Fact Sheet

Basis principle

The Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) is the institution that provides mandatory health insurance in the Republic of Croatia. CHIF is also the national insurer in the field of occupational health protection and covers health care and compensation in cases of occupational injuries and diseases, as well as preventive measures related to specific health care for workers. The system of compulsory health insurance is governed by the Compulsory Health Insurance Act (Official Gazette, Nos. 80/13, 137/13, 98/19, 33/23, 105/25).

Financial compensation

Yes

Compensations include:

1. Reimbursement of salary during sick leave (for the first 18 months of incapacity for work: 100% of the average salary paid during the six months preceding the accident; thereafter 50%);
2. Reimbursement of travel expenses incurred in connection with the use of health care services due to an occupational injury or occupational disease. (in the amount of 0.025% of the budgetary base per kilometre, for the shortest road distance between the address of permanent or temporary residence and the address of the health care institution to which the person has been referred for treatment);

Reimbursement of funeral expenses (in the event of the death of the insured person, provided that such death is a direct consequence of an occupational injury or occupational disease).

Medical treatment responsibilities

Yes

Health care rights include: emergency medical assistance, primary health care, specialist health care, hospital care and rehabilitation, medicines from the basic and supplementary drug lists, orthopedic and dental aids from the basic and supplementary lists, as well as health care in other Member States and third countries in cases where medical treatment cannot be successfully provided in the Republic of Croatia.

Prevention responsibilities

Yes

Preventive measures are carried out by contractual specialists in occupational medicine and include:

1. monitoring of employees’ health status in accordance with the special health programme for workers, including preventive medical check-ups and diagnostic procedures;
2. workplace visits;
3. training activities which include the provision of advice on health and safety and on the prevention of psychosocial risks.

Research in OS&H issues responsibilities

No

Rehabilitation of victims of occupational injuries responsibilities

Yes

Specific insurance against accidents at work and occupational diseases

Yes

Is this insurance compulsory?

Yes

Contributions

Mandatory health insurance for occupational injuries and occupational diseases is financed through contributions paid by employers or self-employed persons.

People covered

Persons covered by the insurance primarily include employees employed by domestic or foreign employers with a registered office in the Republic of Croatia, as well as craftsmen and individuals engaged in independent professions. There is also a group of insured persons for whom insurance is compulsory under certain circumstances and for as long as those circumstances persist, for example: pupils and students during practical work, internships, study tours, and work performed through authorized agents; members of voluntary fire brigades during their participation in firefighting duties; athletes, coaches, and organizers participating in organized amateur sports events; persons performing voluntary military service; etc.

Is insurance different for accidents at work and for occupational diseases?

No

Risks covered

Accidents at work, occupational diseases and commuting accidents.

Web: www.hzzo.hr
Contact email: vinka.longinpes@hzzo.hr

Information provided by HZZO – August 2025