Check cost coverage
in advance
Under certain conditions, medical rehabilitation in Croatia can be covered or reimbursed. Decisive factors are place of residence, insurance status, type of service and prior approval.
Which situation applies to you?
The process differs significantly. First choose your personal situation.
You live and are insured in Germany
- The medical necessity is determined by a doctor.
- The health insurance fund or the Deutsche Rentenversicherung checks whether the treatment is appropriate.
- The treatment must be applied for before it begins and should be approved in advance.
You are a pensioner living in Croatia
- First, the responsible insurance country is determined.
- If Germany is responsible, the S1 form can be registered with HZZO.
- Private rehabilitation is not automatically covered by this.
A spa cure is not the same as
rehabilitation
Medical rehabilitation
It aims to reduce health limitations, promote independence and restore physical performance. Services in other EU countries must be equal to the care that you can also receive nationally.
Outpatient preventive spa cure
An outpatient preventive spa cure under Section 23(2) of the German Social Code Book V (SGB V) takes place in a recognized spa resort and is intended to prevent illness or deterioration of health.
Your path with residence and
insurance in Germany
Clarify medical necessity
Your GP or specialist assesses the need for rehabilitation and issues a prescription or medical report.
Determine the responsible cost bearer
Depending on your personal situation, the health insurance fund or the Deutsche Rentenversicherung are the main options.
Prepare facility and therapy programme
LEC coordinates the process at the facility.
Apply before booking
You or your doctor submit the application to the responsible insurer. LEC helps you compile the documents.
Wait for the written decision
Only book bindingly after the decision. LEC cannot guarantee approval or the amount reimbursed.
Complete your stay and submit documents
LEC coordinates appointments, accommodation, transfers and communication. Detailed invoices and medical reports are kept safe.
German pensioners living in Croatia
Here, care does not automatically follow the same reimbursement route as with residence in Germany.
Clarify responsibility
Check from which countries pensions are received and which health insurance is responsible.
Register S1 with
HZZO
Request the S1 form from the German health insurance fund and register it at the HZZO office where you live.
Check the care route
Clarify provider and
cost route
Clarify in advance with the responsible office in Germany which provider can be used and how the costs will be covered.
Important
With registered German responsibility, the S1 generally provides access to healthcare in Croatia under Croatian conditions. However, it is not an automatic commitment for every private clinic or freely chosen therapy programme. Anyone who also receives a Croatian pension with a resulting entitlement to benefits may be assigned to the Croatian system.
What can be covered?
The written decision of the responsible cost bearer is always decisive.
Medical services
Approved medical and therapeutic services may be reimbursable depending on the decision.
Accommodation and meals
May be part of the service for inpatient rehabilitation; not automatically for a freely chosen hotel.
Travel and transfer
Whether and to what extent costs are covered must be clarified explicitly in advance.
Private additional services
Upgrades, wellness and tourist services are generally paid by yourself unless explicitly approved.
LEC accompanies you
between Germany and
Croatia
Life & Elderly Care d.o.o. combines many years of experience in the German healthcare system with a personal network in Croatia. LEC does not provide any medical services itself.
- ✓ Structuring insurance status and procedure
- ✓ Coordinating a suitable facility and therapy programme
- ✓ Preparing documents and cost estimates
- ✓ Supporting German-Croatian communication
- ✓ Organising stay, appointments and transfers
International SOS – a strong
partner at our side
Life & Elderly Care d.o.o. works with International SOS, a world-leading provider of health and security services. As a result, our clients benefit from additional international support, especially during rehabilitation, spa and health stays in Croatia.
Support when it matters
worldwide
coordination
clinics and insurers
stays
emergency situations
International SOS complements this care with international medical and organisational assistance.
Which path applies to you?
We first check your insurance status and the possible process before any costs arise or a rehabilitation is booked.
Check requirements together