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Student Visa for Croatia: Temporary Stay, Documents, Fees and Funds

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Croatia belongs to the Schengen area and uses the euro. For a degree you need one of two things, depending on your citizenship: a registration of temporary stay if you are an EU or EEA citizen, or an approved temporary stay for study if you come from any other country. This guide follows the rules published by Study in Croatia and the Ministry of the Interior in October 2026.

EU and EEA citizens

You need no visa and may stay for up to three months from entry. If you stay longer, for example to study, you register your temporary stay at the police station or police administration for your place of residence, using Form 1b. The certificate of registration is printed from the Ministry's system free of charge. A biometric residence card is optional and costs €13.27.

Citizens of other countries

Entry visa. If your country is on the visa list of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, you first need an entry visa from a Croatian embassy or consulate. The paper application and documents are submitted in person no more than three months before the planned trip. You must show valid travel medical insurance and means of support, for example a bank statement or a scholarship letter.

Temporary stay for study. You apply with Form 1a, either at a Croatian embassy or consulate in your home country, or at the police after you enter Croatia. The documents are:

Guidance from universities adds proof of accommodation; the University of Zagreb says a certified rental contract is accepted for private housing. The University of Zagreb's guide says all documents except the criminal record certificate must be translated into Croatian and certified by a notary, so ask your institution what it expects.

Fees

Non-EU students pay €46.45 for the temporary stay and €31.85 for the biometric residence permit, or €59.73 for the urgent procedure, plus an administrative fee of €9.29. Holders of scholarships from the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth or the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes, such as CEEPUS and the bilateral scholarships, are exempt from the €46.45.

Funds

The Government decree of 2021 (Official Gazette 14/2021) sets the amounts as shares of the average monthly net wage paid in Croatia in the previous year. A student must show either a scholarship or monthly funds of at least 25% of that wage, and must prove funds for the return journey equal to at least 60% of it. The decree leaves the way to prove them to a separate rulebook, and the euro amount changes each year, so ask the police administration or the consulate for the current figure.

Length and registration

The permit is usually granted for one year or for the academic year. Study in Croatia says you must register your residence and address within three days of entering Croatia; hotels and student dormitories do it for you, but if you rent privately, check with your landlord. One University of Zagreb guide gives 48 hours, so do not wait.

Health insurance and personal number

You need valid health insurance for the application. See health insurance for students in Croatia. Another early step is the personal identification number (OIB), which you request from the Tax Administration, or your institution can do it for you. You need it to open a bank account.

Working

Students can work through the Student Service of the local Student Centre; see scholarships and student jobs in Croatia.

Where to look next

Official sources

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.