Over 10,000 in Croatia Lose Health Insurance Due to Reporting Lapses

A significant number of Croatian citizens, exceeding 10,000, found themselves without essential health insurance in 2025, a consequence of failing to adhere to a crucial reporting obligation. The Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) data reveals that approximately 127,000 unemployed individuals not registered with the Croatian Employment Service were mandated to report in person every three months to retain their health coverage. Regrettably, over ten thousand of them missed this deadline, resulting in the loss of their right to healthcare.

“

During the past year, more than 10,000 citizens in Croatia lost their right to health insurance because they did not fulfill the obligation of regular reporting to the Croatian Health Insurance Fund.

For many of these individuals, regaining state-funded health insurance is no longer an option. They are now compelled to cover the contributions themselves, with the minimum monthly contribution in 2025 amounting to 112 euros. This stringent requirement has drawn criticism and concern, particularly from Ombudsman Tena Šimonović Einwalter, who had previously flagged the issue in 2023 and requested a constitutional review of the reporting obligation. However, the Constitutional Court has yet to deliver a ruling.

While certain amendments were made in 2025 to introduce exceptions, the problem remains far from resolved. The exemptions now apply to recipients of parental support, individuals with severe disabilities, single parents of young children, caregivers of severely ill family members, and students re-enrolling. Additionally, those unable to attend HZZO in person for justifiable reasons are also exempt, provided they notify the institution promptly. However, the ombudswoman points out that the criteria for proving inability to attend are unclear, leading to potential inconsistencies in how these exceptions are applied.

“

The ombudswoman warns that the problem has not been fully resolved. She points out that a large number of citizens continue to lose health insurance, and the introduced exceptions can lead to inconsistent practice, given that it is not clear how the impossibility of arrival is proven and who decides on it.

Furthermore, there is a significant concern regarding the public's awareness of these available exemptions. The ombudswoman's proposals to abolish the personal reporting requirement and the 30-day deadline for re-registration of the unemployed have not been adopted. Adding to the complexity, a regulation intended to facilitate health insurance for individuals without income was not finalized in 2025, despite existing solutions lacking support from a working group. This regulatory gap has led to varied practices among regional self-government units, impacting citizens' ability to secure their health rights. The ombudswoman continues to advocate for clear criteria and a comprehensive regulation to address these persistent issues.

“

The ombudswoman proposed the abolition of the obligation of personal reporting, as well as the abolition of the 30-day deadline for re-registration of unemployed persons, but these recommendations were not accepted.