Croatia has made PrEP available through the public health system, but access is currently concentrated in Zagreb. If you want PrEP on the public system, Zagreb is where you need to go — this is the single biggest practical constraint for gay and bisexual men living outside the capital.

The Short Version

  • PrEP is available in Croatia via the public system
  • Only available in Zagreb at UHID (University Hospital for Infectious Diseases)
  • Covered by HZZO (Croatian Health Insurance) for residents with coverage
  • EU EHIC covers specialist consultations; PrEP medication may require additional arrangement
  • Without HZZO: generic TDF/FTC available privately for approximately €30–60/month
  • HUHIV (CheckPoint Zagreb, huhiv.hr) can navigate you to the right contacts

The Single PrEP Access Point

UHID — Klinika za infektivne bolesti "Dr. Fran Mihaljević" Mihaljevićeva 14, 10000 Zagreb bfm.hr | Phone: 01 23 26 100

UHID is Croatia's University Hospital for Infectious Diseases and the only current location for PrEP prescription in the public system. The infectious disease department here manages HIV care, PrEP, and related services.

To access PrEP:

  1. Ask your primary care doctor (liječnik opće prakse) for a referral (uputnica) to the infectious disease specialist at UHID
  2. Or contact HUHIV (huhiv.hr) — they maintain relationships with the right staff and can guide you
  3. At UHID: HIV test, baseline STI screen, kidney function → prescription if appropriate

Walk-in for eligibility check: Some people have had success walking in to ask about PrEP — contact UHID first to check current process.

HZZO Coverage

Croatian residents with HZZO coverage: specialist consultation at UHID is covered. PrEP medication reimbursement — the status evolves; confirm with HZJZ or UHID the current reimbursement situation at the time of your appointment, as Croatia's PrEP funding status has changed.

HUHIV stays current with reimbursement status and is your best source for up-to-date information on what HZZO actually covers for PrEP in the current period.

Without HZZO — Private Route

Without Croatian health insurance:

  • Generic TDF/FTC (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate / emtricitabine) is available at private pharmacies with a private prescription
  • Cost: approximately €30–60/month for generic medication
  • Private infectious disease specialist consultation: approximately €80–120

HUHIV can advise on which private doctors can prescribe PrEP.

Quarterly Monitoring

Every 3 months you need:

  • HIV antigen/antibody test (4th generation)
  • STI screen (syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia)
  • Kidney function (creatinine)
  • Hepatitis B/C (periodically)

These can be done at CheckPoint Zagreb for HIV/STI components, with blood tests at the UHID lab or a private laboratory.

Outside Zagreb

As of 2026, PrEP prescription services are not operational in Split, Rijeka, Osijek, or other cities. If you live outside Zagreb and need PrEP, you must travel to Zagreb for your initial prescription and potentially for renewal. This is a real barrier. HUHIV advocates for expansion — but currently, Zagreb is the only option.

For testing and monitoring outside Zagreb, see the regional guide.

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