By Mirna Puklin Vucelić

ZAGREB, 29 January 2026 (Hina) – Croatia will significantly restrict the use of dental amalgam, commonly known as “black fillings”, from 1 July 2026, following the adoption of a European Union regulation aimed at eliminating mercury use across member states.

The Croatian Parliament has approved the implementation of EU Regulation 2024/1849, adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on 13 June 2024, which expands the ban on mercury-containing dental amalgam to nearly all patients within the European Union.

Until now, the use of dental amalgam in the EU had already been prohibited for children under 15, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, except where strictly medically necessary.

Under the new regulation, this restriction is extended to all patients, making dental amalgam a rare exception rather than a standard treatment option.

Although the regulation formally entered into force in Croatia on 1 January 2025, a transitional exemption applies until 30 June 2026.

During this period, dentists may still use amalgam only if they determine it is medically necessary due to specific health needs or highly specialised clinical circumstances.

According to the regulation, this temporary exemption was introduced to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the phase-out, particularly for low-income patients.

Import and production banned from July 2026

From 1 July 2026, the import and production of dental amalgam will be prohibited in Croatia, in line with EU-wide rules. The only exception will be for patients with clearly defined medical indications that require amalgam use.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the regulation applies directly in all EU member states, requiring no additional national legislation.

Amalgam use already declining

The Croatian Chamber of Dental Medicine (HKDM) notes that Croatian dentists have already been complying with earlier EU restrictions since 1 January 2018, routinely using composite fillings instead of amalgam for children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, except where medical reasons dictate otherwise.

While dental amalgam is still technically classified as a standard material within the public health system, its use has been steadily declining. Private dental practices outside the public healthcare system now rarely use amalgam, opting instead for modern alternatives.

According to data from the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO), a total of 2,525 amalgam fillings were placed in public primary care dental clinics during the first 11 months of 2025, highlighting its diminishing role in everyday dental treatment.

Discussions are ongoing between the Ministry of Health, HKDM and HZZO regarding which mercury-free materials will officially replace amalgam within Croatia’s public health system.

Deputy Minister of Health Tomislav Dulibić told Parliament that the annual cost of the new fillings is estimated at €10–12 million, which will be included in HZZO’s future financial plans to ensure patients are not required to pay additional fees.

HKDM has proposed glass ionomer fillings as a replacement for permanent premolars and molars in insured patients over 18 who are not pregnant or breastfeeding. While HZZO determines which materials are covered under compulsory health insurance, dentists will retain the option to use alternative materials when medically justified.

The Chamber emphasises that the move away from amalgam is driven solely by environmental protection, not by concerns that existing amalgam fillings pose a direct health risk to patients.

Mercury-free Europe by 2030

The dental amalgam phase-out forms part of the European Union’s broader ambition to become the world’s first mercury-free economy by 2030. The plan includes banning the import and export of mercury and mercury-containing products, ensuring safe storage, and gradually eliminating remaining uses.

Dental amalgam remains one of the largest sources of mercury use in Europe, with estimates suggesting that around 40 tonnes of mercury enter the environment each year through dental applications.

Mercury exposure is known to have serious adverse health effects, impacting the nervous, immune and reproductive systems, and potentially causing liver and kidney damage. It can also be passed from mother to child during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The regulation supports the goals of the European Green Deal, the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, and the Zero Pollution Action Plan, reinforcing Europe’s long-term commitment to protecting both public health and the environment.