Croatian Long-Term Residence

Who it's for

• Third-country nationals who have lived legally in Croatia for five continuous years
• EU Blue Card holders (who can count qualifying time across EU states, with at least two years in Croatia)
• Long-term residents wanting a settled status instead of yearly permit renewals

Requirements

• Five uninterrupted years of legal residence in Croatia (within the permitted-absence limits)
• Valid travel document
• Sufficient means to support yourself
• Health insurance
• Proof of Croatian language and Latin-script knowledge (unless exempt)
• No threat to public policy, national security or public health

What you can do

• Reside in Croatia on a settled, long-term basis
• Enjoy broad access to the labour market and services
• Move toward the more permanent ‘permanent stay’ status where eligible
• Use EU long-term resident mobility rights within the EU

How to apply

The application is made on Form 1a at the competent police station in Croatia. Applicants take the Croatian language and Latin-script test (unless exempt) at one of the designated university humanities faculties (Zagreb, Rijeka, Osijek, Zadar, Split, Pula).

On approval a biometric residence permit card is issued.

Documents

• Completed Form 1a
• Valid travel document and photograph
• Evidence of five years' continuous legal residence
• Proof of means of subsistence
• Health insurance evidence
• Language/Latin-script certificate (or proof of exemption)