2. The procedure for issuing the EHIC
The procedure for issuing the EHIC
The method of submitting the application for issuing the EHIC
Request for issuing the EHIC can be submitted:
- via the CHIF web portal
- or in person, at the nearest CHIF regional or branch office.
The EHIC will be waiting for you at the CHIF location that you have chosen while submitting the request for it. The EHIC will be ready within 8 days of the request submission date.
The EHIC can also be requested at the queue management system kiosk, with your health insurance identification card. These machines are located in the CHIF Regional Offices in Zagreb - addresses Klovićeva 1 and Jukićeva 12; at CHIF Regional Office in Split, Obala Kneza Branimira 14; at the CHIF Regional Office in Rijeka, Slogin Kula 1; as well as the CHIF Regional Office in Osijek, Kapucinska 33. You will also be able to receive your EHIC card at the queue management system kiosk immediately.
Contacts for regional and branch offices are available at http://www.hzzo.hr/kontaktirajte-nas/
How long is the EHIC is valid?
EHIC is valid up to the date stated on the card, and as a rule shall be valid for three years. The issuance of a new EHIC can be requested within 30 calendar days prior to the expiration of the current (valid) EHIC.
Employees referred to temporary employment in another Member state
If you have been referred to temporary employment in another Member State of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area countries (EEA - Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), Switzerland or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), the CHIF will issue you the EHIC valid for the entire period of your stay. The EHIC card valid in the same period of time will be issued to your immediate family members (spouse and children) staying with you abroad.
Retired persons
If you are receiving pension in Croatia, the EHIC will be issued to you by the CHIF, at your request.
If you are living in Croatia and receiving pension in another Member state of the EU/EEA/Swtizerland/UK, and are registered for compulsory health insurance as a receiver of a foreign pension, the EHIC will be issued to you by the foreign competent institution for health insurance in the respective state in which you have qualified for pension. Therefore, for the issuance of the EHIC please contact the competent institution for health insurance.
If you are living in Croatia and receiving pension from multiple Member states of the EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK, but not from Croatia, the EHIC will be issued to you by the competent institution for health insurance in the state where you have spent the most years of pensionable service. For the issuance of the EHIC please contact the respective insurance provider.
The EHIC will be issued to insured persons who are members of your family in the same manner.
Family members of an active insured person - employee employed in another Member state of the EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK
If you reside in Croatia and are insured under compulsory health insurance through a family member employed in another Member state of the EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK, you will be able to utilise healthcare services in Croatia based on the Croatian health insurance card, in the same manner as all of the persons insured in Croatia. The cost of your health inusrance shall be borne by the competent institution for health insurance in the country in which the member of your family is employed. The same provider shall issue the EHIC to you.
How do I submit the application for the EHIC for my child?
The application can be submitted via CHIF web portal, in the offices of the CHIF or via the queue management system.
Cross-border workers
Cross-border worker is a person employed or performing an activity in one Member state of the EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK residing in another Member state, and returning to its home country on daily basis or at least once a week. Cross-border worker shall be issued the EHIC by the competent institution for health insurance in the state where this person is employed.
Substitute certificate temporarily replacing the EHIC
If for some reason you do not have the EHIC on you while staying abroad, you have the option to turn to the competent CHIF regional or branch office and request that they issue you a substitute Certificate.
Instead of you, the request for the Certificate can also be submitted by the institution for health insurance in the place of stay in another Member state or contracted healthcare provider providing you with healthcare services.
Certificate shall be issued:
- In case of theft, loss of the EHIC or in the case when the person insured by the CHIF has been left without the EHIC for some other reason (the Certificate is valid for as long as the issued EHIC is valid);
- In case of the sudden need to travel abroad (the Certificate is issued for the period of the stay in the specific country);
- In case when the CHIF Register clearly shows that the insured person has a right to health insurance for a period of maximum 30 days (the Cetificate is valid until the end of the insurance period).
- The Certificate is issued to the insured person by the CHIF regional or branch office, immediately upon receiving the request. This certificate will be valid for a maximum of 90 days.
The Certificate is issued to the insured person by the CHIF regional or branch office, immediately upon receiving the request. This certificate will be valid for a maximum of 90 days.
