Expat Healthcare in Croatia

Published on November 4, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Moving to Croatia, a country with a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, is an exciting adventure for many expatriates. However, one of the major challenges they may face involves access to healthcare. Understanding the Croatian healthcare system, its specific features, and the options available for expatriates is essential for living peacefully in this captivating country.

This article explores in depth how to adapt to this system, the costs to anticipate, and the importance of subscribing to suitable health insurance to ensure a hassle-free medical experience. Dive in with us to discover everything you need to know to fully enjoy your stay in Croatia while taking care of your health.

Accessing Quality Healthcare in Croatia

Healthcare Facilities Accessible to Expatriates in Croatia

• Public Hospitals: present in all major cities, accessible through the mandatory health insurance system HZZO. They cover most routine and emergency care.
• Private Clinics: mainly located in urban centers, they offer specialized services and are often preferred by expatriates and the affluent population for quick service and comfort.
• Medical Offices and Local Health Centers: for general medicine and some specialized care.

Quality of Care and Infrastructure Level

• Public hospitals have adequate infrastructure but may suffer from wait times and sometimes less modern equipment compared to Western Europe.
• Private clinics generally offer superior quality, newer equipment, and faster service.
• Routine medical care is affordable, but hospitalizations or specialized procedures can be costly in the private sector.
• Croatia regularly invests in modernizing its infrastructure, but the level remains uneven across regions.

Languages Spoken by Medical Staff

• The primary language is Croatian.
• In major cities and private facilities, it is common to find doctors and medical staff who speak English.
• English proficiency varies in the public sector, but expatriates report that communication in English is generally possible for essential care.

Health Insurance System and Access for Expatriates

• Public System: all residents must register with HZZO (Croatian Health Insurance Fund), which provides basic coverage.
• Private Options: international mutuals, supplementary contracts with CFE (Caisse des Français de l’Étranger), or first-euro insurance (immediate coverage without coordination with a basic plan).
• European expatriates can use the European Health Insurance Card for temporary stays and urgent care.
• Non-European expatriates must provide proof of private insurance covering medical care and repatriation to obtain their residence permit.

Steps and Administrative Procedures to Access Care

1. Obtain a visa or residence permit from local authorities (for stays over 90 days).
2. Register with HZZO to benefit from Croatian social security, providing civil status documents and, if applicable, specific European forms.
3. Subscribe to supplementary international health insurance (highly recommended for access to the private sector and repatriation).
4. Present your European Health Insurance Card (for EU nationals) upon admission to a hospital or clinic.

Comparison with Other European Countries

Country	Public Coverage	Private Access	Infrastructure Quality	Languages Spoken
Croatia	Universal (HZZO)	Private Insurance	Adequate, Uneven	Croatian, English
France	Universal (CPAM)	Private Mutuals	Very High	French, English
Germany	Universal (GKV, PKV)	Private Insurance	Very High	German, English
Spain	Universal (SNS)	Private Insurance	Good	Spanish, English

Practical Tips to Facilitate Access to Care

• Prepare all necessary documents in advance (passport, visa, proof of insurance, European card if applicable).
• Choose an international health insurance that well covers hospital expenses and repatriation.
• Prefer private facilities for specialized care and quick service.
• Inquire about the list of English- or French-speaking doctors through embassies or expatriate networks.
• Keep the European emergency number (112) and contacts of nearby private clinics on hand.
• Anticipate administrative delays for HZZO registration and residence permit validation.
• Use online platforms for certain administrative procedures (social security registration, European card application).

Key Takeaways

For optimal access to care, it is advisable to combine HZZO registration with suitable international health insurance and prefer private structures for service quality and English communication.

Managing Your Health Budget in Croatia

The Croatian healthcare system is based on a mandatory health insurance model managed by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO), offering universal coverage to all residents. Funding mainly comes from social contributions proportional to income, allowing equitable access to care for the entire population.

What Basic Insurance (HZZO) Covers:

• Consultations with general practitioners and some specialists (with referral).
• Essential hospital care, including hospitalization in public service.
• Medications on the basic reimbursable list.
• Emergency care, medical transport, care for the elderly or dependent persons.
• Certain preventive and basic dental services.

Examples of Common Costs (Public Sector):

Type of Service	Average Cost (Patient Share)	HZZO Coverage	Observations
General Practitioner Consultation	Approx. $3.50	80%	Referral needed for specialist
Specialist Consultation	Same (with referral)	80%	Varying wait times by specialty
Hospitalization	20% of cost, capped at $290/stay	80%	Transport covered 100%
Dental Care (prevention)	$1.40	Flat rate	Prevention emphasized
Medications (basic list)	Possible co-payment	Varies by medication	Positive list (reimbursed)

Differences Between Public and Private:

• Public facilities apply regulated rates with reimbursement by HZZO.
• The private sector is more expensive: consultations, specialized procedures, and hospitalizations are charged without caps, and reimbursement is very limited or nonexistent unless supplementary insurance covers it.
• Wait times are generally shorter in the private sector.

Benefits of Supplementary Health Insurance:

It covers the co-payment (out-of-pocket after HZZO intervention), non-covered procedures (dental prostheses, glasses, specialized care outside the list). It is highly recommended to avoid high costs in case of hospitalization, specific procedures, or use of the private sector.

Practical Tips to Manage and Optimize Your Health Budget in Croatia:

• Compare Supplementary Insurances: Choose a contract suited to your needs (hospitalization, routine care, dental, vision) and budget.
• Use Preventive Care: Take advantage of screening campaigns, free health check-ups, and preventive consultations to anticipate health issues.
• Choose Your Primary Care Physician Wisely: Good rapport and convenient location facilitate medical follow-up and quick access to necessary prescriptions.
• Use Private Sector Judiciously: Prefer the public sector for routine care and use private only in emergencies, excessive waits, or for specialized services unavailable in the public sector.
• Request Quotes before any costly procedure in the private sector to compare coverage.
• Keep All Bills and Receipts: Essential for reimbursement from supplementary insurance.

Key Takeaways:

Basic insurance covers essentials, but supplementary insurance is almost indispensable to limit out-of-pocket costs, especially for specialized care or in the private sector. Proactive management (prevention, choice of practitioner, selection of supplementary contract) effectively optimizes your health budget in Croatia.

Essential Private Clinics for Expatriates

Private Clinics Most Favored by Expatriates in Croatia:

Clinic / Center	Location	Main Specialization	Languages Spoken	Affiliation / International Reputation	Specific Expatriate Services	Feedback
Poliklinika Bagatin	Zagreb, Split	Aesthetic Surgery, Dermatology, Dentistry	English, Croatian, German	Member of international societies, numerous conferences	Personalized support, preliminary remote consultations	Highly appreciated for quality, welcome, and transparency. Many testimonials from satisfied foreign patients.
MarinMed	Dubrovnik	General Medicine, Emergencies, Surgery, Tests	English, Croatian	Locally reputed, Western standards	Quick service, translation and administrative assistance	Expats recommend for speed and staff clarity.
Dental Centers of Split	Split	Dentistry, Implantology	English, Italian, Croatian	Modern equipment, international standards	Adapted treatment plans, quotes in English, remote follow-up	Foreign patients praise the value for money and professionalism.
Akromion	Krapinske Toplice	Orthopedics, Traumatology	English, Croatian	Frequented by international athletes	Complete medical stay management, rehabilitation and post-op follow-up	Expatriates appreciate technical competence and comprehensive care.
Villa Magdalena	Krapinske Toplice	Wellness, Thermal Cures	English, Croatian, Italian	European awards in medical spa	Suites with private spa, customized health packages, hotel service	Very positive feedback on ambiance and support.

Medical Specializations Encountered

• Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery (Poliklinika Bagatin, MarinMed)
• Dentistry and Implantology (Dental Centers of Split, Poliklinika Bagatin)
• Orthopedics and Traumatology (Akromion)
• General Medicine and Emergencies (MarinMed)
• Wellness Medicine, Thermal Cures (Villa Magdalena, Terme Tuhelj)

Languages Spoken by Staff

English is generally spoken in clinics targeting expatriates. German, Italian, and sometimes French are present in establishments in Split and Dubrovnik. Croatian remains the primary language.

Specific Services for Expatriates

• Bilingual administrative assistance and medical translation
• Appointment scheduling and quotes in English
• Remote follow-up programs and preliminary consultations via video conference
• Medical stay management: accommodation, transfers, and post-operative follow-up
• Quick access to specialists, even for emergencies

Geographical Location

• Zagreb: main medical center, high-end clinics and university hospitals.
• Split: renowned for dentistry, easy access for foreigners from Southern Europe.
• Dubrovnik: comprehensive medical offer, often chosen for tourist proximity.
• Krapinske Toplice: recognized thermal and orthopedic center, natural and calm setting.

Affiliations and International Reputation

• Several clinics are members of European and international medical societies, ensuring high standards.
• Regular participation in international conferences and training.
• Equipment compliant with Western standards, ISO certifications in some cases.

Reviews and Expatriate Feedback

• Expatriates highlight the quality of welcome, staff availability, and clarity of explanations.
• Value for money is highly appreciated, especially for dentistry and aesthetic surgery.
• Stays are considered pleasant due to comprehensive care (treatment + accommodation + tourism).
• Some testimonials emphasize quick access to care and simplicity of procedures for non-residents.

Croatian private clinics offer a service level adapted to international standards, with multilingual welcome and customized services for expatriates, in environments reputed for their quality and safety.