Croatia has a functioning public health system, a small but active LGBTQ+ community, and a handful of organisations doing excellent work for gay and bisexual men. The honest challenge: resources are heavily concentrated in Zagreb, the system requires navigation, and PrEP access is currently available at a single location in the entire country.
This guide tells you what to know, what to do first, and how to get what you need.
Three Golden Rules for Croatia
1. HUHIV Is Your First Call
For any sexual health question in Croatia, CheckPoint Zagreb (HUHIV) is your starting point. They test, they navigate, they refer, they speak English, and they understand the specific reality of being a gay or bisexual man in Croatia. Before you spend time figuring out the public system alone, contact them.
CheckPoint Zagreb (HUHIV) Ulica kneza Domagoja 10, Zagreb Web: huhiv.hr
2. Know Your HZZO / OIB Status
The Croatian public health system (HZZO) is tied to your OIB (personal identification number) or JMBG. EU citizens have access to medically necessary care via EHIC, but for ongoing services like PrEP monitoring, you need to understand your insurance situation before you start. If you don't have HZZO coverage, private options exist but come with costs.
3. Zagreb for PrEP, Any KBC for PEP
PrEP in Croatia is prescribed only at UHID in Zagreb — there is currently no alternative centre. If you need PrEP, a Zagreb visit is required for your initial consultation. PEP, however, is available at hospital emergency departments (Hitni prijem) across Croatia — Split, Rijeka, Osijek — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Know the number of your nearest KBC before you need it.
Getting Tested
Testing for gay and bisexual men is available at CheckPoint Zagreb (free, anonymous, no HZZO needed) and at Iskorak. Both offer HIV testing and can arrange full STI panels. Private labs across Croatia also offer testing with payment.
The three-site rule: Every STI screen should include throat swab, rectal swab, and urethral swab — not just blood or urine. This is how chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and other infections are caught at sites that don't cause symptoms. Always ask for this explicitly.
Testing frequency: If you're sexually active with multiple partners, every 3 months is the standard. After a higher-risk period (post-festival, after a new partner, after chemsex), test sooner.
PrEP
PrEP is available and partially covered by HZZO in Croatia, but access goes through a single centre: UHID in Zagreb. The prescribing doctor is an infektolog (infectious disease specialist). Once established, monitoring is quarterly.
If you're not in Zagreb, contact HUHIV about options — they're aware of the access gap and may be able to advise.
PEP (Emergency HIV Prevention)
PEP must be started within 72 hours of a potential HIV exposure — sooner is better. In Croatia:
- Zagreb: UHID (01 23 26 100) or KBC Zagreb
- Split: KBC Split (021 556 111)
- Rijeka: KBC Rijeka (051 658 111)
- Osijek: KB Osijek (031 511 511)
- Everywhere: Emergency services 112
Go to the Hitni prijem (emergency department) and ask for postekspozicijska profilaksa (PEP). Do not wait.
General Education
Understanding the basics makes every conversation with a doctor easier and every decision more confident.
HIV Basics HIV is a manageable condition. Modern treatment (ART) brings viral load to undetectable — meaning you can't transmit the virus to partners. Knowing how transmission actually works (and doesn't) removes a lot of fear. → HIV Facts
The STI Landscape Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, Mpox — understanding what's out there, how it spreads, and what symptoms to watch for puts you in control. → STI Landscape
Testing Protocol How often, which tests, and why the three-site approach matters. → Testing Protocol
PrEP — How It Works Daily PrEP vs. on-demand (2-1-1), how to take it correctly, and what it does and doesn't protect against. → PrEP Mechanics
PEP — Emergency HIV Treatment The 72-hour window, how PEP works, and what to expect during a course. → PEP Emergency
Prevention Stack Condoms, PrEP, vaccines, treatment as prevention — how all the tools work together. → Prevention Stack
Vaccines Mpox, Hepatitis A and B, HPV — what's recommended for gay and bisexual men and why. → Vaccines Guide
Vaccines
Mpox vaccination is available through HZJZ for high-risk groups — contact CheckPoint Zagreb to find out current availability. Hepatitis B is covered through HZZO for most. Hepatitis A and HPV require private payment for adults.
Mental Health
Croatia's gay-specific mental health resources are limited. Iskorak in Zagreb is the best starting point for LGBTQ+-affirming counselling and therapist referrals. CheckPoint Zagreb provides psychosocial support alongside sexual health. For crisis situations, call 01 4833 888 (SOS telefon) or 112 for emergencies.
→ Mental Health Support in Croatia
Chemsex
If drug use and sex are intersecting in your life in ways you're uncertain about, T-klub in Zagreb is the main addiction support resource, and Iskorak provides LGBTQ+-affirming referrals. GHB emergencies: call 112 immediately.
DoxyPEP
Doxycycline post-exposure STI prophylaxis is available in Croatia via a private prescription from an infektolog at UHID or a sympathetic private GP. Cheap, effective for chlamydia and syphilis. Ask your doctor.
Outside Zagreb
PrEP is Zagreb-only. Testing and PEP are available in all major cities. Split, Rijeka, and Osijek each have a KBC for emergencies. If you're on the islands, know how far you are from the nearest mainland hospital.
→ Sexual Health Outside Zagreb
Croatian Healthcare Vocabulary
Key terms, useful phrases, and how to navigate the system — in Croatian and English.
→ Croatian Healthcare Vocabulary
Emergency Contacts
| Service | Contact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency (general) | 112 | English-speaking operators available |
| Ambulance | 194 | Croatia |
| UHID Zagreb (PEP/PrEP) | 01 23 26 100 | Infectious diseases, Zagreb |
| KBC Split (emergency) | 021 556 111 | PEP available 24/7 |
| KBC Rijeka (emergency) | 051 658 111 | PEP available 24/7 |
| KB Osijek (emergency) | 031 511 511 | PEP available 24/7 |
| CheckPoint Zagreb (HUHIV) | huhiv.hr | Testing, navigation, English |
| Iskorak | iskorak.hr | LGBTQ+ rights and support |
| SOS telefon (mental health) | 01 4833 888 | Mon–Fri 14:00–20:00 |
| T-klub (substance use) | 01 3794 160 | Zagreb addiction support |
About This Guide
This guide is written for gay and bisexual men navigating Croatian healthcare. It uses plain language, not clinical euphemism. Services and prices change — always verify current information with CheckPoint Zagreb or the relevant clinic.