How to apply for Croatian temporary residence based on language study
UPDATED: 18.4.2023.
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA citizens) can apply for temporary residence in Croatia if they enroll in a Croatian language study program, like Croaticum, for example. Temporary residence on the basis of language study falls under the “other purposes” under the law. Once your application is approved, you can stay in Croatia for up to a year.
Please note that this purpose of temporary residence is different than residence based on being a student. If you’re interested in a traditional student residence, hop over here.
In this post, we cover:
- Things to know before applying
- What is stated in the Law on Foreigners
- How to apply for residence based on language study
- Skip the research and let EIC answer all of your questions
- Read reviews from people we’ve helped
The facts are these…
How to apply for Croatian temporary residence based on language study
Things to know before applying based on language study
- This permit is valid for up to a year
- You can’t work for a Croatian company during your stay
- If you wish to apply again for this purpose, you must leave for 90 days at the end of the permit
- You can apply again 6 months and 1 day from the expiry date of your previous permit
If you are considering applying for this type of residence, you should know the following:
The law on foreigners doesn’t mention how many times you can apply for this permit. Croatian police stations observe each application and person individually which means cases may differ.
What is stated in the Croatian Law on Foreigners?
According to the Zakon o strancima (Law on foreigners), this permit is considered temporary residence based on “other purposes”. This law is available here.
Article 57, Paragraph 4 of the law says:
Zahtjev za reguliranje privremenog boravka u druge svrhe ili svrhu boravka digitalnih nomada državljanin treće zemlje može podnijeti nakon isteka roka šest mjeseci od isteka važenja privremenog boravka koji je bio odobren u druge svrhe ili svrhu boravka digitalnih nomada.
Which translates to…
A citizen of a third country can submit a request to regulate temporary residence for other purposes or the purpose of digital nomads’ residence after the expiration of six months from the expiration of the validity of the temporary residence that was approved for other purposes or the purpose of digital nomads’ residence.
The law doesn’t mention language study or any other scenarios under the section druge svrhe (other purposes). What exactly belongs to other purposes is not defined by the law, but instead by the practice and discretion of the police. In practice, language study belongs to other purposes but could change at any time.
Time spent on temporary residence based on language study doesn’t count when applying for permanent residence in Croatia.
[Read: How to apply for temporary Croatian residence based on other purposes (druge svrhe)]
How to apply for residency in Croatia based on language study
If you’d like to apply for a temporary residency in Croatia based on studying the Croatian language, the following steps can serve as a guide through the process.
Step #1 Contact MUP
First, you have to visit the police administration office called MUP according to your future Croatian address. Ask for a service desk called šalter za strance which is specifically for foreigners.
[Read: How to find administrative police stations in Croatia]
Our advice is to call them before the visit. Some police stations require making an appointment in advance. Explain to them that you want to apply for a temporary residence based on the language study and ask them for the latest requirements.
Some third-country nationals are required to possess a visa to enter Croatia. This depends on your nationality. Check whether or not you need a visa to enter Croatia here. If you do require a visa to enter Croatia, you must apply abroad at an embassy or consulate.
Step #2 Identify a language study program
There are many Croatian language schools and programs in Croatia. Here is a list of the biggest programs. Be sure to pick the one that counts for this type of residence. Croaticum is a popular program for many.
Step #3 Prepare the application
After the police have confirmed the latest requirements, you can start putting together your application. Although we have provided the requirements below, keep in mind that requirements may vary by the police station and the individual caseworker with whom you speak.
The standard requirements are:
- Completed application form Obrazac 1a provided by MUP – view it here
- Valid passport
- Criminal background check and eventually certificate of the length of stay in a foreign country – view a guide here
- Valid private/travel health insurance policy
- Proof you are enrolled in a language study program in Croatia
- Proof of financial means – view a guide here
- 30×35 mm passport photo
- Application fee
Valid passport
The validity period of your foreign passport must be 3 months longer than the validity period of your intended stay. When you visit the police, they will make a copy of your passport. Bring the passport every time you go to MUP.
If your passport isn’t in the English language, you must provide an official translation to the Croatian language.
[Read: How to prepare your foreign documents for use in Croatia]
Background checks
If you apply for temporary residence in Croatia for the first time or you left Croatia after a previous residence permit, you must submit a criminal background check as part of your application.
It is easier to obtain your background check while you are still in your home country before you move to Croatia. In addition to the background check, you must also provide a certificate of the length of stay in a foreign country.
[Read: Background checks and fingerprints for third-country nationals (EU/EEA citizens)]
Valid health insurance
When applying for a temporary residence, you must provide proof of private health insurance. It is called putno zdravstveno osiguranje. This health insurance doesn’t need to be from a Croatian health insurance company.
Putno needs to be valid for at least one year and cover you while on the territory of Croatia.
[Read: How to get travel insurance in Croatia (putno), which you can use to apply for residence]
After your residence permit is approved, you must sign up for Croatian obvezno health insurance within 8 days. You will pay a monthly health insurance premium AND a one-time payment of premiums for the previous year if this is your first time registering for insurance.
[Read: How to sign up for state health insurance in Croatia]
Proof of financial means
When applying, you must prove that you can financially support yourself during your stay. The exact amount of money can vary depending on the average salaries for the previous year, the size of your family, and the discretion of the police. Here are the current minimums.
For this requirement, you can provide a foreign bank statement. However, Croatian police may require you to open a Croatian bank account. In this case, you must deposit the money in one lump sum into the account. The bank will give you a statement showing the funds which you have to provide to the police.
[Read: How to show proof of financial means when applying for residence in Croatia]
Passport photos
It is recommended that you get these in Croatia. This way, you will be sure they meet Croatia’s requirements. In Croatia, photo studios are often placed next to the police station. You will have to provide photos after you are granted a temporary residence, so there is no need to do it before receiving approval.
Application fee
All possible administrative costs for this procedure are available here. MUP will give you a bill called uplatnica that you can pay at the bank, postal office, FINA, or online. You will have to bring proof of payment to MUP.
[Read: How to pay bills in Croatia]
Payment information is available here.
Step #4 Submit the application
After you collect all documents, visit the same police administrative office as before. Go to šalter za strance and tell them that you wish to apply for a temporary residence. They will give you the application form. You can now hand over your application.
The officer will check out your application and accept it if you meet all the requirements. If something is missing, they will tell you what else you must provide. After submitting the application, give your phone number to the police.
Processing time varies depending on many factors. The average wait is about 2 months, but it can be longer, rarely will it be shorter.
You shouldn’t leave Croatia while your application is being processed in case the police need to contact you. You are legally allowed to stay in Croatia while your application is in process.
Step #5 Pay the fees
After your permit is approved, the police will call you or your lawyer (if using one) or send you a blue envelope in the mail to notify you that your application has been approved. At this step, you must bring passport photos for the residence card called boravišna iskaznica.
The police will also take your fingerprints and signature. Now you will pay the administrative fees and bring proof of payment. They will give you a white card that serves as temporary proof of your residence. DO NOT LOSE IT.
Step #6 Get the residence card
Three weeks later, your residence card will be ready. You can return to the police and pick it up. This time, you have to hand over the white card.
Step #7 Celebrate!
Congrats on your temporary residence! You’re now legal!
Additional tips about applying for Croatian residence
- Always be nice to the police. If you have an attitude, they may make things more difficult.
- Don’t go to the police administration office between 11:00 and 13:00. They are usually at lunch or on a smoke break. It is best to visit them in the morning around 8:00 or 9:00.
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Carol Anne Škorvaga, known to us as “CAM”, is a first-generation Croatian-Canadian living in Jastrebarsko with her family. She grew up entrenched in the Croatian community surrounded by culture and folklore, attended Croatian school in Canada and then returned to Zagreb to attend Filozofski Fakultet. CAM is fluent in Croatian and has firsthand knowledge of being both a Canadian expat and a Croatian returnee, building a home in Croatia and being a parent with children in local schools.
Meet CAM in this quick 2-minute video here.
Sara Dyson is the founder of Expat in Croatia. She has lived in Split, Croatia as a US citizen since 2012 and experienced first-hand applying for temporary residence, long-term residence and Croatian citizenship. She’s also operated 2 companies, purchased a home, and written about Croatia and its bureaucracy extensively since 2013. Her application is citizenship is based on her work through Expat in Croatia. Read Sara’s full bio here.
Meet Sara in this quick 2-minute video here.
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The below costs are per 30 minutes and include VAT (25% tax mandated by the Croatian government). If additional time is requested, it is billed in ¼ hour increments.
First-time clients automatically get an extra 30 minutes with an English-speaking lawyer from our vetted network.
Carol Anne Škorvaga
- First-time clients | 150 euros (includes session with lawyer)
- Repeat clients | 75 euros
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- Repeat clients | 150 euros
It takes a tremendous amount of hands-on, human work to research and vet our information that we provide during sessions. This process includes extensive web research, phone calls to the government, collaboration with licensed Croatian professionals, and visits to government, collaboration with licensed Croatian professionals, and visits to government offices.
It’s not something that ChatGPT can do. We must employ skilled, full-time employees who live in Croatia and that comes with a cost.
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My husband and I met consulted with Expat in Croatia in order to learn about obtaining Croatian citizenship. We met with Sara Dyson initially and she was able to answer all of our general questions with regard to citizenship. She also put us in contact with our attorney, Ines, in order to begin the application process. I was very pleased with Sara’s expertise on the matter. Our attorney, Ines, was very thorough and professional. She clearly explained the process step by step and answered all of our questions and concerns throughout the entire process. Our appointment with the Chicago consulate went very smoothly and it was all thanks to Ines’ hard work! We couldn’t be more pleased with the experience and I would recommend Expat in Croatia and their professionals to anyone looking into Croatian citizenship.
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Consulting
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EIC has a Wonderful team of professionals to help guide us through our process of obtaining Croatian citizenship by descent. We had initial consultation with Sara, and then one of the attorneys, Andrea. Although we are gathering our documents on our own, we will be hiring them to oversee the process and help us with requirements we are unable to complete on our own during and after our applications are submitted . We would highly recommend Expat in Croatia !
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United States
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We needed assistance with purchasing property and moving forward with applying for Croatian citizenship. We had a great conversation with Sara and CAM, they explained both processes clearly and provides us with numerous resources. They have also facilitated contact with a Croatian lawyer to work with us on both processes. It has been helpful to understand timelines and requirements, and they have provided contact with professionals that can be responsible for the aspects that we cannot do on our own.
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United Kingdom
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United States
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Australia
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United States
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Australia
Consulting
Very good service. If you are thinking of immigrating to Croatia a chat with Sara is mandatory. There are so many things one must consider. e.g. Immigration procedures and mandatory health care payments etc.
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United States
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
My experience to date with Expat in Croatia has been terrific. The website contains a wealth of information which is vetted and updated regularly. After reviewing the website, I scheduled a consultation with Sara Dyson to discuss the process of obtaining citizenship by descent for myself and my siblings. In less than an hour Sara provided a comprehensive, detailed explanation of the process. She answered all my questions about housing, healthcare, and life in Croatia; and the references provided in a follow-up email were extremely helpful. I am especially impressed with the service they offer matching people applying for citizenship with Croatian lawyers who can assist them. It’s not a simple handoff; an Expat in Croatia representative remains engaged through the entire process and acts as a liaison between the client and the attorney. We will definitely be taking advantage of that service as we pursue our dream of obtaining Croatian citizenship. I look forward to working with Sara, Carol Anne and the entire Expat in Croatia team.
Anna O.
United States
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
I am very grateful for Sara and the EIC team! I stumbled across Sara & EIC a few years ago and have acquired so much useful and interesting information through them. Sara and team are so friendly, professional and passionate with everything Croatia! I had a consulting session with Sara a few weeks ago, and it was very helpful. I’m so excited to hear where the team and services are heading. They offer so many invaluable services. I am also trying to achieve dual citizenship through lineage (both grandparents born in Croatia) and worked with one of their vetted professional lawyers, Ines, through the process. Ines is also wonderful. It’s so reassuring to know that if I am able to get to Croatia, there are people to help support me and show me the ropes. Thank you Sara & Team!
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South Africa
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Todd N.
United Kingdom
Consulting
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Paola F.
Italy
Consulting
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Gosia P.
France
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Browse our other temporary residence articles
- How EEA permanent residents can get temporary residence in Croatia
- How EU citizens can get temporary residence in Croatia
- How non-EU family members of EU/EEA nationals can get temporary residence in Croatia
- How non-EU spouses of Croatians can apply for residence
- How third-country (non-EU) citizens can apply for temporary residency in Croatia
- How to apply for a work permit
- How to apply for residence based on prepayment of rent
- How to apply for the digital nomad residence permit in Croatia
- How to get residency by opening a Croatian business
- How to get a residence permit based on property
- How to study & gain student residence in Croatia
- How to volunteer in Croatia and get residence
Sources:
Third-country nationals by MUP
Temporary stay of third-country nationals by MUP
Pravilnik o boravku državljana trećih zemalja u Republici Hrvatskoj
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.
