🛡️ The Situation

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.

⚖️ The Golden Rules

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.

2. Know Your HZZO / OIB Status

The Croatian public health system (HZZO) is tied to your OIB (personal identification number). Foreigner registration for HZZO works as follows:

  • EU/EEA Citizens: Have access to medically necessary care via the EHIC. If moving permanently or working in Croatia, you must register for compulsory HZZO insurance within 8 days using your OIB and employment/residence proof.
  • Non-EU Citizens: Must generally secure a residence permit and an OIB to register for HZZO. If you are a temporary resident or digital nomad not employed by a Croatian company, you often cannot join HZZO and must hold private health insurance instead. If you don't have HZZO coverage, private options exist but come with costs.

National Health Hotlines: Croatia does not have a general non-emergency medical advice hotline; you should contact your local primary care center (dom zdravlja). For administrative questions regarding HZZO mandatory insurance, call +385 800 7979 (toll-free within Croatia). In a medical emergency, dial +385 112 or +385 194 (Ambulance).

3. Zagreb for PrEP, Any KBC for PEP

PrEP in Croatia is prescribed only at UHID in Zagreb — there is currently no alternative centre. PEP, however, is available at hospital emergency departments (Hitni prijem) across Croatia — Split, Rijeka, Osijek — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

⚖️ The Reality of the System

  • CheckPoint Zagreb (HUHIV) provides excellent, affirming testing and navigation.
  • PEP is widely available at hospital emergency departments across the country 24/7.
  • Resources and affirming care are heavily concentrated in Zagreb.
  • PrEP is currently only prescribed at a single location (UHID) in the entire country.

💬 Anonymous Partner Notification

If you test positive for an STI and absolutely cannot face the direct message, you must still ensure partners are warned.

Croatia does not currently have a centralized, public anonymous notification portal. The most effective route is to ask the clinic or doctor who diagnosed you to assist; many local sexual health units or NGOs can facilitate confidential partner notification on your behalf without revealing your identity. It's always better than silence.

🗺️ Guide Map

Testing & Clinics

Prevention

Emergencies & Support

Result Management

Support & System