Where to Apply for Temporary Stay

You can submit your application in two ways:

1. At a Croatian embassy or consulate abroad (before entering Croatia)

2. At a local police station in Croatia (if you're allowed visa-free entry)

 Exception: If you need a visa to enter Croatia, you can still apply within Croatia only if you're:

• A close family member or life partner of a Croatian citizen

• A student, researcher, or coming for humanitarian reasons

• A family member of an EU Blue Card holder

 

Reasons You Can Apply for Temporary Stay

You must have a valid reason to stay. Approved purposes include:

• Family reunification

• Studying (high school or university)

• Scientific research

• Humanitarian reasons

• Life partnership

• Work or posted worker status

• Digital nomad stay

• Other special purposes

 You can only switch to a different type of temporary stay 6 months after your previous stay has ended.

 

Requirements for Temporary Stay

To be approved, you must show that you:

• Have a valid reason for your stay

• Hold a valid passport (it must be valid 3+ months after your stay ends)

• Have enough money to support yourself

• Have health insurance

• Provide a criminal background check from your home country (first-time applicants only*)

• Have not been banned from entering Croatia or the EU

• Do not pose a threat to public safety or health

Background check not needed if you're a student, researcher, or posted worker from another EEA country.

 

When Temporary Stay Can Be Revoked

Croatian police or the Ministry of Interior can cancel your stay if:

• You no longer meet the conditions for staying

• You don’t register your address within 30 days of approval

• You’re abroad too long:

  • More than 30 days at once (if your stay is up to 1 year)

  • More than 60 days at once (if your stay is up to 2 years)

• You’re not living with your partner (in cases of family/life partnership stays)

• You stay for a different reason than the one your permit was issued for

 Let the authorities know before leaving Croatia for more than 30 days if you have a valid reason. If something unexpected happens while you’re away, notify the Croatian embassy within 30 days.

 

How Long Can You Stay?

Temporary stay is usually granted for up to 1 year.
Once approved, you’ll receive a biometric residence permit.

You must:

• Report your address within 3 days of arrival

• Visit the police station to give fingerprints if you applied abroad

 

Temporary Stay for Family Reunification

You can apply if you're a close family member of someone who is:

• A Croatian citizen

• A foreigner with temporary or permanent stay

• A foreigner with long-term residence or international protection

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Close family members include:

• Spouse or life partner (married or common law)

• Children (biological or adopted, under 18)

• Parents of minor children who meet certain criteria

What proof you’ll need:

• Marriage certificate or proof of common law relationship

• Birth certificates or adoption documents for children

• Shared address history and witness statements if unmarried

You can't apply for family reunification if your sponsor:

• Has only a seasonal work permit

• Has temporary stay for “other purposes”

• Is a posted worker or service provider

 

Temporary Stay for Digital Nomads

Dream of working remotely by the sea? Croatia loves digital nomads!

You qualify if you:

• Are not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen

• Work for a company outside Croatia

• Don’t provide services to Croatian companies

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Valid for up to 1 year (non-renewable) ⏳ Can reapply 6 months after your previous stay ends

Application process:

• Apply online through the Ministry of Interior

• Once approved, you’ll need a Category D visa to enter

• After arrival, register your address within 30 days or your stay will be cancelled

 

Need More Help?

Check the official Ministry of Interior site for all details:
Ministry of Interior – Temporary Stay Info

Or reach out to us at Breeza Abroad and we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step, with English support and real human help. ❤️