How to show proof of financial means when applying for residence in Croatia: Guide for 2023

This post has been verified with the ministry that handles immigration.

UPDATED: 23.3.2023.

When applying for residency in Croatia, you must show that you have enough money to support yourself – financial means or means of subsistence or sredstva za uzdržavanje. This is required in most cases when applying for temporary or permanent residency, regardless of your nationality.

If you want to learn how to get a temporary and permanent residence in Croatia, view our guides here.

In this post, we cover:

• Financial means calculation
• How much money do you need
• How to prove financial means
• When to prove financial means
• Other useful tips

The facts are these…

How to show proof of financial means when applying for Croatian residence

How the amount of financial means is calculated

The amount of financial means for temporary and permanent stay in Croatia is defined by Uredba o načinu izračuna i visini sredstava za uzdržavanje državljanina treće zemlje u Republici Hrvatskoj (Regulation on the method of calculation and amount of means of subsistence for third-country nationals in the Republic of Croatia). It is available here.

The exact amount of financial means is calculated according to the amount of the average monthly neto salary in Croatia in the previous year. The average monthly neto salary is published by the Državni zavod za statistiku (Central Bureau of Statistics).

Based on this amount, different calculations are made to reach the amount the government believes you need to support yourself on a monthly basis.

[Read: Minimum wage salaries in Croatia including average monthly neto salary]

How much money do I need when applying for Croatian residence?

#1 Students

Secondary education students who apply for temporary residence must possess monthly financial means in the amount of 15% of the average monthly salary, which is approximately 153 euros (1.147,95 kuna) per month.

Students who apply for temporary residence must possess monthly financial means in the amount of 25% of the average monthly salary, which is approximately 254 euros (1.913,25 kuna) per month. They also must possess return funds in the amount of 60% of the average monthly salary, which is approximately 610 euros (4.591,80 kuna).

[Read: How to study & gain student residence in Croatia]

#2 Digital Nomads

The financial means of digital nomads must be equal to the amount of AT LEAST 2 1/2 average monthly neto salary paid for the previous year (based on 2022’s average salary). For each additional family member, life partner, or informal life partner, this amount is increased by 10% of the threshold.

The latest amount for digital nomads is 2.539,31 euros per month or 30.471,72 euros for 12 months.

[Read: How to apply for the digital nomad residence permit in Croatia]

#3 Family members of Croatian citizens

If you are a close family member of a Croatian citizen and applying for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification, you don’t need to provide the financial means.

This is supported by Article 65 of the Law on foreigners, which states:

Reguliranje privremenog boravka za člana uže obitelji hrvatskog državljanina

Članak 65.

(1) Član uže obitelji hrvatskog državljanina iz članka 64. stavka 1. ovoga Zakona za odobrenje privremenog boravka u svrhu spajanja obitelji ne mora dokazivati osigurana sredstva za uzdržavanje.

(2) Državljanin treće zemlje iz stavka 1. ovoga članka iznimno ne mora dostaviti valjanu stranu putnu ispravu ako je ne može pribaviti u diplomatsko-konzularnom predstavništvu strane države u Republici Hrvatskoj, a njegov identitet je moguće nedvojbeno utvrditi na drugi način.

Which translates to…

Regulating temporary residence for a close family member of a Croatian citizen

Article 65

(1) A member of the immediate family of a Croatian citizen referred to in Article 64, paragraph 1 of this Act does not have to prove secured means of subsistence for the purpose of granting temporary residence for the purpose of family reunification.

(2) A third-country national referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article does not have to submit a valid foreign travel document if he cannot obtain it at a foreign diplomatic mission or consular post in the Republic of Croatia, and his identity can be unequivocally established in another way.

Per Article 64 in the same law, close family members are:

(1) Član uže obitelji u smislu ovoga Zakona je:
1. bračni drug
2. izvanbračni drug
3. maloljetno zajedničko dijete bračnih i izvanbračnih drugova, životnih partnera ili neformalnih životnih partnera te maloljetno dijete svakog od njih, njihovo maloljetno zajednički posvojeno dijete odnosno maloljetno posvojeno dijete svakog od njih koje nije u braku, kao i maloljetno dijete životnog ili neformalnog životnog partnera ili njegovo maloljetno posvojeno dijete koje nije u braku
4. roditelj ili posvojitelj maloljetnog djeteta hrvatskog državljanina, državljanina treće zemlje kojem je odobreno dugotrajno boravište ili stalni boravak, azil ili supsidijarna zaštita.

Which translates to…

(1) A close family member in terms of this Act is:
1. spouse
2. extramarital partner
3. minor joint child of spouses and extramarital partners, life partners or informal life partners and a minor child of each of them, their minor jointly adopted child or a minor adopted child of each of them who is not married, as well as a minor child of a living or informal life partner or his underage adopted child who is not married
4. parent or adoptive parent of a minor child of a Croatian citizen, a third-country national who has been granted long-term residence or permanent residence, asylum or subsidiary protection.

And this is from an official decision we received from MUP on the matter:

Ujedno napominjemo da je člankom 65. Zakona o strancima popisano da član uže obitelji hrvatskog državljanina iz članka 64. stavka 1. ovoga Zakona za odobrenje privremenog boravka u svrhu spajanja obitelji ne mora dokazivati osigurana sredstva za uzdržavanje.”

Which translates to…

At the same time, we note that Article 65 of the Aliens Act stipulates that a close family member of a Croatian citizen referred to in Article 64, paragraph 1 of this Act does not have to prove secured means of subsistence in order to be granted temporary residence for family reunification.

#4 Everyone else

For everyone else, the minimum amount of money you need to have varies depending on your case and the number of people in your family.

This implies people who apply for a residence permit based on other basis including:

• EU/EEA/Swiss nationals – view a guide here
• Permanent residents – view guides here and here
• EU Blue Card – view a guide here
• Family reunification – view a guide here
• Marrying a Croatian – view guides here and here
• Ownership of the real estate – view a guide here
• Prepayment of rent – view a guide here
• Volunteering – view a guide here
• Work for a Croatian company – view a guide here
• Starting their own company – view a guide here
• Learning the Croatian language – view a guide here
• Scientific research

How it is calculated:

• For a single person (yourself) = 50% of the average monthly neto salary in the previous year
• For a family of 2 = Amount for a single person + additional 15% of the average monthly neto salary in the previous year
• For each additional family member = Amount increases by an additional 10% of the average monthly neto salary in the previous year

The latest amount for a single person is approximately 508 euros (3.826,50 kuna) per month.

How do I prove financial means for Croatian residence?

Depending on your scenario, there are different ways to prove your financial means. Below is the documentation that can serve as proof of financial means according to certain cases.

Proof of financial means for granting Croatian temporary residence

Family reunification

• 6 calculations of paid salaries before the application
• Tax decision
• Pension statement
• Decision on entry in the Register of family farms and proof of earning funds on this basis
• Statement on the support of a third-country national written by a family or joint household member
• Bank account (for family reunification with digital nomads)

Secondary education

• Proof of scholarship
• Certificate on bearing costs of schooling (accommodation and food) from the educational institution or organization that implements the student exchange
• Statement on the support of a third-country national written by a family or joint household member
• Bank certificate

Study

• Proof of scholarship
• Proof of participation in EU or multilateral programs involving mobility measures or an agreement between two or more higher education institutions or a bilateral program
• Statement on the support of a third-country national written by a family or joint household member
• Bank certificate

Research

• Copy of guest contract in case of the first temporary stay
• 6 calculations of paid salaries before the application in case of extending the temporary stay

Life partnership

• 6 calculations of paid salaries before the application
• Tax decision
• Pension statement
• Decision on entry in the Register of family farms and proof of earning funds on this basis
• Statement on the support of a third-country national written by a family or joint household member
• Bank account (for family reunification with digital nomads)

Work

• Work contract in case of the first work permit
• 6 calculations of paid salaries before the application in case of extending the work permit
• Calculations of paid salaries in proportion to the validity of the previously issued seasonal work permit in case of extending a seasonal work permit
• Bank certificate – trade business owners enclose it for the first work permit
• Tax decisions – trade business owners enclose it for extending the work permit

Work of posted worker

• Calculation of the paid salary
• Certificate on the paid salary before the application from a foreign employer

Stay of people with residence in EU/EEA

• Pension statement
• Tax decision
• Decision on entry in the Register of family farms and proof of earning funds on this basis
• Statement on the support of a third-country national written by a family or joint household member
• Bank certificate
• Work contract if they intend to work in Croatia in case of the first residence permit
• 6 calculations of paid salaries before the application in case of extending the work permit

[Read: How EU/EEA permanent residents can get temporary residence in Croatia]

Digital nomads

• Proof of regular income of funds from abroad for the previous 6 months OR a single bank statement showing funds in one lump sum
• Bank certificate

Other purposes

• Pension excerpt
• Statement on the support of a third-country national written by a family or joint household member
• Bank certificate

Proof of financial means for granting residence and work permit

People transferred within the company

• 6 calculations of paid salaries before the application paid by the employer who transfers them to work in Croatia

Volunteers

• Bank certificate
• Confirmation stating the European Solidarity Force is providing financial support

Trainees

• Bank certificate

Proof of financial means for granting permanent residence

• 6 calculations of paid salaries before the application
• Tax decision
• Pension statement
• Decision on entry in the Register of family farms and proof of earning funds on this basis
• Statement on the support of a third-country national written by a family or joint household member
• Confirmation from the bank on the means of subsistence in the prescribed amount for 6 years before the application

What means of subsistence do not include

• Social assistance
• Unemployment benefits
• Child allowances
• Other support from the Croatian state budget

If using a work contract

In this contract, your monthly neto salary will be defined. Neto salary is the amount of money that will hit your personal bank account every month. This neto salary must be higher than the thresholds stated above.

[Read: How to apply for a work permit]

If putting money in a bank account

If putting money in a bank account, you’ll need to deposit enough money to cover the minimum amount for one year. For example, if you are a single individual, you would need to deposit the amount for 12 months x approximately 508 euros (3.826,50 kuna).

For a very long time, the police would only accept a bank statement from a Croatian bank. They are now accepting foreign bank statements as a matter of practice and discretion. I mentioned the latter because it’s important to be prepared if they do ask you to open a Croatian bank account. If showing a foreign bank account, they may insist on seeing the currency noted on the statement.

You’ll only need to keep the money in a Croatian bank temporarily during your residency application process. Tell the bank that you are applying for residency and that you need to show the balance to the police. They will generate a letter you can take and submit as part of your application.

[Read: Do I need to open a bank account in Croatia]

When do I show my proof of financial means for Croatia?

You give this proof to the police when they ask for it.

If you’re a non-EU/EEA national, wait until the police tell you to do so. They do not ask for this until it’s clear you have a valid basis for the application, which is usually a few steps into the process. Also, they will tell you the exact amount you need to have.

[Read: Available visas and residence permits for Croatia]

What else do I need to know about proving means of subsistence for Croatia?

A point I drive home across this web site is that everybody’s situation is different. While these are the defined thresholds confirmed with MUP, it doesn’t mean that the caseworker processing your application will abide by these amounts.

[Read: The most important lesson you need to learn about living in Croatia]

I’ll share a story from my own personal experience. I am a non-EU/EEA national. When I first came to Croatia, my spouse was an EU/EEA national and he had a salary through a Croatian company that met the salary requirements.

On my third temporary permit application and my first as a single lady, they requested two deposits. The first, early in the application process, needed to be only 266 euros (2.000 kuna). Then later, the second deposit needed to be 664 euros (5.000 kuna). I can only surmise that I had “built up credit” with them.

When it was time for my permanent residency application, they no longer would allow me to show funds on an account. I had to have a salary from a Croatian company so I opened a business. However, even though the threshold was 319 euros (2.400 kuna) a month, they claimed it wasn’t enough to live on and my salary needed to be higher. Well, of course, it’s not enough to live on, but that isn’t really the point.

They told me I must pay myself a salary of at least 531 euros (4.000 kuna) as a single person. Not long after, the government implemented a minimum wage for company directors, which required me to increase my salary even higher.

[Read: Minimum wage salaries in Croatia]

If you’d like help with your residence application, please contact us.

View our other documentation articles

• Apostille versus full legalization of government documents
• Background checks and fingerprints for third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA citizens)
• How to apply for a Croatian passport
• How to get a copy of a birth certificate
• How to get proof of citizenship (domovnica)
• How to get something notarized
• How to prepare your foreign documents for use in Croatia
• Which documents you should bring with you to Croatia (if you plan to live here)

Sources:
Temporary stay for digital nomads
Uredba o načinu izračuna i visini sredstava za uzdržavanje državljanina treće zemlje u Republici Hrvatskoj