A recent Healthcare Employers Congress has brought attention to growing concerns over the medical oversight of foreign laborers in Croatia.
The country has seen a steady increase in workers arriving from non-EU nations, often referred to as “third countries.” Many of these regions still report high rates of diseases like tuberculosis, typhoid, and hepatitis—illnesses that have largely disappeared in Croatia. As a result, medical professionals are calling for strict enforcement of health checks before employment.
Dr. Ljiljana Betica Radić, an infectious disease specialist in Dubrovnik, told Dubrovački vjesnik that every worker—regardless of their country of origin—must undergo health screenings based on their job.
“Labour shortages are not an excuse to skip medical protocols,” she said. “Croatian law requires pre-employment health checks, and anyone with tuberculosis is not allowed to work.”
These health checks usually include blood tests, lung X-rays, and screenings for infectious diseases. Sectors like hospitality, construction, and healthcare follow especially strict procedures.
Food industry workers also need sanitary inspections. These may include swabs and, in some cases, stool tests to detect bacteria and parasites.
Still, challenges remain. Doctors in Dubrovnik report communication barriers during health assessments. Many workers from Asia and Africa do not speak English, which makes it hard to collect accurate medical histories.
Dr. Orsat John, who heads the regional family medicine coordination body, explained, “Without translators, we cannot get reliable background information. Unlike in the EU or U.S., Croatia does not have a centralized system for tracking vaccines or past illnesses.”
Despite these issues, health officials say the Croatian medical system is equipped to handle the risks—as long as regulations are enforced.
Employers typically pay for the medical exams. Workers cannot legally sign employment contracts unless they receive medical clearance.
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