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Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 in Croatia

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Covid in Croatia frequently asked questions
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We receive lots of questions daily about COVID-19 in Croatia, including the vaccination and the COVID-19 passport (EU Digital COVID certificate). To better help our readers, we collected the most frequently asked questions and compiled them into one list just for you.

Jump to what you need:

Q: What is the COVID-19 vaccine used for?

A: All COVID-19 vaccines protect from severe forms of the COVID-19 virus and death. Vaccination is a safe way to protect yourself and others.

Q: Do you have to pay for the vaccination against COVID-19 in Croatia?

A: No. The COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge for everyone.

Q: Who can receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Croatia?

A: Croatia has enough COVID-19 vaccines.

EVERYONE can get vaccinated including:

  • Croatian nationals
  • Foreign nationals
  • People with temporary residence in Croatia
  • People with permanent residence in Croatia
  • Tourists

Q: Is the COVID-19 vaccine available to foreigners and tourists who visit Croatia?

A: Yes. Foreign nationals and tourists can receive the COVID-19 vaccine free of charge.

Q: Is the COVID-19 vaccine available to pregnant and breastfeeding women?

A: Yes, you can get vaccinated if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Q: Are there any age limits for the vaccination? Can children get vaccinated?

A: In Croatia, the age limit for receiving COVID-19 vaccines is 5 years of age. Children younger than 5 can’t receive the vaccine. Vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for everyone from the age of 5.

Children between 5 and 11 years of age can receive Pfizer.

Children between 12 and 18 years of age can receive Pfizer or Moderna.

More information is available here.

Q: Is vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory in Croatia?

A: No. Vaccination is not mandatory. It is optional for everyone who lives or visits Croatia.

Q: Is it mandatory to have Croatian health insurance to receive the vaccine?

A: No. Everyone can receive the vaccine regardless of their health insurance status. You can either have Croatian or foreign health insurance, or no health insurance at all.

Q: Which vaccines against COVID-19 are available in Croatia?

A: Currently, the types of COVID-19 vaccine available in Croatia are:

  • Astra Zeneca/Oxford
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Moderna
  • Nuvaxovid (Novavax)
  • Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty)

Q: Are there any priority groups for the vaccination?

A: Yes. Priority groups do exist. However, Croatia has enough vaccine and it is available to everyone. You probably won’t have to wait too long to receive the vaccine.

Priority groups are:

  • Workers and users of homes for the elderly
  • People with disabilities
  • Healthcare workers
  • People older than 65 years of age
  • People with chronic diseases regardless of their age
  • People with an increased risk of severe forms of the disease
  • Tourism workers and private renters

Q: For whom is the booster dose of the vaccine is intended?

A: The booster dose is primarily intended for immunocompromised people. It is also recommended for people older than 18. A booster dose is not needed for people who have recovered from COVID-19 and received the primary vaccine.

A second booster (so-called fourth dose) is recommended for people older than 80 and people over 65 who are users of the homes for the elderly and infirm. It is also recommended for people who are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19, primarily vaccinated and boosted with Janssen.

Q: When can a person get the booster dose?

A: A booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can be taken at least 6 months after the previous vaccination and after consulting a doctor.

A second booster should be received at least 4 months after the first booster dose.

Q: What are the priority groups for the booster dose?

A: Priority groups for the booster dose are:

  • Users of homes for the elderly and infirm
  • People with disabilities
  • Nursing home employees
  • Health care workers who work with patients
  • People older than 65
  • People older than 18 who share a household with immunocompromised people
  • People who suffer from chronic diseases.

Q: Where you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Croatia?

A: It is possible to get vaccinated at:

Q: When can people receive the vaccine in Croatia?

A: Everyone can get vaccinated at mass vaccination points immediately upon arrival or at County Institutes for Public Health (ZZJZ) with a prior subscription to the vaccination list. Be sure to check the local rules as every town and municipality has the discretion to make its own rules.

View detailed instructions in our guide on how to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Croatia which is available here.

View detailed instructions in our guide on how tourists can get the COVID-19 vaccine in Croatia which is available here.

Q: Do you have to receive all doses of the vaccine at the same location?

A: No. You don’t need to receive the second or booster doses at the same location where you’ve received the first dose. You can go somewhere else.

Q: Is it possible to receive only one dose of the vaccine in Croatia?

A: Yes, it is. If you already received the vaccine outside of Croatia and you’d like to receive another dose in Croatia, you are allowed to do it. If you’d like to receive the first dose in Croatia, you can also do it.

You can also receive a one-dose vaccine in Croatia (Johnson&Johnson).

Q: Is it possible to choose the type of vaccine that you want to receive?

A: It depends. If you visit a doctor or some other institution, they will probably provide one certain type of vaccine. If this information is important to you, ask them about the type of vaccine once you call them to subscribe to the vaccination list. Then you can decide whether you want to receive it or not.

Schedules for mass vaccination points usually provide information on the type of the vaccine. However, it depends on a certain point. Mass vaccination points often vaccinate with one type of vaccine one day, and then they use another type on another day. If you take a look at the schedule before going there, you may decide which vaccine you want to receive.

If you go to the County Institute of Public Health, you may also have a chance to choose the type of vaccine.

Q: Do you have to contact a doctor before the vaccination?

A: It is not mandatory to contact a doctor before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. However, if you have a family doctor in Croatia, it would be good to contact them. They are familiar with your medical history, so they can confirm if you can get vaccinated.

If you are suffering from a certain disease, then you must contact a doctor before you get vaccinated. They will examine your case and decide whether you can get vaccinated or not. Also, the doctor will put you in a priority group if needed.

Q: What do you need to inform the doctor about before the vaccination?

A: The doctor must know if you suffer from allergies, severe acute illness, and infections with high body temperature. Tell them all about these or other serious medical conditions before you receive the vaccine.

If your condition is serious or they have reasonable doubts, they may decide that your vaccination must be postponed.

Q: Do you have to subscribe to the vaccination list?

A: It is not mandatory to subscribe to the vaccination list. If you want, you can get the COVID-19 vaccine at mass vaccination points without a prior subscription.

Q: How to subscribe to the vaccination list?

A: It is possible to subscribe for the vaccination in various ways including:

View detailed instructions in our guide on how to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Croatia which is available here.

Q: When to subscribe to the vaccination list at your family doctor?

A: If you have a family doctor in Croatia, it is best to contact them before you receive the vaccine. They will add you to the vaccination list and schedule a vaccination term which is usually a few days after. If they don’t have a term for you, they will call you as soon as they create a schedule.

The previous subscription to the list is recommended for people with a certain chronic disease. Their doctor has to examine their case and decide whether they can receive the vaccine or not.

Q: What information do you have to provide to get on the vaccination list?

A: You may need to provide some of the following data:

  • Name
  • Surname
  • Date of birth
  • Croatian OIB (if you have one)
  • Phone number
  • Email
  • Information on foreign health insurance

Q: What to do if you are prevented from coming to the vaccination appointment?

If you are not able to come for vaccination at the time of your scheduled term, notify the doctor in advance. They will arrange a new term for you.

Q: How to receive the vaccine immediately?

A: If you want to receive the vaccine without a prior subscription to the vaccination list, you should go to a mass vaccination point. They are available in the largest Croatian cities. Be sure to check the local rules as every town and municipality has the discretion to make its own rules.

Occasionally, it is possible to receive the vaccine at the COVID-19 bus. They may be occasionally available in smaller rural places.

View detailed instructions in our guide on how to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Croatia which is available here.

Q: How to find the vaccination schedule for mass vaccination points?

A: The latest schedules for mass vaccination points can be found on the official pages of the County Institutes for Public Health that are available here. Their phone numbers are available here.

Be sure to check the local rules as every town and municipality has the discretion to make its own rules.

The schedule for each city is usually also available on the official city website.

Locations of all mass vaccination points in Croatia are available here.

Q: How to receive the vaccine if you are an immobile or handicapped person?

A: You must call your doctor and they will organize a vaccination for you. It will either be done during a home visit or with the help of mobile teams.

If you are living in a nursing institution or special hospital, you will receive the vaccine there.

Q: What to do right after you receive the vaccine?

A: After you receive your dose, wait outside of the vaccination point for 15 minutes. During this time, track if any urgent side effects of the vaccine occur. If you don’t feel well, go back inside and ask the doctor for help.

Q: What to do if you notice any side effects upon the receipt of the vaccine?

If you don’t feel well after you come home and you have serious side effects from the received vaccine, contact your doctor immediately. They will tell you what to do.

People usually notice some mild side effects including fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, diarrhea, or pain at the injection site. They usually occur right after vaccination and can subside within a few hours or days.

Q: Do you have to respect the epidemiological measures after being vaccinated?

A: If epidemiological measures are still applied in Croatia, everyone must respect them after being vaccinated.

The latest official epidemiological measures can be found on the government pages here.

Q: What is a COVID-19 passport (EU Digital COVID certificate)?

A: The COVID-19 passport is a certificate that serves as permission to travel within the EU Member States during the COVID-19 epidemic. It can also be used to gain access to specific places and events that require it. Croatia issues its own Croatian COVID-19 passport.

Q: Is a COVID-19 passport required to enter Croatia?

A: The COVID-19 passport is not mandatory, but you must prove that you are not infected with the virus.

As proof, you may enclose:

  • COVID-19 passport
  • Negative PCR test or rapid antigen test
  • Certificate showing you are fully vaccinated
  • Certificate showing you have received at least one vaccine dose
  • Certificate showing you have recovered from COVID-19 and have received at least one dose of the vaccine
  • Positive PCR or rapid antigen test from the previous 180 days, but no newer than 11 days.

Q: Does Croatia recognize international COVID-19 passports?

A: Yes, Croatia recognizes international COVID-19 passports issued in the other EU Member States.

Q: Who can get a COVID-19 passport in Croatia?

A: COVID-19 passports in Croatia are available to Croatian residents and foreign tourists who received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Croatia.

To get the passport, you must be entered into the central database of the Croatian Ministry of Health (HZZO).

Q: In which cases can someone get a COVID-19 passport in Croatia?

A: You can get a COVID-19 passport in Croatia if you belong to one of these groups:

  • People vaccinated against COVID-19
    • With one dose of the vaccine
    • With primary doses of the same or different vaccine
    • With booster dose(s)
    • Recovered people who received the vaccine
  • People with a negative result of PCR or rapid antigen test
  • People who have recovered from COVID-19

Q: Which documentation can’t be used to get the COVID-19 passport?

A: You can’t get the COVID-19 passport on the basis of:

  • Medical certificate on recovery
  • Positive antigen test
  • Results of serological testing
  • Results of test performed outside of Croatia

Q: Can you get a COVID-19 passport if you are not allowed to receive the vaccine due to your medical condition?

A: In this case, you can’t get a COVID-19 passport on the basis of a medical certificate on your health condition from your doctor. However, you can get a passport if you have negative test results or have recovered from COVID-19.

Q: What is the validity of the COVID-19 passport?

A: The validity of the passport depends on its type. It can last between 48 hours to 365 days.

The latest information on validity for each type of COVID-19 passport is available in our COVID-19 passport guide which is available here.

Q: For which types of vaccine you can get the COVID-19 passport in Croatia? 

A: Croatian COVID-19 passport is available to people vaccinated with the following vaccines in Croatia:

  • AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria/Oxford
  • Moderna
  • Nuvaxovid (Novavax)
  • Janssen/Johnson&Johnson
  • Pfizer/Comirnaty

Certificates can also be issued for certain types of vaccines received outside of Croatia. A list of vaccines for which a certificate can be issued in Croatia and vaccines for which a certificate won’t be issued is available here.

Q: In what languages and forms is the COVID-19 passport available?

A: The Croatian COVID-19 passport is available in Croatian and English. It is available in paper form and digital form (PDF).

Q: Do you have to pay for the Croatian COVID-19 passport?

A: No. A Croatian COVID-19 passport is free of charge.

Q: Is anyone allowed to ask you to show your ID card instead of the COVID-19 passport?

A: No. Your ID card is proof of your identity and your COVID-19 passport is proof that you are clear of COVID.

Q: Where can the COVID-19 passport be obtained in Croatia?

A: The COVID-19 passport is available at/via:

Detailed instructions are available in our COVID-19 passport guide which is available here.

Q: How to get entered into the central database of the Croatian Ministry of Health (HZZO) if you are a foreigner?

A: If you were vaccinated outside of Croatia and would like to get a COVID-19 passport based on that vaccination, then you must first register with the Ministry of Health. Visit the epidemiology office of the county HZJZ or send them an email. Bring/send them the medical documentation of your vaccination and your passport. They will enter you into the system and give you a certificate that proves that you are entered into the database. After this, you can get your passport from HZZO.

If you were vaccinated in Croatia, you will automatically be entered into the central database.

Q: Do you need a COVID-19 passport to enter certain places in Croatia?

A: No, a COVID-19 passport is no longer needed for different institutions and events.

Q: Where can someone get tested against COVID-19 for the purposes of obtaining a COVID-19 passport?

A: If you are not vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19, but you need a COVID-10 passport, you can get tested. You must perform a PCR test or rapid antigen testing, not serological testing. If your test results are negative, you can get a COVID-19 passport and enter places that require it.

A list of all medical institutions and laboratories that perform testing against COVID-19 is available here.

Q: How to contact the County Institutes of Public Health in Croatia?

A: You should give them a call. All the numbers organized by Croatian counties are available here.

Q: How to find laboratories that test against COVID-19?

A: A list of all medical institutions and laboratories that perform testing against COVID-19 is available here.

Q: How to find pharmacies where you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine?

A: A list of all pharmacies in Croatia where you can get vaccinated is available here. Call them before the vaccination.

Q: Where can you find the latest news on COVID-19 in Croatia?

A: You can track the latest news on COVID-19 at the official government page which is available here.

Q: Where can you find conditions of entry into Croatia?

A: The latest conditions of entry into Croatia considering temporary bans and restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are available here.

Q: Where can you find the latest epidemiological measures in Croatia?

A: The latest official epidemiological measures can be found here.

Q: Are there any Croatian COVID-19 social networks?

A: You can track the latest information and happenings in Croatia in COVID-19 Facebook groups:

  • COVID-19 Info Croatia (English group) – Available here
  • Koronavirus Hrvatska – COVID-19 – savjeti i informacije (Croatian group) – Available here

Q: Who can you call if you have a question regarding the COVID-19?

A: If you have any questions regarding COVID-19, call the COVID-19 info phone. They are available via phone number +385 (0)800 0011.

Q: Who can you contact if you have a question regarding the COVID-19 passport?

A: Send an email to covidpotvrde@hzjz.hr and they will get back to you.

Q: Where is it possible to track a current vaccination status in Croatia?

A: You can track the COVID-19 vaccination statistics on the vaccination map which is available here. A map shows the vaccination statistics according to Croatian counties.

Q: Is it possible to get psychological help due to the pandemic?

A: If you can’t stand the large amount of stress that the COVID-19 epidemic causes, you can get free psychological support. All the details are available in our article which is available here.

View our other COVID-19 posts

Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.

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