Croatia (HR)

Choose a GP (obiteljski liječnik — family physician) by registering at a clinic near your home. You receive an MBO card and register as a patient with the GP practice. Your GP is the entry point for the healthcare system. Some GPs in Zagreb and tourist areas speak English — ask when registering. Find GP practices through the HZZO website or by asking your employer/HR department. Change GP possible once per year.

Your GP issues a uputnica (referral) to a specialist (specijalista). The referral specifies the speciality and is valid for 90 days. You book the appointment at the specialist clinic (using the referral). Emergency specialist access available without referral. Private specialists can be seen without a GP referral.

Emergency (hitna medicinska pomoć): call 194 (ambulance) or 112. Emergency departments (hitna/urgentni centar) in hospitals are available 24/7 without referral. Out-of-hours urgent care at larger health centres (dom zdravlja) — Poliklinika Hitne Medicinske Pomoći in Zagreb operates 24/7.

Outside regular GP hours: call the 24-hour health advisory line. Visit the nearest emergency outpatient clinic (hitna poliklinička ambulanta). In Zagreb: Medicinski centar "Zagreb," Rockefellerova 3, operates 24h urgent care. For coastal areas: tourist health clinics (ordinacija za turiste) operate during summer, particularly in Dalmatia.

Doctor issues a prescription (recept) — often electronically (e-recept). Collect at any pharmacy (ljekarna). HZZO co-payment applies to most prescription drugs. Bring HZZO card. Prescriptions are valid for 30 days. Repeat prescriptions for chronic conditions obtainable through GP.

Basic dental care (extractions, emergency treatment, preventive care for children) is covered by HZZO. Adult dental prosthetics, implants, and cosmetic dentistry require significant co-payments or private payment. Private dental care in Croatia is significantly cheaper than in Western Europe — many EU residents visit Croatia specifically for dental tourism. Zagreb and Split have excellent private dental clinics.

Mental health services available through HZZO — GP refers to psychiatrist (psihijatar) or psychologist (psiholog) at county mental health services. Waiting times can be long for non-urgent cases (4–8 weeks). Private psychologists: €50–100/session. Crisis support: national crisis line 0800 200 030. Croatian psychiatry has made progress but stigma around mental health remains higher than in Western Europe.

Pregnancy and childbirth fully covered by HZZO. Regular prenatal check-ups with gynecologist covered. Hospital birth at state hospital fully covered. Postnatal care provided by patronažna sestra (district nurse) who visits at home. Maternity leave (rodiljni dopust) of 6 months fully paid, followed by parental leave options. Excellent maternity outcomes in Croatian hospitals.