Eligibility quiz
Are you married to someone who lives in Croatia?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Croatia
You can live in Croatia for up to two years while your permission to stay is valid.
Your stay normally cannot last longer than the permission held by the person you joined.
Study and train
You can study and receive professional training.pdf) in Croatia.
Work in Croatia
You can work or be self-employed.pdf) in Croatia, but you may need separate permission to work.
How to apply
From outside CroatiaFrom outside Croatia
Find your consulate
Find the Croatian consulate or embassy responsible for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Croatian consulate handles temporary stay for family reunification applications for people living in your city?”
Download the application form
Download Form 1a for temporary stay for family reunification.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete and sign Form 1a, selecting temporary stay for family reunification.
See how to fill itSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Croatia's Form 1a for temporary stay for family reunification?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsHand in your application
Contact the consulate for its filing instructions, then bring your signed form and documents in person unless it permits another delivery method. Pay the charges as the consulate instructs and keep the receipt.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a temporary stay for family reunification application at the Croatian consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the decision and respond if the authorities ask for more information or documents.
See how decisions workSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Croatia temporary stay for family reunification decision take at a consulate?”
Arrange your travel
After approval, obtain an entry visa from the Croatian consulate if you need one, then travel to Croatia. Approval of your temporary stay does not replace an entry visa.
Find visa instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a Croatian entry visa after approval of temporary stay for family reunification?”
Once in CroatiaOnce in Croatia
Find your police office
Find the police administration or station responsible for the place where you will stay.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Croatia police administration or station handles temporary stay for family reunification in your city?”
Register your address
Register your temporary residence address at the police office within three days of entering Croatia. Use Form 16a and bring proof of your accommodation.
Find registration instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I register my address in Croatia after approval of temporary stay for family reunification?”
Give your biometrics
Go to the police office in person with your valid passport and the required photograph, and give your biometrics for your residence card. Pay the card and administrative charges as the office instructs.
Find card instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I give biometrics and pay for a Croatia biometric residence permit after approval of temporary stay for family reunification?”
Collect your card
Collect your biometric residence card in person from the same police office. You can use it as evidence of your approved temporary stay in Croatia.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect a Croatia biometric residence permit after approval of temporary stay for family reunification?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificate *
Get an extract from the marriage register for you and your spouse. Check whether your office requires it to have been issued within the last six months.
* Only if you are married and your marriage is not recorded in Croatia.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationPartnership evidence *
Provide a birth-register extract for your child together or an adoption decision, if you have one. Otherwise, provide an eligible birth extract, a single-status certificate if needed, or an extract from a partnership register, along with evidence of your relationship and plans to keep living together. This can include your joint statement, witness statements and proof that you shared a home for the three years immediately before applying; check whether your office requires recent civil-status records.
* Only if you are applying through a partner you are not married to.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Registration and records
Register your address with the police within 30 days of being granted temporary stay or receiving the relevant long-stay visa.
Notify the police within 15 days if the conditions for your stay cease to exist.
Keep a valid travel document and the required health insurance, including compulsory insurance.
Renewal deadline
Apply to extend.pdf) your stay no later than 60 days before it expires.
If you apply on time, you may stay in Croatia until the decision takes legal effect.
Time outside Croatia
For a stay of up to one year, absence limits are 90 days in total or 30 days on one trip.
For a stay of up to two years, the limits are 180 days in total or 60 days on one trip.
One justified absence of up to 90 days may be allowed if you notify the police before leaving.
Temporary stay can end
Your stay can end when it expires, at your request, or if its conditions or purpose no longer hold, including a genuine relationship.
It may also be taken away for an entry or stay ban, a relevant shared-system alert, late address registration or excess absences.
A family member's later illness or disability.pdf) cannot alone justify refusing an extension or ordering your removal.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
EU Freedom of Movement Support Initiative
English Facebook group for people living in Croatia interested in Croatian visas
Request to joinAmecan -USA Canada Australia Europe Japan-Visitor & Student Visa Specialist
English Facebook group for people living in Croatia interested in Croatian visas
Join on Facebookr/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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