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Croatia Expat Health Insurance

The former Yugoslavian Republic of Croatia (Republika Hrvatska in the local Croatian language) lies along the Adriatic coast and borders Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro. The Balkan nation declared independence in 1991 and is a candidate for European Union membership. The small country of less than 60,000 square kilometres boasts varied terrain from coastal beaches to mountainous terrain, including forests, lakes and several islands in the Adriatic Sea facing Italy. Croatia’s economy has rebounded since the breakup of the former Yugoslavia and now has a modern services-based economy with tourism increasingly being an important sector. Croatia’s rich culture has been influenced over the centuries by Greek, Roman and Illyrian empires and more recently by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As a result, the country’s art, cuisine and architecture are a complex mixture of these historical antecedents with distinctive Croatian characteristics.

Croatia Healthcare System

Croatian life expectancy is in line with that of most developed countries – 73 years for males and 79 years for females. Croatia spends about 7.8 percent of GDP on health care, or US$1,553 per capita annually. This figure represents about half of the European average.

Croatians are at low risk for most communicable diseases. One in every 1,000 Croatian adults is infected with HIV, which is a quarter of the regional average. Tuberculosis afflicts 31 or every 100,000 Croatians, less than half of the average in Europe.

Noncommunicable diseases are a much greater health problem in Croatia, although public health efforts to reduce smoking and alcohol abuse have successfully led to reductions in morbidity and mortality associated with these habits.

Maternal mortality occurs in 14 of every 100,000 live births, which is 50 percent lower than the European average. Croatian mothers enjoy universal access to antenatal, birth and infant care and all local births are attended by skilled health care personnel.

Croatia’s health care system is adequately staffed. However with 25.9 doctors and 55.8 nurses and midwives per 10,000 people, the health care workforce to population ratio is below the European average. Croatia does suffer from significant brain drain from health care workers seeking more lucrative opportunities abroad.

As a modern developed country, Croatians enjoy universal access to improved drinking water and sanitation facilities. However, more remote regions of Croatia may not have modern developed country standard toilet facilities.

The World Health Organisation operates four Collaborating Centres in Croatia – all in the capital city of Zagreb. The centres do research on occupational health, HIV/AIDS surveillance, diabetes and primary health care.

Croatia’s temperate climate has long made it a destination for medical tourism, mostly from travellers from other parts of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. The European Union recently funded a study on the potential for medical tourism to promote economic growth in rural Croatia and Hungary. Dental clinics run by overseas Croatians in the UK are now opening branches in their home country where they can offer care at a much lower cost.

The Croatian Ministry of Health has set the goal of modelling the Croatian health care system after Britain’s National Health Service (NHS), although to date they have not quite reached this standard. Serious investment is being made in improving electronic databases with health care information, with the aim of improving efficiency of care.

While Croatia is a modern country, any overseas travel bears certain health risks. The US Centre for Disease Control has issued a number of guidelines for prospective visitors to Croatia. Before visiting or relocating to Croatia, a visit to a physician specialising in travel medicine is recommended. Routine immunisations should be updated, and rabies vaccine is recommended for those planning to spend time in rural areas.

Tickborne encephalitis can be a serious problem in southeast Europe, particularly in the summer. To avoid insect bites while hiking in the summer, tuck trouser legs into socks and use insect repellent with DEET.

Croatian food safety standards are mostly compliant with EU regulations, but as with any travel abroad, an unfamiliar diet may cause stomach discomfort or ailments. Avoid raw or undercooked food and only drink bottled water to prevent gastrointestinal problems. Over the counter medication should be sufficient in treating acute cases. But persistent symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea require a physician or specialist’s care.

Like most of Europe, Croatian traffic drives on the right. However, slight variations in rules of the road mean that visitors and newcomers should exercise extreme caution while driving in Croatia. As anywhere, always wear a safety belt and never drink alcohol while driving.

Croatia Expat Health Insurance

Despite its well developed health care system, patients utilising Croatia’s public services may suffer from long waits and irregular access to specialist and advanced care. Visitors and expatriates may wish to use private hospitals, in order to receive treatment in their mother tongue while in Croatia. Expat health insurance policies we work with typically provide cover for treatment almost anywhere in the world and allows you to use the doctor or health facilities of your choice. Furthermore, serious medical conditions, emergencies and surgeries may require evacuation to the nearest center of medical excellence, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

An international health insurance plan can help ensure your peace of mind should the unthinkable happen while you or your family is away from home. But with myriad offerings, choosing the best health insurance plan can be a difficult task. Fortunately, Global Health Insurance has a team of dedicated advisors available around the clock to assist with your international health insurance needs, whether globally or as a visitor or expat in Croatia. Expat health insurance plans that we work with include coverage options such as alternative medicines, dental, maternity and even air evacuation. To find out which plan is best for you, your family, your tour group or your business, contact a Global Health Insurance advisor today.