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Croatian speech therapy regulation dispute

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-16 10:55 UTC → 2026-10-22 13:17 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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