Croatia Mandates Health Checks for Foreigners Extending Stay

Croatia is tightening its immigration policy by introducing mandatory health screenings for non-EU citizens applying to extend their temporary residency. The Ministry of Health's new decision requires individuals from visa-required countries to undergo medical examinations to detect acute and chronic infectious diseases and receive necessary vaccinations.

This measure, aimed at protecting public health, specifically targets nationals from countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Egypt who are already residing in Croatia and wish to prolong their stay. The health checks, conducted at public health institutes, will assess epidemiological history, physical condition, and vaccination status. They are designed to rule out active tuberculosis, carriers of typhoid and paratyphoid bacteria, and infections like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

Individuals diagnosed with infectious diseases or those posing a public health risk will be referred for further diagnostics and treatment. The decision also mandates booster vaccinations for those under 35 who lack proof of immunization against measles, polio, diphtheria, and tetanus. Healthcare and social welfare workers will also need to be vaccinated against hepatitis B.

Upon completion, individuals will receive a certificate to be kept throughout their stay in Croatia and presented to authorities upon request. The Croatian Health Insurance Fund and regional public health institutes will oversee the implementation. Employers will bear the costs for their foreign workers' health checks, while other applicants will cover their own expenses. The national health fund will finance the cost of vaccinations.