INTRODUCTION: In a recent years there has been a trend of decline in the number of physicians in Europe. The relatively high average age of physicians, the liberalization of the labor market, the continually aging populations with consequently increased demands for healthcare are all becoming more important public-health and social problems for EU member states. The question of health worker migration has been increasingly discussed, especially within the context of European Union (EU) enlargement. ----- AIM: We want to investigate emigration preferences of students, attitudes towards working conditions abroad and expectations for career opportunities in Croatia after joining to the EU. ----- SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We investigated emigration preferences among 232 final-year medical students of the Zagreb Medical School by use of an electronic questionnaire in which we assessed their attitudes towards working conditions abroad during May 2013. RESULTS: With an overall response rate of 87%, more than half of the surveyed students (62%) intended to travel abroad for specialty, 52 (26%), subspecialty - 54 (27%) training and 17 (9%) students wanted to travel abroad if they have the opportunity. More female, 58 (43%); than male, 17 (27%) students indicated that they would not emigrate The most attractive destinations identified by respondents were Germany, 34 (28%); the USA, 19 (16%); the UK, 19 (16%); Switzerland, 16(13%) and Canada, 11 (9%). The most important goals that respondents aimed to achieve through training abroad were: to excel professionally 45 (38%), to prosper financially 20 (17%) and to acquire new experiences and international exposure 31 (26%). Male respondents indicated earnings, 12 (26%), as the second most important factor for leaving the country. Factors that our students’ reported as motivating for departure, goals they want to achieve through training abroad, generally positive beliefs about working conditions abroad and not very positive expectations regarding career opportunities in Croatia following accession to the EU may serve as an indicator of areas in the healthcare system and overall national/social system. ----- CONCLUSION: A significant percentage of final- year medical students from Zagreb University (62%) expressed intentions to migrate abroad after graduation. This survey and the obtained results may be an early warning for potential adverse trend(s) in the migration of health professionals with the possible serious consequences on the functioning of the Croatian healthcare system at all levels.