In Croatia, most women give birth in public hospitals, which are available in all major cities and some smaller towns. Zagreb has four public hospitals and one private maternity hospital, the only private facility of its kind in the country. Other cities typically have one hospital each. You can find a list of all maternity hospitals in Croatia HERE (in Croatian).
For women with health insurance, childbirth in public hospitals is fully covered and does not require payment.
However, giving birth in a private hospital comes at a cost—the base price for a vaginal birth is 3,570 euros, while a cesarean section costs 5,300 euros.
Who can accompany you during childbirth?
In Croatia, there is no continuity of care between the prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal periods. This means that the midwife or doctor who monitors your pregnancy will almost certainly not be present at your birth. Upon arrival at the maternity hospital, you will first go to the clinic for an examination, where the doctor on duty will perform a vaginal exam, ultrasound, and CTG. After that, you will be taken to the pre-labour room, where you will stay with other women in labour until you reach full dilation. At that point, you will be moved to the delivery room. A midwife and doctor will check on you periodically, but if labour lasts longer, the staff may change due to hospital shift schedules.
Hospital policies regarding birth companions vary. In general, only one person is allowed to accompany you during childbirth, but they cannot be present in the pre-labour room. Some hospitals have specific requirements for birth companions, so it's important to check in advance with the hospital where you plan to give birth. If you need an interpreter, be sure to mention this upon arrival.
In addition to your partner or a friend, you can also have a doula—a trained birth companion who provides emotional and physical support during labour. Doula-assisted births are becoming increasingly common in Croatian maternity hospitals. You can find more information about doula services online. Doulas typically charge for their services, with prices starting at around 500 euros, depending on the service package you choose.
How to choose a hospital?
You will typically choose a hospital based on your geographical location. However, some women opt for a hospital outside their place of residence if it better suits their needs. If you have health insurance, you can give birth in any state hospital, but travel expenses are only covered if there is a medical indication for delivering at a specific hospital. For example, you may need to give birth at a larger clinical hospital more than 50 km away if a premature birth is expected or if the baby requires specialized intensive neonatal care immediately after birth.
All maternity hospitals in Croatia hold the "Baby-Friendly Hospital" designation, meaning your baby should stay with you 24/7 from birth, without separation, throughout your hospital stay. This is crucial for establishing breastfeeding. Mothers typically remain in the maternity ward for three days unless complications arise with either the mother and/or the child. Hospital rooms generally accommodate multiple mothers, but some hospitals offer private rooms or apartments for an additional fee. If you prefer a private space, check with your chosen hospital for pricing and availability.
Questions to ask in the maternity ward
Here are some important questions to consider when gathering information and choosing a maternity hospital for your delivery:
- What requirements must my companion meet to attend childbirth
- Who is allowed to be in the delivery room with me (during a vaginal birth or a C-section)?
- -How long can my companion stay with me?
- Can my baby stay with me at all times?
- What if I need an interpreter during childbirth?
Childbirth at home
Home births are rare in Croatia, and healthcare professionals do not provide home birth services. Additionally, health insurance does not cover the costs of home births, meaning mothers who choose this option must organize and pay for everything themselves.
If labour starts unexpectedly at home or wherever you are staying, an ambulance will typically arrive to transport you and your baby to the hospital.
Pregnant applicants for international protection have the same rights as persons insured under Croatia’s compulsory health insurance system, as well as those who have been granted healthcare rights on other legal grounds.
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