Croatia – Mental Health

How is mental health generally viewed and discussed in Croatia?

For anyone preparing to relocate to Croatia, gaining a sense of how mental health is perceived in society can prove invaluable. Historically, the subject carried considerable stigma, and seeking professional psychological assistance was often seen as something to conceal rather than pursue openly. Over recent decades, however, the cultural landscape has begun to shift — many people today are genuinely open to seeking and receiving mental health support, and the associated stigma has eased to a meaningful degree. That said, this evolution is uneven: older generations and more conservative communities may still hold more cautious views about psychological treatment.

Academic findings present a more measured picture. Insufficient recognition at the primary care level, inadequate treatment options, and persistent stigma mean that people with mental health difficulties in Croatia continue to seek help less readily than might be expected. This reflects a broader pattern seen across many Central and Eastern European nations that are still moving away from predominantly institutional models of psychiatric care — a marked contrast to healthcare cultures in places such as the Netherlands or Scandinavia, where community-based mental health services and frank public dialogue have long been more deeply embedded.

Croatia’s recent past has had a direct influence on the mental health landscape. The Strategic Framework for Mental Health until 2030 identifies several contributors to poor mental health in the country, including the armed conflict of the 1990s, the upheaval of post-communist transition, social insecurity, an ageing population, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of recent earthquakes. As a result, trauma-related conditions are relatively common, and awareness of psychological wellbeing is growing — particularly among younger demographics and in cities such as Zagreb and Split.

For expats, the practical implication is straightforward: you are unlikely to face open hostility when seeking mental health support, especially in urban settings. Nevertheless, the cultural conversation around mental health remains somewhat more guarded in Croatia than in many Northern or Western European countries, and it would be unwise to assume that colleagues, social acquaintances, or neighbours will engage with the topic as readily as you might be accustomed to elsewhere. Approaching the matter with a degree of discretion — or simply opting for private care — remains the norm for a significant portion of the population.

What publicly funded mental health services exist in Croatia, and how does the system function?

Croatia’s healthcare structure delivers mental health services at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, underpinned by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO), which administers the country’s universal mandatory health insurance scheme. Participation in this scheme is compulsory for all residents — there is no mechanism by which to opt out — meaning that virtually the entire population has access to a wide range of publicly funded healthcare services, including those relating to mental health.

Within this framework, a family doctor (GP) plays a central coordinating role, directing patients toward secondary or tertiary care when necessary and thereby facilitating free access to hospitals and polyclinics that operate as contracted partners within the mandatory insurance system. This gatekeeping model closely resembles the arrangements found in countries such as Germany or Ireland. Expats who are registered with HZZO and have been assigned a GP can follow this pathway to reach psychiatric outpatient care without incurring substantial additional cost beyond any applicable co-payment.

Public health protection is delivered through the Croatian Institute of Public Health (CIPH), county-level public health institutes, and various health institutions. Specialist mental health teams responsible for protection, prevention, and outpatient addiction treatment also operate within public health institutes at the county level. This decentralised structure means that the range and quality of available services can vary considerably depending on which county (županija) a person resides in.

A defining feature of Croatia’s public mental health provision is its continued orientation toward inpatient care. Whilst some progress has been made toward a more balanced model, community-based alternatives remain underdeveloped by comparison with some other EU member states. Analysis conducted during a Twinning project found that as many as 80% of all patients hospitalised for mental disorders were admitted through emergency pathways — a figure that reflects the limited recognition and treatment capacity at the primary care level.

Reform is actively under way, however. The Croatian Government has adopted the Strategic Framework for Mental Health until 2030, which formally recognises mental health as a public health priority and calls for comprehensive, targeted measures spanning health promotion, prevention, protection, and treatment. In 2024, aligned with this framework, Croatia introduced a new network of health institutions within which 30 mobile psychiatric teams and 24 psychological teams at the primary care level are planned.

In practical terms, most expats engaging with the public system will need to: register with HZZO (a requirement for most long-stay visa holders and permanent residents), obtain a GP, and request onward referral to a psychiatrist or outpatient mental health centre as appropriate. Waiting times within the public system can be considerable, which leads a number of expats to opt for private care in order to access more prompt and personalised attention. For current guidance on registration requirements and entitlements, consult the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) and the Croatian Institute of Public Health (CIPH).

Is private therapy or counselling available in Croatia, and what are the typical costs?

Private mental health services are well established in Croatia, with the broadest range of options concentrated in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and other significant urban centres. Psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists in private practice — either independently or through private clinics — generally offer faster appointment availability and more scheduling flexibility than the public system can provide.

From a cost perspective, Croatia compares favourably with other European countries. As of 2024–2025, a standard 50-minute private therapy session with a psychologist or psychotherapist typically costs somewhere in the range of €40 to €80, though fees can vary considerably according to the practitioner’s experience and qualifications, their location, and their area of specialism. Psychiatrists, as medically qualified doctors, may charge higher fees for an initial consultation. It is always worth confirming current pricing directly with any prospective provider, since rates are subject to change and can differ meaningfully between Zagreb and smaller towns or rural areas.

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a recognised and widely practised modality in Croatia, commonly used in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and other mood-related difficulties. Psychoanalytic and integrative approaches are also available. If a particular therapeutic approach matters to you, it is worth discussing this with potential practitioners before committing to an ongoing course of sessions.

The professional regulatory body for psychologists in Croatia is the Croatian Psychological Association (Hrvatska Psihološka Komora — HPK), which maintains a register of licensed practitioners. Psychotherapy is regulated through a separate framework; those seeking a psychotherapist rather than a psychologist should consult the Croatian Association for Psychotherapy (HUPSI) for a directory of accredited professionals. Checking these bodies before beginning treatment is a sensible way to verify that a practitioner holds appropriate credentials.

Are English-speaking therapists or counselling services available in Croatia?

Locating a therapist who works in a language other than Croatian does require some effort, but it is far from impossible — especially in Zagreb, which supports an increasingly sizeable international community. A substantial number of younger Croatian mental health professionals have studied or completed training abroad and are fluent in English. Some also offer sessions in German, Italian, or other European languages.

Many expats and digital nomads turn to local expat communities for personal recommendations, or use online directories and specialist platforms to identify suitable English-speaking therapists and psychiatrists. The following resources offer useful starting points:

• Croatian Psychological Association (HPK): hdp.hr — The association’s online directory allows you to browse registered psychologists and contact practitioners directly to enquire about the languages in which they offer sessions.
• Poliklinika Neuron (Zagreb): poliklinika-neuron.hr — A private clinic based in Zagreb offering a broad range of mental health services, including counselling and therapy delivered by psychologists and psychiatrists who speak English, with both individual and group therapy options available.
• TherapyRoute Croatia: therapyroute.com — An international therapist directory featuring practitioners based in Croatia, with profiles indicating language capability and areas of specialism, including those who offer sessions in English.
• It’s Complicated: complicated.life — A matching service combining data-driven tools with human judgement to connect individuals with suitable therapists, offering flexible pricing and support in more than 60 languages.
• Expathy: expathy.org — A platform designed expressly for internationally mobile individuals, matching expats with licensed psychologists who understand their cultural context, with immediate access to affordable counselling and no waiting list.

If you are based outside Zagreb, the options for in-person sessions in English may be more limited, though online therapy substantially expands what is accessible to you regardless of location (see the section on remote therapy below). Expat Facebook groups and Croatia-specific forums are also a reliable source of first-hand recommendations from others who have already found their way through the system.

What mental health support organisations or charities operate in Croatia?

Croatia has a growing civil society presence in the mental health arena, though the sector remains less developed than its counterpart in some larger EU member states. Below are the principal organisations that expats living in Croatia should be aware of:

• Croatian Institute of Public Health (CIPH / HZJZ): hzjz.hr — The national body responsible for coordinating public health activity, including mental health. The CIPH oversees the collection, analysis, and dissemination of public health data, manages preventive programmes, and leads health promotion and education at the national level. Its Department for Mental Health and Addiction Prevention holds responsibility for national strategic coordination.
• Pro Mente Empathica: promente-empathica.hr — A Zagreb-based NGO dedicated to promoting mental health, providing community support, and advocating for people living with mental health conditions, with a particular focus on reducing stigma and improving access to community-level care.
• Croatian Psychological Association (HPK): hdp.hr — The professional body representing psychologists in Croatia, offering services that include counselling, therapy, and psychological assessment. Their online directory of registered psychologists can assist individuals in finding a practitioner who works in English or another preferred language.
• Zagreb Child and Youth Protection Centre (Poliklinika za zaštitu djece i mladih): poliklinika-djeca.hr — A public institution delivering mental health services to children and young people who have experienced abuse or trauma, providing individual and group therapy as well as psychological assessment and evaluation.
• UNICEF Croatia: The UNICEF office in Croatia has developed a dedicated online resource for children and young people in support of their mental health, reflecting a broader recognition of the importance of youth psychological wellbeing.
• WHO Croatia: The World Health Organization maintains an office in Zagreb. Croatia is represented in the WHO’s mental health work and participates in collaborative initiatives including the Stability Pact Initiative for the Development of Community Mental Health Centres.

International organisations such as the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) do not currently maintain a dedicated national chapter in Croatia, though Croatia is engaged in wider European mental health networks through the EU and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The European Brain Council monitors Croatian mental health policy developments at braincouncil.eu.

What steps should expats take during a mental health crisis in Croatia?

Knowing which services to turn to in an acute mental health emergency is essential. Croatia’s crisis care infrastructure is anchored primarily in hospital-based psychiatric emergency units rather than in the kind of community crisis teams that have become standard in certain other European countries. This is an important distinction: unlike in countries such as the Netherlands or the UK, where mobile community mental health crisis teams can respond at home, in Croatia the most dependable first point of contact in an acute crisis is either the hospital emergency department or a dedicated crisis telephone line.

Key emergency and crisis contacts:

• General emergency number: 112 (police, fire, and ambulance services — available in multiple languages including English)
• Ambulance (Hitna medicinska pomoć): 194
• Suicide prevention and crisis line — KBC Rebro Zagreb: The Centar za krizna stanja i prevenciju suicida (Centre for Crisis Situations and Suicide Prevention) at KBC Rebro is reachable on +385 (0)1 237 6470, available by telephone 24 hours a day. The centre can also be visited in person between 08:00 and 20:00.

The finding that 80% of all patients hospitalised for mental disorders in Croatia are admitted via emergency pathways confirms that presenting at a hospital emergency department is the established and functional route for acute mental health crises. Psychiatric assessment is available at emergency departments when you attend.

For those who do not speak Croatian, dialling 112 is recommended, as emergency services have access to interpretation support. English-language assistance at the KBC Rebro crisis line will depend on the staff member available at the time of the call and cannot be guaranteed. Where possible, bringing a Croatian-speaking companion or using a translation application when attending an emergency department may assist with communication.

Outside Zagreb, psychiatric emergency support is accessible at regional hospital centres in Split, Rijeka, Osijek, and other cities. In a crisis occurring away from the capital, the nearest hospital with a psychiatric unit is generally the most appropriate option. The Croatian Institute of Public Health website provides contact details for regional health institutions.

Are online or remote therapy options available from Croatia?

Teletherapy and online mental health services are readily accessible from Croatia, and these options have grown increasingly popular among expats — whether because suitable in-person practitioners are not available locally, because they wish to continue working with a therapist in their home country, or simply because they value the broader range of choices that online platforms provide.

Croatia generally has good internet infrastructure in urban areas, though connectivity can be less consistent in more remote or rural locations. Expats considering online therapy should verify whether their chosen platform operates in compliance with local regulations and whether their health insurance policy extends to cover teletherapy sessions.

The following platforms offer remote therapy accessible from Croatia:

• Apricity Expat Therapy: apricityexpattherapy.com — Offers online therapy and counselling to expats worldwide, founded with the explicit aim of making compassionate mental health care accessible to people living internationally.
• Expathy: expathy.org — Focuses on connecting expats with therapists who share their cultural and linguistic background, operating via a mobile application.
• It’s Complicated: complicated.life — Provides both online and in-person session options across a wide range of languages and areas of specialism.
• BetterHelp, Talkspace, and comparable platforms are also accessible from Croatia, though the therapists on these services are typically licensed in other countries. This raises a practical consideration: a therapist holding a licence in the United States, for example, may not be formally authorised to provide ongoing clinical care to someone residing in Croatia, and such sessions may not be covered by Croatian or international health insurance policies. For general wellbeing support or coaching this may be of less concern; for clinical treatment, verifying both the therapist’s jurisdictional authorisation and your insurer’s position is strongly advisable.

No specific Croatian legislation currently prohibits residents from accessing therapists licensed abroad via online platforms, but the regulatory framework governing teletherapy within Croatia is still evolving. For the most current guidance, the Croatian Psychological Association or the Croatian Ministry of Health are appropriate points of contact.

How do expats typically handle health insurance for mental health treatment in Croatia?

Health insurance is mandatory for all residents of Croatia, with no provision for opting out of the mandatory scheme. This means that almost everyone living in Croatia has access to a broad range of publicly funded health services. For expats who are registered as residents and contributing to HZZO, mental health treatment within the public system — including GP consultations, referrals to psychiatrists, and inpatient care — falls within the coverage of this compulsory arrangement.

There are, however, important details to note. Croatian residents are generally required to contribute to the cost of their healthcare through co-payments, with exemptions applying to certain groups — among them children under 18 and individuals with chronic conditions, including chronic mental illnesses, when the care they receive is directly connected to their condition. This exemption for chronic mental health conditions represents a significant protective provision for those affected.

Public expenditure accounts for 84.1% of health spending in Croatia — substantially above the EU average of 75.5% — and the widespread use of supplementary voluntary insurance (dopunsko osiguranje) to cover co-payments has kept out-of-pocket costs low, amounting to only 9.4% of current health expenditure in 2021. Expats who wish to minimise their personal costs across all areas of healthcare, including mental health, would do well to consider taking out supplementary insurance.

For expats who choose to use private mental health practitioners — which is common given waiting times in the public system — the key question is whether their international private medical insurance (IPMI) policy provides coverage for outpatient mental health treatment. This varies considerably between providers. When reviewing a policy, pay particular attention to:

• Whether outpatient mental health consultations with a psychologist or psychiatrist are included
• Whether psychotherapy sessions are covered, and if so, how many per year
• Whether a separate sub-limit or deductible applies to mental health treatment
• Whether teletherapy sessions are covered
• Any waiting periods before mental health coverage becomes active

As an EU member state, Croatia is subject to EU non-discrimination directives, though dedicated mental health parity legislation — requiring equal insurance coverage for mental and physical health — is not as explicitly codified as in some other jurisdictions. Always confirm the current terms of any policy directly with your insurer before taking out or renewing cover. The Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (HANFA) regulates the insurance sector and is the appropriate body to contact with concerns about policy compliance.

Frequently asked questions about mental health support in Croatia

Can I access mental health services through Croatia’s public health system as an expat?

Yes, provided you are a registered resident enrolled in Croatia’s mandatory health insurance scheme (HZZO), you are entitled to use public mental health services. Your first step will be to register with a GP (obiteljski liječnik), who can then refer you to a psychiatrist or specialist outpatient mental health service as needed. Non-EU nationals holding long-stay visas should clarify their specific insurance obligations with HZZO directly, as entitlements may differ according to residency type and visa category. Current information is available at hzzo.hr.

Is mental health stigma likely to affect my experience of seeking help in Croatia?

Stigma remains present in Croatia to some degree, as it does across most countries, but attitudes are gradually changing — particularly among younger people and those living in cities. Mental health tends to be discussed more quietly in Croatia than in some other European countries, and you may find that professional environments or social circles are less outwardly supportive of open discussion. Choosing to seek support privately, if that feels more comfortable, is a legitimate and frequently used approach. What matters most is that treatment is both available and genuinely accessible.

How long will I wait to see a psychiatrist through the public system?

Waiting times for specialist mental health appointments within Croatia’s public system can be substantial, particularly away from major cities. Consistent reports indicate that public mental health services are operating under pressure, and waits of several weeks to a few months for non-urgent psychiatric outpatient appointments are not uncommon. In urgent or acute situations, the hospital emergency department is the appropriate route. For up-to-date waiting time information, contact your local county public health institute or GP practice directly.

I don’t speak Croatian — will I be able to communicate with a therapist?

Many mental health professionals based in Croatian cities, particularly Zagreb, are proficient in English. Private practitioners are generally more likely to offer sessions in other languages than staff within public clinic settings. Directories such as TherapyRoute or the practitioner register maintained by the Croatian Psychological Association can help you identify practitioners who work in your preferred language. If the in-person options near you are limited, online therapy platforms open access to a considerably wider pool of practitioners.

What is the approximate cost of a private therapy session in Croatia?

As of 2024–2025, private therapy sessions in Croatia typically fall in the range of approximately €40 to €80 per session, which is relatively affordable within a European context. Fees vary according to the therapist’s qualifications, their location, and the modality used. Always confirm the exact fee with your practitioner before your first appointment, as charges are not standardised and may change over time.

What should I do if I am having a mental health crisis?

Call the general emergency number 112 or the ambulance service on 194. For a suicidal crisis specifically, the dedicated line at KBC Rebro Zagreb — +385 (0)1 237 6470 — is available by telephone around the clock. You can also present in person at any major hospital emergency department, where psychiatric assessment is available. In Zagreb, the specialist crisis centre at KBC Rebro accepts in-person visits between 08:00 and 20:00.

Does my international health insurance cover private therapy in Croatia?

Coverage depends entirely on the specifics of your individual policy. Some international private medical insurance plans include outpatient mental health provision; others exclude it or impose sub-limits. Before selecting or renewing a policy, examine the terms carefully for mental health outpatient cover, the number of therapy sessions included annually, whether teletherapy is covered, and any applicable waiting periods. Request written confirmation of coverage from your insurer. Regulatory questions about insurance policies can be directed to HANFA, Croatia’s financial services supervisory body.

Are there support groups or community mental health resources for expats in Croatia?

Dedicated expat-specific mental health support groups within Croatia are limited in number, but the international communities established in Zagreb and along the coast in cities such as Split and Dubrovnik are active online. Facebook groups and expat forums specific to Croatia are frequently used to exchange recommendations for English-speaking therapists and relevant support services. Online platforms including Expathy and Apricity Expat Therapy are built specifically around the needs of internationally mobile individuals and can fill gaps where local community provision falls short. The Croatian Institute of Public Health also publishes mental health resources and guidance on its website.