The latest changes of the Regulation of the content, form and manner of submitting a unique application for mandatory social insurance, unique methodological principles and unique codex of codes for entry of data in the unique basis of the Central Register of mandatory social insurance (Regulation) have envisaged that persons of Roma nationality need to enclose the evidence on registration of permanent residence at the address of institution or social welfare center (SWC), in addition to the statement on national belonging, when applying for health insurance.

However, the problem of inability to obtain health booklets for persons of Roma nationality who do not have permanent or temporary residence registered and do not fulfill the conditions for insurance on some other grounds has not been solved in this way. The greatest problem in the application of newly adopted provision lies in the fact that this norm has been adopted based on the solution of the new Law on Permanent and Temporary Residence of Citizens and accompanying bylaws which provide for the possibility of registration of permanent residence at the address of SWC, which has not been consistently applied yet. The reason for that is the lack of detailed information and precise guidelines on the manner of acting of state bodies in relation to registration of permanent residence at the address of SWC.

It is clear that the solution envisaged by the Regulation, at least under the current conditions, cannot facilitate the access to right to health insurance for persons of Roma nationality. Considering the fact that it is one of the most vulnerable social groups in Serbia, the regulations in this area need to be changed as soon as possible and the access to health protection and health insurance for members of Roma population ensured, without violating the previously achieved level of human rights.

Read the announcement: New Conditions for Persons of Roma Nationality Applying for Health Insurance – Inapplicable Solutions