Quick answers: healthcare in Croatia
- How much does health insurance cost in Croatia for expats?
- Indicative international health insurance for a 32-year-old living in Croatia (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA) typically costs £181 to £276 a month, with a median of £237 and the cheapest at £118, based on 14 plan quotes from the 14 insurers on our panel, taken in 2026-09. Your price depends on your age, medical history, plan and deductible, and is only confirmed by the insurer.
- How much does expat health insurance cost by age in Croatia?
- Indicative median monthly premiums in Croatia (inpatient and outpatient, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA): age 25 US$237, age 35 US$308, age 45 US$417, age 55 US$593, age 65 US$960. Quotes taken 2026-09; the insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
- Do foreigners need health insurance in Croatia?
- It depends on the visa. Digital nomads (temporary stay of up to 18 months): Proof of health insurance for the whole planned stay; travel or private health insurance is accepted but must cover the territory of Croatia. Third-country nationals on temporary stay who work or run a business in Croatia: Must be insured with HZZO under compulsory health insurance, unless EU rules, an international agreement or special law provides otherwise. Permanent and long-term residents: Foreigners with approved permanent stay or long-term residence must take out compulsory health insurance with HZZO. EU, EEA, Swiss and UK nationals on temporary stay: Must join HZZO compulsory insurance if they are not covered in another member state. Countries that require travel insurance to enter
- Can foreigners use public healthcare in Croatia?
- People insured with HZZO pay a 20% share of each bill, with a minimum of 1.32 euros and a maximum of 530.88 euros per invoice; supplementary insurance can cover this share. UK visitors need a GHIC or UK EHIC to use state care, and the FCDO notes there is always a charge, of up to about 530 euros. Patients without insurance pay the full cost themselves.
- Do hospitals in Croatia ask foreigners to pay upfront?
- Uninsured patients pay on admission or before tests are done. At General Hospital Pula, private-insurance patients and foreign nationals pay a pro forma invoice in advance, while patients with travel insurance can be billed to the insurer after treatment if the insurer issues a letter of intent to pay.
- What is the emergency number in Croatia?
- Call 112 for an ambulance in Croatia.
What health insurance costs in Croatia (indicative)
These are indicative prices, based on 14 plan quotes from the 14 international insurers on our panel, for one standard profile: a 32-year-old living in Croatia, inpatient and outpatient cover, mid-level plan, worldwide excluding the USA. The typical monthly price is £181 to £276, with a median of £237 and the cheapest at £118. Your actual price depends on your age, medical history, the plan, your deductible and where you want cover, and is only confirmed by the insurer. Snapshot 2026-09-24. See the Health Insurance Cost Index.
Indicative prices: the 5 lowest of 14 plan quotes, monthly in GBP, cheapest mid-level plan in each insurer's range. Quotes taken 2026-09-24.
See the figures
| Age | Cheapest | Median | Higher end | Plans quoted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | US$109 | US$237 | US$245 | 15 |
| 35 | US$145 | US$308 | US$347 | 15 |
| 45 | US$186 | US$417 | US$439 | 15 |
| 55 | US$250 | US$593 | US$702 | 15 |
| 65 | US$374 | US$960 | US$1,224 | 14 |
Indicative. Single adult, inpatient and outpatient, cheapest mid-level plan per insurer, worldwide excluding the USA. Quotes taken 2026-09-29. The insurer confirms the final price. Shown in US$. Other HealthiNomad prices are in GBP.
How healthcare works for expats
Croatia's public system is funded through compulsory health insurance run by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO), with public hospitals such as KBC Zagreb and regional general hospitals providing most inpatient care. Private polyclinics and special hospitals, mostly in Zagreb and the larger coastal cities, offer faster appointments at published prices.
Public care and state schemes
People insured with HZZO pay a 20% share of each bill, with a minimum of 1.32 euros and a maximum of 530.88 euros per invoice; supplementary insurance can cover this share. UK visitors need a GHIC or UK EHIC to use state care, and the FCDO notes there is always a charge, of up to about 530 euros. Patients without insurance pay the full cost themselves.
Private hospitals
Private polyclinics publish price lists for consultations, scans and blood tests, and some private hospitals list full maternity packages. Public hospitals also publish tariffs for uninsured patients, for example General Hospital Pula's lists of outpatient procedures and inpatient treatments.
Paying up front
Uninsured patients pay on admission or before tests are done. At General Hospital Pula, private-insurance patients and foreign nationals pay a pro forma invoice in advance, while patients with travel insurance can be billed to the insurer after treatment if the insurer issues a letter of intent to pay.
Typical medical costs in Croatia
Published prices, mostly from private hospitals. Pound figures are approximate conversions.
| Treatment | Price | About |
|---|---|---|
| First specialist examination, General Hospital Pula (tariff for uninsured patients)1 Pula, per visit | €37 | £32 |
| Specialist consultation, Poliklinika Medoria (first neurology or gastroenterology visit)2 Zagreb, per visit | €90 | £77 |
| Emergency department triage fee, General Hospital Pula (uninsured tariff; tests and treatment charged separately)1 Pula, per visit | €23 | £20 |
| MRI, one anatomical region, General Hospital Pula (uninsured tariff)1 Pula, per scan | €309 | £266 |
| CT brain/head, General Hospital Pula (uninsured tariff)1 Pula, per scan | €176 | £152 |
| Full blood count, General Hospital Pula (uninsured tariff)1 Pula, per test | €16 | £14 |
| Vaginal birth, General Hospital Pula (uninsured tariff, uncomplicated to without severe complications)3 Pula, per inpatient treatment | €2,092 to €2,335 | £1,800 to £2,009 |
| Caesarean birth without severe complications, General Hospital Pula (uninsured tariff)3 Pula, per inpatient treatment | €5,206 | £4,479 |
| Vaginal birth package, Special Hospital Podobnik (repeat birth at Podobnik, cash, to first birth, card)4 Zagreb, per package | €4,950 to €6,100 | £4,259 to £5,249 |
| Caesarean birth package, Special Hospital Podobnik (repeat birth at Podobnik, cash, to first birth, card)4 Zagreb, per package | €6,615 to €7,750 | £5,692 to £6,669 |
| Laparoscopic cholecystectomy without complications, General Hospital Pula (uninsured tariff)3 Pula, per inpatient treatment | €4,281 | £3,684 |
| Appendectomy without severe complications, General Hospital Pula (uninsured tariff)3 Pula, per inpatient treatment | €4,427 | £3,810 |
| Inguinal or femoral hernia repair, General Hospital Pula (uninsured tariff)3 Pula, per inpatient treatment | €2,870 | £2,470 |
Health insurance rules for foreigners
Digital nomads (temporary stay of up to 18 months)
Proof of health insurance for the whole planned stay; travel or private health insurance is accepted but must cover the territory of Croatia. Income of at least 3,622.50 euros a month, or savings of 43,470 euros for 12 months, is also required.5
Third-country nationals on temporary stay who work or run a business in Croatia
Must be insured with HZZO under compulsory health insurance, unless EU rules, an international agreement or special law provides otherwise. Nationals of treaty countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey, North Macedonia, Albania) on temporary stay must also be insured.6
Permanent and long-term residents
Foreigners with approved permanent stay or long-term residence must take out compulsory health insurance with HZZO.6
EU, EEA, Swiss and UK nationals on temporary stay
Must join HZZO compulsory insurance if they are not covered in another member state.6
Visitors with an EHIC, GHIC or UK EHIC
The card gives access to state healthcare on the same terms as local insured people, including a charge of 20% of the bill capped at 530.88 euros per invoice. It does not cover private care, medical repatriation or non-urgent treatment and is not an alternative to travel insurance.7,8,6
Tips before you buy cover
- If you rely on travel insurance, ask the insurer for a letter of intent to pay (pismo namjere plaćanja): General Hospital Pula will then bill the insurer after treatment instead of asking you to pay first.
- Public hospitals publish tariffs for uninsured patients, so you can check the price of a scan or procedure before booking.
- People insured with HZZO can take out supplementary insurance (dopunsko osiguranje) to cover the 20% patient share.
- Private maternity packages vary with payment method: Special Hospital Podobnik charges less for cash payment than for card.
- For a digital nomad application, make sure the policy wording states that it covers Croatia for the full length of the permit.
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Sources
- 1.Cjenik zdravstvenih usluga, DTP postupaka, za neosigurane osobe (outpatient tariff for uninsured persons), in force from 1 June 2026, Opća bolnica Pula (General Hospital Pula) (June 2026, accessed September 2026)
- 2.Cjenik (Price list), Poliklinika Medoria, Zagreb (accessed September 2026)
- 3.Cjenik zdravstvenih usluga, DTS postupaka, za neosigurane osobe (inpatient tariff for uninsured persons), from 5 December 2025, Opća bolnica Pula (General Hospital Pula) (December 2025, accessed September 2026)
- 4.Cjenik (Price list): Porod, Specijalna bolnica Podobnik, Zagreb (accessed September 2026)
- 5.Temporary stay of digital nomads, Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia (accessed September 2026)
- 6.Health insurance in the Republic of Croatia, Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) (accessed September 2026)
- 7.Zdravstveno osiguranje i naplata usluga (Health insurance and payment for services), University Hospital Centre Zagreb (KBC Zagreb) (accessed September 2026)
- 8.Croatia travel advice: health, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (accessed September 2026)
- 9.Zdravstveno osiguranje (Health insurance), Opća bolnica Pula (General Hospital Pula) (accessed September 2026)
- 10.Euro foreign exchange reference rates: GBP, European Central Bank (25 September 2026)
Costs and rules change. Always check with the hospital, the insurer or the relevant authority before relying on a figure.