City Medical Tourism Guide · Croatia

Zagreb: Central Europe's Quiet Capital of Medical Excellence

Croatia's Medical Hub Orthopaedics Stem Cell Therapy Ophthalmology Dental Reconstruction Cosmetic Surgery Oncology Diagnostics

Zagreb concentrates Croatia's most internationally recognised specialty hospitals and private clinics in a compact, walkable capital city - with direct flights from London, Frankfurt, Vienna, Amsterdam, and beyond. 13 featured clinics meet international standards, many attracting medical tourists for decades.

Featured clinics and healthcare providers
prepared for international patients

500+

Daily patient capacity
across the ZagrebMed network

600+

Individual medical services
available through ZagrebMed

365

Days of patient access,
guidance and care planning

Editorial partner Destination Authority

Zagreb's Medical Tourism Platform

ZagrebMed: Zagreb's Medical Tourism Platform

Through ZagrebMed, international patients can access a structured network of premium clinics, hospitals, doctors, diagnostics, rehabilitation providers and travel partners in one compact European capital.

Visit ZagrebMed →

HTN works with institutional partners who share our commitment to editorial quality and verified patient information. ZagrebMed is Zagreb's medical tourism platform for international patients.

Backed by Zagreb's institutional partners

Ministry of Health
City of Zagreb
Zagreb Tourism Board
Croatian Chamber of Economy

Zagreb's strength is not only the quality of individual clinics. Its strength is that patients can access diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation, travel support and a strong city experience through a connected ecosystem. ZagrebMed was built to make that ecosystem visible, understandable and easier to use for international patients.

Ivan Rendulic Founder of ZagrebMed

Zagreb as a Medical Tourism Destination

Zagreb combines several advantages that matter to international patients: a compact city layout, strong medical expertise, advanced diagnostics, rehabilitation options, specialist care and a growing network of private healthcare providers prepared for cross-border patients.

What makes Zagreb work for international patients

Compact city layout that keeps appointments, hotels and recovery within short distances
Strong medical expertise across orthopaedics, ophthalmology, dentistry, fertility, dermatology and aesthetics
Advanced diagnostics including imaging, laboratory and genetic testing
Rehabilitation options built into clinical pathways and available after surgery
Specialist care across sub-specialty fields and dedicated specialty hospitals
A growing network of private healthcare providers prepared for cross-border patients

A connected patient pathway through ZagrebMed

Unlike larger and more fragmented destinations, Zagreb allows patients to move between consultations, diagnostics, treatment and recovery with less logistical pressure. Through ZagrebMed, this offer is organized into a clearer patient pathway, making it easier to identify the right provider, request information and plan care before arrival.

Who Zagreb is for

For patients from Europe, the wider region and long-haul markets, Zagreb offers a practical balance between medical quality, accessibility, urban comfort and recovery-friendly surroundings.

Featured ZagrebMed Partners

A curated selection of clinics, hospitals and diagnostic providers within the ZagrebMed network, covering orthopedics, fertility, women's health, dialysis, dermatology, pediatrics, rehabilitation and laboratory diagnostics.

Healthcare System · Zagreb

Agram

Zagreb

One of Croatia's largest private healthcare systems, with a broad offer that includes prevention, diagnostics, surgery, internal medicine, radiology, laboratory diagnostics, gynecology, urology, neurology, orthopedics, physical medicine and other specialist services. Agram provides more than 1,000,000 medical services annually across its system.

Multi-Specialty Diagnostics Surgery Radiology Internal Medicine

Orthopedic Hospital · Zagreb

Akromion

Zagreb

Croatia's largest private orthopedic hospital, focused on orthopedics, traumatology, joint replacement, arthroscopic surgery, sports medicine and post-operative rehabilitation. Akromion has delivered more than 330,000 medical services and more than 23,000 surgical procedures, with in-house rehabilitation available after orthopedic surgery.

Orthopedics Joint Replacement Arthroscopic Surgery Sports Medicine Rehabilitation

Diagnostic Center & Laboratory · Zagreb

Analiza

Zagreb & nationwide

A modern diagnostic health center and laboratory chain specializing in laboratory diagnostics, preventive testing, genetic tests, allergy tests, food intolerance testing and specialized laboratory panels. Analiza has been operating since 2001 and has a network of locations across Croatia, including Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Zadar, Sibenik, Varazdin and Dugopolje.

Laboratory Diagnostics Genetic Tests Allergy Tests Preventive Testing National Network

Dialysis & Internal Medicine · Zagreb

Avitum

Zagreb

A specialized provider for kidney dialysis and internal medicine, especially relevant for patients who need continuity of dialysis treatment while traveling. Avitum's dialysis centers use modern B. Braun dialysis equipment, HDF dialysis procedures and quality systems aligned with recognized international standards.

Kidney Dialysis HDF Dialysis B. Braun Equipment Holiday Dialysis Internal Medicine

Aesthetic & Dental · Zagreb

Bagatin

Zagreb

A leading Croatian and regional multidisciplinary clinic for aesthetic surgery, dermatology, dental medicine and aesthetic medicine. Bagatin has grown from a private practice founded in 1995 into one of the region's most recognized private clinics, with multiple locations and expertise across several medical specialties.

Aesthetic Surgery Dermatology Dental Medicine Aesthetic Medicine Established 1995

Fertility & Reproductive Medicine · Zagreb

IVF Zagreb

Zagreb

A leading fertility and reproductive medicine clinic led by Prof. Dr. Velimir Simunic, one of the most important names in Croatian reproductive medicine. Dr. Simunic led the expert team that made Croatia the 7th country in the world to achieve conception and birth of its first IVF child. He has helped more than 4,500 children be born through these methods.

IVF Reproductive Medicine Prof. Dr. Simunic 4,500+ Births

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · Zagreb

Kaliper

Zagreb

A clinic for physical medicine, rehabilitation, orthopedics, sports medicine and recreation. Kaliper is especially relevant for individualized rehabilitation, sports medicine and recovery programs. Its founder, Dr. Natasa Desnica, is connected with elite sports medicine as chief physician of the Croatian ski team.

Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Sports Medicine Individualized Programs

Special Hospital · Near Zagreb

Naftalan

Near Zagreb

A unique special hospital for medical rehabilitation, dermatology and physical medicine near Zagreb. Naftalan is especially relevant for psoriasis, neurodermatitis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory rheumatic diseases, joint and spine diseases, and post-operative recovery. Its medical approach is based on the rare natural health factor naftalan, used for medicinal purposes in only a very small number of destinations worldwide.

Psoriasis Rheumatic Diseases Spine & Joints Post-Operative Recovery Naftalan Therapy

Orthopedics & Sports Rehabilitation · Zagreb

Patela

Zagreb

A Zagreb clinic focused on orthopedics, sports injuries, physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Patela is especially relevant for professional athletes, recreationally active adults, post-operative patients and people recovering from injury, overload or long-term orthopedic pain. Its clinical model connects diagnosis, treatment planning and structured rehabilitation.

Orthopedics Sports Injuries Physiotherapy Post-Operative Care

Gynecology, Obstetrics & Maternity · Zagreb

Podobnik

Zagreb

A specialized hospital for gynecology, obstetrics, maternity care and women's health. Podobnik offers an integrated approach to women's health, including pregnancy care, maternity care, gynecology, gynecological surgery and intimate health. Its maternity care model includes a gynecologist, anesthesiologist, neonatologist, nurses and midwives during the patient's stay.

Gynecology Obstetrics Maternity Care Women's Health Gynecological Surgery

Regenerative & Aesthetic Dermatology · Zagreb

Poliderma

Zagreb

A leading Zagreb clinic for regenerative medicine, aesthetic dermatology, laser medicine, minimally invasive procedures and anti-aging medicine. Poliderma places special emphasis on the combination of advanced technology, regenerative medicine, genetic testing, stem cells, exosomes, enzyme therapy and fat transfer.

Regenerative Medicine Aesthetic Dermatology Laser Medicine Stem Cells Anti-Aging

Pediatric Healthcare · Zagreb

Sabol

Zagreb

A renowned pediatric institution in Zagreb and the first private pediatric healthcare institution in Croatia, founded in 1993. Sabol provides specialist and subspecialist pediatric care for children up to 18 years of age, including general pediatrics, diagnostics, neuropediatrics, pediatric pulmonology, cardiology, allergology, immunology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, psychology, speech therapy and neonatal care.

Pediatrics Subspecialist Care Neonatal Care Cardiology Established 1993

Multidisciplinary Polyclinic · Zagreb & Opatija

Sinteza

Zagreb & Opatija

A multidisciplinary polyclinic with 30 specialists across 14 medical fields, operating in Zagreb and Opatija. Sinteza combines specialist consultations, diagnostics, surgery, physical medicine, rehabilitation, dermatology, cosmetology and aesthetic medicine, with MRI and X-ray services available without waiting and results available the same day.

14 Medical Fields MRI & X-Ray Surgery Rehabilitation Same-Day Results

Zagreb by Specialty

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Joint replacement, arthroscopic surgery, traumatology, sports injury treatment and post-operative rehabilitation, with regenerative medicine options including stem cell-based approaches available within Zagreb's network.

Aesthetic Surgery & Dermatology

Aesthetic surgery, dermatology, laser medicine and minimally invasive procedures, alongside regenerative and aesthetic medicine combining advanced technology and individualized treatment plans.

Dental Medicine

Dental medicine and oral health within Zagreb's multidisciplinary clinics, including consultations, diagnostics and treatment planning supported by English-language patient coordination.

Fertility & Women's Health

Reproductive medicine, IVF, gynecology, obstetrics and maternity care, with integrated pathways covering pregnancy care, gynecological surgery and women's health diagnostics.

Diagnostics & Laboratory

Imaging, laboratory diagnostics, preventive testing, genetic and allergy testing through Zagreb's diagnostic centers, often with same-day results and standardized international protocols.

Rehabilitation & Recovery

Physical medicine, post-operative rehabilitation, sports recovery and structured recovery programs, including dedicated rehabilitation hospitals near Zagreb for orthopedic and dermatological conditions.

The Zagreb Patient Journey

Getting to Zagreb

Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport (ZAG) is the main international gateway to Croatia's capital, served by direct flights from major European hubs including the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Belgium and Scandinavia, with onward connections to the Middle East, the Gulf and long-haul markets. Flight times from London are around 2 hours 20 minutes and from Frankfurt under 90 minutes. The airport sits about 30 minutes by road from the city centre, with taxis, ride-hailing services and shuttle buses available.

Staying in Zagreb

Zagreb is a compact European capital, which makes it well suited to medical visits. International-standard hotels in the city centre and around the main business districts are within a short ride - often under 20 minutes - of the city's clinics and hospitals. Patients typically choose accommodation that balances proximity to their treating clinic, access to pharmacies and food, and walkability to the historic city centre and its parks for recovery.

Zagreb's old town (Gornji Grad), the Lower Town's grid of green squares, and central pedestrian streets such as Tkalčićeva are easy to reach on foot for ambulatory patients and travel companions. English is widely spoken in hospitality and healthcare, and the city operates on the Euro.

After Treatment: Recovery Around Zagreb

Zagreb sits within easy reach of recovery-friendly destinations. The Zagorje region, around an hour's drive north, is known for its natural thermal springs and dedicated medical rehabilitation, often used for post-operative physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. Plitvice Lakes National Park and the green hills around the city offer gentler, low-impact options for patients who want fresh air and walks during recovery. For patients mobile enough to travel further, Croatia's Adriatic coast and islands are accessible by a 4 to 5 hour drive or a short domestic flight, offering a Mediterranean climate suited to longer convalescence.

Zagreb: Common Questions

Is Zagreb well-connected for international patients?

Yes. Zagreb Airport (ZAG) offers direct connections from across Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Belgium and Scandinavia, with onward connections to the Middle East and Gulf hubs. Multiple airlines serve the city, which makes it straightforward to schedule a flight around a treatment date and to plan return trips for follow-up consultations.

What makes Zagreb different from other Central European medical hubs?

Zagreb combines depth across several medical specialties - including orthopedics, fertility, women's health, dialysis, dermatology, pediatrics, rehabilitation and laboratory diagnostics - with a compact, walkable city that lets patients move between consultations, diagnostics, treatment and recovery without long transfers. Croatia's EU membership, the Euro currency, the Mediterranean climate and proximity to the Adriatic coast for convalescence, plus the ZagrebMed coordination platform, reduce logistical complexity for international patients.

Do I need a facilitator to plan treatment in Zagreb?

For most international patients, ZagrebMed is the simplest starting point. As Zagreb's medical tourism platform, ZagrebMed offers a free coordination service that connects international patients with the right clinic in the network, helps gather and share medical information, and supports planning across diagnostics, treatment, recovery and travel logistics. Because ZagrebMed is backed by Zagreb's institutional partners and works across the wider network of clinics, it gives patients a single, neutral point of contact, rather than negotiating directly with one provider at a time. Independent facilitators are usually only needed for highly complex multi-stage cases or patients travelling from long-haul markets.

How should I prepare before contacting a clinic in Zagreb?

Patients can prepare in a few practical steps. Write down the medical issue, key symptoms and how long they have lasted. Gather a short summary of relevant medical history, any chronic conditions and current medications. Collect any recent investigations - blood tests, imaging reports, scans on disc or in digital form, and previous specialist letters. Note your preferred travel window, who will travel with you, and any constraints (mobility, language, dietary, religious). Sharing this through ZagrebMed or directly with a clinic at first contact lets the medical team make a faster and more accurate assessment.

Can I have a video consultation with a Zagreb specialist before travelling?

Yes. Many clinics in the ZagrebMed network offer pre-travel video consultations in English, and often in German and other languages, so patients can meet the specialist, review their case, ask questions about the proposed treatment, and confirm the plan and indicative costs before booking flights. ZagrebMed can help arrange this end to end, including securely sharing prior medical records with the treating doctor in advance.

What can I do to plan a smooth visit and recovery in Zagreb?

Plan accommodation close to your treating clinic so transfers after appointments and procedures are short. Allow buffer days before and after treatment for travel fatigue, pre-operative checks and post-operative monitoring rather than booking back-to-back flights. Confirm whether companions are welcome and where they can stay. Ask the clinic in writing about your post-procedure plan: medication, mobility, follow-up schedule, fitness to fly, and how to reach the clinic if questions arise after you return home. ZagrebMed and the clinic's international patient team can help map all of this in advance.