Legal status and visa requirements for those who were forced to leave Ukraine
General information and legal support within Croatia
- Every person that was living in Ukraine before Feb 24th, 2022, and who, as a result of the war, was forced to leave the country, has the right to temporary protection in Croatia. Even non-Ukrainian citizens who can prove that they had a permanent residence in Ukraine, are entitled to the same procedure.
- Although Ukrainian citizens normally need a biometric passport, or a non-biometric passport and Croatian visa, to enter and stay in the Republic of Croatia, in the current situation of war, it is not necessary for displaced persons from Ukraine.
- An application for temporary protection should be submitted to the staff of the nearest police station or precinct at the place of residence, where you will be issued a Certificate (identification card) of a foreigner who has been granted temporary protection shortly after the approval of your application. A list of police stations can be found here. One can also apply for temporary protection online through the application – croatia4ukraine.
- Temporary protection is provided until March 4, 2023. If the reasons for granting temporary protection are still relevant, the temporary protection will be automatically extended twice for 6 months, i.e. until March 4, 2024. If the reasons for granting temporary protection last longer, the Commission may propose to the EU Council to extend the temporary protection for another year (i.e. until 4 March 2025).
Source: Website “Croatia for Ukraine”
Useful contacts for the Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine and come to Croatia:
Consulate of Ukraine in the Republic of Croatia (Split)
Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 7, 21000 Split
Phone: +385 99 6862 797
E-mail: ivicapiric@yahoo.com
Working hours:
Monday - Thursday 10:00 – 13:00
Voćarska 52, 10 000 Zagreb
Phone: +385 1 46 16 296
Fax: +385 1 46 33 726
E-mail: emb_hr@mfa.gov.ua
Ulica Crvenog križa 14, 10 001 Zagrebb
Phone: +385 1 4655 814
Fax: +385 1 4655 365
E-mail: redcross@hck.hr
Consulate of Ukraine in the Republic of Croatia
Pušća 131, 51513 Omišaljb
Phone: +385 51 842 037
Fax: +385 51 842 026
E-mail: pk.ukrajine@net.hr
Working hours:
Monday - Thursday 9:00 – 12:00
Ukrainian Community of the Republic of Croatia
Kardinala Alojzija Stepinca 45, 32000 Vukovar
Phone: +385 32 493224;
+385 95 378 1199
E-mail: ukrajinskazajednica.hr@gmail.com
Ulica grada Vukovara 33, HR-10000 Zagreb
Phone: 00 385 1 6122 111
E-mail: pitanja@mup.hr, policija@mup.hr
Phone: +385 1 46 07 555
E-mail: ukrajina@miz.hr
Access to healthcare services
Where can the Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine go for healthcare services?
- As a person under temporary protection, by presenting a Certificate (identification card) of a foreigner who has been granted temporary protection, a person has the right to treatment, both in the acute course of the disease and in chronic diseases from family doctors, paediatricians, gynaecologists. They also have the right to emergency dental care, the right to be vaccinated, examined, and treated with COVID-19, and the right to be vaccinated against other infectious diseases.
- To exercise their rights in the health insurance system, Ukrainians should choose a family doctor, dentist, paediatrician, and gynaecologist at the hospital (Dom zdravlja). A person must have a Certificate (identification card) of a foreigner who has been granted temporary protection.
- If a person needs emergency medical care, they should call 194 or 112.
Important contacts of healthcare institutions:
- Health centres (treatment of acute and chronic conditions, diseases in family doctors, paediatricians, gynaecologists and emergency, dental care) zdravlje.gov.hr
- Hospitals (examination by doctors, inpatient treatment) zdravlje.gov.hr
- Public Health Institutes (vaccination, testing and treatment of COVID-19, as well as vaccination from other infectious diseases) zdravlje.gov.hr
- Emergency Healthcare Units (urgent medical conditions) zdravlje.gov.hr
If Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine experience anxiety, worry, insomnia and other mental symptoms that complicate their daily life, they can seek help:
Contacts for psychological assistance
Emergency department on duty 0-24
+385 1 3780 666
Registration to receive a referral
+ 385 1 3713 270
narucivanje@bolnica-vrapce.hr
Department of Psychotherapy
Anxiety, psychosomatic and neurotic disorders:
+ 385 1 3713 206
+ 385 1 3713 298
+ 385 1 3713 258
dnevna.psihoterapija@bolnicavrapce.hr
Department of Psychophysiology
Sleep disorders
+ 385 1 3780 714
+ 385 1 3780 711
eeg.otp.vrapce@gmail.com
Source: Website “Croatia for Ukraine”
Services for People Living with HIV
HIV-testing
At HIV counselling and testing centres, Ukrainians can get tested for HIV anonymously, free of charge, and receive individual expert advice on how to protect themselves from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. If necessary, they can also get referrals to treatment and support services.
Free of charge testing options (minors inclusive), vaccines and refugee counselling for Ukrainians are available via the Croatian Public Health Institute (Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo).
Those tested positive will get the free of charge treatment.
List of HIV counselling and testing centres in Croatia:
Dubrovnik
Public Health Institute of Dubrovnik-Neretva County
Department of Epidemiology
Dr Ante Šercera 4a
Phone: +385 020/341 000 and +385 020/341 001
Working hours: Mon / Wed 16.00– 18.00 (tel. +385 020/341 085)
It is possible to get tested for: HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis
Pula
Institute of Public Health of the County of Istria
Nazorova 23
Phone: +385 052 / 529-017 and +385 052 / 529-046
Working hours: Mon / Wed 15.00–17.00 and the first Sat of the month 8.00– 12.00
Slavonski Brod
Brod-Posavina County Public Health Institute
V. Nazora 2A
Phone: +385 035 / 447-228
Working hours: Mon / Wed 15.00– 17.00 and Sat 8.00– 12.00
HELP Association, in cooperation with the Institute of Public Health SDŽ
Mihovilova širona 1
Phone: +385 021 / 346-664
Working hours: Mon / Thu 15.00– 17.00
Zadar
Zadar County Public Health Institute
Kolovare 2
Phone: +385 023 / 300-841
Working hours: Mon-Fri 9.00 – 11.00
Zagreb
Croatian Institute of Public Health
Rockefellerova 7
Phone: +385 01/48 63 345
Working hours: Tue 11.00 – 15.00 and Wed 15.00 – 18.00
It is possible to get tested for: HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis
Clinic for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”
AIDS Reference Centre
Mirogojska 8, Pavilion no. 6
Phone: +385 01 / 4678-243
Working hours: Mon to Fri 15.30 - 18.30 h
Ulica Don Ive Prodana 12 (Red Cross space)
Phone: +385 023 / 318-152
Working hours: Mon / Wed 16.00 – 18.00
Osijek
Osijek-Baranja County Public Health Institute
Franje Krežme 1
Phone: +385 031 / 225-711
Working hours: Tue / Thu 15.00– 18.00
Rijeka
Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Teaching Institute
Krešimirova 52a
Phone: +385 051/358-798
Working hours: Mon / Wed 13.00 – 15.00
Association Hepatos Rijeka, in cooperation with the Institute of Public Health PGZ
Blaža Polića 2 / III
Phone: +385 051 / 311-190;
+385 091 / 4008-111
Working hours: Thu 13.00-15.00
Split
Public Health Institute of the Split-Dalmatia County
Vukovarska 46
Phone: +385 021 / 401-114;
+385 021 / 401-154
Working hours: Mon-Fri 8.00– 16.00
Croatian Society for Liver Diseases Hepatos - InfoHep Centre, in cooperation with the Institute of Public Health SDŽ
Ulica Fra Bone Razmilovića 11
Phone: 0800 400 405
Working hours: 9.00 - 14.00 h, Mondays 18-20 h (Mobile InfoHep Centre goes to the field by appointment)
It is possible to be tested for HIV and hepatitis C.
Association Iskorak in cooperation with HZJZ
Šenoina 26
Phone: +385 091/24 44 666
Working hours: Mon / Wed / Fri 16.30-18.30
It is possible to get tested for: HIV and syphilis (quick tests)
Check Point Zagreb (HUHIV Association), in cooperation with the CNIPH and the Clinic for Infectious Diseases Dr. Fran Mihaljević”
Ulica kneza Domagoja 10
Phone: 0800 448 767
Mon / Wednesday / Fri 16.00 - 19.30
It is possible to get tested for: HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C (quick tests)
Source: Croatian Institute of Public Health (Rockfellerova 7, 1000 Zagreb)
- The Croatian Institute of Public Health and the Croatian Association for HIV and viral hepatitis have developed a health services search engine as a unique source of information on sexual and reproductive health services and related health services in Croatia. It enables the search for the healthcare facilities which conduct HIV, hepatitis B and C testing and treatment, psychological counselling and support, hepatitis B vaccination, addiction treatment centres etc.
Antiretroviral treatment (ART)
Even if Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine have their doctor’s prescription, all the tests will be repeated in Croatia to avoid errors. Nevertheless, all information about pre-existing conditions and necessary medication is useful.
Those on ART can also bring their own medication into the country (focal point – Dr. Bernard Kaic, Croatian institute for public health, +38516384571, Email: Bernard.kaic@hzjz.hr).
Antiretroviral therapy is free of charge in Croatia. Persons living with HIV are treated at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljevic”, Zagreb bfm.hr
Address: Ambulance 6/1, Clinic for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević “, Mirogojska 8, 10 000 Zagreb.
To get ART, the Ukrainians coming to the coutry, first need to attend the family doctor to get a prescription to go to the University hospital for infectious diseases Dr Fran Mihaljevic. The minors are also applicable for getting ART.
The only precondition for getting free of charge ART for Ukrainians is the Document
that they are registered as refugees in the Republic of Croatia. In this regard, they need to possess Identity card of a foreigner under temporary protection which is issued by the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia.
In emergency situations, people living with HIV who are foreigners or visitors should contact the Referral centre for HIV at the above hospital in Zagreb.
Phone: +385 1 467 8243
The Reference Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of HIV Infection of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia provides psychological and social care for people living with HIV and their family members. The information about the available services and all the necessary details is provided on the official website.
Source: Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo: Mjere za zaštitu od zaraznih bolesti i sadržaj zdravstvenog pregleda izbjeglica iz Ukrajine. Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo, 2. ožujka, 2022. PDF
Preconditions for people who inject drugs to receive ART:
The same as the citizens of the Republic of Croatia – there are no conditions related to the treatment of addiction and drug use for the treatment of HIV infection.
(Contact point: Dr. Bernard Kaic, Croatian institute for public health, Bernard.kaic@hzjz.hr)
Other healthcare facilities where HIV treatment is available:
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
PrEP is available for persons above 18+ at PrEP Ambulance, Clinic for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević “, Mirogojska 8, 10 000 Zagreb. An appointment should be made via +385 1/2826 206 (Mon-Fri, 12-14h).
PrEP , according to Dr Bernard Kaic, is not free of charge. The only exception is in the case of regular and supplementary insurance through the Croatian institute of health insurance, where the chosen doctor issues a referral like for insured persons in the Republic of Croatia. Information how to get supplementary health insurance is available here (in Croatian): dzo.hzzo.hr
Source: NGO Iskorak: www.iskorak.hr
PrEP should be taken as long as necessary and in consultation with an infectious disease specialist.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
The post-exposure prophylaxis clinic (which also conducts evaluation of persons at risk of blood-borne infections) is part of the Department for Infections of Immunocompromised Patients at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljevic”, Zagreb bfm.hr.
PEP is applicable if there is a medical indication, and if they are registered as refugees in Croatia. PEP can be taken at any age.
Services for People Living with Hepatitis B/C
Hepatitis B/C testing, hepatitis B vaccination, and hepatitis B/C treatment availability
A person who is under temporary protection and can provide a certificate (identification card) proving that temporary protection has been granted, has the right to be vaccinated against infectious diseases.
- Testing is free of charge, on the basis of a referral from a family doctor, in any laboratory to which the doctor refers them.
- Public health institutes provide assistance in vaccination, testing, and treatment of COVID-19, as well as the right to vaccination against other infectious diseases. www.zdravlje.gov.hr
- Indications for testing are a positive epidemiological history and/or clinically suspected disease. Vaccination against hepatitis B is free of charge and available to everyone who has not been vaccinated (no indication is needed).
- The indication for treatment is an established disease.
- There are no contraindications for testing and treatment. Contraindication for vaccination is vaccine allergy.
- Vaccination is recommended if the patient does not know if it has been vaccinated. In case the patient does not know whether he has been treated for hepatitis B/C, it is considered not to have been treated.
- Monitoring options and follow-up options for the Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine who tested positive for acute Hepatitis B/C but are not undergoing treatment because of contraindications or low viral load and for those who have achieved Sustained Virological Response (SVR) are held in agreement with a family doctor.
- Treatment for Hepatitis related liver diseases and for those who was already receiving treatment for liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is available . Continuation of treatment is organized through a family doctor.
List of HIV counselling and testing centres in Croatia which also do tests for hepatitis:
Dubrovnik
Public Health Institute of Dubrovnik-Neretva County
Department of Epidemiology
Dr Ante Šercera 4a
Phone: +385 020/341 000 and +385 020/341 001
Working hours: Mon / Wed 16.00– 18.00 (tel. +385 020/341 085)
It is possible to get tested for: HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis
Check Point Zagreb (HUHIV Association), in cooperation with the CNIPH and the Clinic for Infectious Diseases Dr. Fran Mihaljević”
Ulica kneza Domagoja 10
Phone: 0800 448 767
Mon / Wednesday / Fri 16.00 - 19.30
It is possible to get tested for: HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C (quick tests)
Croatian Society for Liver Diseases Hepatos - InfoHep Centre, in cooperation with the Institute of Public Health SDŽ
Ulica Fra Bone Razmilovića 11
Phone: 0800 400 405
Working hours: 9.00 - 14.00 h, Mondays 18-20 h (Mobile InfoHep Centre goes to the field by appointment)
It is possible to be tested for HIV and hepatitis C.
Zagreb
Croatian Institute of Public Health
Rockefellerova 7
Phone: +385 01/48 63 345
Working hours: Tue 11.00 – 15.00 and Wed 15.00 – 18.00
It is possible to get tested for: HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis
Source: Croatian Institute of Public Health
- The Croatian Institute of Public Health and the Croatian Association for HIV and viral hepatitis have developed a health services search engine as a unique source of information on sexual and reproductive health services and related health services in Croatia. It enables the search for the healthcare facilities which conduct HIV, hepatitis B and C testing and treatment, psychological counselling and support, hepatitis B vaccination, addiction treatment centres etc.
Support systems (harm reduction/safer use, social support or psychosocial support) available for the Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine undergoing therapy for hepatitis C or related liver diseases
The same as for Croatian citizens. Through family doctors and NGOs dealing with harm reduction and psycho-social support
Tuberculosis services
All the information in this section was given and proved by Croatian institute for public health (contact person - Dr. Bernard Kaic, +38516384571, Bernard.kaic@hzjz.hr)
Patients with signs and symptoms of tuberculosis should first visit the nearest primary healthcare centre. The list and contact details of the centres can be found here: zdravlje.gov.hr
Triage is carried via survey questionnaire (details at Croatian institute for public health, Dr. Bernard Kaic , Bernard.kaic@hzjz.hr).
If the persons (adult, child) have the TB symptoms (e.g. cough, fever, weight loss). they should go first to the family doctor.
If they were in contact with someone having TB symptoms, first contact is a family doctor who will take an anamnesis and perform a screening for TB symptoms and refer him/her to the nearest/most adequate laboratory for testing.
To contintue the treatment, that was already started in Ukraine, the person first should appeal to the family doctor and then based on the needs, the patient will be sent to the different specialists .
(details at Croatian institute for public health, Dr. Bernard Kaic , Bernard.kaic@hzjz.hr).
If a Ukrainian who was forced to leave Ukraine started the TB treatment for multidrug-resistant TB in Ukraine, he/ she first needs to go to the family doctor, and if necessary, the patient will be referred to a specialist consular treatment or be hospitalized.
The preventive treatment should be contuniued with the family doctor practice assistance.
DOT (Directly observed treatment)
If a Ukrainian who was forced to leave Ukraine started the TB treatment with directly observed treatment (DOT), to continue DOT, he/she must check with family doctor practice or in the hospital if necessary .
DVOT (directly observed Video treatment) doesn’t exist in Croatia.
Non-medical support (food, shelter, psychological support)
The first contact should be with a family doctor. Afterward, the doctor will recommend the special institutions or NGOs that are providing such support.
Can Ukrainian collect the medicines with the prescription issued in Ukraine at the pharmacy?
No, the prescription has to be issued by the family doctor in Croatia.
BCG vaccination for children
The responsible paediatrician should be contacted. Pediatricians in primary health care can vaccinate children with BCG, if they have not been vaccinated before. Sometimes it is more practical for the pediatrician to arrange with a maternity hospital to have the child vaccinated at the maternity hospital, because they do it every day. Otherwise, children born in Croatia are vaccinated with BCG at the maternity hospital, regardless of citizenship. If the child is older than one year, it is necessary to do a tuberculin or IGRA test first, and in case of a negative result, the kid can be vaccinated.
Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) Services
Medication rules
OAT is available free of charge. The list and contact details of institutions where OAT and other types of support are available can be found here.
Methadone and buprenorphine are available in Croatia.
Source: drogeiovisnosti.gov.hr
Sources
General requirements and access to healthcare
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04. Leaflet “Корисна інформація для переміщенних осіб з України”
Leaflet “Корисна інформація для переміщенних осіб з України”, Ministry of the Interior.
civilna-zastita.gov.hr/pdf
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05. Odluku o uvođenju privremene zaštite u Republici Hrvatskoj za raseljene osobe iz Ukrajine
Odluku o uvođenju privremene zaštite u Republici Hrvatskoj za raseljene osobe iz Ukrajine, Vlada Republike Hrvatske: Zagreb, 7 ožujka 2022.
hrvatskazaukrajinu.gov.hr/pdf
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06. Leaflet “Шановні українці, ласкаво просимо в Хорватію”
Leaflet “Шановні українці, ласкаво просимо в Хорватію”, Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia.
hrvatskazaukrajinu.gov.hr/pdf
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08. Information booklet “Healthcare for the Ukrainian citizens”
Information booklet “Healthcare for the Ukrainian citizens”, the Ministry of Health.
hrvatskazaukrajinu.gov.hr/pdf
HIV
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01. Mjere za zaštitu od zaraznih bolesti i sadržaj zdravstvenog pregleda izbjeglica iz Ukrajine
HZJZ: Mjere za zaštitu od zaraznih bolesti i sadržaj zdravstvenog pregleda izbjeglica iz Ukrajine. Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo: 2. ožujka, 2022, 19 p.
www.hzjz.hr/pdf