Under the new health requirements for foreign nationals in Croatia, nationals of certain third countries who want to extend their temporary stay will be required to undergo a health examination before submitting their application.
Depending on their vaccination status, they may also need additional vaccinations.
Who do the health requirements for foreign nationals in Croatia apply to?
The new measure applies to nationals of third countries subject to the visa regime, meaning people who require a visa to enter Croatia and who are applying to extend their temporary stay.
The decision was adopted by the Health Ministry following a proposal by the Croatian Institute of Public Health, with the aim of protecting public health.
Health examination within 90 days
Under the new health requirements for foreign nationals in Croatia, people covered by the decision must undergo the health examination during the 90-day period before submitting their application to extend their temporary stay.
The examinations will be carried out by county public health institutes, the Dr Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health in Zagreb or the Croatian Institute of Public Health, depending on the person’s place of residence.
Where necessary, public health institutes will work with health centres and hospitals when carrying out the examinations.
Foreign workers extending their stay for employment purposes must attend the examination with a referral form completed by their employer.
What does the health examination include?
During the examination, a doctor will take a detailed medical and epidemiological history, assess any possible exposure to infectious diseases and check the person’s vaccination status.
The mandatory examination includes a physical examination, a chest X-ray, a microbiological stool test for bacteria that cause typhoid and paratyphoid fever, HIV testing, hepatitis B testing and hepatitis C testing.
The purpose of the examination is to rule out active tuberculosis, carriage of Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi, and infection with HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
If any test result is positive, the person will be referred for further diagnostic procedures and appropriate treatment.
A doctor may also order additional tests if another condition that could pose a threat to public health is suspected during the examination.
Vaccination requirements for foreign nationals in Croatia
Vaccination requirements will depend on the person’s medical documentation and vaccination history.
Temporary residents under the age of 35 who cannot provide proof that they have received the required vaccine doses will, where necessary, be given additional vaccinations against measles, polio, diphtheria and tetanus.
The aim is for each person to have a record of two doses of a measles-containing vaccine and at least three doses of vaccines against polio, diphtheria and tetanus.
Existing medical records and proof of previous vaccinations will be taken into account when determining whether any additional doses are needed.
People working in nursing care, healthcare or social care will also be vaccinated against hepatitis B where necessary.
Three documents will be issued after the examination
After the health examination, the doctor will complete a medical certificate, a confirmation of attendance at the examination and a certificate confirming that the examination was completed.
The confirmation of attendance will serve as temporary proof that the person has started the process until the final certificate is issued.
The certificate confirming completion of the health examination will serve as proof that the examination was carried out for the purpose of extending their temporary stay.
The foreign national will be required to keep this certificate throughout their stay in Croatia. They must present it on request to officials from the Ministry of the Interior, an authorised inspector from the State Inspectorate or a doctor during any subsequent medical examination.
If the person was referred for the examination by an employer, the employer will also receive a copy of the confirmation of attendance and the final certificate.
Details of any vaccinations administered will be recorded in the medical certificate.
Who pays for the examination and vaccinations?
The employer will cover the cost of the health examination for foreign workers.
Other third-country nationals extending their temporary stay will have to pay for the examination themselves.
Under the health requirements for foreign nationals in Croatia, the cost of any required vaccinations will be covered through the financial plan of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund.
Croatia is increasingly seeking to regulate the employment and residence of foreign nationals. Read more about the latest amendments to Croatia’s Law on Foreigners in Croatia Introduces New Rules for Foreign Workers and Residence Permits.
