- EU/EEA nationals
Nationals of the Member States of the European Economic Area do not need a visa to enter Republic of Croatia and are entitled to stay in the Republic of Croatia for up to three months from the day of their entry into the Republic of Croatia. If EEA nationals plan to stay longer than 3 months (e.g. for the purpose of study or traineeship) they have to register their temporary stay (Form 1b) at the police station or police administration according to their place of stay. A certificate confirming that an EEA national has registered his/her temporary stay is printed out of the Ministry of Interior information system free of charge. EEA nationals may also, if they want to, apply for a biometric residence card which costs 13,27 EUR.
More information is available at the web page of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia.
- Third country nationals
Nationals of countries subject to the visa requirement need to procure an entry visa for Croatia (viza C). Information on countries subject to the visa requirement can be found on the web site of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. Visas are issued by diplomatic mission or consulate of the Republic of Croatia in foreign national’s home country or to the nearest Croatian diplomatic mission or consular office. The visa request form can be filled out online but the paper copy of the form along with supporting documents should be submitted in person no more than 3 months before the start of the intended visit. Visa applicants should be able to prove that they have valid travel medical insurance and means of support during their stay in Croatia (e.g. letter of guarantee, bank statement, proof of scholarship award). The next step is to apply for temporary stay.
Third-country nationals can submit temporary stay application for the purpose of studies (Form 1a) in one of two ways:
- To the diplomatic mission or consulate of the Republic of Croatia in the foreign national’s home country
- To the appropriate police department or police station upon entering Croatia
Applicants should attest the purpose of their temporary stay (e.g. proof of admittance to HEI), have a valid travel document, provide proof of means of support and valid health insurance.
Students who are third-country nationals are obliged to apply for a biometric residence permit. Third-country students should pay the amount of 46,45 EUR to be granted temporary stay and 31,85 EUR for the production of a biometric residence permit (59,73 EUR under the accelerated procedure). International students who have received a scholarship/grant from the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia (e. g. CEEPUS and the Bilateral Scholarships) and/or the AMEUP are exempted from paying the 46,45 EUR fee. The aforementioned students are still to pay for the cost of the issuance of the biometric residence card in the amount of 31,85 EUR and 59,73 EUR under the accelerated procedure. Both amounts have to be paid with a payment slip (separately) to the state budget account, whose IBAN code is obtained at the competent police administration/police station. An additional administrative fee in the amount of 9,29 EUR has to be paid for the issuance of a biometric residence card either to the IBAN code of the state budget or in revenue stamps.
The temporary residence permit is usually granted for the duration of one year or for the duration of the academic year.
A third country national on temporary stay needs to register his/her residence and address within 3 days from entering the Republic of Croatia (Hotels/youth hotels/ student dormitories will do it for you, but if you are renting your accommodation be sure to check with your landlord).
List of required documents for the approval of temporary stay in Croatia for third country nationals:
- Filled-out Application Form 1a (non-EU citizens).
- Original and a copy of a valid personal identification document (preferably passport).
- Proof of means of support in the Republic of Croatia.
- 1 colour photograph (35 x 45 mm).
- Proof of health insurance.
- Certificate confirming that the applicant has no criminal convictions issued by the authorities of the passport holder’s own country and country of permanent residence. This document proves that he/she has no criminal record in his/her home state or in the state where he/she stayed for more than one year prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia. Such document is required when applying for temporary stay for the first time and cannot be older than 6 months from the date of issue. It is highly recommended that the foreign students attain the document in question before they enter Croatia.
More information is available at the web page of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia
Another initial important step in regulating your stay in Croatia is obtaining a personal identification number from the Tax Administration.
The Application for the determination and assignment of the Personal Identification Number (OIB) can be submitted in person at the local offices of the Tax Administration or via web form. However, your host institution can also submit the request on your behalf, so be sure to contact your host institution beforehand. Further instructions are available at the web page of the Croatian Tax Administration office.
Sources: Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia; Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, A Foreign Researchers Guide to Croatia, Ministry of Finance-Tax Administration.
