Pregnancy and Childbirth in Serbia: A Complete Guide for Expectant Mothers from the Russian Federation

Pregnancy in Serbia: Answers to Key Questions

Managing a pregnancy and giving birth in another country always raises many questions. This material was created to support women who live in Serbia and are preparing to become mothers. The information is based on real experience and is constantly updated.

Below are answers to the most common questions faced by expectant expat mothers.

• Is it possible to start maternity leave in the Russian Federation while officially employed but living in Serbia? Yes, there is an established procedure for starting maternity leave in Russia from abroad.
• Does Serbian mandatory health insurance (OMC) cover childbirth? This question requires a detailed review of your insurance policy's terms.
• What is the best insurance for pregnant women? The choice of insurance depends on individual needs and the coverage it offers.
• How much does childbirth cost in a public and private maternity hospital? The cost can vary significantly depending on the institution and service package.

You're Pregnant: Where to Register for Prenatal Care in Serbia?

Once the pregnancy is confirmed, the first step is to choose a medical institution and a doctor for your prenatal care. In Serbia, there are several types of institutions where you can see a gynecologist. Understanding their differences will help you make the right choice.

Main types of medical institutions in Serbia:

• Paid services at a private clinic.
• Using private insurance at an accredited clinic.
• Using the state mandatory health insurance policy at a Dom zdravlja.

Key Tests and Procedures During Pregnancy

During pregnancy in Serbia, as in other countries, it is recommended to undergo a series of important examinations to monitor the health of the mother and baby.

At the 10th week, you can take a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) to detect chromosomal abnormalities. This test is not mandatory but is available upon request after a consultation with a doctor. For example, the Qualified® test can be taken at Bio Save Lab laboratories in Belgrade (Tolstoeva 24) and Novi Sad (Bulevar Evrope 38).

Between the 24th and 28th weeks, a glucose tolerance test is performed to detect gestational diabetes. The test is done on an empty stomach: first, a blood sample is taken for sugar levels. If the level is normal (below 5.1 for pregnant women), you are given a very sweet solution to drink, after which blood is drawn two more times, one hour and two hours later. Some private clinics, such as VIZIM, provide comfortable waiting conditions, placing patients in a private room.

Starting from the 27th week, vaccination against whooping cough (pertussis) is recommended. In Serbia, the "Adacel" vaccine is used for this, which also protects against diphtheria and tetanus. Maternal vaccination helps develop antibodies that are passed to the newborn, protecting them in the first months of life. It is necessary to eat before the procedure.

Where to Get Vaccinated for Whooping Cough in Serbia?

The "Adacel" vaccine for pregnant women can be administered at several medical institutions in major Serbian cities.

• VIZIM Clinic (vizim.co.rs) at Zdravka Čelara 14a. It is recommended to confirm vaccine availability when booking an appointment.
• "Batut" Institute of Public Health (batut.org.rs) at Dr Subotića starijeg 5. The vaccination office is located on the ground floor.

• Dr Vukoje Pediatrics (pedijatrijavukoje.rs) at Rumenačka 124/2.
• New Hospital (newhospital.rs) at Alberta Ajnštajna 1. Appointments can be booked via WhatsApp.

Air Travel During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

Traveling by plane during pregnancy is possible but requires adherence to airline rules. Most carriers, including AirSerbia, permit flights until the end of the 36th week for a single pregnancy and until the end of the 32nd week for multiple pregnancies.

If the pregnancy is beyond 28 weeks, you must carry a doctor's certificate. The certificate should state the gestational age, the estimated due date, and a phrase confirming no contraindications for air travel. The form of the certificate is not fixed.

An important detail: some airlines may not accept a certificate issued long before the flight. It is recommended to obtain the medical certificate just before departure to avoid misunderstandings during check-in.

First Documents: How to Get a Birth Certificate in Serbia

After the child is born, their first documents must be processed. A nurse at the maternity hospital enters the initial data into the system before discharge. The subsequent process depends on the specific hospital's rules.

1. The maternity hospital processes the birth certificate independently, and parents only need to pick up the finished document at the local opština (municipality).
2. The maternity hospital provides a barcode, which parents must use to submit the application to the opština themselves. No appointment is needed for this.

• Originals and copies of both parents' international passports.
• A translation of the marriage certificate done by a certified court translator.
• Proof of address in Serbia (copies of "white cards," boravak confirmation, or a chipped ID card, depending on the type of residence permit).

Russian Documents for a Child Born in Serbia

If both parents are citizens of the Russian Federation, after obtaining the Serbian birth certificate, it is necessary to apply for Russian citizenship and passports for the child. The procedure takes from two weeks to two months and is done at the Russian consulate.

It is recommended to consider the option of obtaining a Russian birth certificate directly, based on a certificate from the Serbian maternity hospital. This can simplify future interactions with government agencies in Russia, as not all officials are familiar with the procedure for handling foreign documents.

• Fill out the citizenship application on the consulate's website and book an appointment.
• Prepare a package of documents, including the printed application, the Serbian birth certificate with a certified translation (if you did not obtain a Russian one), the parents' international and domestic passports, and their copies.

It is also recommended to get a "white card" (registration of stay) for the child, although this point is debatable. This can be done at the local MUP (Ministry of Internal Affairs). During the first three months of life, an entry stamp is not required for this.

Obtaining a Residence Permit (VNZh) for a Newborn

A newborn child can stay in Serbia without a residence permit (VNZh) for the first three months of life. During this time, parents must submit the documents to apply for a residence permit for them. It is important to remember that if the child leaves the country, standard visa rules for adults will apply to them.

• The child's international passport.
• The child's most recent "white card."
• Birth certificate (original and certified translation for a Russian one, original and photocopy for a Serbian one).
• A statement from the landlord (izjava) consenting to the child's residence.
• Receipts for payment of the state fee.