Can I change my GP in Croatia?
Yes — changing your chosen doctor is your right and it costs nothing, but as a rule only after a year. Your choice binds you for at least 1 year; you can change earlier only for the listed valid reasons: a change of residence or stay, a planned absence of more than 3 months, the doctor stopping work or losing the contract with HZZO (the health insurance fund), the team being full above the prescribed maximum, or a breakdown in the doctor-patient relationship (decided by a special HZZO commission). The change is made at the new doctor's surgery, at an HZZO counter, or online through e-Građani (e-Citizens, since February 2024), with confirmation arriving in your User Inbox within 8 days. The myth "I switch doctors whenever I like" fails on the one-year rule.
📋 The rules
- Your choice of doctor (family/general medicine, paediatrics for preschool children, gynaecology, dental medicine) binds you for at least 1 year; a routine change is possible only once a year has passed since your last choice (HZZO rules, gov.hr).
- Within that year a change is allowed only because of: a change of residence or stay; a planned absence from your place of residence of more than 3 months; the doctor ceasing work, moving the surgery or losing the contract with HZZO; the prescribed maximum number of patients in the team being exceeded; or a breakdown in the doctor-patient relationship (this last reason is checked by a special commission appointed by the head of the regional HZZO office).
- Three ways to change, all free of charge: at the new doctor's surgery (e-Statement), online through e-Građani / e-HZZO (since February 2024 — no counter visit, and confirmation of the change lands in your User Inbox within 8 days), or at a regional HZZO office with a signed Statement.
- A doctor may turn you down only if the team is full — the maximum per team under the HZZO general act is 2,125 insured persons for general/family medicine (paediatrics 1,190, dental medicine 2,375, gynaecology 9,000) — or if a breakdown in the relationship is documented; otherwise refusal is not allowed.
- You may choose a doctor outside your place of residence, but then you lose the right to home visits, primary laboratory diagnostics (except in emergencies), community nursing, nursing care at home and medical transport — which is why HZZO recommends choosing the nearest doctor.
🔓 Exceptions
- The one-year rule does not apply in the five valid situations set out in the rules (moving, a long absence, the doctor stopping work or losing the contract, a full team, a breakdown in the relationship) — moving house and a doctor retiring are the most common reasons.
- A breakdown in the relationship works both ways: the patient can invoke it before the year is up, but the doctor can also use it to end care — whether it is real is assessed by the HZZO commission.
- Continuity of care: the new doctor accesses your data through the e-Karton system and from the day of the change takes over new prescriptions and referrals, while the previous doctor hands over the medical file on request (patient guides mention a 3-day deadline for the handover, but it is not confirmed on any official page).
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There is no fine for a patient — the cost of a mistake is being stuck: without a valid reason HZZO will refuse an early change, so you stay with your current doctor until a year has passed since your last choice. The unexpected second consequence: choose a doctor outside your place of residence and you quietly lose home visits, primary laboratory diagnostics (except emergencies), community nursing, nursing care at home and medical transport. And if the team is full at 2,125 insured persons, the doctor may turn you away — so you have to pick another team even if that surgery is next door.
📎 Official sources
- HZZO (health insurance fund) — front page (Q&A on choosing and changing your doctor) →
- Central state portal gov.hr — front page (e-service for changing your chosen doctor) →
- Dnevnik.hr — front page (explanation of the conditions for changing before the year is up) →
❓ Frequently asked
How often can I change my chosen doctor?
Routinely once a year — your choice binds you for at least a year from the last time you made it. An earlier change is possible only for the five listed reasons, such as moving house or the doctor ceasing to work.
Does changing doctor cost anything?
No — all three routes (at the new doctor's surgery, online through e-Građani, and at an HZZO office) are free. No fee or charge is payable, and the online confirmation reaches your User Inbox within 8 days.
Can a doctor refuse to take me as a patient?
Only if the team is full to the prescribed maximum — 2,125 insured persons for general/family medicine — or if a breakdown in the relationship is documented. Beyond that, refusal is not allowed.
Can I change doctor online?
Yes, since February 2024 the change is done entirely through e-Građani, that is e-HZZO, with no visit to a counter. Confirmation of the change arrives in your User Inbox within 8 days.
Who takes over my medical records?
The new doctor accesses your data through the e-Karton system, and the previous doctor hands over the file on request. Patient guides mention a 3-day deadline for the handover, but it is not confirmed on any official page.
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