TL;DR
You can call an ambulance in Serbia by dialing 194. Speak slowly, give the address and symptoms, and have your passport, white card (medical record) and insurance policy ready.
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What it is and why
Ambulance (Hitna pomoć) - a state service that responds to life-threatening situations: heart attacks, strokes, severe injuries, poisoning, childbirth and other emergencies. Crews work 24/7 and usually arrive within 10-15 minutes in cities and up to 30 minutes in rural areas (according to the Ministry of Health of Serbia, 2023).
Unlike scheduled care, no appointment or doctor's referral is required. The crew will not transport you to a hospital for personal reasons (e.g., a routine check-up) - for that you use a taxi or private transport.
Step by step
- Assess the situation
- Life-threatening conditions (cessation of breathing, heavy bleeding, loss of consciousness, seizures, chest pain, difficulty breathing) - call 194 immediately.
- For less severe but still urgent symptoms (high fever in a child, severe pain, injury) it is better to go to the nearest Dom zdravlja or call a private ambulance via the Pomoć na klik or Sanitet app.
- Call the ambulance
- Dial 194 from any phone, even a locked one.
- Speak clearly and provide:
- your first and last name;
- exact address (street, house number, floor, entrance, intercom code);
- what happened (e.g., "Fell and broke a leg", "Husband has chest pain and difficulty breathing", "Child 3 years old having seizures");
- number of victims.
- If you do not know Serbian, switch to English or Russian: "Molim vas, prevedite na engleski" ("Please translate to English").
- First aid (if you know how)
- In case of loss of consciousness check breathing and pulse, and start CPR if needed.
- Apply a pressure dressing for bleeding.
- Cool burns with running water.
- Do not give medication or water if the victim is unconscious.
- Prepare documents and the site
- Passport or ID card;
- White card (Beli karton) - medical record, if you have it;
- Insurance policy (if available).
- Clear a path to the victim and make sure the entrance to the apartment/house is free.
- Meeting the crew
The crew will decide whether transport to a hospital is needed. If so, ask which facility the patient will be taken to (see the hospital list below).
- After hospitalization
- Show passport, white card and insurance policy.
- If you do not have a white card, you will be admitted with a passport, but paperwork may be delayed.
- Ask the doctor which documents are needed for further treatment (referral for tests, admission, etc.).
Documents
- Passport or ID card - mandatory.
- White card (Beli karton) - issued at the first visit to a polyclinic (Dom zdravlja).
- Insurance policy - mandatory health insurance (for residents employed on a contract, students) or private policies (Uniqa Osiguranje, DDOR, Generali).
- EHIC - for EU citizens.
Timelines and costs
| Indicator | City | Rural area |
|---|
| Waiting time | 10-15 minutes | up to 30 minutes |
| Call cost (for foreigners without insurance) | 5 000-10 000 RSD (≈ 40-85 EUR) | 5 000-10 000 RSD |
| Transport to hospital (without insurance) | 10 000-20 000 RSD (≈ 85-170 EUR) | 10 000-20 000 RSD |
| Hospitalization (without insurance) | 50 000-150 000 RSD per day (≈ 420-1 270 EUR) | 50 000-150 000 RSD |
For Serbian citizens and residents with mandatory insurance everything is free.
Common mistakes
- Incomplete address - the crew may not find the location. Provide street, house number, floor, entrance and intercom code.
- Wrong assessment of the situation - do not call 194 for a mild cold or headache; use a polyclinic or private service.
- Refusing hospitalization - if the crew advises transport, do not refuse.
- Missing documents - without passport and white card the hospital admission can be delayed.
- Ignoring instructions - operators and crews are professionals; follow their guidance.
FAQ
Can I call an ambulance without speaking Serbian?
Yes. Operators often speak English, Russian and other languages. Ask to switch language: "Molim vas, prevedite na engleski".
What if the ambulance does not arrive?
Call again and ask for the reason of the delay. If life is at risk, go immediately to the nearest Dom zdravlja or call a private service.
Do I have to pay for the call if I am a foreigner?
Without insurance the call costs 5 000-10 000 RSD. With a private insurance policy or EHIC the call is free.
Which hospitals accept emergency patients?
- Belgrade: Clinical Center of Serbia (KCS), Institute for Emergency Medicine "Dr Misha Pantić", Military Medical Academy (VMA).
- Novi Sad: Clinical Center of Vojvodina.
- Niš: Clinical Center of Niš.
- Kragujevac: Clinical Center of Kragujevac.
What is the white card and where can I get it?
It is a medical record issued at the first visit to a Dom zdravlja. You need a passport and JMBG (personal identification number). The card is free and can be obtained at any Dom zdravlja.
Can I call an ambulance for non-emergency transport?
No. For personal transport use private services (Sanitet, Pomoć na klik) or a regular taxi.
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