Routine gynaecological care in Croatia
In Croatia, gynaecologists—who are part of the primary healthcare system—provide care for women's reproductive health. This means you can schedule an appointment with your chosen gynaecologist at any time, without needing a referral from another doctor.
Primary gynaecological care
Primary gynaecological care is covered by the Croatian Health Insurance Institute (HZZO) and does not require additional payment.However, if you do not have supplementary health insurance, you will need to pay a co-payment, in the amount of about 2-5 EUR per visit.
For every payment made to the doctor, you should receive a receipt, which is important to keep. This is because there is a maximum monthly co-payment limit—once reached, you are no longer required to pay additional co-payment fees.
If you have supplementary health insurance, which costs around €10 per month, and possess an orange health card, you are exempt from co-payment for doctor visits.
If necessary, your primary gynaecologist can refer you to specialists in hospitals and request laboratory tests. They also approve sick leave and authorize maternity and parental leave.
Additionally, a primary care physician can prescribe medications, which you can collect at a pharmacy. The cost of the medication may be fully covered by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) or may require a co-payment. A private gynaecologist cannot provide these services.
Private gynaecological care
A private gynaecologist can typically see you within a few days for a non-urgent issue. However, this may not always be the case in smaller towns or during summer and winter holidays, so it is best to check in advance. In contrast, gynaecologists within the public healthcare system may require a wait time of one to two weeks for an appointment.
The cost of a private gynaecological examination varies significantly, but you should expect to pay at least €60 for a consultation without a Pap smear. Private gynaecologists cannot provide referrals to specialists, order state-covered laboratory tests, or approve sick leave—you must handle these matters through your primary gynaecologist within the public healthcare system.
What does a routine gynaecological examination include?
When visiting a gynaecologist, bring any previous medical documentation if available.
During the appointment, the gynaecologist will ask about your gynaecological history, assess any symptoms or concerns, and conduct a cervical examination. A cervical smear (Pap test) will be taken and sent for analysis.
The Pap test is one of the most common reasons for routine gynaecological visits. It is recommended to have a Pap test once a year, but it can be done more often if necessary. Some doctors, following new guidelines, perform it every two to three years.
In Croatia, it is standard practice to perform a vaginal ultrasound after taking a cervical swab. You can request your doctor to send you the test results once they are available, but they usually only contact patients if further follow-up is necessary.
If you want to check your results, you may call the clinic. Additionally, if you have access to the E-Citizens portal, your results will be available there.
Contraception
Hormonal contraception, as well as certain other types of contraception (e.g., IUDs), must be prescribed or inserted by a gynaecologist. If you are currently using or considering hormonal contraception or an IUD, schedule an appointment with your gynaecologist to discuss your options and obtain a prescription.
If you already take hormonal contraception regularly, you can usually request a prescription by phone or email without needing an in-person visit. Ask in advance or call the nurse for more information.
What to do in urgent or emergency situations read here.
0
English
