Eligibility quiz
Are you the parent or adoptive parent of a Croatian citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Croatia
You can live in Croatia.pdf) while your permission is valid, including with the family member you joined.
Permission is normally for up to one year, or until your family member’s permission expires if sooner; joining a Croatian citizen or life partner can mean up to two years.
If you apply to renew before expiry, you can stay until the renewal decision becomes enforceable.
Study and train
You can access education and vocational training.pdf) in Croatia under the rules for your situation.
Work in Croatia
You can work or be self-employed in Croatia.
Some holders, including those joining a Croatian citizen, do not need separate work permission; others may need it or a change of status.
How to apply
From outside CroatiaFrom outside Croatia
Find your consulate
Find the Croatian embassy or consulate that serves the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Croatian consulate serves your city for a temporary stay application for family reunification?”
Download the application form
Download Form 1a, the application for temporary stay.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in and sign Form 1a yourself.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Croatia Form 1a for temporary stay for family reunification?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsHand in your application
Submit your signed form and documents to the consulate, and ask how it takes applications. You can submit them yourself or use express, secure mail if the consulate permits it.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Croatia temporary stay application for family reunification at the consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the decision on your application and respond if the authorities ask for more information or documents.
See decision informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Croatia temporary stay application for family reunification at a consulate take?”
Apply for an entry visa
If you need a visa to enter Croatia, apply for it separately after your temporary stay is approved and wait for it before travelling. If you do not need a visa, you can enter under the applicable entry rules.
Find visa instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a Croatia entry visa after approval of temporary stay for family reunification?”
Travel to Croatia
Travel to Croatia after your temporary stay is approved and you have any entry visa you need.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Croatia after approval of temporary stay for family reunification?”
Once in CroatiaOnce in Croatia
Find your police office
Find the police administration or police station responsible for the place where you will stay in Croatia.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Croatia police administration or police station serves your city for temporary stay for family reunification?”
Pay the residence costs
Pay the prescribed residence-document costs after approval. Ask the police office how to pay.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay residence permit costs for Croatia temporary stay for family reunification at the police office serving your city?”
Give your biometrics
Go to the police office when instructed to give your photograph, biometrics and signature for your residence card.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I give biometrics for a Croatia temporary stay residence card for family reunification at the police office serving your city?”
Collect your residence card
Collect your biometric residence card from the police office. It documents your approved temporary stay in Croatia.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect a Croatia temporary stay residence card for family reunification from the police office serving your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Child's birth certificate *
Get your Croatian child's birth-register extract showing that you are their parent. If you were adopted as their parent, provide the adoption decision instead. The Croatian authorities obtain Croatian registry extracts themselves; foreign public documents must be originals or certified copies.
* Only if your child's birth record is not in a Croatian register or you need an adoption decision to prove your relationship.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Keeping your stay valid
Keep a valid passport or travel document, health insurance and any required means of support, and register your address.pdf) and changes.
To renew your stay, apply no later than 60 days before it expires.
Time spent away
A long absence can put your stay at risk, though exceptions and justified reasons apply.
One absence of up to 90 days may be protected in specified justified circumstances; notify a Croatian embassy or consulate if exceptional circumstances arise abroad.
Stay can end
Your stay can end on expiry, loss of its basis, fraud, an absence, expulsion, or withdrawal for other reasons.pdf), including an insincere family purpose or a security, public-order or health risk.
An illness or disability arising after permission is granted cannot alone justify refusal to extend it or expulsion.
If your stay ends and you have no other lawful status, you must leave Croatia.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
EU Freedom of Movement Support Initiative
English Facebook group for people living in Croatia interested in Croatian visas
Request to joinr/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 FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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