Insurance for Ukrainians in Croatia: what is important to know before traveling

After the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, millions of Ukrainians were forced to leave their homes, and Croatia became for many not just a place of temporary protection, but a new life space – with housing, work, education for children, medical care. However, with the new living conditions comes the legal need for the correct registration of documents, in particular health insurance. For Ukrainian refugees, this issue often turns out to be confusing: who needs insurance, what kind, and where

formalize how much it costs and what risks it covers?

Who needs insurance to enter Croatia?

Croatia is a member of the European Union and has joined the Schengen Agreement. This means that for foreigners, in particular, Ukrainians, there are general rules that apply to the availability of an insurance policy. However, the situation differs depending on the purpose of the stay.

To obtain a visa to EU countries, travel insurance is mandatory. For Ukrainians entering Croatia without a visa, such a policy is not formally mandatory, but still recommended — it guarantees medical security in case of sudden illness or injury.

On the other hand, if a Ukrainian is in Croatia for the purpose of study, employment, entrepreneurial activity or submits documents for temporary or permanent residence, having a medical insurance policy is mandatory.

In addition, refugees who stay in Croatia for a long time may be required to register with the compulsory health insurance system HZZO (Hrvatski zavod za zdravstvo osiguranje). If a person officially works or has a permanent residence, he must pay contributions to this system. At the initial stage of temporary protection, as a rule, medical care is provided free of charge or with a simplified procedure, but this does not exempt from the requirement to have a policy in the future.

Please note: to travel abroad by car, in particular to Croatia, you must have a Green Card insurance policy. In the event of an accident, compensation is paid either to your benefit, if you are the injured party, or from your policy, if you are at fault. In addition to obtaining a “Green Card”, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the traffic rules of Croatia, the system of toll roads and fines in advance, in order to avoid trouble.

General requirements for insurance policies in Croatia

In order to issue visas or obtain a residence permit, insurance policies must meet the following legal requirements:

– the policy must be issued by an accredited company;
– coverage amount — at least 30,000 euros;
– coverage area — European Union and Schengen;
– franchise — no higher than 150 euros.

As for Schengen requirements, they are somewhat broader. The insurance policy must:

– provide for a coverage amount significantly above 30,000 euros;
– include costs for the treatment of COVID-19;
– cover visits to doctors, hospitalization, medication, transportation, repatriation;
– to extend to the entire Schengen area.

Where and how to get insurance for Ukrainians

You can issue a policy both upon arrival in Croatia and in Ukraine through online services such as Visit Ukraine. The last option is more convenient and profitable:

– insurance products are designed specifically for Ukrainians, taking into account real needs and risks;
– prices are lower than those of Croatian companies;
– clear conditions, Ukrainian language, support in case of problems;
– support of the Ukrainian insurance sector in wartime conditions.

What is covered by medical and travel insurance for Ukrainians

When taking out a medical insurance policy for traveling to or staying in Croatia, it is important for Ukrainians to clearly understand what risks and costs are covered by the basic or extended package. For many, especially those traveling with children or those with chronic illnesses, this question is not secondary — it depends on whether a person will receive timely help in the event of an illness, injury or emergency.

The basic medical policy offered by Ukrainian insurance companies covers the most necessary situations. First of all, this is a visit to a doctor, diagnosis, consultation in case of complaints about health or worsening of the condition. If the doctor prescribes treatment – both outpatient and inpatient – the policy also covers these costs. In the event that the condition requires urgent medical intervention, the insurance includes emergency care, an ambulance call and hospitalization. Medicines prescribed by a doctor are also covered, as well as transportation to the nearest medical institution, if it is a situation where a person cannot reach a medical institution himself. In addition, the basic package provides compensation for the costs of emergency dental care – for example, in case of acute pain or tooth injury.

However, certain categories of Ukrainians choose extended health insurance, which provides an additional level of protection. Such a policy allows not only to undergo a routine vaccination or receive help in the event of an acute infection, but also covers more complex procedures, including surgical interventions. In case of death, the costs of repatriation of the body to Ukraine or burial on the spot are covered. Additional items include unforeseen circumstances related to the trip: flight delay or cancellation, loss of luggage, the need for urgent contact with relatives – the costs of mobile communication in such cases can also be reimbursed. Cases related to road traffic accidents are prescribed separately – it refers to damage to personal vehicles, the cost of repairing which is also included in the coverage.

Another option is travel insurance, which is offered mainly for short-term trips, including visa-free travel. It covers medical care – both outpatient and inpatient – emergency dentistry, transportation or evacuation to the hospital. In the event of the death of the insured person, the repatriation of the body or the organization of burial on site is covered. Travel insurance also includes expenses related to the loss of luggage due to the fault of the carrier, delay or cancellation of the flight, and also provides the opportunity to use legal assistance abroad. If an accident happens – and you are at fault or the injured party – a travel policy will cover part of the costs associated with this situation.

How much does it cost to insure

As for the cost of policies, it varies depending on the type of package and duration of coverage. For example, a basic medical policy for 90 days in the SILVER-VU package costs about 145 euros, while in the premium PLATINUM-VU package it costs almost 389 euros. If we are talking about shorter terms – 7 or 14 days – then the cost will vary from 11 to 60 euros depending on the package. Travel policies are a little more expensive: for example, a basic package for 30 days costs about 70 euros, and for 1 year – more than 847 euros.

Medical insurance:

Travel insurance:

For Ukrainian refugees in Croatia, having an insurance policy is not only a formality, but also an important protection tool. Medical care, documents, transportation, legal support — all this depends on having a properly executed policy. When choosing between a basic and an extended package, you should consider not only the budget, but also the conditions of a specific trip: duration, family composition, presence of children, chronic diseases, planned movements. In any case, the presence of properly executed insurance is not an additional formality, but an important safeguard, which at a critical moment can mean timely medical assistance, real support and legal protection.

If you plan to stay in Croatia for a long time, deal with government agencies or get a job, don’t delay. Insurance will not only simplify adaptation, but also save your strength, money and health.