Health care is provided to foreign nationals in the same way and under the same conditions as to Croatian insurance holders.
During their stay in Croatia, all international students with temporary residence must have health insurance. Regulated health insurance is the prerequisite for being granted temporary residence.
Countries with health care agreements with Croatia
Croatia regulates the issue of health care for foreign nationals during their stay in Croatia through agreements on social security signed with the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United Kingdom.
Students from the aforementioned countries are recommended to contact their public health insurance provider before arriving in Croatia in order to obtain the document which enables them to receive health care in Croatia.
The right to health care is realised as foreseen in the social security contract received by each student. Health care is provided to foreign nationals in the same way and under the same conditions as Croatian insurance holders: within the network of physicians and health care institutions of the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (HZZO - Hrvatski zavod za zdravstveno osiguranje). International students have to cover only the participation fees, if these are prescribed by Croatian laws.
Countries without health care agreements with Croatia
Students from countries which do not have social security agreements with Croatia (or if students are unable to obtain the document foreseen by the social security agreement) are obliged upon entry into Croatia to become insured with the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (HZZO).
In order to register with the HZZO, students should report to the HZZO’s appropriate branch office. Students should present their student identification number, which is issued to each student at the central police station upon applying for temporary residence. The HZZO will then temporarily register the student and issue a certificate. This certificate must then be presented at the central police station before students can be granted temporary residence.
Once temporary residence has been granted, the HZZO issues a document based on which the student attains the right to full health care within the network of physicians and health institutions of the HZZO. The monthly health insurance cost is approximately 400 Kuna per month (around 55 EUR), for which the appropriate Tax Department of the Ministry of Finances sends money orders to the students’ registered places of residence in Croatia.
Visiting students funded by Ministry of Science, Education and Sports
The Ministry of Science, Education and Sports covers the health insurance expenses for all foreign nationals that are grant receivers of the Ministry, if so foreseen in the grant contract.
Erasmus students
Erasmus students staying temporarily in Croatia are exempted from paying the fee for compulsory health insurance in Croatia. They may use international health insurance from their home country or choose to be insured at the health insurance company of their choice.
How to access health care services in Croatia
General health care services can be accessed by selecting a primary health care physician, whereas health care on other levels (e.g. hospital, specialist examinations) can be accessed by way of a reference document (uputnica) issued by the selected physician. Students are recommended to first visit the student clinic for a consultation and advice on choosing a physician. Information about the locations of student clinics is available at each higher education institution.
For all additional information regarding health insurance, please contact the HZZO:
Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (HZZO)
Margaretska 3,10000 Zagreb
Phone. +385 1 4806 333
Fax: +385 1 4812 606
E-mail: obvezno-osiguranje@hzzo-net.hr
Web address: www.hzzo-net.hr
Source: Croatian Institute for Health Insurance
