Croatia – Maternity and Giving Birth

What maternity care options are available in Croatia?

Croatia’s healthcare structure is predominantly public, delivering universal coverage through the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (Hrvatski zavod za zdravstveno osiguranje, or HZZO). For expectant mothers, this translates into access to antenatal appointments, specialist consultations, routine ultrasound scans, and hospital delivery — all within the public framework once enrolment is complete. The typical journey starts with selecting a gynaecologist who then serves as your principal point of contact for the duration of the pregnancy.

The Croatian healthcare system operates across three tiers, with primary care delivered by general practitioners, paediatricians, and gynaecologists. Health centres (dom zdravlja) and local outpatient facilities form the backbone of primary care, offering maternal and child health services, basic diagnostic procedures, and referrals to higher-level specialists and hospitals. Scheduled antenatal visits, blood work, and ultrasound monitoring are coordinated through this network of gynaecological clinics.

The great majority of Croatian births occur in public hospital maternity wards. Home births are not a mainstream choice and attract limited formal support from the public system — parents contemplating a home birth are strongly advised to seek specialist midwifery guidance well before their due date, as the regulatory framework governing deliveries outside hospital settings is highly restrictive. There is no widespread network of independent birthing centres comparable to those found in many Northern European countries or Australia.

A family doctor (GP) is required to access public healthcare, and referrals (uputnica) are needed for specialist appointments, hospital visits, and diagnostic tests. In the context of maternity care, the registered gynaecologist effectively combines the roles of GP and specialist, coordinating referrals and overseeing the pregnancy from start to finish. Expats who have joined the HZZO and selected a GP may request gynaecological registration in the same manner as any resident.

EU citizens on temporary stays can access emergency care via their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but those staying longer should register with the HZZO. Non-EU nationals who have obtained a Croatian residence permit are obliged to register with the HZZO and pay into the mandatory health insurance scheme. Compulsory public insurance applies to all residents unless you are an EU citizen or permanent EU resident already holding state health insurance from another EU/EEA member state, or hold digital nomad status.

Private healthcare provides a supplementary layer of options for those seeking quicker access or particular services. Private gynaecological clinics and polyclinics operate in every major city, and some expectant parents opt for private facilities for antenatal monitoring while still planning to deliver in a public hospital. Private patients generally benefit from reduced waiting times for both consultations and procedures.

How much does it cost to give birth in Croatia?

Public hospitals deliver a broad range of services, maternity care included, and these are generally low-cost for individuals covered by the HZZO. For registered residents enrolled in the mandatory scheme, antenatal appointments, routine scans, and labour and delivery are all covered, meaning direct out-of-pocket expenses at the point of service are typically very low. Some procedures may attract co-payments, but these are usually modest.

Joining the HZZO involves paying contributions, the level of which depends on your employment status. Employed residents have contributions automatically deducted from their wages, while the self-employed are responsible for making their own payments. When applying for Croatian residency, expats are required to enrol in and contribute to the state health scheme, entitling them to care through public providers that is almost always free at the time of delivery. In some circumstances, a period of backdated contributions may need to be settled before you can draw on services. Consult the HZZO website directly for the contribution rates that apply to your employment situation.

Private hospitals frequently offer more contemporary facilities and equipment than their public counterparts, along with shorter waiting times. However, treatment at these facilities comes at a considerably higher price, with patients generally paying out of pocket. Private obstetric costs differ widely depending on the provider and the level of service selected. For current pricing on private antenatal packages and delivery, contact clinics directly, as rates are not standardised and change regularly.

International health insurance can be used to cover maternity expenses in Croatia, though this is not a guaranteed feature of every policy. Many international plans include a maternity benefit or rider, but most impose waiting periods — typically ten to twelve months — before these benefits become available. It is essential to understand how a policy handles pre-existing conditions, as exclusions and waiting periods can apply, and this should be confirmed before purchasing cover. Anyone planning a pregnancy should scrutinise policy terms carefully before relocating or before conceiving. Those using the HZZO public system will find overall expenditure substantially lower than in many comparable Western European healthcare environments.

What is the standard of maternity and neonatal care in Croatia?

General hospitals across Croatia provide inpatient and surgical services encompassing gynaecology, internal medicine, and child health, while specialised hospitals and clinics deliver tertiary care for more complex conditions. In Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and Osijek, the principal university hospitals house dedicated maternity and neonatal units that are generally well-equipped to handle both standard deliveries and high-risk pregnancies.

Regional variations exist and waiting times can be lengthy for certain services, but the system as a whole provides effective healthcare at comparatively low cost. Rural health centres may offer specialist outpatient services under hospital supervision, though some have limitations regarding maternity care and short-duration inpatient stays. Expats planning to give birth outside Croatia’s main urban areas should research local hospital facilities thoroughly and may wish to arrange travel to a larger city for delivery, particularly if the pregnancy carries elevated risk.

Private hospitals generally offer more modern infrastructure and a higher degree of personalised care, with favourable staff-to-patient ratios and additional comfort features. For uncomplicated pregnancies, however, public maternity units in larger cities are widely regarded as capable of providing safe, professional care. Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are located within the major teaching hospitals, and complex or premature births are typically managed at these centres.

Language can present a genuine challenge for those who do not speak Croatian. Doctors in public hospitals often have some command of English, but this cannot be taken for granted, especially outside the larger cities. English-speaking obstetricians and midwives are more readily found in urban centres and private clinics. Locating a doctor with whom you can communicate freely can take effort; most expats succeed through word-of-mouth recommendations from friends, colleagues, or other residents, or by seeking advice in one of the many Croatia-focused expat Facebook groups. Some embassies and consulates maintain lists of local medical professionals who speak particular languages — it is worth reaching out to your own country’s mission for guidance.

What should expats know about maternity rights and leave in Croatia?

Croatia’s maternity and parental benefits framework underwent substantial reform in 2025. Legislation amending the Act on Maternity and Parental Benefits was adopted by Parliament on 21 February 2025, introducing broadened entitlements for both mothers and fathers. Eligibility for maternity and parental benefits requires compulsory health insurance regulated by the HZZO, alongside the fulfilment of other stipulated conditions.

Every employed or self-employed expectant mother must take a compulsory maternity leave (rodiljni dopust) lasting an uninterrupted 98 days: between 28 and a maximum of 45 days prior to the due date, with the remaining 70 days following the birth (as of 2025). Throughout maternity leave, the mother is entitled to wage compensation at 100%, calculated on the basis of compulsory health insurance. To qualify, the mother must have been in continuous employment for nine months before the leave begins, or for 12 months with interruptions within the preceding two years.

On the matter of paternity leave, paid entitlement for employed or self-employed fathers — and equivalent second parents regardless of gender, marital status, or family circumstances — has been raised from 10 to 20 working days for one child, and from 15 to 30 working days in the case of twins or other multiple births (as of March 2025). During this period, fathers and equivalent second parents receive their full salary, funded directly by the government with no earnings cap.

Following the initial maternity period, parental leave offers additional protected time away from work. Each employed or self-employed parent may take parental leave lasting four months (for the first and second child) or 15 months (for twins, the third child, and any subsequent children), with two months of that entitlement being non-transferable between parents. Where only one parent takes parental leave, the available duration extends to six months for the first and second child, and to 28 months for twins and third or subsequent children.

Employed and self-employed parents are entitled to parental leave regardless of gender, marital status, or family situation, provided the mother is employed or self-employed at the time of the child’s birth. If she does not meet this condition, an employed or self-employed father may take parental leave only if the mother has not already claimed other maternity or parental benefits available to her as an unemployed mother.

The right to maternity and parental benefits may also be exercised by foreign nationals who have been granted asylum or subsidiary protection status under Croatian asylum regulations. The relevant provisions of the Act on Maternity and Parental Benefits apply to such individuals according to their legal and employment status, without reference to nationality or the duration of their residence. More broadly, foreign nationals legally employed in Croatia and enrolled with the HZZO are entitled to the same contributory maternity and parental benefits as Croatian workers.

A notable change introduced in 2025 is the doubling of the one-time newborn payment: the former figure of €309 has been raised to €618 (as of 2025). All insured mothers are entitled to this single lump sum payment to help meet the costs of welcoming a newborn. For comprehensive and up-to-date guidance on entitlements, consult the Croatian Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare maternity benefits page or the HZZO website.

How do you register a birth in Croatia?

The e-Newborn service allows parents to register their child’s birth, enter the child’s name in public records, and notify both the Ministry of the Interior and the Croatian Health Insurance Fund, using the signature certificate stored on their e-identity cards. Registration can alternatively be completed in person at the local civil registry office (matični ured). The following is a step-by-step overview of the process:

1. Hospital notification: Birth registration (prijava rođenja) must be completed within 15 days of the birth. When a child is born in hospital, the hospital itself notifies the matični ured by sending a written report directly to the registrar’s office.
2. Register via e-Novorođenče or in person: Parents may register their child in the book of births (matica rođenih) digitally through the eNovorođenče application, or in the traditional manner by attending the matični ured in their local area and completing the required paperwork.
3. Name the child: Parents have 30 days from the date of birth to formally name the child. Until all official documents have been issued, the discharge letter from the maternity hospital functions as the child’s identification document.
4. Receive documents: Once registration through e-Novorođenče is finalised, the system automatically generates an electronic entry for the child in the Book of Births and a corresponding entry in the Book of Citizenship.
5. Obtain health insurance: A certificate confirming the child’s permanent residence can be collected immediately upon completion of registry office registration, while the Croatian Health Insurance Fund will send the child’s mandatory health insurance card to the registered home address within 15 days.
6. Register with your home country: Expat parents should then approach their home country’s embassy or consulate in Croatia to register the birth under their own national civil registration system and begin the passport application process for the newborn. Specific documentation requirements differ by nationality — contact your embassy well before the birth to find out exactly what will be needed.

Any child born in a Croatian hospital is automatically entered into the civil registry (matica rođenih), which streamlines the procedure for most parents. If a birth takes place outside a healthcare institution, however, the responsibility to report it falls on the father, the mother (when she is able to do so), the midwife, or the doctor who attended the delivery.

For non-Croatian parents completing registration at the matični ured, documentation will typically include valid passports for both parents along with any applicable residency documents. It is advisable to engage with the matični ured directly to confirm the most current procedural requirements. The Croatian civil registry authority can be contacted through the official gov.hr portal. There is no standard charge for the birth registration itself within the public system, though fees may apply for certified copies of the birth certificate; verify the current charges with your local matični ured.

What nationality will my child have if born in Croatia?

A child born on Croatian territory to foreign parents does not automatically acquire Croatian citizenship on the basis of birthplace alone. Such a child is instead considered a national of their parents’ country of citizenship. Croatia applies the principle of jus sanguinis (citizenship through descent or parentage) rather than jus soli (citizenship through place of birth). Birth on Croatian soil is therefore not, in itself, sufficient to confer Croatian nationality on the child of two foreign citizens.

Where at least one parent holds Croatian citizenship at the time of birth, the child may be entered into the Croatian state records as a Croatian citizen. Applications to register a child in the Croatian State Registry of births and the Citizenship Registry may be submitted by the parents at any point before the child’s eighteenth birthday. When one or both parents were Croatian nationals at the time of the child’s birth, the child will be automatically registered in both registries — births and citizenship.

For expat parents who are not Croatian nationals, the essential step is securing the child’s citizenship in the parents’ own country of origin. This is ordinarily achieved by registering the birth at the relevant embassy or consulate in Croatia. The birth certificate is central to this process, and each country follows its own distinct procedures, making it important to maintain close contact with your local embassy or consulate for current requirements and updates.

Foreign official documents submitted to Croatian authorities — including birth and marriage certificates — must ordinarily be legalised before use, unless bilateral or multilateral international agreements specify otherwise. The Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 has streamlined the legalisation procedure among member states, requiring only a single certification from a competent authority in the issuing country. In practice, this means an Apostille stamp is generally required on foreign documents presented to Croatian public authorities.

Nationality law can be intricate, and dual citizenship rules vary considerably from one country to another. Parents are strongly advised to verify their specific circumstances with both their home country’s embassy or consulate and a qualified legal adviser, both before and after the birth. Useful points of reference include the Croatian Ministry of the Interior citizenship page and the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs registration of birth page.

What are the laws and attitudes around abortion in Croatia?

Abortion in Croatia is legal, with the existing framework rooted in socialist-era legislation that the country carried over after independence, now codified in the Health Measures for the Exercise of the Right to Freedom of Decision on Childbearing Act. As of 2025, termination of pregnancy is legally available on request up to 10 weeks of gestation. After this threshold, a termination may be considered on medical, eugenic, or other grounds, subject to evaluation by a committee of medical professionals — though access to later-stage procedures is considerably more constrained.

In practice, the accessibility of abortion services in Croatia has narrowed significantly in recent years, driven not chiefly by legislative change but by the widespread invocation of conscientious objection among medical staff working in public hospitals. A substantial share of gynaecologists at public facilities decline to carry out the procedure on grounds of personal conscience, meaning that in certain parts of the country — particularly outside Zagreb and the larger coastal cities — finding a willing provider within the public system, and within the legal timeframe, can be genuinely difficult.

Most abortion procedures in Croatia consequently take place at private clinics, where patients bear the full cost. Fees vary according to the provider and the gestational stage; contact clinics directly for current pricing, as charges are not centrally regulated and change over time. This contrasts with countries where termination is delivered as a standard component of publicly funded reproductive healthcare at no direct charge to the patient, such as within the French national health system or under the NHS in the United Kingdom.

There is no statutory mandatory waiting period written into the primary legislation; however, individual providers and review committees may introduce procedural steps of their own, and in practice the combination of limited public availability and the time required to locate a private provider can create real delays. Mandatory counselling is not universally prescribed, but some providers offer or stipulate it as part of the process. As of 2025, the Croatian Ministry of Health is the relevant authority for current regulatory guidance. Readers are strongly encouraged to consult up-to-date official sources and, where necessary, a reproductive health specialist or legal adviser, as practical access conditions can shift and differ significantly by region.

Frequently asked questions about having a baby in Croatia

Can I give birth in Croatia as a foreign national using the public health system?

Croatia operates a universal healthcare system under which mandatory public insurance, administered by the HZZO, covers the entire population as required by law. Foreign nationals who hold a Croatian residence permit and have enrolled with the HZZO are entitled to the same public maternity services as Croatian citizens. EU citizens may use the EHIC for emergency treatment but should complete HZZO registration to access comprehensive maternity coverage during a longer stay.

How many antenatal scans and check-ups are typically included under the public system?

Within the HZZO public system, pregnant women are generally assigned a gynaecologist who oversees routine antenatal care, including ultrasound scans at standard gestational milestones consistent with European practice — typically a first-trimester scan, a mid-pregnancy anatomy scan, and a third-trimester scan. The precise schedule is set by your registered gynaecologist; consult them directly for the plan applicable to your pregnancy.

What happens if I need a caesarean section — is this covered under the public system?

Public hospitals provide the full spectrum of services including surgical procedures and maternity care. Caesarean sections carried out on clinical grounds are covered by the HZZO public system with no direct charge to the patient at the point of care. Elective caesarean sections requested for non-medical reasons may be treated differently — this should be discussed with your gynaecologist well ahead of the birth.

Will I receive a Croatian birth certificate for my child?

Yes. Every child born in a Croatian hospital is automatically entered into the civil registry (matica rođenih). Once registration is complete, a birth certificate (rodni list) is issued by the registrar’s office (matični ured). This document is essential for a range of subsequent administrative steps, including registering the birth with your home country and applying for your child’s first passport.

Does my child automatically get Croatian citizenship if born in Croatia?

No. A child born in Croatia to foreign parents does not automatically acquire Croatian citizenship by virtue of birthplace alone. Croatian nationality at birth on Croatian territory applies only when at least one parent is a Croatian citizen. If neither parent holds Croatian citizenship, the birth must be registered at your home country’s embassy or consulate in Croatia in order to establish the child’s nationality.

Are there any financial benefits or allowances paid to new parents in Croatia?

All insured mothers are entitled to a one-time lump sum payment of €618 to help cover the costs associated with a newborn (as of 2025). Local municipalities may also provide their own supplementary financial support for newborns, which varies from area to area. Employed parents are additionally entitled to salary-replacement benefits throughout maternity and parental leave, with payments administered through the HZZO.

How do I find an English-speaking obstetrician or midwife in Croatia?

Identifying a doctor you can communicate with freely can be a challenge if you do not speak Croatian. Most expats succeed through personal referrals from friends, colleagues, or fellow residents. Posting in one of the many Croatia-focused expat Facebook groups is an accessible and effective way to gather recommendations if you are not yet connected to the local community. Some embassies in Zagreb also compile lists of local medical professionals with foreign language capabilities — contact your country’s mission directly for guidance.

What should I do after registering the birth in Croatia to get my child a passport?

Once you have obtained the Croatian birth certificate (rodni list), the next step is to contact your home country’s embassy or consulate in Croatia to register the birth within your home country’s civil registration system and initiate the passport application for your newborn. Requirements vary considerably between countries — some will require an Apostille on the Croatian birth certificate, others may request certified translations, and processing times differ. Make contact with your embassy as early as possible, ideally before the birth, to clarify the current requirements and any applicable fees.