Croatia, with its breathtaking coastline, countless islands and lush national parks, is a popular destination for European travellers. As you prepare to explore this beautiful country, adequate travel insurance is a key element in ensuring your peace of mind during your stay.
Many European travellers rely solely on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), thinking that it is sufficient to cover all medical eventualities in Croatia. Although this offers important basic protection, it has significant limitations that make it insufficient as sole protection.
The EHIC guarantees you access to medically necessary treatment in the Croatian public health system under the same conditions as local citizens, but it does not cover private health care or the costs of medical rescue and repatriation, which can run into tens of thousands of Euros. You will not be covered for scheduled medical treatment and you will not have support for any language difficulties you may encounter.
European foreign affairs departments and embassies explicitly recommend taking out supplementary travel insurance. The peculiar geography of Croatia, with its rugged coastline and over a thousand islands, makes the risk of needing medical transfers not covered by the EHIC a real concern.
A good travel insurance policy for Croatia offers you much broader protection. Medical expenses are covered up to several million euros, including direct payment of hospital and surgical expenses. You will have a 24-hour operations centre with multilingual staff ready to assist you in case of an emergency.
Your policy will also protect you in case of problems with your luggage, whether stolen, lost or damaged. Should you be forced to cancel or interrupt your trip, you will be reimbursed for the penalties incurred. In addition, you are covered for third-party liability in case you unintentionally cause damage to people or property during your stay. Many policies also include specific COVID-19 cover for medical expenses and repatriation in case of infection.
When you use the EHIC in Croatia, you will still have to pay some co-payments: approximately €1.32 for a visit to a general practitioner, around €13.29 per day for a hospital stay (subject to a ceiling), and about €1.32 per prescription of prescribed medication.
Croatian public health facilities are generally of a good standard on the mainland, but the situation can vary significantly on the islands or in more remote areas of the country. In these areas, facilities may be limited to basic services, necessitating a medical transfer to the mainland or, in more serious cases, repatriation for specialist care. These transfers are not covered by EHIC.
When assessing travel insurance for Croatia, it is important to consider several factors. For medical expenses, look for a high ceiling, ideally not less than €500,000-€1,000,000. Give preference to policies that offer direct payment of hospital expenses, avoiding the need to advance large sums.
Carefully check the amount of deductibles and excesses for the various guarantees, particularly for non-hospital medical expenses. Your insurance company’s operations centre should be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provide assistance in your language.
If you plan to engage in specific activities such as scuba diving, sailing, kayaking or trekking in national parks, make sure your policy covers these activities or consider a specific extension.
Do you have to decide whether to buy a single trip policy or annual multi-trip cover? The choice depends on how often you travel and the duration of your stays abroad.
For families that travel frequently, there are also annual family policies that can be particularly convenient. In any case, always carefully compare the coverage offered as well as the prices, as annual policies may have slightly lower limits than some single trip policies.
A single trip policy is generally cheaper in the short term, with premiums starting at a few tens of euros for a week in Croatia. It is the ideal option if you travel infrequently (1-2 times a year) or if you have very specific requirements for a particular trip. The cost of a single travel insurance policy typically averages between 4% and 6% of the total cost of the trip.
An annual multi-trip policy, on the other hand, offers cover for all trips taken over a 12-month period, with premiums starting at around €70-€80 per year for basic coverage (though prices vary by country and provider). It becomes economically advantageous from the third trip in a year. Besides the economic advantage, it offers you the convenience of not having to take out a new policy every time you travel. However, remember to check the maximum number of consecutive days per trip, which usually varies between 30 and 90 days.
UK residents should be aware that following Brexit, the EHIC has been replaced by the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) for British citizens. The GHIC provides similar coverage to the old EHIC in EU countries including Croatia, but it’s essential to apply for one before travelling. UK travellers should also note that comprehensive travel insurance is even more crucial post-Brexit, as healthcare agreements may be subject to change.
Croatia is universally recognised as a safe country, with a generally low crime rate. However, it is always advisable to watch out for petty crime in busy areas, such as popular beaches, markets and the historic centres of tourist towns.
Traffic regulations are very strictly enforced, especially with regard to speed limits and drink driving. During water activities, beware of sudden and strong winds, such as the Bora, which can make sailing dangerous.
In an emergency, the number to call is 112, the single European emergency number that will put you in touch with the police, fire brigade or ambulance as needed. Other useful numbers are 192 for the police, 194 for the ambulance and 193 for the fire brigade.
Always carry with you a copy of your documents, your EHIC/GHIC and your insurance certificate. In the event of a claim, contact your insurance company’s operations centre immediately and keep all documentation relating to the incident.
With the right preparation and adequate travel insurance, you can enjoy the wonders of Croatia with complete peace of mind, turning potential problems into manageable inconveniences.
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