Short answer. Croatia plans potassium iodide (KI) for people under 40 in the zone within 25 km of the Krško nuclear plant in Slovenia, covering two towns and 11 municipalities 1. Tablets are stored at two county public health institutes and handed out only when the authorities order it 1. The KI tablet authorised in Croatia, Kalijev jodid Sandoz 65 mg, is prescription-only 2.
Who is covered by Croatia's iodine plan?
The emergency protection zone is the Croatian territory within 25 km of the Krško plant, adjusted to municipal borders 1:
- Towns: Zaprešić and Samobor.
- Municipalities: Zagorska Sela, Kumrovec, Tuhelj, Klanjec, Kraljevec na Sutli, Dubravica, Luka, Marija Gorica, Pušća, Brdovec and Žumberak.
The zone is split into a 0-15 km and a 15-25 km sub-zone 1. Distribution beyond it is possible after field measurements 1. Our nuclear plant zones guide compares zone sizes in other countries.
Are tablets distributed in advance?
No. Stocks are held by the Public Health Institutes of Krapina-Zagorje County (in Zlatar) and Zagreb County (in Zaprešić) 1. They are distributed to the population when civil protection orders it, on the advice of the radiological safety authority 1.
Who should take iodine, and how much?
The standard operating procedure states: "Primjena pripravaka kalijeva jodida predviđena je samo za osobe mlađe od 40 godina" (potassium iodide is intended only for people under 40) 1. One dose protects for 24 hours 1.
| Group | Dose |
|---|---|
| Adults 18-40 | 130 mg |
| Adolescents 12-18 | 130 mg from about 70 kg; child dose if much lighter |
| Pregnant or breastfeeding women | 130 mg, no more than one daily dose |
| Children 3-12 years | 65 mg |
| Babies 1 month-3 years | 32 mg |
| Babies under 1 month | 16 mg |
Source: 1. Take iodine only when the authorities tell you to. Our potassium iodide guide explains how it works and its limits.
Can I buy iodine tablets in a Croatian pharmacy?
Only with a prescription. HALMED, the Croatian medicines agency, lists Kalijev jodid Sandoz 65 mg tablets as a "medicinal product subject to medical prescription", supplied through community pharmacies 2. The product was authorised on 5 July 2024 and is listed as in shortage 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which nuclear plant is the plan for?
The Krško nuclear plant in Slovenia; the Croatian zone is the territory within 25 km of it 1.
I live in Zagreb. Am I in the iodine zone?
The listed zone covers Zaprešić, Samobor and 11 municipalities, not the City of Zagreb 1. Distribution beyond the zone is possible after field measurements 1.
Why only people under 40?
That is the scope set by Croatia's procedure for iodine prophylaxis around Krško 1.
Should I take iodine as soon as I hear a siren?
No. Tablets are handed out and taken when civil protection orders it 1. Listen to the announcement after the siren 3.
Sources
- Ministarstvo zdravlja / Narodne novine — Standardni operativni postupak o opsegu i načinu provedbe jodne profilakse u slučaju izvanrednog događaja u Nuklearnoj elektrani Krško (NN 18/2015) — https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2015_02_18_391.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
- HALMED (Agencija za lijekove i medicinske proizvode) — Kalijev jodid Sandoz 65 mg tablete - Medicinal Products Database — https://www.halmed.hr/en/Lijekovi/Baza-lijekova/Kalijev-jodid-Sandoz-65-mg-tablete/15594/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova - Ravnateljstvo civilne zaštite — Znakovi za uzbunjivanje (plakat) — https://civilna-zastita.gov.hr/znakovi-za-uzbunjivanje/143 (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Croatia, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Ministarstvo zdravlja / Narodne novine · Standardni operativni postupak o opsegu i načinu provedbe jodne profilakse u slučaju izvanrednog događaja u Nuklearnoj elektrani Krško (NN 18/2015) checked 2026-10-20
- HALMED (Agencija za lijekove i medicinske proizvode) · Kalijev jodid Sandoz 65 mg tablete - Medicinal Products Database checked 2026-10-20
- Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova - Ravnateljstvo civilne zaštite · Znakovi za uzbunjivanje (plakat) checked 2026-10-20