Health Insurance in Serbia: RFZO Guide
How to access public healthcare and pharmacy services through RFZO
Healthcare in Serbia is provided through the Republic Fund for Health Insurance (Републички фонд за здравствено осигурање — РФЗО). Insured persons have access to state clinics, hospitals, and subsidized medications.
Foreigners with employment contracts and temporary residence can access RFZO on equal terms with Serbian citizens.
📋 Steps to Access Healthcare
- 1
Obtain JMBG
Secure your JMBG through the residence card procedure.
- 2
Register at RFZO Branch
Visit the local RFZO branch (Филијала РФЗО) with your employer's M form (М пријава).
- 3
Receive Health Booklet
Obtain your Health Insurance Booklet (Здравствена књижица).
- 4
Choose a Doctor (Изабрани лекар)
Register with a general practitioner at your local Dom Zdravlja (health center).
- 5
Get Referrals
Obtain referrals (Упут) from your GP to see specialists.
- 6
Fill Prescriptions
Purchase discounted medications at pharmacies using RFZO prescriptions.
✅ Required Documents
- ▸Passport and foreigner's ID card with JMBG
- ▸Employer M-form registration (М пријава)
- ▸Application for health insurance (Пријава на осигурање)
- ▸Recent passport photo
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕Not registering at RFZO after starting employment
- ✕Visiting specialists without a GP referral (Упут)
- ✕Assuming private insurance replaces mandatory RFZO registration
- ✕Letting the health booklet (Књижица) expire without renewal
💶 Costs
State RFZO insurance is free for employed persons (employer pays contributions). Voluntary insurance (dobrovoljno): approx. 4,500 RSD/month.
📖 Vocabulary
- РФЗО
- Republic Health Insurance Fund
- Здравствена књижица
- Health Insurance Booklet
- Дом здравља
- Public Health Center / Clinic
- Изабрани лекар
- Chosen GP Doctor
- Упут
- Referral Letter
- Апотека
- Pharmacy
- Рецепт
- Prescription
- Ургентни центар
- Emergency Center
❓ FAQ
Is emergency care free?+
Yes, emergency treatment at state hospitals (Ургентни центар) is free for everyone.
Can unemployed foreigners join RFZO?+
Yes, through voluntary insurance (Добровољно осигурање) for approx. 4,500 RSD/month.
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