Croatia's physiotherapy masters face professional status dispute

Highly educated masters of physiotherapy in Croatia are facing a prolonged struggle for professional recognition. Despite completing graduate studies, these professionals have spent over a decade being treated by the healthcare system as entry-level practitioners rather than masters.

The Civil Initiative of Physiotherapy Masters reports that although the Minister of Health previously promised significant reforms through updates to the Physiotherapy Activity Act—which has not been changed since 2008—progress has stalled. A working group established to draft the new legislation was disbanded after only two meetings.

Authorities cited the need to wait for European Union decisions regarding Directive 2005/36/EC, which establishes a common framework for the training of physiotherapists. However, members of the initiative argue that this EU decision is not mandatory and note that other healthcare professions have already completed their legislative processes and moved to the consultation phase.