Treatment abroad: Croatia 

Croatia, known for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage, has emerged as a sought-after destination for medical tourism, offering top-notch healthcare services in fields such as dermatology, dentistry, and orthopaedics, against the backdrop of stunning Adriatic coastlines and historic cities.

Croatia has become a key destination for medical tourists looking to travel for treatment. Many medical tourists are looking for IVF, cosmetic surgery, dentistry and orthopaedic surgery.

Why consider Croatia for medical treatment?

As a former Yugoslav republic Croatia has been independent since 1991 and is fairly new on the medical tourism circuit but offers great savings and top quality treatments.

As the country’s capital and the social, cultural and economic hub, many private surgeries are located in Zagreb, as well as the Istrian town of Rovinj, a beautiful fishing village with lots of seafront bars, coffee houses and restaurants. Some medical tourists are able to combine their treatment needs with a holiday in Rovinj. It is an excellent idea – with its ancient walled centre, islands, rocky beaches and clear blue water which is perfect for snorkelling – Rovinj is a dream location and the quality of care and the cost of dentistry is highly competitive.

Croatian doctors study for many years to train and qualify, keeping up to date with the latest approaches. Surgeries in Croatia specialising in medical tourism, have modern high tech equipment and friendly, approachable staff.

Croatia has four seasons and two climatic zones. Inland, visitors can enjoy temperate continental weather and a pleasant Mediterranean climate along the Adriatic coast with plenty of sunshine, dry hot summers and mild, humid winters. The best time to visit Croatia is spring and autumn if you want to avoid the really hot weather, but if you’re keen to spend recuperative time on the beaches then July and August are ideal!

Reasons to choose Croatia

Popular destination for low cost dental treatment

Surgeries equipped with the technology

Specialists trained at the world’s best schools

Capital Zagreb has a laid back caf culture

Cost of living lower than Western Europe

The healthcare system in Croatia

Croatia has a universal health care system. The population is covered by a basic health insurance plan provided by statute and optional insurance and administered by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund.

In 2012, annual compulsory healthcare related expenditures reached 21.0 billion kuna (c. 2.8 billion euro).

Dentist accreditation

Dentists in Croatia study atThe School of Dental Medicinein Zagreb, founded in 1948 as the Department of Odontology within the Medical School and the only institution of its kind in Croatia.

After graduating,a student is entitled DDS or DMD (Doctor of Dental Surgery, or Doctor of Dental Medicine). Many of Croatia’s dentists undertake training courses all over the world which provide invaluable knowledge and include internships in world educational centres such as The School of Dentistry atThe University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), theGlobal Institute for Dental Education(gIDE) which is established by professionals in order to go beyond the ordinary UCLA schedule running courses in implantology and dentistry in the UCLA facilities, as well as the Nobel Biocare Centre in Sweden under supervision of leading world specialists.

Dentists must belong to theCroatian Dental Chamber, the independent and autonomous professional association of doctors of dental medicine in Croatia. Other official organisations include theCroatian Society of Periodontology, theCroatian Medical Association, the Croatian Society for Dental Implantology and the Croatian Society for Education in Implantology.

Travel and accommodation in Croatia

The three major airports in Croatia areZagreb International Airport,SplitandDubrovnikand low cost international flights are available into each of these destinations, as well as good domestic links.

Zagreb International Airportis about 10 miles from the centre of town and there are regular bus services into the centre. Alternatively, a taxi from Zagreb airport to the city centre will cost approximately 150 Kuna.Splitairport is about 15 miles from the centre of town and there are regular buses andDubrovnikis located 11 miles from the city centre and a 20 minute bus journey.

Arriving by train / boat

It is also possible to travel to Croatia by train, enquiries can be made at Rail Europe, telephone 0870 584 8848 or visitEuropean Rail. You can also fly to Italy and take an international ferry over to Croatia. The main Croatian maritime company isJadrolinijawhich has ferry connections with the Italian ports of Trieste, Ancona, Pescara and Bari.

Driving in Croatia

There are plenty of car hire opportunities in Croatia either at the airport or in major towns, but be aware that a) car hire is quite expensive in comparison with some other countries and b) the roads are not especially good in Croatia, though new motorways are under construction and roads are being improved; the A1 autocesta (motorway) from Split to Zagreb now provides a fast direct route from Dalmatia to Central Europe.

If you do have wheels then one of the most scenic roads in the country is the Jadranska Magistrala (E65) which winds along the Adriatic coast south to Dubrovnik, and north to Rijeka, passing through Sibenik and Zadar en-route. But be warned that it does get incredibly busy in the high summer months.

Visit theNational Auto club of the Republic of Croatiafor useful information about driving in Croatia. Cars drive on the right.

Getting around Croatia

The buses are the best form of public transport in Croatia and there is a good network of daily intercity and regional services.

Therail networkin Croatia connects all major Croatian cities, except Dubrovnik and there are direct trains to Slovenia, Hungary, Italy, Greece, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro as well as indirect lines to almost all other European countries. Train travel within the country isn’t as popular or as well developed as in other European countries.

Zagreb, however, has a good public transport system with a choice of trams, buses and a funicular railway. Taxis in Croatia are run on meters.

As for accommodation hotels in Zagrebcost around £30 per person per night and in Rovinj £25 per person per night.

The currency is the Kuna and 1 kuna = 100 lipa. £1 = approximately 7.5 HRK Croatia Kuna.

About Croatia

Croatia is located in Central Europe, bordering Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, and Bosnia Herzegovina and has a long coastline stretching from the east coast, from Prevlaka in the south to cape Savudrija in the west. Croatia has a natural beauty and plenty to offer the visitor pre and post treatment, with lakes, waterfalls, woods mountains and a magnificent coastline. In the cities there is a lively caf culture that attracts musicians and artists and pavements of cool types sipping endless Espressos, while the Istrian Peninsula has more than a hint of Italy about it.

To visit the Mediterranean delight of Croatia today, it’s hard to imagine that its conflicts and struggles for independence are just a few short years in the past. Croatia has achieved so much in those intervening years, culminating in membership of the European Union on July 1st 2013. Today, Croatia is a warm, welcoming country, which feels like it has been there forever, rather than coming into official being in 1991.

Croatia is a country of two halves, with almost 600 miles of Mediterranean coastline, including some high-class resorts and harbours, coupled with a large interior of lakes and mountains. Head for the coast, even in the busiest times of the holiday season, and you can still find quiet beaches and remote coves away from the crowds, and if you can get to one of the one thousand islands, you’ll have even more privacy.

Alternatively, if you prefer the bright lights and full-on Mediterranean-chic experience, head for the cosmopolitan seafronts of Dubrovnik and Hvar, where the rich park their yachts and head for a fine selection of restaurants and cocktail bars.

Set off inland, and you’ll encounter some stunning scenery, with everything from awe-inspiring caves to majestic mountains with endless hiking and biking trails. The interior also boasts enchanting medieval castles and fortresses that tell you that the recent troubles are nothing new in the region.

Wherever you go in this fascinating country, you’ll enjoy warm Balkan hospitality and delicious Mediterranean food, with the emphasis on fresh local produce, good wine and olive oil that seems to make everyone so healthy and long lived in this part of the world.

Right in the heart of Croatia lies the capital, Zagreb, a magnificent historic city that has amalgamated the cultures of Austria, Hungary and middle Europe into the Mediterranean way of life to create a fascinating cultural and culinary mix. Zagreb is a modern city packed with superb new art new galleries and attractions, yet one that is still proud of its history and heritage, making it an essential part of your itinerary, even on a beach based holiday.

Despite its growing popularity, Croatia has yet to become spoiled by the tourists, although you shouldn’t wait too long to visit, as with a destination this special, the change is inevitable in the end. For now, Croatia is a diverse and intriguing country with something for everyone, from elite coastal resorts to fascinating local festivals.