Serbia
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- No restrictions on entry or staying.
The types of restriction are:
- No restrictions.
Restrictions on entry to Serbia
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Serbia based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Serbia does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
Nothing on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia suggests an HIV related restriction on entry.
The embassy of Serbia in Mexico provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with the entry and transit visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or general health of the applicant.
However, according to the information available on the official platform administered by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, entry might be denied if the non-national “does not have the certificate of vaccination or other proof of good health, when arriving from areas affected by an epidemic of infectious diseases, as determined according to the information provided by the Ministry of Health.” There is no suggestion that this would limit entry on the basis of HIV.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Serbia
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Serbia based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Serbia does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
The Ministry of Interior details the requirements to apply for a temporary residence, including for studying and working purposes, and none of those make reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Serbia
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Serbia based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Serbia does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.
According to the information available on the official platform administered by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, there are no health requirements to apply for a permanent residence.
Treatment access in Serbia
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Serbia. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
Non-nationals can access mandatory health insurance through the Republic Health Insurance Fund (RFZO) if they register their residence in Serbia and obtain a foreigner’s registration number.
Eligibility is based on their own employment, as a dependent of a registered insured person, or if they otherwise qualify for mandatory health coverage. Enrollment is done at the local RFZO office, with a monthly contribution of 3,500 dinars for those opting for this insurance.
You can go to any of the four clinical centres in Serbia with your personal documents and health insurance. The treatment is prescribed for no more than six months. ART is given monthly in local pharmacies.
In case of emergency, PrEP PEP and antiretrovirals can be obtained at the National Center for Sexual and Reproductive Health, ‘Potent‘.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
People living with HIV are criminalised in Serbia. There are HIV-specific criminal laws in force which target alleged HIV ‘exposure’, non-disclosure, and/or transmission. We are aware of reported prosecutions under these or other laws.
Visit the Serbia page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
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