Health Insurance Guide for Expats Living in Croatia (2026)

For many people, including myself at first, planning to move abroad, travel or health insurance seemed like just a formality necessary for visa applications. As long as the paperwork was complete, other considerations could wait. However, once actually living abroad, I realized how crucial health insurance is when you’re far from home.

Without family or close friends to rely on, you’re dependent on hospitals for health issues. A good insurance policy provides peace of mind for accessing medical care.

At that moment, it becomes clear that having the right health insurance from the start makes living abroad much more worry-free. It’s not just about expenses but also the assurance that in case of unforeseen events, you can still access quality care without undue concern.

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Digital Nomad Visa 

This group definitely can’t avoid it, as it’s a requirement directly tied to the Digital Nomad visa. Because you’re not part of the state system (HZZO), private insurance that covers worldwide events, including repatriation, is needed. Digital nomads typically already have international health insurance since it offers broader coverage than local health insurance.

Non-EU Visa or Work Permit 

Not much different from digital nomads, you must have health insurance starting from the visa application. Yet, many overlook the 30-60 day transition where state benefits aren’t active yet. At this point, private health insurance becomes a real lifesaver.

At least it helps cover major medical expenses.

Because if you get sick during this period without any support, you might have to pay the full amount out of pocket.

Retirement Visa

The retirement visa can be divided into three cases:

• If coming from the EU and the S1 form has been submitted, joining Croatia’s health insurance system isn’t required.
• If coming from the EU but the S1 form hasn’t been submitted, ultimately, joining Croatia’s health insurance is required.
• If coming from a non-EU country, joining Croatia’s health insurance system is mandatory.

Another special rule for this group of retirees is if you have never contributed to the health system before, you might need to pay back payments (around €1,000–€1,100) to join HZZO, and there might be some coverage restrictions in certain cases.

Therefore, some choose to purchase additional private health insurance to cover more complex health conditions with higher limits, making life more comfortable.

Student Visa

Most student visas cannot join the state health insurance system, but typically universities have mandatory insurance. However, coverage usually limits to emergencies only.

Having additional private health insurance fills in for general illnesses, health checks, and mental health, which are crucial when living alone abroad. It also provides peace of mind for family back home, offering emergency assistance around the clock, reducing worries about large expenses.

Business Visa

If you hold a business visa, you must join the state health insurance system, but typically, you’ll need private health insurance while waiting for state coverage. With frequent international trips, some choose to buy additional health or travel insurance since state insurance primarily covers treatment within Croatia.

Understanding Croatia’s Dual Health Insurance System

It’s important to note that the health insurance system in Croatia is not like that in many other countries you might be familiar with. Here, there are overlapping regulations: even if you have global health insurance, under Croatian law, you are required to have dual health insurance as follows:

Step 1: Mandatory State Health Insurance (HZZO)

Price: €110-€130 per month 

First layer: Mandatory state health insurance (Hrvatski zavod za zdravstveno osiguranje: HZZO) which Croatian citizens and immigrants must register for and contribute monthly to benefit from treatment at state hospitals and networks, and to apply or renew their Residency Permit.

To simplify, it’s essentially the social security system there.

Coverage

Mandatory state health insurance covers the following treatment-related costs:

• General illness treatment, such as visiting a personal doctor.
• Referral to a specialist doctor requires a referral from a GP.
• Hospital care covering standard room costs, meals, and nursing in state hospitals.
• Surgical procedures, covering medically necessary surgeries according to state standards.
• Prescription medications
• Basic dental care, covering extractions, fillings, or emergency treatment.
• Maternity care, including prenatal check-ups and childbirth.
• Ambulance services, emergency transport in crisis situations within Croatia.

However, Croatian state-mandated health insurance involves more than just payments; it comes with various detailed requirements to navigate.

20% Co-payment

Firstly, even though we pay the monthly insurance, there are still frequent small payments involved that the state does not cover entirely.

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• The state covers only about 80%; the remaining 20% is out of pocket, with a cap of around €530 per occurrence.
• Even for a visit to the GP, there’s an additional charge of approximately €1.33 each time.

It might not seem like much, but if faced with major or ongoing treatment costs, it can significantly impact your finances.

Always Need to Find a GP First, Which Isn’t Always Easy

Moreover, you can’t just walk in and see a specialist doctor on your own. You always need to start with a GP first, no matter how urgent your condition is. Without a referral, you can’t proceed. Finding a GP in big cities like Zagreb or Split isn’t easy either; sometimes it’s like house hunting. Plus, there’s the language issue too. 

Most doctors and staff primarily use Croatian. If there’s a communication breakdown, some doctors might not accept your case for fear of misdiagnosis.

Waiting Time

Finally, there’s the time you have to spend waiting. Even if you have a referral, waiting for an MRI or a specialist appointment can take weeks or even months. When you’re actually sick, you really don’t want to wait that long. Plus, everything involves a lot of paperwork. Miss just one document and you can’t claim your benefits immediately.

Step 2: Supplemental Health Insurance (Dopunsko)

Although the state health insurance system isn’t bad, it’s not really easy for expats. This is why most expats in Croatia opt for supplemental health insurance, which can be either local or international. This helps to cover the expenses that the state insurance doesn’t.

You can choose based on your needs and budget, finding the right health insurance as follows:

• If you speak Croatian, prioritize saving, and are okay with waiting in line under the state system, you can get local supplemental insurance (Local Dopunsko) to only cover the difference. The premium is around €10-€15 per month, but it covers GP visits, prescription fees, or state hospital rooms, though you’ll still have to wait in line.
• If you want convenience and extensive coverage, consider international health insurance. This helps cover the difference but also elevates your care beyond what’s available to locals. You won’t have to wait in line, can access top private hospitals, have high coverage limits, and cover complex medical treatments, severe accidents, or emergency patient transport across countries.

Comparing International Health Insurance vs. Local Insurance in Croatia: Which is Better?

International Health Insurance and Local Private Insurance differ in terms of their coverage design. International Health Insurance is crafted for those living or traveling across multiple countries, offering broad coverage that can be used in private hospitals and allows cross-border benefits. 

Meanwhile, local insurance in Croatia is designed to work with the state system, often focusing on supplementary services or helping with co-payments rather than replacing the entire system. Here’s how they differ:

Coverage Scope

Local insurance providers like Croatia Osiguranje, Wiener Osiguranje, or Generali Croatia mainly focus on domestic treatment. Coverage abroad is usually limited to emergencies, while international policies from Cigna, Bupa, or Aetna allow choice of coverage zones, such as Europe or worldwide, making them suitable for frequent travelers.

Coverage Structure

Local insurance often sets limits per category, like room fees, surgery costs, or annual medication costs. Large cases might exhaust some limits quickly. In contrast, international insurance typically has an annual aggregate limit, like €1,000,000 or more, offering more flexibility for complex medical treatments.

Access to Specialists

Local insurance facilitates faster access to private clinics within the country but has a limited network in Croatia. International insurance, however, includes a network of private hospitals in many countries, and some plans offer Medical Evacuation services for treatment abroad.

Pre-existing Conditions

Local insurance tends to be more flexible, especially if policyholders are already in the HZZO system. Most international plans do not cover pre-existing conditions unless specially agreed upon.

Insurance Portability

Local insurance ends when policyholders leave Croatia, but international insurance can continue coverage when moving countries without restarting health history (if the policy is renewed continuously).

Summary: Comparing International vs. Local vs. Supplemental Health Insurance 

Topic	International Health Insurance	Local Private Health Insurance	Supplemental Health Insurance
Example Companies	Cigna, Bupa, Aetna	Croatia Osiguranje, Wiener, Generali, Triglav	HZZO (State), Allianz
Coverage Scope	Multi-country / Worldwide	Mainly Croatia	Supplements State System
Hospital Access	Private + Global Network	Private Clinics + Domestic Hospitals	Used with State Hospitals (HZZO)
Coverage Limit	High Aggregate (e.g., €1 million+)	Itemized Limits (has caps)	No large limits, pays differences
Complex Case Handling	Well-suited	Moderately suited	Not covered, relies on primary system
Medical Evacuation	Included	Some plans domestic only	Not available
Average Insurance Premium (age 40)	€150–€300/month	€30–€100/month	€7–15/month
International Use	Usable worldwide	Limited (emergency only)	Not usable
Flexibility	Portable across countries	Limited to Croatia	Limited to state system
Role with HZZO	Can replace or supplement	Mainly supplements	Supplements (pays 20% co-payment)
Best for	Digital nomads, frequent expats, families	Long-term residents in Croatia	Those saving costs within the state system

Steps to Apply and Use Health Insurance in Croatia for Expats

Moving to Croatia comes with layers of insurance options, but planning to get international health insurance from the start can reduce hassle and save you from doubled-up costs.

Step 1: Prepare Documents and Apply for International Insurance Before Visa Application

Getting international health insurance is straightforward—most policies are available online directly from companies or through global brokers. Ensure all paperwork is complete for a quick and accurate policy issuance, including: 

• Passport Copy with more than 6 months validity from your expected travel date.
• Intended Address in Croatia: Temporary accommodation or a city reference can be used if a permanent address is not yet available.
• Medical History: For international policies, disclose any pre-existing conditions for consideration.
• Start Date: Should align with your anticipated first entry into the Schengen zone.
• Visa Entitlement Seal: Specify your visa type to get a Visa Letter or Certificate of Insurance that clearly covers Emergency, Hospitalization, Repatriation, and Schengen Area.

Step 2: Use Your International Policy to Apply for a Visa 

Though short-term travel insurance is permissible by embassies, opting for international health insurance (like Cigna, Bupa, or Aetna) is preferable from the start. Most travel insurances can’t be renewed once you are in Croatia, whereas international insurance is meant for long-term coverage designed for expatriates, ideally starting at €30,000 to meet visa criteria. 

Step 3: Register with the Public HZZO System (Upon Arrival in Croatia)

Once you arrive, register with the state’s system at a local police station, ideally with your employer, to prove residency and legal stay. Bring your passport, residence permit, and OIB number obtained during visa application. If not employed by a Croatian company, you must pay your monthly premium, approximately €100+ per month. 

About 30-60 days later, a temporary health insurance card will be mailed to you, or if you don’t receive it, you can use your OIB to access services.

Step 4: Use International Coverage alongside State System (Instead of Buying Dopunsko)

Generally, foreigners are often advised to purchase local supplementary insurance (Dopunsko), but if you already have a high-limit international health insurance plan, you don’t necessarily need to get additional Dopunsko coverage.

Moving to Croatia with Confidence

Ultimately, moving to another country is a great opportunity to start fresh. However, remember that things can change unexpectedly. Choosing the right health insurance is not just about getting a visa approved, but laying the foundation for a safe and secure life abroad, providing a safety net for when you’re feeling most vulnerable.

In moments when you face language barriers, complicated appointment systems, or long waits in public healthcare, an international health insurance becomes a key asset, making everything easier. You gain access to private hospitals without upfront payments, see specialists quickly, and enjoy extensive coverage even in cross-border emergencies. Ultimately, true reassurance of living abroad lies in knowing that no matter what happens, you always have options that take care of you.

Note: This information is based on the 2026 legal guidelines. Please consult with legal advisors or insurance agents for the latest details before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I already have international private insurance coverage. Do I still need to enroll in the state HZZO?

A: Generally, you still need to enroll because foreigners are required to participate in the state health insurance system such as HZZO, even if you already have comprehensive private insurance. 

Q: Why do retirees have to pay retroactively for about 12 months when they just moved?

A: It is an entry fee into the system for those who haven’t paid Croatian health taxes before. The lump sum is approximately €1,000-€1,100. 

Q: If I am a Digital Nomad and not required to enroll in HZZO, where can I seek medical care?

A: If you fall ill, you can visit public or private hospitals within the network of hospitals covered by your insurance provider. In case there is none, you can pay upfront and claim the expenses later with your insurer.

Q: Does it take long to receive a Health Card?

A: After registering with HZZO, you’ll immediately receive a temporary document to use. The actual plastic card usually arrives by mail within about 1-3 months. In the meantime, you can use the temporary document to see doctors normally.

Q: Is language a barrier when seeking medical care in the public system?

A: Sometimes. Many doctors can communicate in English, but some staff may predominantly speak Croatian. For more convenience with language, using private clinics is advisable.

Q: If I visit a doctor without Dopunsko insurance, will I incur high costs?

A: You’ll need to co-pay about 20% of the treatment costs. However, there is usually a cap of approximately €530 per visit. Many people opt for Dopunsko supplementary insurance, which has premiums around €10-€15 per month, to help cover these expenses and reduce uncertainty when needing medical care.

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