OBJECTIVES: To estimate indirect costs of RA in Serbia, related to work absenteeism, medical welfare and rehabilitation in specialized centers. METHODS: Representative group of 90 general practitioners (GPs) collected the data in period 01/01/2011-31/12/2011 and from records evaluated their RA patients. They collected the data on frequency of RA patients in their practice in 2011, their working ability and absenteeism, diagnostic procedures, treatment and usage of specialized rehabilitation and different kinds of government provided welfares. Absenteeism costs were calculated through mean of average salary in Serbia (as average cost of working day lost), rehabilitation (as average cost of one day treatment in outpatient or hospitalized specialized rehabilitation center) and medical welfare costs were calculated through official price list of respective public funds for these services. The costs were extrapolated to official demographic population data of Serbia. RESULTS: Based on this study, frequencies of employed, unemployed and retired RA patients in Serbia are 23% (8,089 patients), 22% (7,737 patients), and 55% (19,344 patients) out of 35,168 respectively. Among small number of employed patients, average duration of work absenteeism due to RA is 33.7 days, and cumulative annual work absenteeism equals 272,599 days,  with costs of  7.77 mio EUR. Medical welfare is used by 13% (4,572) RA patients, with costs of 7.3 mio. EUR. Rehabilitation in specialized centers at least once per year is used by 48% (16,882) RA patients, average treatment lasts for 21 days, with costs of   10.03 mio EUR. CONCLUSIONS: Unemployment  among RA patients is very high in Serbia while indirect costs related to work absenteeism, rehabilitation in specialized centers and medical welfare usage in Serbia are high (25 mio EUR), as well. Further detailed analyses of RA patients economic burden is necessary in order to improve treatment approach and lower state expenses.