If you have applied for international protection in Croatia and are awaiting a decision from the relevant authority, you are entitled to a certain level of healthcare coverage provided by the Ministry of Health. However, you are also required to undergo a medical examination, which is usually conducted at the Reception Centre.
Arrival in Croatia
Upon arrival in Croatia, a medical team will examine you to identify any injuries or urgent medical conditions (such as exhaustion or dehydration), provide necessary medical assistance, and, if needed, call emergency medical services.
Medical assistance will be provided as needed, especially to vulnerable groups, including children, unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, single parents with minor children, persons deprived of legal capacity, elderly and infirm persons, seriously ill persons, persons with disabilities, persons with mental disorders and victims of human trafficking, torture, rape or other forms of psychological, physical and sexual violence, such as victims of female genital mutilation.
If you have experienced severe trauma or any form of violence, you will receive appropriate health care based on your specific circumstances and the consequences of what you have endured.
Level of healthcare coverage
Asylum seekers are entitled to emergency medical care and essential treatment for illnesses and severe mental disorders.
This means you are entitled to emergency medical care, emergency medical transport as determined by your doctor, and urgent dental treatment.
Essential treatment includes:
- life-saving interventions and stopping bleeding,
- preventing a sudden deterioration of health that could cause permanent organ damage or loss of vital function,
- shock treatment,
- treatment of high fever and prevention of infections that could lead to sepsis,
- poisoning treatment,
- treatment of injuries requiring urgent medical attention,
- emergency and essential dental care,
- treatment of chronic illnesses where delayed care could directly or consequently lead to disability, permanent damage, or death,
- treatment of severe mental disorders,
- treatment of infectious diseases.
Pregnant women and new mothers have the right to health care related to pregnancy and childbirth under the same conditions as individuals covered by compulsory health insurance. This includes postpartum care, medical and nursing services, midwifery assistance, medications, bandages and other necessary medical supplies during and after childbirth.
Read more in the Women category.
Children under the age of 18 are entitled to comprehensive health care as outlined by compulsory health insurance regulations.
If you obtain employment in Croatia before being granted international protection, you will receive full healthcare coverage under compulsory health insurance.
How to access healthcare services in Croatia?
At the Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers, you can consult a doctor from the organization Médecins du Monde ASBL - Dokters van de Wereld VZW (Doctors of the World). If you are employed, you can visit any general practitioner at a community health centre (you have the right to choose your doctor). In case of a medical emergency, you must call emergency medical services.
Regardless of legal status, every person in Croatia has the right to emergency medical care in life-threatening situations. If you experience a health emergency, notify an official at the Reception Centre, who will contact emergency services.
If there is a large number of people requiring urgent care in one location, triage procedures will be conducted to prioritize those in the most critical condition.
If you are unemployed, the Ministry of Health covers all healthcare costs.
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