Temporary Stay for Third-Country Nationals in Croatia
Application for Temporary Stay
- Where to Apply: Applications are submitted at Croatian diplomatic missions or consular posts. For third-country nationals not requiring a visa, applications can be made at a local police station in the area of intended residence or work.
- Eligibility for Visa Holders: Third-country nationals who need a visa can apply for temporary stay at the police station if they are family members of Croatian citizens, students, researchers, or have other qualifying statuses (e.g., EU Blue Card family members, humanitarian reasons).
Purposes for Temporary Stay
Temporary stay is granted for various reasons, including:
- Family reunification
- Education (secondary school, university, research)
- Humanitarian grounds
- Life partnership
- Work (including posted workers)
- Digital nomads and other purposes.
Conditions for Granting Temporary Stay
Applicants must:
- Prove the purpose of stay (e.g., employment, education, family ties)
- Have a valid passport
- Show proof of sufficient funds and health insurance
- Provide a criminal record check from the last country of residence (except for students, researchers, and posted workers)
- Not be a threat to national security, public health, or public policy.
Withdrawal of Temporary Stay Permit
A permit can be revoked if:
- Conditions for stay are no longer met (e.g., failure to register, leaving Croatia for extended periods)
- The individual stays abroad for more than 90 days in one year, or 180 days over two years (with exceptions for researchers, students, and posted workers).
- The individual stays in Croatia for a different purpose than granted.
Duration of Temporary Stay
- Duration: Temporary stay is granted for up to one year.
- Biometric Residence Permit: If approved, a biometric residence permit is issued.
- Registration: Applicants must report their residence address within 3 days of arrival.
Fees
- Temporary Stay Application: €46.45
- Biometric Residence Permit: €31.85 (or €59.73 for expedited processing)
- Additional Fee: €9.29 for the issuance of a biometric residence permit.
Payments are made via internet banking or at the police station using the appropriate reference numbers.
Temporary Stay for Family Reunification in Croatia
Eligibility for Family Reunification
Temporary stay for family reunification is available to third-country nationals who meet the general requirements for temporary stay and are close family members of:
- A Croatian national
- A third-country national with permanent or temporary stay in Croatia
- A third-country national with long-term residence status
- A third-country national granted protection (asylum or subsidiary protection)
Note: Family reunification is not available to the family members of:
- Workers on seasonal work permits
- Individuals with temporary stay for other purposes
- Service providers or posted workers
Definition of Close Family Members
Close family members include:
- Spouse
- Common-law partner (with evidence of cohabitation)
- Minor children (biological or adopted) of the couple or partner
- Parents or adoptive parents of a minor child who is a Croatian national or has permanent or long-term residency
Required Documents
- Marriage: Extract from the marriage register.
- Common-law partnership: Proof of cohabitation for at least 3 years, such as:
- Birth certificates of children common to both partners
- Proof of living together (e.g., shared household evidence)
- A statement from the partners about their relationship.
- Parent-child relationship: Extract from the birth register or adoption documents.
Exception for Other Family Members
In exceptional cases, other relatives (such as grandparents or siblings) may be considered close family members if there are humanitarian reasons for family reunification.
Note for Croatian Nationals
Family members of Croatian nationals do not need to provide marriage or birth certificates as these are automatically obtained from the registry office.
This framework allows third-country nationals to reunite with their immediate family in Croatia, provided they meet the outlined criteria and submit the necessary documentation.
For more information, please visit official website of the Ministry of the Interior (in English):
