Health Card: How to Get It

Zdravstvena knjižica - a mandatory document for all residents of Serbia, including foreign citizens with temporary or permanent status. Without it, you cannot receive medical care in state institutions, obtain insurance, or get a job. The application is processed through the Health Center (Dom zdravlja), requires a specific set of documents, and usually takes from one week to three.

Who Is Eligible for the Card

The card is issued to citizens of Serbia, foreigners with a valid residence permit (boravišna dozvola) and a mandatory health insurance policy (OMS), as well as refugees and persons with international protection. If you arrived on a visa without registration, you cannot obtain the knjižica. Citizens of the EU/EES can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but the local card is still recommended for full access to services.

Where to Apply: Health Center at Place of Residence

You need to register for the knjižica at the nearest Dom zdravlja. A complete list of institutions is available on the website of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia. Examples:

• Belgrade: Dom zdravlja Stari grad, Kneza Miloša 1, tel. +381 11 361 22 22
• Novi Sad: Dom zdravlja Novi Beograd, Bulevar oslobodjenja 100, tel. +381 21 488 81 00
• Niš: Dom zdravlja Niš, Obrenovićeva 1, tel. +381 18 222 33 33

You can register online through the Health Serbia portal or by phone. Visits without prior registration are not accepted.

Required Documents

The standard set of documents includes:

1. Passport (original + copies of all pages with stamps)
2. Residence permit (original + copies) - only for foreigners
3. JMBG (assigned upon registration)
4. OMS policy (proof of insurance payment)
5. Certificate of residence (from the municipality or Health Center)
6. Photo 3.5 × 4.5 cm, matte, without shadows

For children, a birth certificate and a school certificate (if the child is of school age) are additionally required. In case of replacing a lost card, a request for a duplicate is needed.

Procedure for Obtaining the Card: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Appointment booking - via the portal, phone, or, in some cases, messengers.
2. First visit - submit the full package of documents; the staff checks them and schedules the next appointment (usually within 3-7 days).
3. Doctor's examination - on the second visit, you are referred to the attending therapist or pediatrician. If there are no issues, the card is ready immediately.
4. Card pickup - collect it at the registration desk of the Health Center; the production time ranges from 1 to 10 days.

If you have chronic diseases, the doctor may prescribe additional tests, which extends the process to 2-4 weeks.

Cost and Validity Period

Obtaining the knjižica is free if you have an OMS policy. If the insurance is not paid, the doctor's visit costs from 10 to 50 EUR depending on the service. The card's validity period is 5 years for Serbian citizens and 1-3 years for foreigners (depending on the type of residence). Renewal is done the same way as the initial application, with an updated OMS policy and passport.

Services Available with the Card

• Appointment with a therapist (free of charge)
• Emergency care, including ambulance dispatch
• Vaccination according to the national schedule
• Treatment of chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, etc.)
• Discounted prescriptions under the program of the Republic Fund for Health Insurance
• Certificates for work or study

Without the knjižica, it is impossible to register for planned surgeries, get a referral to a narrow specialist, or obtain a sick leave certificate. Private clinics do not require it, but their prices are 2-5 times higher.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

• Refusal to register - file a complaint through the Health Serbia portal or contact the local administration.
• Long waiting times - in large cities (Belgrade, Novi Sad), the first appointment may take 2-3 weeks; an alternative is private clinics (appointments starting at 30 EUR).
• Missing documents - absence of JMBG or OMS policy leads to refusal; clarify with the accountant how to quickly obtain the missing documents.
• Error in the card - if the name or other data is incorrect, come to the registration desk with a passport to correct it.

Useful Links

• List of Health Centers by regions of Serbia
• How to obtain an OMS policy for foreigners (step-by-step guide)
• Map of state medical institutions in Serbia
• Official portal of the Ministry of Health of Serbia
• Online appointment portal