Because Croatia is not a member of the European Union the European Region of the WCPT does not keep information on the migration procedures for this country.

Please contact the Croatian Association for further information.

The Croatian association has an education department. There are 3 schools at university level which graduate 160 students per year. The university training goes on for 3 years (2.635 hrs) and leads to a diploma. At the moment, studies do not allow for postgraduate education, but the Croatian Association organize postgraduate courses (PNF, Bobath etc.) themselves.

Physiotherapists are involved in teaching and sporadically in research. There is no recognition of physiotherapy specialists.

Professional Title/ Qualification:

Higher physiotherapist technician
Physiotherapist tehcnician (for assistant)

The Croatian state protects the title or the professional activity. The Croatian association is currently demanding the authorities to change the present title "Higher Physiotherapist technician" into "Physiotherapist" and the title "Physiotherapist technician" into "Physiotherapist Assistant". They are also applying for elimination of the school for Physiotherapist technicians, believing this education being insufficient for independent work.

There are no full state regulations of the physiotherapy profession. "Higher Physiotherapist Technicians" and "Physiotherapy technicians" obtain an exam by the Ministry of Health after one year of traineeship. This exam guarantees a licence for the whole professional work life. The Croatian Physiotherapy Association now demands to take over the licence giving for practice from Ministry of Health. The association are considering to recommence the licence every 6 years (life long learning).

The Croatian physiotherapy association has established a code of ethics for physiotherapists. The national authority responsible for the physiotherapy profession in Croatia is the Ministry of Health. Employment opportunities may be limited in the country.

The physiotherapy services in Croatia are not determined by the profession. The physiotherapist only determine the clinical intervention of physiotherapy him/herself when working in his/her own practice. When working with Physical Medicine Doctors the service is determined by their profession.

Croatia offers both private and public physiotherapy services. The insurance cover for physiotherapy is paid both through, the national health care system and privately the patient.

The Croatian Association has not yet established any twinning program but the association hereby announces its wishes to do so.