The global trend of health-motivated travel has fuelled the growth of health tourism — a sector with significant economic potential. Its importance and development potential are particularly recognised in destinations with pronounced seasonality and uneven tourism development. Health tourism is considered one of the three main segments key to the development of Croatian tourism.
The sector is estimated to be growing at approximately 20% per year, with Croatia generating around €150 million annually from health tourism. Visitors recognise Croatia as a destination for dentistry, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, aesthetic medicine, and even oncology. The Croatian Chamber of Economy’s Health Tourism Community is actively promoting stronger development of this niche through the opening of new markets, promotional channels, networking, and education.
Croatia’s key advantages for health tourism development include high-quality healthcare services, skilled medical personnel, natural beauty and a favourable climate, proximity to major markets, access to abundant natural resources, and competitive pricing. Despite these natural advantages, the sector’s potential remains only partially realised.
A Long Tradition
Health tourism in Croatia has a long history stretching back to Roman times, when thermal baths, private retreats, and summer residences were established. In the mid-19th century, health resorts were developed around warm mineral springs, emphasising the importance of recuperation and physical restoration. This era also saw the founding of the first tourism organisations, including the Hygienic Society and the Spa Association.
Investment and Infrastructure
Croatia is entering a significant wave of capital investment in health tourism. The first phase covers investment in 13 facilities, including locations in the north of the country. The government has allocated €60 million from the national budget and European funds for projects in this sector. Examples include the expansion of spa resorts, construction of new hotels, and modernisation of infrastructure.
Climate health resorts are opening in Opatija, Crikvenica, Vela and Mali Lošinj, Rab, Skrad, and Delice. Opatija is regarded as a leading health spa resort destination, offering thalassotherapy programmes including seawater inhalation, warm underwater and vibrational massages, and body contouring treatments using electrotherapy and thermotherapy.
The current health tourism offering spans the entire country, but concentration is highest in coastal and north-western Croatia — particularly the Kvarner region, Istria, the counties of northern Croatia, and the Zagreb area. Most wellness centres, spas, and thermal baths are privately owned and market-oriented, representing small and medium-sized enterprises.
Regulatory Framework
The sector is divided into three areas: spas, specialist rehabilitation hospitals, and wellness centres in both the private and public sectors. Health services in health tourism may be provided by medical institutions, companies engaged in medical activities, and private medical practitioners. Spa services may only be provided by specialist hospitals and spa establishments. Medical wellness services may be provided by medical institutions, companies engaged in medical activities, private medical practitioners, tourist ambulatories, and other legal entities that, in accordance with regulations, operate accommodation and/or tourism services.
Medical institutions and private practitioners may provide health services in health tourism only outside the quotas determined by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund. The introduction of a comprehensive set of health tourism regulations has created the conditions for the detailed regulation of medical service provision, including the option to register in the Health Tourism Register — giving registered providers additional visibility and promotional opportunities.
Investment Opportunities
For foreign entrepreneurs, this represents a broad range of opportunities in Croatian medical tourism — from investing in existing facilities and developing new projects to partnering with Croatian operators. Key areas of potential include:
- Infrastructure investment: Modernisation of spas and hotels offers an attractive investment opportunity.
- Partnerships with local businesses: Collaborating with Croatian companies can open doors to the local market.
- Development of wellness and medical services: Introducing innovative wellness services can attract a new client base.
If you would like to learn more about opportunities in medical, spa, or wellness tourism in Croatia, get in touch with us using the contact form.