ZAGREB, 14 Oct 2021 - Health Minister Vili Beroš said in Parliament on Thursday that HRK 2.31 billion had been paid from contributions for compulsory health insurance for COVID-19 testing and treatment in the period from the start of the coronavirus pandemic to the end of August 2021.

HRK 2.31 billion was paid by the Croatian Health Insurance Institute, Beroš said while presenting a quarterly report on measures taken to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Commenting on concern about the nation's state of health, the minister said that contacts between citizens and their general practitioners had dropped by only 1.9% and that the number of phone contacts and e-mail messages had increased while prevention measures, notably for cancer patients, were largely proceeding normally considering the circumstances.

As for the number of ordered COVID-19 vaccines, he explained that it refers not just to this year but also to 2022 and 2023.

Vaccine effective in 75 to 80% of cases involving new virus variants

Speaking of the correlation between vaccination and mortality, Beroš said that the vaccine was effective against new variants of the virus.

"We have to be grateful to science and the medical profession for producing a vaccine that is effective against new variants in 75 to 80% of cases. This vaccine, just as any other vaccine, does not protect 100%," Beroš said.

Speaking of the June-August period, he said that the epidemic was much less intense, which contributed to the excellent tourism results.

In the period covered by the report, the health system adjusted, reduced the number of COVID wards, and increased the provision of medical services to other patients, continuing to intensively implement testing and monitoring of infected patients as well as vaccination, he said.

1.5 million vaccine doses administered over three months

The minister said that since early June, 249 venues had been set up across the country, mostly in the coastal areas, for rapid antigen testing and issuing of COVID-19 certificates, and that in the June-August period 1.5 million vaccine doses were administered.

"Despite a large number of tourists and domestic residents, we managed to maintain a calm and stable epidemiological situation in the country, securing for ourselves the status of the safest Mediterranean destination," he said, adding that in the three-month period 18,622 cases of infection were recorded.

For the latest news on coronavirus in Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

ZAGREB, 4 Oct 2021 - Health Minister Vili Beroš said on Monday 6,236 health workers in some 60 medical institutions were tested today, when COVID certificate mandate was introduced in the health sector, and that 20 of the tests came back positive.

"That's another irrefutable argument that the measures are necessary for protecting patients and workers," he tweeted.

Not one test came back negative and four staff did not show up for testing at KBC Zagreb, Croatia's biggest hospital, where a protest was held this morning against mandatory certificates and testing.

As of today, every employee in the health and social care sectors, as well as visitors, must have a COVID certificate. Medical workers without it must be tested twice a week.

The chambers of physicians and nurses supported the mandatory certificates, saying they will contribute to patient's safety, while condemning the protests held outside some hospitals, saying they disrupted the peace patients need for their treatment.

For all you need to know about coronavirus specific to Croatia, make sure to bookmark our dedicated section and select your preferred language.

ZAGREB, 4 Oct 2021 - The Croatian Chamber of Physicians said on Monday it supported mandatory COVID certificates in the health sector as a measure that would contribute to patients' safety, adding that protests against them in or near hospitals disrupted the peace patients need for their treatment.

The chamber said patients' health and safety should come first to all health workers, adding that 95% of physicians had either been vaccinated against coronavirus or recovered from COVID.

The chamber said it was confident the few doctors and a minority of other health workers who had not would be tested every week, adding that regular testing was part of the measures introduced in line with the law protecting the population from infectious diseases and rules preventing hospital infections.

There is no acceptable justification to refuse testing because that directly harms the safety of patients, the chamber said.

Chamber of Nurses distances itself from protesting members

The Croatian Chamber of Nurses too said it supported the decision on mandatory COVID certificates in the health sector, distancing itself from a dozen of its members who protested outside several hospitals this morning against mandatory certificates and testing.

Several dozen nurses are protesting outside hospitals against measures preventing COVID-19 instead of honoring medical rules, getting tested, and working with patients, the chamber said, adding that 72% of nurses have been vaccinated, plus those that have recovered from COVID.

The chamber said it was unacceptable of individuals outside the health sector to attempt to use the situation and manipulate workers in the sector, and once again called on the nurses who have not been vaccinated yet to do so as soon as possible.

About 50 protesters booed Health Minister Vili Beroš outside the KBC Zagreb hospital this morning.

Outside the KBC Split hospital, a group of disgruntled citizens and several hospital staff insulted the hospital director and grabbed some physicians by the arm.

For more on politics, follow TCN's dedicated page.

June 23, 2021 - Cro Care allows tourists in Split-Dalmatia County to find coronavirus testing centers, report their health, and contact their embassy and all emergency services they may need. 

The Split-Dalmatia County Civil Protection Headquarters presented the Cro Care web platform through which tourists will be able to find out in just a few clicks where and how to get to coronavirus testing centers, report their health, but also contact their embassy and all emergency services they may need, reports HRTurizam. 

The Cro Care system works so that the platform automatically recognizes the user's current location and thus shows them the nearest emergency services locations and their contacts. They can also use the navigation or fill out the necessary forms.

The platform currently contains 30 testing sites, 25 embassies and consulates, and nine health centers and hospitals in Split-Dalmatia County.

"This is one in a series of activities of the Split-Dalmatia County Civil Protection Headquarters to make it easier for our guests, both foreigners, and locals, to stay with us. The web platform is a significant step forward because our guests will have all the information in one place," said Damir Gabrić, Chief of the County Civil Protection Headquarters.

“This application provides us with unlimited possibilities for expanding to other user needs such as pharmacies, police, etc. Furthermore, the system itself will provide the Tourist Board with vital statistics showing which users are from which countries, which language area they searched for the terms they needed, from hospitals, emergency services of covid testing centers, embassies, etc. The system is designed to recognize the user's speaking area automatically, and the website is offered in their language with all the translated names of institutions and the necessary information that is there," said the author of the application, Dejan Grepo from webLab.

Joško Stella, director of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, pointed out that their goal is to improve the application and expand it to other Dalmatian counties.

From next Thursday, July 1, thanks to the favorable epidemiological situation in the country, Croatia will further mitigate epidemiological measures. As confirmed by the National Civil Protection Headquarters, there will be no limit on the number of participants at events attended by people with digital EU certificates. Such events will be organized without a time limit.

The move will make it possible to organize a variety of events across the country. In addition, the organizers of the event will have access to a mobile application through which they will be able to read the QR code from the digital EU certificate, and the consent of the local civil protection headquarters will be required to hold the event.

For more, follow our travel section.

June 1, 2021 - Central Istria Tourist Board COVID-19 testing is available for tourists starting Wednesday, June 2!

At the initiative of the Central Istria Tourist Board, the Istria County Teaching Institute for Public Health will perform COVID-19 tests for guests in the region from Wednesday, June 2, 2021, reports HRTurizam.

Testing will take place at the COVID test point in Pazin, in the parking lot at the back of the Memorial House, at Šetalište Pazinske gimnazije 1, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 am to 12 noon, only with prior notice, no later than the day before by 3 pm to e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. It is necessary to submit the name and surname, date of birth, passport or identity card number, and mobile phone number, and e-mail address to the e-mail.

The price of the rapid antigen test will be HRK 100.00, and the PCR test HRK 375.00. The results of the rapid antigen will be known two hours after testing, and the PCR test within 24 hours. Testing can be paid in cash in kuna or by card, during the testing itself, and the test results will be delivered to the e-mail address. Test results will be available in Croatian and English.

“As part of the preparations for the tourist season, on Friday, May 28, 2021, the first vaccinations of renters who had previously applied for vaccinations at the TZSI office were performed. Landlords' applications are still being received," said the Central Istria Tourist Board.

The Central Istria Tourist Board area, from January 1 to May 28, achieved 3,606 arrivals, i.e., 133% more compared to the same period last year and 115,790 overnight stays or 90% more than in the same period last year. Of this, 66% of overnight stays were realized by foreign guests and 34.00% by domestic guests. The share of overnight stays by country from January to the end of May was: Germany 40%, Croatia 34%, Slovenia and Italy with 5% each, and Serbia with 3%.

An excellent indicator of how this year, as well as in the future, the interior of Istria will be well filled.

To learn more about the Central Istria region, follow our Total Croatia page.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

May 21, 2021 - The latest regarding COVID-19 testing at Croatian airports as Dubrovnik, Pula, and Zadar should introduce testing locations inside their passenger terminals this summer. 

Two Croatian airports, Split and Zagreb, currently have organized passenger testing for COVID-19. Now, Croatian Aviation reports that Dubrovnik, Pula, and Zadar airports are introducing the same. By the beginning of the summer season, the mentioned airports will also enable airport testing. 

Zagreb Airport in January this year allowed all passengers en route to Amsterdam to test at the airport, which is not surprising given that the regulations of the Netherlands at that time were such that passengers had to have a rapid test no older than 3 hours from entry into the aircraft, so airport testing was almost imperative.

After the Netherlands removed this measure, Zagreb still allowed testing at the airport (PCR or rapid test), and the same is available on the second floor, at two check-in counters on the right side of the passenger terminal.

We remind you that from April 26, COVID-19 testing is also possible near Split Airport; you can check the working hours HERE.

Dubrovnik, Zadar, and Pula airports (the only ones with Split and Zagreb that currently have international traffic) do not offer the possibility of testing at the airport. Still, all three mentioned airports informed Croatian Aviation that the management is preparing testing locations. By the beginning of the summer season, i.e., when several international lines are launched, everything will be ensured that testing (PCR or rapid test) is available in passenger terminals at Pula, Zadar, and Dubrovnik airports.

Testing at airports is part of the "new normal". Logically, the same will be possible in all Croatian airports, with regular international routes announced this summer. Without this possibility, tourist holidays in Croatia this summer are significantly complicated, so this service should be provided at the starting and ending points when visiting the country. 

Follow the latest on flights to Croatia HERE and the latest travel updates and COVID-19 news from Croatia HERE.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

April 27, 2021 - COVID-19 testing at Split Airport is now available for passengers traveling to or from Split Airport. 

As of Monday, the Split-Dalmatia County Public Health Teaching Institute enables all passengers to be tested for SARS-CoV-2 near the passenger terminal of Split Airport.

SARS-CoV-2 testing will take place right next to the state road D409, near the passenger terminal of Split Airport. Access to the location is possible on foot and by car.

Testing for SARS-CoV-2 is made possible by using two methods, depending on the needs of the passengers and depending on the type of test required to travel to a particular country.

The result of a rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 is ready within 30 minutes. The test costs HRK 200.00, while translating the result to English will cost an extra HRK 250.00.

The SARS-CoV-2 PCR test is ready within 24 hours and costs HRK 400.00. Should you need the result in English, the total cost is HRK 450.00 total. The testing center explained that any tests taken on Sunday would be delivered to the passenger within 36 hours.

Passengers should bring an identity document with them and are obliged to check the travel conditions and restrictions for the country they are traveling to and the type of test they need.

Payment is possible by cash, debit, or credit card. Pre-registration by phone or e-mail is not required.

The number of those tested at Split Airport will increase in the coming weeks, especially when the airlines inform passengers about this possibility. The Airport and the Institute of Public Health want to facilitate and speed up the process of testing tourists in this way.

Passengers will be informed about the possibility of being tested at the airport by their airlines in the coming days. Before or after the flight, those who travel abroad or come to Croatia can perform a quick antigen test or PCR test without notice. They bear the cost themselves, and if we add testing in another country, it is not cheap.

"We expect that all passengers who will need testing will be informed in time of what tests they need to enter their home country," explained the Deputy Director of Split Airport Pero Bilas.

For the second summer, Croatia has been fighting for every guest. In a pandemic, safety is paramount.

"Those who come, if they are positive, will have to go to isolation where they organized for accommodation, and those who leave will, of course, be offered quarantine if they have no other options for isolation," explained Željka Karin, director of NZJZ SDŽ.

The new testing center at Split Airport will work from:

Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:00,

on Saturdays from 07:00 to 17:00,

on Sundays from 08:00 to 16:00.

Sources: HRT, Croatia Aviation 

Follow the latest on flights to Croatia HERE and the latest travel updates and COVID-19 news from Croatia HERE.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

March 11, 2021 - PCR and antigen tests at Esplanade are now a reality for guests of the famous Zagreb hotel!

HRTurizam reports that from now on, the Zagreb Esplanade hotel offers a unique service: conducting COVID-19 testing at the hotel at an agreed time, with the special benefit of free medical staff and a free English translation.

The procedure is effortless. Before arriving at the hotel or during the stay, the guest can contact the Booking Department or the reception, at least 24 hours in advance, to arrange a test date. Testing is conducted Monday through Friday from 8 am to 7 pm, and Saturday from 8 am to noon. Other dates are available on request.

Today, most countries in the world ask travelers and their own citizens to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test when entering the country, said Ivica Max Krizmanić, General Manager of the Esplanade Hotel, adding that it can be complicated and often it is not just one test but several during the trip.

"Also, time is wasted exploring the locations that offer this service, and the waiting can be prolonged, which leads to additional nervousness. Guests of the Esplanade Hotel are accustomed to the highest standard of service. We are known for being able to provide them with what is not in the regular offer, so there is a need to offer what they need most on the trip, and that is the possibility of testing in the comfort of the hotel - fast, easy and personalized, at the highest level and a fair price. We considered the options and decided to carry out this service in cooperation with the LabPlus polyclinic, whose staff is extremely professional. The testing is carried out following strict epidemiological measures, discreetly and accurately at the agreed time. We’ve been testing the service for a while now, and it has proven to be a complete hit. Also, we offer our guests another great advantage: free arrival of the medical staff at the location, as well as a free test translation into English," said Max Krizmanić.

The professional medical staff of LabPlus arrives at the hotel at the agreed time and conducts testing following strict epidemiological measures. The results are delivered to the desired e-mail address, in Croatian or English, within 3 hours for the antigen and antibody test. The PCR test is ready within 24 hours after the sample arrives at the laboratory. The service is paid according to a clear price list of HRK 250 for the antigen test (nose sample), HRK 300 for the antibody test (blood sample), and HRK 750 for the PCR test (nose sample).

"We are aware that every moment of the trip is precious, so we will try to meet all guests who need the test as much as possible. I think that this service will greatly facilitate the arrival in Zagreb, reduce stress and enable our guests to enjoy their stay without worries," concluded Max Krizmanić.

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