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March 2026 brought important changes for the entire sports system in Croatia. The new Regulation on Athletes' Health Examinations was published in the Official Gazette (no. 27/2026) [link to the Official Gazette publication], establishing stricter and clearer standards for healthcare for all participants in sports - from young talents in school clubs to professional athletes.
The main motivation for adopting this Regulation is to raise safety levels on sports fields to a whole new level. The primary focus is on preventing sudden cardiac death, a tragic event that, despite advancements in medicine, continues to pose the greatest risk in sports. By standardizing examinations, the aim is to ensure that every athlete undergoes precisely defined diagnostic procedures that can timely detect hidden risks. The goal is clear – to ensure that physical exertion remains solely an ally of health, not a threat to life.
Who is allowed to perform sports examinations according to the new law?
The Regulation precisely defines who is authorized to conduct these specific examinations. The healthcare of athletes is now exclusively performed by a team consisting of a specialist in occupational medicine and sports and a nurse or technician. This specialization ensures that examinations are conducted by experts trained to recognize physiological changes specific to sports exertion. School medicine doctors maintain jurisdiction solely for students in the school sports system, while all other competitors must undergo their examinations in authorized institutions for occupational and sports medicine.
What does the mandatory medical examination for athletes include?
The examination according to the new standard is no longer just a formality, and from now on it must include the printout from the chosen general practitioner or pediatrician's card. In this way, the sports medicine specialist has complete insight into the athlete's medical history and previous health issues, which significantly reduces the possibility of oversight in forming the final opinion on ability. The minimum scope of the examination covers targeted processing depending on the type of sport, taking into account the specific loads to which the athlete is exposed.
The obligation of AED devices (defibrillators) on sports fields
One of the most significant innovations of the Regulation is the obligation to possess an automatic external defibrillator (AED) at sports facilities. Facility owners and event organizers are required to ensure the availability of this device and a first aid kit. Depending on the number of participants in the competition, the level of expertise of the present staff (BLS or ALS certificates) is also prescribed, ensuring a quick and adequate response in critical moments. Priska Med Polyclinic offers advisory support to clubs in this area to ensure full compliance with the new safety requirements.
Documentation required for the health examination of athletes
To make the examination process as efficient as possible, athletes are required to prepare certain documentation in advance. This primarily refers to a declaration of health status and a completed questionnaire, which serve the doctor as a basis for further diagnostics. Correctly filled out forms expedite the process and ensure the accuracy of data.
At the links below you can download the necessary documents:
Declaration of health status of the athlete
Health questionnaire for sports examinations
Priska Med Polyclinic as a partner for athletes of all ages
As one of the first healthcare institutions in Split and the wider region to fully meet all strict conditions prescribed by the new Regulation, Priska Med Polyclinic ensures that your examinations are conducted professionally, quickly, and in accordance with the latest standards of sports medicine. Our equipment and expert team of specialists in occupational medicine and sports allow us to conduct detailed diagnostics that go beyond ordinary forms, providing clubs and parents full security, and athletes a quality medical foundation for achieving top results without endangering their health. By timely aligning with the new legislative framework, we have positioned ourselves as a reliable partner to sports collectives that prioritize the health and longevity of their members.
Learn more about the new protocols and secure your appointment on time to welcome the competitive season without administrative obstacles.
Contact us at:
📞 021 44 33 44
📧 medicina.rada@priska-med.com
📲 Directly via the contact form
📍 Through Smrdečac 45, Split