Persons under international or subsidiary protection, and their family members exercise their rights to health care with a document issued by the Ministry of the Interior (permit of stay), proving their status in the Republic of Croatia.This document allows them to access health care in contractual health care institutions, within the coverage provided by compulsory health insurance.
Compulsory health insurance
Compulsory health insurance is required for all persons residing in Croatia, as well as for foreigners with approved permanent residence.
This insurance covers only basic and emergency healthcare services, while other medical treatments may require co-payment or full payment.
Services not fully covered by compulsory health insurance include specialist examinations and services, hospital treatment, medicines that are not on the basic list and require additional payment or supplementary health insurance.
Supplementary health insurance
If you are an asylum seeker or a foreigner under subsidiary protection and are employed in Croatia, you are entitled to supplementary health insurance. This is a voluntary insurance policy that individuals with compulsory health insurance can purchase from Croatian insurance companies. Supplementary health insurance covers the difference between the total cost of medical services and the portion covered by compulsory health insurance. This means you are exempt from paying for specialist examinations, hospital treatments, and certain medications.
Children under the age of 18 do not need supplementary health insurance, as all their healthcare needs are covered by compulsory health insurance.
What does basic health care cover?
Basic health care includes:
- primary health care, such as treatment of acute and chronic conditions by general practitioners, paediatric care, gynaecological services, and dental care
- specialist consultation health care
- hospital health care
- vaccination, testing, and treatment for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases
- vaccination against other infectious diseases
- access to medications listed on the basic and supplementary drug lists of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund
- access to dental aids included in the basic and additional lists of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund
- access to orthopaedic and other medical aids included in the basic and supplementary lists of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund.
If you get a job in the Republic of Croatia
If you are under international or subsidiary protection and become employed by a Croatian employer, or if you qualify for compulsory health insurance through another basis, you will have the same healthcare rights and obligations as all other insured individuals falling under the provisions of the Compulsory Health Insurance Act.
In addition to healthcare coverage, you will also be entitled to financial benefits and the option to obtain supplementary health insurance. If you do not have supplementary health insurance, you will be responsible for co-payment costs for medical services.
If your employment in the Republic of Croatia ends while you are under international protection, you cannot remain insured as an unemployed person. Instead, you will regain your insured status as a person under international or subsidiary protection and continue to exercise all rights to compulsory health care.
If you are ill and need medication
For minor health concerns, visit the nearest health centre or your chosen general practitioner or family doctor, who will examine you and, if necessary, prescribe medication that you can collect from a pharmacy.
While some medications are available over the counter, many—including all antibiotics—require a prescription.
In the event of a medical emergency, call 194 or 112, or go directly to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
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