July 17, 2020 - The EU has recently created a so-called "list of 15 safe third countries", and yesterday the list was revised for the first time, leaving Serbia and Montenegro out. 

The Council of Europe published what they call "the list of countries for which member states should gradually lift travel restrictions at the external borders'' yesterday, and the revision is that from yesterday, Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia's neighbouring countries, are no longer considered safe by the EU. The Council of Europe explains that the recommendations are made based on the epidemiological situation in each country, and the containment measures undertaken by it. 

Residents of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican are considered as EU residents, and Schengen associated countries (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) also take part in this recommendation. Please note that the UK is currently in its transition phase, meaning that the United Kingdom is also included as ''EU''.

Currently, the list of 12+1 safe countries includes:

Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, and China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity).

The Council has apparently determined that the epidemiological situation, trends and containment measures in Serbia and Montenegro are such that they can't recommend citizens of those two countries to be allowed to enter the EU without any precautions. As we've already reported, Croatia has changed the terms of entry on July 11, and current Croatian rules do not take into account the EU list of safe third countries, so no significant changes should happen because of this EU recommendation on Croatian borders. 

The Council recommendation is not a legally binding instrument. This list of third countries should continue to be reviewed every two weeks and may be further updated by the Council.

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

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Last updated on March 2, 2021 - As Croatia announces another major change to the rules regulating entry to Croatia, we will continue to monitor the situation and include as much of the confirmed information in our FAQ. However, it's important to keep in mind that this article has not been fully updated with all of the currently relevant information. 

The situation continues to change rapidly, but the questions and the confusion remain. In this article, we will try to provide clear answers to some of the most common questions asked in our Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community. 

One other major resource for additional information regarding travel to Croatia in 2021 is our main TCN Croatia Travel Update, updated with the most relevant information daily.

If you have any relevant information or experiences which can add to this resource or the TCN Croatia Travel Update, then please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Update

1. Can I enter Croatia and do I need a test?

The answer to both those questions is "most probably". 

You are allowed to enter Croatia if you're a citizen of the EU/EEA (EU 27 + Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, as well as Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican) or a non-EU citizen with an EU residence permit (or a member of their family, with documents to prove the kinship), no matter where you're arriving in Croatia from.

If you're arriving from the ECDC "Green list" region, and you can prove that you haven't stopped anywhere between that Green list region and Croatia and you show no symptoms of the disease and have not been in a close contact with an infected person you don't need a test. If you're arriving from a country listed on the so-called EU Safe List (as of October 22, 2020, the list includes Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Uruguay, and China + Hong Kong and Macao), and you can prove that you haven't stopped anywhere between that Green list region and Croatia and you show no symptoms of the disease and have not been in a close contact with an infected person you don't need a test.

Everyone else (there is a list of exceptions, which mostly includes those in transit, leaving Croatia within 12 hours, persons traveling for necessary family or business reasons and patients traveling for urgent health reasons) needs to present a negative PCR test, not older than 48 hours (from the time of sampling until the time at the border crossing), or get tested immediately upon arrival in Croatia (at the travelers expense), and self-isolate until they receive a negative test result (up to 10 days). 

Third-country nationals (non-EU, including the UK) will be allowed to enter Croatia under the same rules if they're arriving from the EU/EEA region, but need to show the reason for entering Croatia if they're arriving from a third-country. Seafearers and persons travelling for urgent personal/family reasons and business reasons or other economic interest will be allowed to enter if they present a negative PCR test, not older than 48 hours (from the time of sampling until the time at the border crossing), or get tested immediately upon arrival in Croatia (at the travelers expense), and self-isolate until they receive a negative test result (the self-isolation measure is issued for the period of 10 days). Passengers in transit from the third-countries will not be required to show a negative test result. 

On December 14th, it was publicly announced on the Croatian police website that the travellers who can prove with the medical documentation that they've had COVID-19 in the last three months are allowed to enter Croatia without having to take a PCR test or self-isolate. 

PLEASE CONSULT OUR ARTICLE WRITTEN ON NOVEMBER 30 FOR MORE DETAILS.

For more details read the comprehensive Total Croatia Travel update.

2. Does it have to be a PCR test?

Yes.  

There is no age exemption from testing by Croatian authorities, all kids have to have a negative test. Croatian Border Police will accept your results via e-mail too, not just hardcopy. They'll provide the exact e-mail address for you to use at a border crossing. They'll insist on hardcopy if the test is from Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina because of many forgeries.

For more information on where to get PCR tested internationally before coming to Croatia, please read our article.

3. What if I cannot get the test in time before I leave?

If you arrive at the Croatian borders without a negative test, you will be given an official self-isolation measure, for the next 10 days. You can either go straight to your place of stay in Croatia and wait the 10 days out while self-isolating, or you can take the PCR test for SARS-CoV-2, at your own expense, in Croatia.

As of December 10th, 2020, once you have the negative result, you will have to send the results to the Croatian Border Police station which issued your self-isolation order (not to the epidemiologist in charge, as was the case before this most recent change). The border police will then remove you from the self-isolation list, and you are free to travel. 

4. Where can I get tested in Croatia?

https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/44737-get-tested-covid-croatia 

>For any additional info regarding testing in Croatia, you can find the list of contact numbers on official koronavirus.hr website. 

5. Is a Domovnica enough to allow me to enter Croatia without a test?

As of December 1st, there are no exceptions for Croatian citizens regarding the rules of entry into Croatia - the rules for the Croatian citizens are exactly the same as they are for any other EU citizens. So, having Croatian documents won't allow you to enter without a test. It might help if you're a third-country citizen (in addition to having Croatian domovnica), so have it handy if possible).

Domovnica is proof of your Croatian citizenship, so you can enter Croatia unconditionally any time, but it is in Croatian and it is not a travel document. We have had several success stories with this. One thing that seems to work is a confirmation letter of your Croatianness from your embassy or consulate, in English to corroborate the Croatian text of the document.

6. Who needs to show proof of booked accommodation?

Rules applied as of December 1st don't mention anything about booked/paid accomodation. Answers 6&7 will get updated when more information becomes available. 

All arrivals who are not EU/EEA/UK or non-EU citizens with EU residence permits. Important note: if one member of the family is EU/EEA/UK or non-EU citizens with EU residence permits the entire family is allowed to enter, no matter what passports others have. It is crucial you're able to prove legal status, by showing a marriage certificate and other supporting documents for family members.

7. If proof of booking acceptable, or does it have to be proof of paid accommodation?

In most cases, proof of book is acceptable, but the official wording is proof of paid accommodation. To be on the safe side, book, and pay for at least one night.  

8. Who needs to fill in the entercroatia.mup.hr form?

Filling in the form is NOT mandatory, but it is recommended to all non-Croatian residents. Its purpose is to process the border as quickly as possible and to enable the authorities to contact you in case of an outbreak, Special Enter Croatia lanes have been introduced at some borders. The average processing time if you have filled the form is 30 seconds, and about 5 minutes if not. Many in the community comment on the lack of documentation checks when they arrive in Croatia. This is because the police can see all the information when they scan your passport or ID you entered on enterCroatia.mup.hr. Learn more about the form. 

If several family members are traveling together, you should create just one form for all of them. One person should submit the form, while the rest of the family should be added under "additional passengers".

9. We plan to stay in Croatia in different locations, changing addresses. Do we need to edit the form? What if our plans change while we're there?

It is critical you enter your first location correctly, and your estimated time of arrival and departure (not longer than 90 days from entry). Once you're in Croatia, there is no need to update dates and/or locations if something changes, or you just move around Croatia. That is also true if you decide to stay longer than you estimated when you originally filled out the form - there are other systems in place, and you don't need to worry about your entercroatia.mup.hr form.

10. Can I self-isolate at my accommodation? What are the rules of self-isolation and how are they enforced?

Yes, but if you are given an official self-isolation measure by the epidemiologist or border police, you have to provide proof of paid accommodation for the duration of the period, because you have to stay in one place for the entire self-isolation time. Official self-isolation epidemiological measures advise that you stay in your accommodation ALONE or in a separate room with separate toilet, to isolate you from the others, since you are presumed to potentially carry the virus. So you are not supposed to leave your premises at all (except for the testing purposes, but strictly only if wearing a mask) – food and other necessities have to be delivered to you, without contacts. It also means police will check from time to time are you self-isolated at the address you gave them; if they don't find you there, they can fine you (around 1000€).

11. Can I transit flying from the USA and other countries outside the EU through a Schengen country?

Yes, but you must have a ticket for a connecting flight to the final destination in Croatia in order to transit Frankfurt or Amsterdam for example. When possible, you should have a printed ticket for your connection to facilitate transit. If you do not have an onward ticket to a connecting flight, German federal police will not let you enter the country. You will not be permitted to leave the transit area of the Frankfurt airport, no matter how long your layover may be. It is also important to make sure your bags are checked all the way through the final destination at the starting airport. If not you have to have some notify them to get your bags for you ahead of time at the connecting airport as you can not do that yourself. 

We now have confirmation from our community that it's possible to transfer through the Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Zürich, London, Warsaw, Amsterdam, and Istanbul airports on your way to Croatia. At Amsterdam and Istanbul airports you can also get a PCR test done, while in transit. Transfer through CDG Paris is also possible, but as of July 27 they are requesting a COVID-negative test, not older than 72 hours, even for transit passengers (click here for more information in English). Find out more about the conditions at the Warsaw Airport by clicking on this link.

12. Which documents do I need to present when traveling from any third-country (including the USA and Canada) to various officials, from the boarding agents at different airports to the Croatian Border Police - how do I do my homework right before traveling to Croatia?

Well, you really should come prepared - with both the paperwork and patience! From what we've been able to gather from our Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community, your biggest obstacle might be to convince the boarding agents in your home country that you are, in fact, allowed to enter Croatia. Having a printout of the IATA guidelines will certainly help, as will the confirmation of paid reservation in Croatia. If you have Croatian citizenship, make sure you have proof of that at hand as well (domovnica or any other similar document), especially if you're traveling without valid Croatian passports. If only some members of the family are Croatian or EU/EAA, bring with you the marriage certificates and/or other documents proving relationships with other members of the family, to make things easier for them. If you've decided to announce your arrival through http://entercroatia.mup.hr form, make sure you have a printout of their confirmation mail. If you contacted bit.ly/CroatiaTravel or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., the printouts of their response might help as well. Of course, if you've gotten tested, have the results or any type of confirmation that you've taken the test handy as well.

The members of our Viber community shared with us that the e-mail address for the police at Frankfurt airport is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and that they're very responsive and helpful - so if you need some help in Frankfurt, you should probably write to them. 

Good luck! And let us know how it went in our Viber Total Croatia Travel Info group!

13. There are PCR testing facilities at Schengen airports. Can I do my test there?

If you are already in the EU and flying from those airports, YES you can. But, if you are in transit from an international flight and not allowed to enter Schengen countries (pls check Re-open Europe to see if you are allowed to enter) then NO. Make sure you check all these details with the airport and facility. Let us know if it works!

For example, US citizens are not allowed to enter Schengen for time being, but Canadians might be - so the US citizens can not test in transit, but Canadians just might be able to do so!

We can now confirm that the US citizens can get tested at Amsterdam airport, as well as at Istanbul airport. 

14. Can I enter an airport and get a hotel in a Schengen-zone airport if I have a long stopover?

If you are not permitted to enter the Schengen area, then NO. Check details for every EU member country on REOPEN EUROPA site https://reopen.europa.eu/en. For overnight layovers, there is one hotel in the transit zone in Frankfurt, for example, the My Cloud (+49-69-69030380, https://www.mycloud.de/en/home/ ). 

15. Can I stay in Croatia for 14 days and then move on to some EU Schengen country?

Schengen is closed to US citizens, but open for citizens of 9 countries right now (Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Uruguay, China + Hong Kong and Macao). The situation is, again, changing very rapidly, and rules everywhere are getting stricter, so before travelling make sure you check the details for the country you are interested in on the REOPEN EUROPA site https://reopen.europa.eu/en. Germany has placed several Croatian counties on their high-risk list, which means that all travellers arriving from those counties need to either self-isolate or get tested. The German authorities seem to be very responsive (especially Franfurt airport border police: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) - this is the feedback from our Viber community so join and see others' experiences. Click here for more info about the conditions for entering the EU countries, as well as the links to their official websites. Austria has placed Croatia on their "high-risk" list, meaning that, in order to enter Austria, you must have a negative PCR test (not older than 72 hours), or self-isolate until you're able to get tested there, within 48 hours of arrival. 

16. What is the epidemiological situation in Croatia?

Obviously, it's very fluid. In our TCN Croatia Travel Update, we bring you the latest numbers as they get reported every day. You can follow the situation on the official koronavirus.hr website, as well as on the CroatiaCovid19.info tracker, where you can see the cases by region. To compare the Croatian situation with what's going on in Europe at any given time, please follow the ECDC COVID-19 situation update. 

If you have any relevant information or experiences which can add to this resource or our main TCN Croatia Travel Update, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Subject: Update

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

There has been a lot of talk lately about the availability of cheaper coronavirus tests for residents of Croatia, given the fact that they currently come at a somewhat hefty price tag that not everyone can afford to throw away on such an item. Just when can Croatia actually expect to have access to these cheaper tests?

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 16th of July, 2020, fter the Minister of Health, Vili Beros, announced that Croatia could get its hands on cheaper PCR tests for coronavirus at the end of this week, the director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health explained at a recent conference of the National Civil Protection Headquarters when we might realistically expect them.

"I can't answer you in detail. The price was set in agreement with HZZO at the moment when these tests became available, it was the first [type of this] test in the majority of Europe. At that moment it was difficult to get a platform, reagents, get everything together and organise it all, we had a price on the PCR device agreed for other virus tests, and agreed on the whole hundred euros price. Later on there came other tests, the price of the reagents changed, and everyone was ready to talk to reduce that price. The price will be adopted very soon, I expect it to happen next week,'' said Krunoslav Capak, adding that there will be a meeting at the Ministry of Health on Friday to discuss it further.

He added that the Croatian Institute of Public Health had already conducted a public tender for the reagents they needed.

"HZJZ spent five million kuna, it was a crisis situation, we conducted public tenders for everything we needed. I guess that's how all institutions work. I don’t know who the suppliers are, I don’t even know about my institution in that regard. I don't know all the suppliers, but I know that by law, we conduct public tenders,'' added Capak.

For more on coronavirus in Croatia, follow our dedicated section.

Another (at least temporary) victim of the coronavirus pandemic is the much loved Pula Film Festival, which has had to create a several week delay until the beginning of September.

As Morski writes on the 15th of July, 2020, after the Civil Protection Headquarters of Istria County made a decision to cancel the Pula Film Festival, or more precisely to delay it quite significantly. 

A meeting on the subject was held on this topic in the presence of the Mayor of Pula, Boris Miletic, the Deputy Prefect of Istria County, Fabrizio Radin, the Director of the Public Health Institute of Istria County, Aleksandar Stojanovic, the Chief of the Civil Protection Headquarters of Istria County, Dino Kozlevac, the Head of the Administrative Department for Culture of Istria County, Vladimir Torbica, and the Director of the Pula Film Festival public institution, Gordana Restovic.

It was concluded that the 67th Pula Film Festival would need to be postponed until the beginning of September this year. It is everyone's wish that the continuity of the Pula Film Festival goes on without fault and that this year's selected production is presented in a high quality manner, just as it has been every other year. The institution, together with its artistic director, will propose to the Festival Council, in accordance with all of the anti-epidemic measures, a new look for the Festival and the schedule of the expected screenings, and an appropriate decision will then be made.

In the hope that epidemiological conditions will allow for it by the time September rolls around, the film-loving audience in the gorgeous Istrian city will still be able to enjoy the Pula Film Festival and the celebration of films.

The Pula Film Festival public institution also informed the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia about the conclusions of their meeting.

For more on events in Croatia in the coronavirus era, follow our dedicated lifestyle page.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on July the 16th, 2020 - Decisions, as they state from the National Civil Protection Headquarters, must be respected. A recent guest of RTL Danas (Today) was Minister Bozinovic, who further clarified the latest anti-epidemic measures.

''You know that our approach is oriented towards raising people's awareness. At this time when science is confirming something to us, and science knows about the issue of masks, given that we know that this is a virus we're up against, initially, the World Health Organisation gave two interpretations, but now it's consensually accepted that masks do protect us, especially if they're worn indoors

Our goal is for people to accept this fact as something that can protect them and others from them when it comes to coronavirus transmission. We'll do everything so that we don't have to come to a situation where people are being punished. However, if someone consciously doesn't want to wear a mask, which is obligatory and not wearing one endangers people's health indoors, then it's likely that the competent authorities will need to take some additional actions,'' said Minister Bozinovic.

He also described what it would look like if someone didn’t have a mask on, yet wanted to obtain some sort of service, such as going shopping or needing to visit various administrative institutions.

"In that case, they mustn't receive that service, it's now the responsibility of the institution to which the person came and the counter officer to help someone who could endanger their own health. There are legal solutions for those situations as well,'' Minister Bozinovic said.

He also explained the laws under which offenders will be punished.

"There's also the Law on the Civil Protection System, the Law on the Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases, so, what you're saying goes towards a violation against public order and peace. But let's leave it to life, and I hope that life will teach us in this new normal that masks will need to be worn by everyone because it's actually good for everyone,'' Minister Bozinovic explained.

He also said how long the masks will have to be worn in Croatia for.

"Until a solution is found for this virus is found, and if the scientific community doesn't change its mind [on the issue of masks], then it will last until the end of the epidemic is declared," Bozinovic concluded.

For more on coronavirus in Croatia, follow our dedicated section.

ZAGREB, July 16, 2020 - Health Minister Vili Beros on Thursday expressed confidence that the government would find a solution with drug wholesalers regarding the debt which amounts to more than HRK 4.2 billion, claiming that patients need not worry in that regard.

As a result of the debt which is currently more than HRK 4.2 billion, drug wholesalers allegedly will suspend delivering medicines and medical material as of Monday and are seeking at least HRK 1 billion of that debt to be paid.

During a press conference by the national COVID-19 response team, Beros said that as a responsible government they want talks in that regard.

He announced that the first meeting with drug wholesalers would be held on Monday and then again on Wednesday "and some sort of solution will be found."

He claimed that patients need not be worried. "We will do everything to settle debts and not to generate this kind of debts in the future," he said.

"Asking is one thing, possibilities are something else, but we will endeavour to find a compromise next week. We have to look for systematic solutions. Only in that way will we be financially sustainable in the future and be able to provide quality health services," he underscored.

Beros added that he had already put forward some proposals for a solution to the prime minister.

He underlined that the COID epidemic has caused an imbalance in payments. "While responding to the epidemic, the health system did not provide other services except emergencies. Today we are trying to respond in a different way but we cannot ignore the fact that the virus is still among us," he said.

He added that a lot of hospitals are shortening the waiting lists which emerged and they will continue to do so in the future. He said that the hospital sector is not the only segment that generates debts and that they occur in the primary sector too. "A serious reform of the health system awaits us," he concluded.

ZAGREB, July 16, 2020 - Over the past 24 hours 86 new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Croatia, bringing the total of active cases to 1,190, and 74% of the new cases (64) are people in self-isolation, the national COVID-19 response team said on Thursday.

The number of cases since the first one was reported on February 25 has reached 4,039, Health Minister Vili Beros said at a press conference.

To date, 2,729 persons have recovered from the novel coronavirus, and over the past 24 hours, 934 patients have been discharged from the hospital. The number of people who have recovered at home has reached 1,795.

Currently, 136 patients are hospitalised, including four on ventilators.

The average age of patients is 47. There have been no deaths over the past 24 hours so the death toll stands at 120.

To date, 99,414 samples have been tested, including 1,690 over the past 24 hours. The percentage of positive ones has been 4.06.

There are 82 active cases among medical staff and 477 are self-isolating.

ZAGREB, July 16, 2020 - The government on Thursday amended its decision on developing a mobile application in support of contact tracing in the event of contagious diseases whereby it included the Health Ministry in this task.

Health Minister Vili Beros is authorised to conclude a contract with the APIS IT company on preparing a digital platform to trace and manage COVID-19 infections.

The funds in the amount of HRK 625,000 (€83,000) are ensured for the first stage of the development of the platform.

Specialists of the APIS IT,  the Croatian agency that provides services to the public and government sector in planning, development, and maintenance of their information systems, are working on the design of the Croatian version of a mobile application in support of contact tracing for COVID-19,  the Jutarnji List daily reported this past Saturday.

Contact tracing is perceived to be of particular significance as containment measures are lifted.

ZAGREB, July 16, 2020 - There are currently 1,204 people in Croatia diagnosed with coronavirus, and of them, 132 are receiving hospital treatment, including five on ventilators, Health Minister Vili Beros told the government on Thursday morning.

In recent weeks, 12 people have died (due to COVID-related complications), he said explaining that a majority of them had significant underlying health conditions or were patients of high age.

The percentage of tests returned positive is 4.05% and the median age of people diagnosed with this infection is 47 years.

Beros said that in the past week no new hot spot appeared, and all newly-diagnosed cases were from the hotspots identified before.

There are currently 23 clinics designated for suspect cases concerning the COVID-19 epidemic in all the 10 counties.

As Vedran Marjanovic/Novac writes on the 15th of July, 2020, in the midst of the preparations for the recently held parliamentary elections, the Government expanded the circle of Croatian citizens who have the ability to exercise the right to have their additional health insurance paid out from the state budget, of which there have been about 670,000 so far.

These are, among others, 378 thousand family members and single people who have a lower income, about 150 thousand students and about 29 thousand insured persons with 100% disability.

It is estimated that under the new Law on Voluntary Health Insurance, the right for the state to pay for their additional health insurance will be exercised by another 200 thousand Croatian citizens this year alone, with a belief that in 2021, the state budget, due to the effects of cononavirus on the economy, will be obliged to pay for the additional health insurance for close to one million citizens.

''Detailed analyses of the number of insured persons who are entitled to a supplementary health insurance policy on the basis of the income census at the expense of the state budget of the Republic of Croatia are still being prepared, and we'll be able to provide accurate information later on. Last year, 520 million kuna was allocated from the state budget for supplementary health insurance policies at the expense of the Croatian state budget, ie around 779.87 kuna per policy or per insured person,'' the Croatian Health Insurance Institute (HZZO) answered in response to the question of just how many Croatian citizens will have their additional health insurance politices paid for from the state budget, and in what amount(s).

In any case, back in May this year, the Government decided to change the formula according to which the right to additional health insurance is determined at the expense of the state for Croatian citizens of a lower financial status. According to the old regulation, the basis for exercising the right was the amount of income of 1,516 kuna for a family member, or 1939 kuna for a single person. Anyone below that amount was able to receive supplementary health insurance payments from the state budget.

The problem, however, for many families and single people who have exercised the right to have their additional health insurance paid by the state arose when, due to some increase in their pension or salaries, they transferred the aforementioned amounts back to them and as such, they were left without this assistance from the state. If we take the average annual expenditure of almost 780 kuna, it is certainly not small for families and single people of a lower financial status. In addition, the cost of living is constantly increasing, which increases in pensions or salaries can barely keep up with.

''About 260,000 low-income Croatian citizens remained without their additional health insurance payments being made directly from the state budget from 2012 to 2020 due to a typically very minimal increase in their income,'' claimed MP and President of the Croatian Pensioners' Party, Silvano Hrelja, who sent a proposal to Parliament last year with the aim of changing the formula for calculating the ''threshold'' for the exercising of the right to have this paid from the budget.

Hrelja stateed that the goal of his bill was to increase the threshold for family members of a lower financial status by 313 kuna, and for single people by around 400 kuna.

''The Government rejected my bill on the grounds that it was financially unacceptable for the budget, although I calculated that the implementation of the law as proposed by the budget would cost an additional fifty million kuna in 2019 and 100 million kuna this year. Then, the Government passed a regulation according to which the income census increased by 47 kuna for family members and by 61 kuna for single people of a lower financial status,'' Hrelja explained.

Under the new Voluntary Health Insurance Act, the threshold for exercising the right to have additional health insurance payments paid for by the state is aligned with the growth of the cost of living and the rate of change of the average gross salary in the country. According to the remarks of the Government submitted to the Parliament with the proposal of the aforementioned law, the threshold for the realisation of the payment of additional health insurance payments from the state budget will increase this year to 1563 kuna and 25 lipa for family members, or by 2000 kuna for singles, and thus the coverage of Croatian citizens who are free to exercise that right will be greater.

While HZZO stated that the amount of additional health insurance policies that could be paid for by the state, the Government stated that the expected number of newly insured persons who could meet the conditions for the payment of this type of insurance from the budget is around 200 thousand, with the corresponding annual additional budget expenditure standing at 160 million kuna.

''At this time, we're not able to increase the funds from the state budget to cover additional health insurance policies, given the fact that this depends on the indexation or harmonisation of the income threshold with changes in the average consumer price index, as well as changes in the average gross wage at the end of the year, this also regards the available funds in the state budget,'' they stated from HZZO.

The aforementioned political party claimed that the new coverage of the right to have additional health insurance payments paid out from the state budget will cover a maximum of 13 thousand newly insured persons, ie, that the Government actually released completely incorrect estimates in their notes to the proposal of the Law on Voluntary Health Insurance.

For more, follow our lifestyle section.