Health insurance in the Republic of Croatia is compulsory, meaning that every citizen of the Republic of Croatia must have a regulated compulsory health insurance.
The compulsory health insurance is provided by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) and is regulated by the Compulsory Health Insurance Act (Official Gazette, nos. 80/13 and 137/13).
The following persons are obliged to apply for compulsory health insurance:
Persons who are residents of the Republic of Croatia
Foreigners with approved permanent residence in the Republic of Croatia
Foreigners with approved temporary residence in the Republic of Croatia, unless otherwise specified by an international agreement, EU regulations or special act
Foreigners with approved temporary residence in the Republic of Croatia, on the basis of employment with an employer based in Croatia, or on the basis of economic or professional activity if conditions are met under special regulations regulating the issue of residence and work of foreigners in Croatia.
Rights from compulsory health insurance cover the right to health care and the right to cash compensations.
The application for compulsory health insurance can be submitted in any regional office or branch office of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund within 8 days of the occurrence of the circumstances which are the basis for the application.