Eligibility Quiz
Is your family member (the sponsor) a Croatian citizen or a foreigner with legal residence in Croatia?
Requirements
To qualify for family reunification, you must be a "close family member" of a person who already has regulated status in Croatia (the "sponsor").
Who Qualifies as a Family Member
- Spouses or extramarital partners (provided the relationship is long-term and verifiable).
- Minor children (under 18) of the sponsor and their spouse/partner, including adopted children.
- Parents of minor children who are Croatian citizens.
- Other relatives may qualify in exceptional circumstances, such as elderly parents who depend on the sponsor for care or serious health reasons.
Sponsor Requirements
The person you are joining in Croatia must hold one of the following:
- Croatian Citizenship.
- Permanent Residence (dugotrajno boravište).
- Temporary Residence for at least one year (with a permit valid for at least one additional year).
- EU Blue Card.
- Autonomous Residence.
Note for Work Permit Holders: Under the March 15, 2025, Aliens Act amendments, family members of certain work permit holders may face specific waiting periods before they are eligible to apply, depending on the sector of employment and the duration of the sponsor's initial contract.
General Eligibility Criteria
- Means of Subsistence: You must prove you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself (and your family) without relying on Croatia’s social welfare system.
- Health Insurance: You must have valid health insurance covering the territory of Croatia.
- Clean Criminal Record: You must not pose a threat to public order, national security, or public health.
Conditions & Warnings
Recent 2025 amendments to the Aliens Act have modified requirements for family members of work permit holders.
Processing times can vary significantly depending on the specific police administration (PU) or station (PP) handling the case in Croatia.
Qualifications
No language requirement for temporary residence for family reunification.
Fees
Standard fee includes 46.45 EUR for the permit and 46.45 EUR for the biometric card. Fees may vary slightly by consulate.