Discover Quality Healthcare in Croatia – Your Guide to Medical Services
If you are temporarily staying in Croatia and are insured in another EU, EEA, Swiss, or UK country, you can access health services just like Croatian residents. The costs of your treatment will be covered by your home country’s health insurance.
What counts as a Temporary Stay?
A temporary stay includes:
- Tourism or visiting family
- Temporary work
- Study or professional training
- Business trips
No matter the reason for your stay, your home country’s health insurance covers necessary treatments.
How to Access Health Care?
To get medical care in Croatia, you need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Provisional Replacement Certificate, which you can obtain from your home country’s health insurance provider.
With the EHIC, you can access care in any health facility in Croatia that has a contract with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (CHIF). This includes doctors and hospitals that are part of the public health care system.
Private Health Care in Croatia
If you choose to use private health care, you must pay the full cost yourself. The EHIC does not cover private treatments, and your home country’s insurance will not reimburse these costs.
Planned Medical Treatment in Croatia
If you are planning medical treatment in Croatia and want your home country’s insurance to cover the cost, you must contact your insurance provider before your trip to secure advance approval.
Permanent Stay and Retirees in Croatia
- Permanent Stay: If you move to Croatia permanently, you will have access to healthcare in the same way as Croatian residents by providing the S1 form (or equivalent) to the CHIF.
- Retirees: If you receive a pension from another EU/EEA/Swiss/UK country and live in Croatia, you are entitled to full healthcare upon submitting the S1 form issued by your home country to the CHIF.
Important Note: Keep your EHIC with you during your temporary stay. This information is originally sourced from the Croatian Health Insurance Fund.
Our Recommendation for You on Croatia-Med.com
When looking for a healthcare provider on Croatia-Med.com, always check the practice profile details or the “Under Conditions” section to see if they accept your specific insurance (such as the CHIF network or international providers).
To ensure a smooth experience and prevent unexpected expenses, we recommend contacting the doctor directly before your appointment to clarify:
- Whether your EHIC or private health insurance is accepted
- Which medical services are covered under your plan
- If any additional out-of-pocket payments apply for specific treatments
Using Croatia-Med makes finding independent healthcare providers straightforward, but taking a moment to double-check insurance terms directly with the practice ensures complete clarity before your visit.
