What you need to do if you’re stuck in Croatia because of COVID-19
UPDATED: 21/12/2021
Greetings to all of our temporary neighbors in Croatia!
Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Sara and I’ve helped foreigners move to and live in this lovely country since 2013 through this site you just found, Expat in Croatia. We specialize in Croatian immigration requirements and assisting foreigners with gaining residency and citizenship.
All of our information is thoroughly well-researched as well as directly confirmed with both practicing immigration attorneys, the immigration department (both local and national), and the law that governs foreigners. If people have experiences that conflict with the law, we note that in our resources too. I’ve helped thousands of people over the years because I adore Croatia and am happy to help anyone who wants to be here and loves this country the way I do. It’s what I do every day. 🙂
With that in mind, we want to make sure that you have the most up-to-date information as it concerns your stay here while on holiday so that you know step-by-step exactly what to do and what is needed, just like the resources we provide to the long-term residents.
If you were traveling here temporarily and had to cancel your trip home because of travel restrictions due to the pandemic, there is a chance you may overstay your tourist visa. Croatia allows tourists to stay in the country for up to 30, 60, or 90 days depending on your nationality. If you’re unsure how long you can be in Croatia as a tourist, you can check here.
Both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA (third-country) nationals in this situation must notify the police of their stay just like they would under any other circumstances. Last year on March 27, 2020, we received an official response from MUP where they stated that foreigners who overstayed their visa due to the pandemic would not be subject to penalty and could stay up to 30 days after the end of the pandemic. You can view it here.
While the police did hold to this early on during last year’s lockdown through early summer, this no longer appears to be their policy in practice.
During this time, it is even more crucial that Croatia knows who is here for the safety of all of us. We are now going to tell you exactly what you need to do and how to do it.
If you want to contact your closest consulate or embassy, a full list of foreign embassies and consulates in Croatia along with their contact information is available here.
In this post, we cover:
- Registering with the police
- What to do if you’re an EU/EEA national
- What to do if you’re a non-EU/EEA national
- How to get professional help
The facts are these…
What you need to do if you’re stuck in Croatia because of COVID-19
First, make sure you are registered with the police
When staying in an accommodation, the owner is supposed to register you with the police, either in person or using a system called eVisitor. If you are at risk of overstaying your tourist visa, it is MANDATORY that you check with the accommodation owner to confirm that you were registered.
Keep in mind, it is the legal obligation of whoever owns the property where you are staying to register you with the police. Tourists cannot register themselves. If you are staying with a friend or family member, it is their legal obligation to register you with the police too.
[Read: How tourists are registered with the police]
What to do if you’re an EU/EEA national
EU/EEA nationals have a right to stay in Croatia as long as they like.
However, if you are an EU/EEA national and intend to stay past 90 days, then you need to apply for and receive a residence permit. [Read: How EU citizens can get temporary residence in Croatia]
You should start your application at least 8 days before the end of your tourist stay. If you need help with your application, contact us for an introduction to an immigration lawyer who can handle it all for you.
If you are temporarily here on holiday, then the police (who handle immigration) need to be notified of your presence. If you have already been registered in the eVisitor system, then your accommodation host can use this same system to update your travel dates.
If you are a tourist stuck in Croatia due to the pandemic because you cannot travel back to your own country for any reason, you need to personally contact the police to let them know that you plan to overstay and why. This is important and critical to avoid issues when you eventually leave Croatia.
For your reference, the police are under the Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova, called “MUP” for short. Please note that MUP has been known to communicate in the Croatian language so you may need to find someone to help you. Croatians are wonderful hosts and I’m sure they would do anything to help. Although MUP seems better about speaking in English since the pandemic began.
When contacting MUP by phone or email, you’ll need to provide the following information:
- Your name
- Your nationality
- Your contact number
- Where you live in your home country so they know where you need to get back to
- Address of where you are staying currently and address where you’ll stay until you leave Croatia
- Why you can’t leave Croatia
To let MUP know of your potential overstay, you can visit or contact one of their police stations using the information here. You can also notify the state police using this email address: pitanja@mup.hr
If you need someone to help you notify MUP of your presence in Croatia, we can help! Jump to the last section on this page to find out how to contact us.
If you’ve got it covered, great! Browse our entire library of posts about living in Croatia here and follow our Facebook page for the latest updates here and Instagram page here.
What to do if you’re a non-EU/EEA national
If you are a non-EU/EEA national, the amount of time you can be in Croatia is limited depending on your nationality. It is imperative that you notify the police (who handle immigration) if you plan to overstay your visa. If you don’t know how long you can be here, you can check the requirements for your nationality here.
Police stations are now recommending to all non-EU/EEA nationals who are stuck here due to COVID-19 to apply for a residence permit. Specifically, this residence permit. This will give you some breathing room so you can stay in Croatia for up to 1 year as this pandemic plays out.
If you are already planning to apply for long-term residency, then take a look at this post to find out your options. You should start your application as soon as possible. If you need help with your application, contact us and we can introduce you to an immigration lawyer who can handle it all for you.
If you do not wish to apply for residency and are a tourist that may risk overstaying your visa due to the pandemic because you cannot travel back to your own country for any reason, you need to personally contact the police to let them know that you plan to overstay and why. This is important and critical to avoid issues when you eventually leave Croatia.
If you wish to stay past the term of your tourist visa, you must notify the police at least 8 days before your tourist visa expires (preferably at least 2 weeks to avoid their irritation). Make sure you have a plan for residence before contacting them and be prepared for them to say you cannot stay after the end of your visa without residence.
Most likely, you will be asked to apply for a long-term residence permit. Here are all of the options for residence.
Some police stations are giving some grace periods to some people, but it is hardly consistent and currently the exception, not the rule.
For your reference, the police are under the Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova, called “MUP” for short. Please note that MUP has been known to communicate in the Croatian language so you may need to find someone to help you. Croatians are wonderful hosts and I’m sure they would do anything to help. They’ve been better about speaking in English since the pandemic began though.
When contacting MUP by phone or email, you’ll need to provide the following information:
- Your name
- Your nationality
- Your contact number
- Where you live in your home country so they know where you need to get back to
- Address of where you are staying currently and address where you’ll stay until you leave Croatia
- Why you can’t leave Croatia
To let MUP know of your potential overstay, you can visit or contact one of the police stations using the information here. You can also notify the state police using this email address: pitanja@mup.hr
If you need someone to help you notify MUP of your presence in Croatia, we can help! Jump to the next section to contact us.
If you’ve got it covered, great! Browse our entire library of posts about living in Croatia here and follow our Facebook page for the latest updates here and Instagram page here.
Can I get help?
Yes, of course! We can connect you with expat-vetted immigration lawyers who can take care of all of this for you so that you are protected during your extended and unexpected stay in Croatia.
This service includes:
- Consulting on your specific situation
- Confirming immigration’s requirements for your particular situation
- Written notification to the police on your behalf
- Following up with police on your behalf to confirm registration
- Preparing your residency application if you plan to stay longer
- Representing you with police for the duration of your stay in Croatia
- Providing legal aid until the travel bans are lifted
It’s best to have a local expert who has your back to ensure peace of mind and security. We have relationships with immigration, know the ins and outs of the law, and can communicate with the government on your behalf.
We will be there with you until you’re able to travel safely home. With all the uncertainty, it’s best to make sure you can stay isolated and safe right where you are.
To get help now, please complete and submit the below form:
View other COVID-19 posts
- Complete COVID-19 guide for tourists and residents
- Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 in Croatia
- How to get the COVID-19 passport (EU digital certificate) in Croatia
- How to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Croatia
- How tourists can get the COVID-19 vaccine in Croatia
- Mandatory vaccinations required by law
- Psychological help due to the earthquakes and coronavirus
- Tax relief measures due to COVID-19 & earthquakes
- Where to get face masks, gloves, and sanitizer
- Where to get vaccinated in Croatia
Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.
