The right to health care for nationals of EU, EEA and Swiss Member States in another Member State is governed by:

  • Regulation 883/04 on the coordination of social security systems.
  • Regulation 987/09 governing the implementation procedure.
  • Directive 2011/24/EU on cross-border healthcare.

The right to health care in Croatia depends on the type of residence and the insurance body of the person.

Temporary residence of EU nationals in Croatia

Temporary residence includes: tourism, business stay, education, business trip, etc.

People insured in another EU country have the right to necessary health care on the basis of:

  • European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or
  • Certificate that temporarily replaces the EHIC.

Health care is provided by contractual health care institutions of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (CHIF/HZZO).  Persons can also use private healthcare services under Directive 2011/24/EU, but they cover the costs themselves and are reimbursed in their home country.

Permanent residence of EU nationals in Croatia

Permanent residents who are insured in another EU country have the right to full healthcare at the expense of their insurer.

This includes: long-term posted workers, their families, pensioners, frontier workers, etc. To exercise their rights, they must submit a portable document S1 or an electronic form S072, which is registered with the Croatian health insurance fund. After registration/CHIF, a Croatian health card is issued, and they have the right to choose a primary health care doctor.

Persons who use health care through the EHIC do not have the right to choose a doctor – they are treated by any available contracted doctor.

Persons entitled to full health care (S1/S072) have the right to choose a family doctor, paediatrician, gynaecologist and dentist.

The selected doctor may refuse the insured person if he has reached the maximum number of patients. The choice of a doctor is possible through:

  1. Direct registration in the office (e-Statement in the HZZO system).

2. of the e-Citizens Portal (for persons with OIB).

  1. Regional office of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (with a printed statement of the doctor).

A search engine for free doctors is available on the HZZO website.

Determination of temporary incapacity for work (“sick leave”)

Persons from the EU who are insured in their home country, but work/reside in Croatia, must contact a general practitioner to determine sick leave. The doctor issues a Sick Leave Report or Form E116, which is confirmed by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund and forwarded to the home insurer through the EESSI system. At the end of the sick leave, the E118 form is filled out, which is also sent to the home insurer. If the patient is not satisfied with the doctor’s decision to terminate the sick leave, he or she can file a complaint with the CHIF within 15 days. Salary compensation is paid by the parent insurer, but it can also be paid by the HZZO if so agreed by the competent entities.

Therefore, the right to health care for citizens of EU Member States in Croatia depends on the type of residence and insurance status.

Temporary residence allows only necessary health care through the EHIC, while permanent residence allows full health care with registration with the CHIF.

The right to choose a doctor depends on the type of insurance and residence in Croatia, and the exercise of the right to open and close sick leave is regulated by EU regulations and HZZO procedures.

Author, Admin