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Health insurance in Croatia is mandatory which means that if your plan is to stay for a longer period in Croatia, you should regulate your compulsory health insurance status.
Health insurance and health care generally are regulated by HZZO (Hrvatski zavod za zdravstveno osiguranje or Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (CHIF)) and its available to everyone equally – Croatian citizens but also foreigners with permanent residence in Croatia.
So, the main principle of health insurance is this – basic health care insurance is mandatory and consists of the right to receive health care and the right to financial benefits, including compensation of salary during sick leave or maternity leave.
Additional and private health care insurances are completely voluntary and you need to pay for the monthly insurance additionally.
To get you acquainted with the health insurance system we will cover the basics of health insurance, we will exploit types of health insurance, who is required to be insured and what does it mean to have a health insurance in Croatia.
So, health insurance is obligatory, and if you belong to one of these groups you should get your health insurance sorted out:
If you are staying in Croatia but you are insured under compulsory health insurance in another Member state in the EU/EEA/Switzerland or one of the countries with which Croatia has entered into an international treaty on social insurance (these are:
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey, and North Macedonia), you can utilize healthcare in the same way as the persons insured by the CHIF.
Health insurance in Croatia works differently for specific groups of people – depending on your residence status, the country you are coming from, and your current health insurance status.
If you are an EU/EEA citizen and you have health insurance in your home country but you are staying in Croatia for some period you need to: have a document from your country that proves you are insured, bring it to HZZO (CHIF), sign a couple of documents to have the same, free level of health insurance in Croatia.
If you are not from the EU things get a bit more complex but still manageable:
When having health insurance for the first time in Croatia you need to choose your family doctor (GP – general practitioner), dentist and if you need it – a gynaecologist. You only need to check their availability (if they accept new patients), get a confirmation document from them, and bring it to HZZO.
For easier managing the whole health insurance and where to go – you can visit the HZZO website and check where their offices are.
In Croatia, there are three types of health insurance: mandatory health insurance (obavezno zdravstveno osiguranje); supplementary health insurance (dopunsko zdravstveno osiguranje), and additional (private) health insurance (dodatno zdravstveno osiguranje)
Mandatory health insurance is the basic and public mandatory health insurance in Croatia. It is prescribed by the HZZO and is required for all residents in Croatia – unless you are an EU citizen or permanent EU resident who holds state health insurance in another EU/EEA member state.
Supplementary health insurance is an affordable, optional public or private health insurance supplement. You can get it from either HZZO or a private insurer. When you have it, you don’t have to pay additionally for prescriptions, doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and hospital visits/stays.
Additional or private health insurance is the highest level of health insurance in Croatia.
It is private health insurance only offered by banks and private insurers. This type of health insurance policy covers specialists, additional treatments, preventative care, private hospitals specialists, laboratory tests, and extended hospital visits.
Additional or private health insurance allows you to perform systematic and specialist examinations and numerous other health services in the best private clinics in Croatia, without referrals and any waiting lists. Of course, you must pay it separately and on top of your basic health insurance.
Now that we’ve covered everything about health insurance in Croatia you are most certainly wondering what does your health insurance includes?
The basic two rights that you have are the right to be financially compensated and the right to have health care services.
The financial part means that your health insurance also provides you the right to have your salary if you are on sick leave or maternity leave.
The health insurance includes:
Yes, it is highly recommended to have health insurance coverage when staying or residing in Croatia. This ensures access to healthcare services and provides financial protection in case of medical emergencies or unexpected health issues.
The cost of seeing a doctor in Croatia can vary depending on the type of healthcare provider and the nature of the medical consultation. On average, a visit to a general practitioner can range from around 150 to 300 Croatian Kuna (HRK), while specialist consultations may cost between 200 and 500 HRK.
Croatia has a well-developed healthcare system that provides a satisfactory level of medical care. The country has a mix of public and private healthcare facilities, and the quality of services can vary. In major cities and tourist areas, healthcare standards are generally high, while more rural areas may have limited access to specialized medical treatments.
The quality and coverage of health insurance can vary among European countries. Several countries in Europe, including Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands, are known for their well-regarded healthcare systems and comprehensive health insurance options. However, it is important to research and compare the specific offerings of different insurers to find the best fit for individual needs.
In Croatia, the health insurance system is based on mandatory health insurance contributions. The majority of residents are covered by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO). Contributions are typically deducted from salaries, and individuals are provided with a health insurance card that grants access to medical services covered by the public healthcare system. Private health insurance options are also available for additional coverage and flexibility.
Hope that we’ve made it clear & easy for you to cope with the Croatian health insurance!
Please note that the answers provided are for informational purposes only and it is recommended to consult with healthcare professionals or insurance providers for accurate and up-to-date information regarding health insurance in Croatia.
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