How Ukrainian citizens can come and live in Croatia: Guide for 2023

This post has been verified by the ministry that handles residence as well as immigration lawyers.

UPDATED: 2.3.2023.

Croatia has officially adopted the activation of the EU Directive on the Temporary Protection of Ukrainian refugees. The directive allows refugees from Ukraine to enter Croatia and gain certain benefits WITHOUT having to apply for asylum.

More specifically, the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) is responsible for:

Organizing the reception and care of persons who meet the conditions for granting temporary protection and receiving and deciding on the request for temporary protection
Exercising other rights of foreigners under temporary protection, including basic means of living and accommodation, health protection, primary and secondary education, and work without the need to obtain a residence and work permit or a certificate of registration of work

Temporary protection in Croatia is granted until March 4, 2023, and it is automatically extended until March 4, 2024. The Commission may propose to the EU Council to extend the temporary protection for another year (until March 4, 2025).

In this article, we cover:

To whom temporary protection applies
What to do after arriving at the border
How to register a temporary residence
How to register a pet in Croatia
How to apply for temporary protection
How to extend a temporary protection
Rights of temporary protection
Subsidies for hosting Ukrainians
Where to find news on Ukrainians

The facts are these…

How Ukrainian citizens can come and live in Croatia

To whom the EU Directive on the temporary direction applies?

The EU Directive applies to:

All citizens of Ukraine and their families residing in Ukraine on February 24, 2022
Stateless persons and third-country nationals who have enjoyed international or equivalent national protection in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and members of their families who held valid residence in Ukraine on February 24, 2022
Third nationals who held valid permanent residence in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, in accordance with Ukrainian regulations and who cannot return to their country or region of origin in safe and permanent conditions
Displaced Ukrainian nationals and members of their families who fled Ukraine just before February 24, 2022, due to the security situation and cannot return to Ukraine due to the armed conflict

Life partners and informal life partners of Ukrainian nationals or people who have enjoyed international or equivalent national protection in Ukraine have the right to temporary protection. It is also allowed to bring pets and personal belongings, which are exempt from paying import duties.

Those who are legally residing in Ukraine who CAN return to their countries will not be able to obtain protection in the EU under this directive.

If you are granted temporary protection, you can apply for international protection – asylum or subsidiary protection. However, this is a complex procedure that takes much longer, and there is no guarantee that you will be granted. The procedure and result depend on the personal situation of each individual person.

[Read: How to get asylum and state protection in Croatia]

View the announcement on the implementation of temporary protection from the Croatian government here.

What if you don’t have the right to temporary protection in Croatia?

All displaced persons from Ukraine are allowed to enter Croatia. Even if they don’t have the right to temporary protection, they are able to enter Croatia and return safely to their country of origin.

However, if you don’t have a protected status, you can’t get any social benefits and rights that this status provides. Alternatively, you can apply for international protection in Croatia.

What if you want to get residence based on other bases in Croatia?

If you are Ukrainian but do not qualify for temporary protection or simply do not wish to use it, there are many other options for residence. The full list is here.

What to do after arriving at the Croatian border?

Ukrainians who arrive at the Croatian border must declare themselves as displaced persons in need of temporary protection. They must show their passport or an ID card to enter Croatia. If they are accompanied by a minor, the police will ask to clarify the kinship or other relationship with the minor, so bring the necessary documents that prove your relationship.

The Directorate of Civil Protection has published two useful leaflets for Ukrainian refugees in Croatian and Ukrainian that will be distributed to refugees at border crossings when entering Croatia:

Useful information for displaced people – Download in Ukrainian here and Croatian here
Important phone numbers and safety tips – Download in Ukrainian here and Croatian here

The border police will give you instructions on what to do next depending on the below-mentioned scenarios.

Note: More official information on the procedure at the Croatian border and first acceptance is available in Ukrainian here and Croatian here.

#1 You don’t have organized accommodation in Croatia

If you don’t have organized accommodation, you will be referred to accommodation in a reception center/shelter in:

Osijek – Sportska dvorana Jug 2, Ulica kralja Petra Svačića 67 OR
Gospić – Gradska športska dvorana, OŠ dr. Jure Turića, Ulica Miroslava Kraljevića 19

The ones who stay in a shelter can stay there temporarily for up to 48 hours. At the reception center, you will be welcomed by employees of the Civil Protection, the police, and the Croatian Red Cross. During your stay there, the shelter will find and offer you organized permanent accommodation.

The Croatian Red Cross called Hrvatski crveni križ will register you in their records. This will give you the right to psychosocial support, humanitarian aid, and temporary protection as a form of emergency humanitarian aid.

If you qualify under this directive and are already in Croatia, you must register with the Croatian Red Cross. You can find their locations organized by Croatian counties here.

#2 You already have pre-organized accommodation in Croatia

If you already have pre-secured accommodation in Croatia given by your family, friends, relatives, or anyone else, you must mention this to the border police once you get to the Croatian border. They will enable you to continue traveling to the location of your secured accommodation.

How to register a temporary residence in Croatia

If you don’t want to apply for temporary protection, you must report your temporary stay.

#1 Temporary stay at registered accommodation host

If you accept permanent accommodation from the shelter or you are staying at a host who provides accommodation services, you must be registered in e-Visitor. This registration must be done by the owner of the property or accommodation.

The owner should already be familiar with the process, but if they are not, here is a guide just in case.

#2 Temporary stay in private accommodation

The owner of the apartment must visit the closest MUP administration office and register your temporary stay. You do not have to accompany the owner to the police, but the owner must bring:

Application form – download it here
Copy of your identity document
Lease agreement, a title deed, or statement of the property owner on the consent of registering your stay to the address and a copy of the document of the property owner

Each time you change the location of your stay, you must report your new address to MUP within 2 days.

How to register a pet in Croatia

Non-commercial relocation of pets accompanied by their owners to Croatia is allowed for Ukrainian displaced persons.

If you have a dog, you have to fill in this application form and send it to veterinarstvo@mps.hr. The veterinary inspector will provide you with information on further steps related to free microchipping, rabies vaccination, and registering your pet. Until they visit you, you must limit the contact between your pets and other animals or people.

[Read: How to import a pet to Croatia and care for them once you arrive]

How to apply for temporary protection in Croatia

#1 If you are staying in a collective accommodation facility

If you are hosted in a collective accommodation facility, you don’t have to visit MUP administrative office to apply for temporary protection. In this case, you must submit the request for temporary protection to the MUP/police staff who is in charge of those facilities.

Note: Registration to the Croatian Red Cross is not equal to applying for temporary protection. Temporary protection is the responsibility of MUP. Applications also cannot be submitted at the reception centers.

#2 If you are staying at your privately organized accommodation

If you already have organized accommodation in Croatia provided by your family, relatives, or friends, you can apply for temporary protection in 2 ways:

By visiting the MUP station closest to your temporary address – You must enclose an application form in Ukrainian/Croatian or English/Croatian
Via online service Croatia4Ukraine – It is available in Ukrainian, English, and Croatian here

After your application is approved by MUP, they will issue you an identity card of an alien under temporary protection called Iskaznica stranca pod privremenom zaštitom.

You can find more official information on temporary protection in Ukrainian here and Croatian here.

Identity Card of an Alien under Temporary Protection

The identity card of an alien under temporary protection is considered a residence permit and confirms the status and rights of an alien under temporary protection in Croatia. It is issued in English and Croatian. You must always bring this card with you.

If the card is lost or stolen, you have to report this to MUP.

How to extend Ukrainian temporary protection in Croatia

Croatian temporary protection for Ukrainians who granted it will be automatically extended until March 4, 2024. It is not necessary to apply for the extension of temporary protection.

To certify the extension of the validity of the identity card of a foreigner under temporary protection, Ukrainians must visit MUP according to their residence from February 15, 2023 to April 30, 2023. The extension will be recorded in the existing card. Before visiting MUP, find out how the reception for the ID card extension is organized in order to avoid the crowd.

[Read: How to find administrative police stations in Croatia]

If you apply for an extension after April 30, 2023, you will not lose your temporary protection status and will continue to have the rights and obligations arising from the status.

Visiting MUP is not needed for:

Children under 16 – parents/special guardians can provide the child’s ID card for certification
People with special needs who cannot move – family members or a person from the institution where they are placed can verify their ID card based on a statement of the relationship, proof of the impossibility of the person’s arrival, or documentation on placement in a special institution

MUP will organize the verification of identity cards for people accommodated in collective accommodation. They will be informed about the organization and extension dates within their collective accommodation.

Rights of Ukrainians under temporary protection in Croatia

Once you are granted temporary protection in Croatia, you have the right to:

Stay for a period of temporary protection
Identity card of a foreigner under temporary protection issued for a period of one year
Work without a residence and work permit or a certificate of registration of work
Mandatory health insurance
Fixed assets for living and accommodation
Primary and secondary education
Family reunification
Freedom of religion
Information on rights and obligations

Foreigners who apply for international protection while having temporary protection cannot exercise the rights of an applicant for international protection while the temporary protection lasts. Obligations of international protection applicants are appropriately applied to foreigners under temporary protection.

Ukrainian citizens with temporary protection do not need to register their vehicles in Croatia as long as their Ukrainian registration is valid. However, once it expires, they must register their vehicle in Croatia if they want to drive.

[Read: How to register a car or motor vehicle and get an annual inspection in Croatia]

If you want to exercise the right to temporary protection in another EU/EEA member state, Croatian temporary protection must be withdrawn. In this case, you must deregister by emailing or visiting MUP according to your place of residence. Notify the other state you had temporary protection in Croatia.

You can find more information on rights and obligations in Ukrainian here and Croatian here.

Traveling abroad and returning to Ukraine

You can return to Ukraine at any time while being on temporary protection in Croatia. However, you must inform MUP according to your place of residence about the return to Ukraine.

Ukrainians are exempt from obtaining a visa for travel within the EU/EEA if they have Ukrainian biometric travel documents. However, the identity card of a foreigner under temporary protection is not a travel document. You can travel with this card only in Croatia.

Social rights and help

Social rights include the right to:

First social service
Consultation
Psychosocial counseling
Accommodation if you meet the requirements in accordance with the Social Welfare Act (unaccompanied children, children with disabilities, the elderly, people with disabilities, etc.)
One-time fee for a single person of up to 331,81 euro or a family of up to 464,53 euro.

To get the one-time fee, you have to submit a request to the on-duty social worker in the Reception center or Collective Accommodation. If you reside in private individual accommodation, you can submit a request at the Centar za socijalnu skrb (Center for Social Welfare) and their branches in Croatia. Addresses and phone numbers of social welfare centres and other service providers can be found here.

More information on social rights and help is available in Ukrainian here and Croatian here.

Health care

Ukrainian with temporary protection in Croatia has the right to free mandatory health insurance. They don’t have to pay one year of payback to HZZO.

[Read: Guide on healthcare and health insurance in Croatia]

More information on the right to health care is available in Ukrainian here and Croatian here.

Employment and work

Ukrainians under temporary protection in Croatia can work in Croatia without applying for a residence and work permit or a certificate of registration. They have the right to register with the HZZ – Croatian employment service. After registration, they will get an adviser who will help them to create a CV and find a job.

If you are looking for a job in Croatia, view our guide on how to find a job in Croatia here.

More information on the right to employment and work in Croatia, including the process of registration to the HZZ, is available in Ukrainian here and Croatian here.

Education

Ukrainian children under temporary protection in Croatia can enroll or continue primary and secondary education in Croatia under the same conditions as Croatian citizens.

More information on the right to education, including how to enroll children in kindergarten, elementary school, or high school, Croatian language courses, and study, is available in Ukrainian here and Croatian here.

How to get a subsidy for hosting Ukrainians in private properties

Owners of properties that host displaced people from Ukraine have the right to get a monthly subsidy from the state to cover the costs of renting and utilities. It is possible to get up to 477,80 euro per month.

For hosting singles, property owners can get 6,64 euro per day. For hosting more than one person, owners can get the following amounts:

One person – 5,31 euro per day
Second person – 3,98 euro per day
Third person – 2,65 euro per day
Fourth and every next person – 1,33 euro per day

To get the subsidy, you have to sign a contract with MUP. Information on how to deliver your housing offer, including information on the contract and the steps of the process, is available here.

Where to find news on Ukrainian refugees in Croatia?

The Croatian government has launched an official page called Hrvatska za Ukrajinu (Croatia for Ukraine). This page provides relevant information and news for Ukrainian refugees and people who offer help, important phone numbers, regulations and decisions, leaflets, and statistics on entry and accommodation.

If you want to keep up to date with the latest happenings, follow this page. It is available in Ukrainian here and Croatian here.

View our other resources for Ukrainians

Get free help from Expat in Croatia and our partners

Expat in Croatia will do all we can to help those who qualify to use the above protection at no cost. If you are coming to Croatia and plan to apply for residence based on another program like a digital nomad, for example, please check out these resources and contact us using the form on those other pages, for which there may be a cost.

To get assistance, complete the form below, and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Name*
First Last
Your Email*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Are you already in Croatia?
- Yes
- No
When did you arrive in Croatia?*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Where are you staying in Croatia? Please provide the city.
What is your nationality?
Tell us a little about your situation and who is traveling with you.
- Yes, I want to subscribe to the Expat in Croatia newsletter
We will only email you once per week. The newsletter includes a wrap up of our latest posts, a Croatian word and phrase of the week, curated actionable Croatian news plus freebies just for our subscribers.
How did you find us?
Consent*
I agree to the privacy policy.
By submitting this form, you hereby agree that we may collect, store, and process your data that you provided according to our privacy policy.

Sources:
“Croatia has received over 850 refugees from Ukraine so far” by the Government
Ukrainian refugees get the right to stay and work in the EU for up to three years by Index
Publishing of an information leaflet for displaced persons from Ukraine by Večernji
Government accepted the Decision on the introduction of temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine by Ministry Of Internal Affairs
Croatia for Ukraine

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.

Sharing is Caring: