Healthcare and Health Insurance in Croatia: Comprehensive Guide for 2025

Understanding Croatia’s Healthcare System

Croatia offers a universal healthcare system, ensuring access to mandatory public health insurance for all residents. The primary health insurance, obvezno, is legally required and managed by the Hrvatski zavod za zdravstveno osiguranje (HZZO), also known as the Croatian Health Insurance Fund. Additionally, dopunsko and dodatno health insurance policies provide optional supplementary coverage for enhanced medical services.

Croatia's healthcare model operates on the principles of solidarity and reciprocity, meaning individuals contribute based on their income while receiving necessary healthcare services.

Overview of Croatian Health Insurance

• Obvezno – Mandatory public health insurance

• Dopunsko – Supplemental public or private health insurance to cover co-payments

• Dodatno – Comprehensive private health insurance for expanded services

Administration of Healthcare in Croatia

The Ministry of Health (Ministarstvo zdravstva) is responsible for health policy, planning, evaluation, and public health programs. The Ministry of Finance also plays a role in budgeting and financial management for the healthcare system.

Healthcare institutions in Croatia include:

• Clinical hospital centers (Klinički bolnički centri)

• Clinical hospitals (Kliničke bolnice)

• General hospitals (Opće bolnice)

• Specialized hospitals (Specijalne bolnice)

• Polyclinics (Poliklinike)

• Health centers (Domovi zdravlja)

What is HZZO?

HZZO is the primary public institution overseeing health insurance in Croatia. It has multiple regional offices handling insurance applications, renewals, and terminations. Residents must visit their designated HZZO office based on their home address.

How the Healthcare System Works

Registering with a Family Doctor

Residents must register with a general practitioner (GP), also called a family doctor (obiteljski liječnik), to access healthcare services. The family doctor provides diagnoses, referrals, prescriptions, and preventive care.

Specialist Referrals

To see a specialist, patients require a referral (uputnica) from their family doctor. This referral can be either paper-based (crvena uputnica) or digital (e-uputnica).

Prescription Medication

Most prescriptions are either fully covered or subsidized under obvezno health insurance. However, some non-essential medications, such as oral contraceptives, must be paid for out-of-pocket.

For telehealth services, expats and residents can consult doctors through Travel Doctor. Learn more about how it works and check available treatments here.

Healthcare Costs in Croatia

Who Pays for Health Insurance?

Healthcare contributions are mandatory for all employed citizens, deducted directly from salaries. Self-employed individuals must pay their own contributions, while dependents are covered by a working family member’s insurance.

Exemptions from Healthcare Costs

Some groups are exempt from mandatory healthcare costs, including:

• Children under 18 years old

• Individuals unable to work due to disability

• Family members of deceased or missing Croatian armed forces personnel

Additional Private Healthcare Costs

For those seeking private healthcare services, costs vary based on specialty and service type. Fees can range from €100 to several thousand euros, depending on the medical provider.

How to Choose a Doctor in Croatia

Finding a Family Doctor

Individuals are assigned a doctor based on their home address. However, they can switch doctors once per year.

To change your doctor:

1. Find a new doctor – Recommendations from locals or expat groups can help.

2. Check availability – Contact the doctor’s office to confirm open patient slots.

3. Complete the application – Submit a Statement on the Selection/Change of Doctor (Izjava o izboru/promjeni izabranog doktora).

4. Submit the request – Forms can be submitted at HZZO offices or online via the e-Građani platform.

5. Wait for approval – Once processed, medical records will be transferred within three days.

English-Speaking Doctors in Croatia

Finding an English-speaking doctor can be challenging. Expats should consult local networks or expat Facebook groups. Additionally, the US Embassy in Zagreb maintains a list of English-speaking doctors.

Accessing Medical Specialists

To see a specialist, a referral from a family doctor is usually required. However, for some specialties (e.g., dermatology), direct appointments are possible.

In-Person and Online Medical Services

For in-person visits, expats can access trusted healthcare clinics in various European cities:

• Paris, France: American Medical Center Paris

• Budapest, Hungary: Expat Medical

• Berlin, Germany: Arztbesuche

• Bucharest, Romania: Expat Medical

• Lisbon, Portugal: Umed Clinic

• Krakow, Poland: Doctor Krakow

• Athens & Crete, Greece: Doctor Athens

• Telehealth in Argentina & Mexico: Travel Doctor ES

Summary of Key Points

• Public healthcare is mandatory for all residents.

• HZZO manages health insurance, with obvezno as the basic coverage.

• Dopunsko and dodatno insurance offer supplemental options for reduced co-pays and enhanced services.

• Referrals (uputnica) are needed for most specialist visits.

• English-speaking doctors can be found through embassies and expat networks.

• Private healthcare services are available for faster, specialized care.

• Travel Doctor offers telehealth services, ensuring remote medical consultations for expats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is healthcare free in Croatia? No, but basic health insurance (obvezno) covers most medical services. Additional coverage through dopunsko or dodatno is optional.

2. How can I find an English-speaking doctor? Consult expat forums, embassy listings, or Travel Doctor for telehealth options.

3. Do I need private health insurance in Croatia? While not required, private health insurance provides faster access to specialists and additional medical services.

4. How do I change my family doctor in Croatia? Submit a doctor change request form online or at your local HZZO office.

5. Can tourists access healthcare in Croatia? Yes, tourists can visit private polyclinics (poliklinika) for immediate care, though state insurance does not cover these visits.