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4 clusters · 12 sources · 15 days · First seen · Last updated

Croatian speech therapy regulation dispute

Overview

The Croatian Association of Speech Therapists Entrepreneurs (HALP) has warned that new legislation, the Law on Speech Therapy, may cause a significant shortage of services. The law introduces minimum technical requirements for premises, such as specific ceiling heights, door widths, and waiting room sizes. HALP reports that over 40 percent of surveyed private providers may be unable to meet these standards and could be forced to cease operations by July 2027. The association estimates that more than 7,000 users, primarily children, could lose access to therapy. Professionals argue these construction standards do not affect clinical quality. Parents have supported these concerns, noting that long waiting lists in the public system often make private care the only timely option for children with developmental needs. In response, HALP has launched a petition and submitted a proposal to the Constitutional Court to challenge the law. The association also warned that the public healthcare system lacks the capacity to absorb patients if private practices close. Following these warnings, the Croatian Ministry of Health announced plans to amend regulations regarding minimum technical requirements for healthcare activities. The Ministry stated it is “open to constructive dialogue” and is preparing amendments to improve therapy availability, particularly for children. To increase accessibility, the Ministry noted potential efforts through primary healthcare and possible contracts with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO). Despite the proposed amendments, the Croatian Speech Therapy Society (HLD) maintains that the technical standards are not new and are necessary for patient safety. As the regulatory transition continues, the Ministry of Health and the HLD have established the Croatian Chamber of Speech Therapists. This new body is responsible for issuing work permits, maintaining a professional register, providing expert supervision, and recognizing foreign qualifications. However, the crisis regarding spatial standards persists.

Entities

Croatian Association of Entrepreneurial Speech Therapists · Croatia · Ministry of Health · Hrvatsko logopedsko društvo · Hrvatska asocijacija logopeda poduzetnika

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [HEALTH] 5 sources
    Croatia establishes Speech Therapist Chamber amid closure warnings

    Croatia has founded a new Chamber of Speech Therapists, but warnings emerge that new technical regulations could force 40% of private practices to close, affecting 7,000 patients.

  2. [HEALTH] 4 sources
    Croatia Ministry of Health to revise speech therapy regulations

    The Croatian Ministry of Health is revising technical regulations for speech therapy practices after warnings that 40% of private clinics could close, potentially leaving 7,000 users without care.

  3. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Mental health services in Republika Srpska and speech therapy risks in Croatia

    Republika Srpska reports high demand for mental health services with over 78,000 visits in 2025, while Croatian speech therapists warn new space regulations could close 40% of private practices.

  4. [HEALTH] 5 sources
    Croatian speech therapists warn of service shortages

    Croatian speech therapists warn that new technical regulations could force many private practices to close, potentially leaving 7,000 users, mostly children, without essential therapy services.

Sources

bijeljina.com · cityportal.hr · dalmacijadanas.hr · dalmatinskiportal.hr · eventbrite.co.uk · glas-slavonije.hr · glasistre.hr · index.hr · jutarnji.hr · novilist.hr · vecernji.hr · zadarskilist.hr

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history