Eligibility quiz
Were you born in Croatia?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Croatia for life
You can enter and live in Croatia without a time limit, as long as you keep your status.
Study in Croatia
You can study in Croatia under the usual rules for residents, without your stay being tied to a particular course.
Work in Croatia
You can work in Croatia under the usual rules for residents, without your stay being tied to a particular job or employer.
Travel abroad
Your residence card can help you make short Schengen visits, generally for up to 90 days in any 180 days, under the destination's rules.
You also need a valid passport or other accepted travel document.
If you are stateless, you may get a travel document.pdf) normally valid for five years; another special document is available in limited cases.
Use public healthcare
You can use Croatia's public health insurance system under its healthcare rules.
Coverage is compulsory unless an international agreement or special law says otherwise, and not every kind of treatment is automatically free.
Access social support
You may qualify for social support if you meet the conditions for the particular benefit or service.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your police office
Find the police administration or police station responsible for your place of temporary residence.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Croatia police administration or station handles permanent stay applications for your city?”
Download the application form
Download Form 1a, the application for approval of permanent stay.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in and sign Form 1a. Select approval of permanent stay and first issuance.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Croatia Form 1a for permanent stay?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the police office.
See required documentsHand in your application
Bring your completed form and documents in person to the police administration or police station responsible for your place of temporary residence.
Find submission instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an application for permanent stay at a police office in Croatia?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the Ministry of the Interior to decide your application. Answer any questions and provide any additional documents it asks for.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I apply for permanent stay in Croatia?”
Collect your decision
After approval, collect your decision and pay the €83.62 fee. Ask the police office for payment-slip details and pay €31.85 for a regular biometric residence permit or €59.73 for an accelerated permit.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay for a permanent stay decision and biometric residence permit in Croatia?”
Provide your biometric data
Go to the police administration or police station as instructed to provide your biometric data for your residence permit.
Find biometric instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I provide biometric data for a permanent stay residence permit in Croatia?”
Collect your residence permit
Collect your biometric residence permit from the police office as instructed. You can use it to show that you have permanent stay in Croatia.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my biometric residence permit after permanent stay is approved in Croatia?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Birth register extract
Get an extract of your birth record from the Croatian birth register. It should show that you were born in Croatia.
Valid travel document
Submit your valid travel document, such as your passport.
Proof of residence
Collect records showing that you have lived in Croatia continuously since birth. These can include records of preschool or school attendance, earlier work, health care or social benefits, as well as other evidence of your life in Croatia.
Application form
Submit a completed and signed Form 1a for permanent stay.
Residence status statement
Write a statement explaining why you did not arrange your residence status. Explain why those reasons were beyond your control.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Travel and residence documents
Keep a valid travel document, and carry your residence or identity document and show it when lawfully asked.
Report loss or theft without delay, and replace your residence card if it expires, is damaged or no longer matches your details or photo.
Return the card when your stay ends or you move away from Croatia.
Status can be lost
You can lose your status if you move out of Croatia or live abroad continuously for more than one year.
A ban on entering or staying in Croatia, or an entry ban in the Schengen information system, can also lead to loss.
It can also be withdrawn at your request or to protect public order, national security or public health; police check the conditions every two years.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
r/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on RedditExpats in Zagreb [Official]
English Facebook group for people living in Croatia interested in Croatian local life
Join on FacebookExpats in Split
English Facebook group for people living in Croatia interested in Croatian local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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