors), for obtaining guardianship, etc. The method of receipt depends on the purpose and availabilityinsurance.
If you have compulsory medical insurance (zdravstvena kartica):
- A certificate for a child to go to school or kindergarten is issued free of charge at the Health Center after an examination by a pediatrician. Even if you come at the end of your illness, the certificate will be opened from the first day of your sick leave.
- For a health certificate for an adult (for example, to replace a driver's license), you need to contact your therapist at the Health Home. It is also free.
If you do not have compulsory medical insurance or need a specialized certificate:
- A certificate for work or registration of an individual entrepreneur (medicina rada) is provided only in licensed clinics. This is a paid service: the cost is from 3,000 to 7,000 dinars. In Belgrade, such certificates are issued, for example, by Euromedik, MediGroup and some government clinics (but they may refuse to provide state-owned clinics without compulsory medical insurance).
- A certificate for admission to a university usually requires an examination by several doctors. The easiest way to order a comprehensive package is at a private clinic, where everything is organized in one day. The cost is about 10,000-15,000 dinars.
- A certificate for guardianship or court requires a notarized translation of the medical report. The translation is done by Serbian judicial translators (sudski tumac), the cost starts from 1,500 dinars per page.
General tips:
- Before visiting the clinic, check by phone if they give you the type of certificate you need. Not all private clinics have a license for occupational medicine or university certificates.
- If you need help in English or Russian, please specify it in advance. An additional fee may be charged for translation.
- When ordering a certificate for a child, always take a vaccination certificate with you. Without it, they may refuse to issue a document.
Cities of Serbia from the point of view of medicine
Belgrade is an absolute center of gravity. The best clinics are concentrated here, English- and Russian-speaking doctors work, as well as the maximum choice of private medical centers. If you have a complex chronic disease or are planning to give birth in Serbia, Belgrade offers the greatest opportunities.
Novi Sad is the second largest city and the capital of Vojvodina. It is quieter and cheaper than Belgrade, while the medicine here is also at a high level.
Nis is a large city in the south of the country. It is developing as a medical cluster, and a new clinical center is being built here.
For families with children, immigrants often choose the suburbs of Belgrade (Novi Beograd, Zemun, Vrachar) or the sleeping areas of Novi Sad (Liman, Grbavica). The infrastructure (Health homes, private clinics, pharmacies) is well developed everywhere.
Some general recommendations from immigrants with experience
1. Learn Serbian.Even the basic level greatly simplifies communication.In Belgrade and Novi Sad, many private clinics have Russian-speaking doctors, and staff often speak English. English is less common in government institutions, so a basic knowledge of Serbian or the help of acquaintances who know the language will be a big plus.
2. Keep in mind the "polaco" system.The medicine here is good, but it works at its own pace. No one is in a hurry - this is a feature of the Serbian approach to treatment, and it's worth getting used to.
3. Serbian cuisine is quite greasy.There are many pork dishes on the menu. Do not overdo it so that there are no problems with high cholesterol.
Sources:
Numbeo. Quality of Life Comparison – Health Care Index for Serbia (May 2026). Indicators of the Serbian healthcare system according to user estimates
Numbeo. Health Care Comparison Between France and Serbia (March 2026). Comparative health data.
SerbiaHome. A Guide to Obtaining Public Health Insurance in Serbia: Zdravstvena knjižica/kartica (January 2026). A practical guide to the registration of the Serbian Compulsory medical Insurance (RFZO).
Relocation Serbia. Moving to Serbia in 2026: Honest Expat Relocation Guide (April 2026). A general guide to moving to Serbia with sections on medicine and insurance.
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