Papers & permits
White card in Serbia: how police address registration works for foreigners
Who must register you with the police in Serbia, the 24-hour rule, which documents to bring and why the white card matters for your residence permit.
Short answer: In Serbia call 192 for police, 193 for fire and 194 for an ambulance; if you are employed, your employer pays public health insurance and you use your local Dom zdravlja for normal care.
Nobody plans to get sick or have an accident. But when you live in a new country, it is smart to know the numbers and places before you need them. This guide explains who to call in Serbia, what to say, where to go for treatment, and how health insurance works for foreign workers.
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Emergency numbers in Serbia
| Service | Number | When to call |
|---|---|---|
| Police (Policija) | 192 | Crime, violence, theft, a serious traffic accident |
| Fire service (Vatrogasci) | 193 | Fire, smoke, gas leak, people trapped |
| Ambulance (Hitna pomoć) | 194 | Serious illness or injury, someone is unconscious, chest pain, heavy bleeding |
| Road assistance (AMSS) | 1987 | Car breakdown, towing, road information |
The numbers 192, 193 and 194 are free and work 24 hours a day from mobile phones and landlines.
About 112: in the EU, 112 is the general emergency number. Serbia is still preparing its full national 112 system as of November 2026. Some phones may connect a 112 call, but do not rely on it. Use 192, 193 or 194.
About 1987: this is the 24-hour line of the Auto-Moto Association of Serbia (AMSS) for help on the road. From a foreign phone number, AMSS also lists +381 11 333 1200. Road help is a paid service unless you have a membership or insurance that covers it.
What to say when you call
The person who answers may not speak English. Speak slowly and say the most important things first:
- What happened.
- Where you are (street, number, city, or a big building nearby).
- Your phone number.
Useful sentences:
| Serbian | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Treba mi hitna pomoć. | TREH-bah mee HEET-nah PO-moch | I need an ambulance. |
| Nesreća se dogodila. | NEH-sreh-chah seh do-GO-dee-lah | There has been an accident. |
| Neko je povređen. | NEH-ko yeh POV-reh-jen | Someone is injured. |
| Ne diše. | neh DEE-sheh | He / she is not breathing. |
| Požar! | PO-zhar | Fire! |
| Adresa je ... | ah-DREH-sah yeh | The address is ... |
| Govorite li engleski? | go-VO-ree-teh lee EN-gle-ski | Do you speak English? |
Keep your full address written in Serbian in your phone notes. Include the entrance (ulaz) and flat number (stan). If you cannot explain where you are, ask a person nearby to talk to the operator. Most Serbians will help in an emergency.
For more everyday phrases, see our list of 50 Serbian phrases for newcomers.
Where to go for treatment
Serbia has public and private health care. Here is how to choose.
Real emergency: call 194 or go to an emergency centre
In Belgrade, the ambulance service is the City Institute for Emergency Medical Care (Gradski zavod za hitnu medicinsku pomoć). Call 194 and they will send a team.
For serious cases, the main emergency hospital is the Emergency Centre (Urgentni centar) of the University Clinical Centre of Serbia, in the city centre near the main hospital complex. Many people still call it "KCS" (Klinički centar Srbije). Big general hospitals in other parts of Belgrade also have emergency departments.
In an emergency, doctors must help you even if your papers are not complete. Insurance questions come later.
Normal illness: your Dom zdravlja
For a cold, fever, back pain, a prescription or a referral to a specialist, go to the Dom zdravlja (public health centre) of your municipality. Each part of Belgrade, like Novi Beograd, Zemun, Voždovac or Zvezdara, has its own Dom zdravlja and smaller branches (ambulanta).
With public health insurance you choose a general doctor (izabrani lekar) at your Dom zdravlja. This doctor treats you and sends you to specialists or hospitals when needed. Ask at the reception desk how to register; bring your passport, residence papers and health insurance details.
Private clinics
Belgrade has many private clinics and labs. They are faster, often have English-speaking doctors, and you can book online or by phone. But you pay yourself, unless you have private insurance that covers them. Prices vary a lot. Always ask for the price before treatment.
Health insurance for foreign workers
If you have a job contract
According to the government's Welcome to Serbia portal, public health insurance in Serbia is compulsory for employees. Your employer pays the health insurance contributions every month from your gross salary. These contributions cover treatment in public health centres, clinics and hospitals.
What to do:
- Make sure your employer has registered you for social insurance. Your contract and payslip should show contributions.
- Ask your employer or HR for your insurance details. You need them at the Dom zdravlja.
- Register with a general doctor at your local Dom zdravlja.
- If something is unclear, contact the local branch of the Republic Health Insurance Fund (RFZO).
The exact documents and steps can change, so check with RFZO or your Dom zdravlja. If you are applying for a work permit, our work permit guide explains the process.
If you are not employed yet
If you are not in the public system, you need private health insurance. For visas and residence permits, the authorities usually ask for a valid health insurance policy. Some residence procedures ask for a policy issued in Serbia that covers your stay. Check the exact rule for your case with the embassy or the police office that handles your residence.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance from your home country may cover emergencies during a short visit. Read the policy carefully: many only cover emergencies, not regular doctor visits, and you may need to pay first and claim the money back later.
Pharmacies (apoteka)
A pharmacy in Serbia is called apoteka (ah-po-TEH-kah). Look for a green cross.
- Many medicines need a prescription (recept) from a doctor.
- With public insurance, your chosen doctor can give you an electronic prescription for medicines on the RFZO list, and you pay less.
- Simple medicines for pain, fever or colds are usually sold without a prescription. Ask the pharmacist; they often speak some English.
24-hour pharmacies in Belgrade
Some pharmacies work day and night. Two well-known 24-hour pharmacies in central Belgrade are:
- Sveti Sava, Nemanjina 2 (near the old main railway station area)
- Prvi maj, Kralja Milana 9 (near Terazije)
Hours and owners can change. Before you go at night, check Google Maps or the monthly list of on-duty health facilities (spisak dežurnih zdravstvenih ustanova) published by the City of Belgrade.
Mental health and support
Moving to a new country is hard. Loneliness, stress and homesickness are normal. You can:
- Talk to your general doctor at the Dom zdravlja. They can refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist.
- Contact your embassy if you are in a serious problem at work or with your documents.
- Find a community of people from your country in Belgrade. Shared language and food help a lot.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 194.
A simple safety checklist
Do these things in your first week:
- Save 192, 193, 194 and 1987 in your phone.
- Write your full address in Serbian in your phone notes.
- Find your nearest Dom zdravlja and one 24-hour pharmacy on the map.
- Ask your employer for your health insurance details.
- Keep a copy of your passport and residence card in your phone.
- Tell a friend or coworker where you live.
The Hello Serbia app keeps the emergency numbers one tap away and can help you explain a problem in Serbian.
Also check our guide to public holidays in Serbia: on holidays, many health centres work reduced hours, but emergency services are always open.
Last checked: November 2026. This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. In an emergency, call 194.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ambulance number in Serbia?
The ambulance number is 194. Police is 192 and fire is 193. These numbers are free and work from any phone, 24 hours a day.
Does 112 work in Serbia?
Some phones may connect 112 to emergency services, but Serbia is still building its full national 112 system. Use 192, 193 or 194, which are the official numbers that always work.
Do foreign workers in Serbia get public health insurance?
Yes. If you have a legal job contract, health insurance is compulsory and your employer pays the contributions every month. This lets you use public health centres and hospitals.
What is a Dom zdravlja?
A Dom zdravlja is a public health centre. Each municipality has one, and it is where you see your chosen general doctor for normal illness, prescriptions and referrals.
Where can I find a pharmacy open at night in Belgrade?
Some Belgrade pharmacies work 24 hours, for example Sveti Sava at Nemanjina 2 and Prvi maj at Kralja Milana 9. The City of Belgrade publishes a monthly list of on-duty health facilities.
Official sources
- Welcome to Serbia: Health and health insurance
- Republic Health Insurance Fund (RFZO)
- City Institute for Emergency Medical Care Belgrade
- University Clinical Centre of Serbia
- City of Belgrade: list of on-duty health facilities
- AMSS road assistance
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules, prices and phone numbers can change. We last checked it in November 2026. Always confirm with the official source before you act.
