Living in Croatia
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-28)

Information about moving to, living or retiring in Croatia – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

Getting help with living in Croatia

Help from the Croatian government

For any questions about moving to or living in Croatia, you may be able to get help from the:
- Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the UK (https://mvep.gov.hr/the-embassy-107247/107247)
- Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (https://mvep.gov.hr/en)
The UK government and the British Embassy in Zagreb cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Croatia.

Professional help in Croatia

You can also get help from English-speaking professionals (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad) in Croatia, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for Croatia (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia) to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Croatia. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad).

Get help from the UK government abroad (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/), including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Croatia (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia/entry-requirements) before you travel.

Visas and residence permits

Check which visa or residence permit (https://mvep.gov.hr/services-consular-portal/consular-information-22802/stay-of-foreigners/granting-stay-in-croatia/22839) you need to live in Croatia.

You can get a visa to:
- work, including as a digital nomad
- study
- live with family in Croatia
- do research
For more information, read the Croatian government’s guidance on registration of temporary residence for third-country nationals (https://gov.hr/en/registration-of-temporary-residence-for-third-country-nationals/1210).

Registering as a resident

Once you arrive, you need to register your address in Croatia at your local police station. For more information, read:
- the Croatian government’s guidance on residence rules for third-country nationals (in Croatian) (https://mup.gov.hr/gradjani-281562/moji-dokumenti-281563/stranci-333/drzavljani-trecih-zemalja/281820)
- information on registering with the police, in our guidance on the entry requirements for Croatia (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia/entry-requirements)
If you have any problems or questions about registering your address, contact:
- your local police administration (https://mup.gov.hr/police/police-administration/146)
- an English-speaking lawyer in Croatia (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=croatia)
Extending or replacing your visa or residence permit

Contact the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the UK (https://mvep.gov.hr/the-embassy-107247/107247) for information on how to:
- extend your visa or residence permit
- replace a lost, damaged or stolen visa or residence permit
Permanent residency

You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Croatia if you have lived there legally and continuously for at least 5 years.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read the Croatian Ministry of the Interior’s guidance on long-term residence and permanent stay (https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/long-term-residence-and-permanent-stay/281682).

Citizenship

Croatia recognises dual citizenship with the UK. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Croatian citizen.

To find out if you’re eligible for Croatian citizenship:
- read the Croatian Ministry of the Interior’s guidance on applying for Croatian citizenship (https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/citizenship/281629)
- contact the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the UK (https://mvep.gov.hr/the-embassy-107247/107247)
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British Embassy in Zagreb cannot help with Croatian visa, residency or citizenship applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:
- the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (https://mup.gov.hr/ministry/119)
- the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the UK (https://mvep.gov.hr/the-embassy-107247/107247)
- an English-speaking lawyer in Croatia (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=croatia)
Residency if you moved to Croatia before 1 January 2021

If you moved to Croatia before 1 January 2021, and have been legally living there since then, you and your family members have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-europe).

Residence documents if you moved to Croatia before 1 January 2021

If you moved to Croatia before 1 January 2021, make sure you have a new Withdrawal Agreement biometric residence card (‘Dozvola boravka’). This shows that you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. Read the Croatian government’s information for UK beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement (https://mup.gov.hr/vijesti/information-concerning-the-future-relations-between-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/283273) for more information.

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system), you’ll need a Withdrawal Agreement residence card when entering or leaving Croatia. If you have one, you will not have to register with the EES when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm). Without it, you may be wrongly identified as overstaying in the Schengen area and denied entry to Croatia or other Schengen countries.

If you do not have a residence document

If you were living in Croatia before 1 January 2021, but do not have a new Withdrawal Agreement biometric residence card (‘Dozvola boravka’), you must apply for one.

Read the Croatian government’s information for UK beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement (https://mup.gov.hr/vijesti/information-concerning-the-future-relations-between-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/283273) for details on how to apply. You’ll need to submit evidence to prove that you met the residency criteria at the time.

If your application is successful, you’ll get a ‘Dozvola boravka’ biometric residence card.

If your application is unsuccessful, you may be able to appeal. The police will send you a refusal notice with details of how to appeal. Consider getting legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Croatia (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=croatia).

Renewing your residence document if you moved to Croatia before 1 January 2021

You’ll need to renew your Withdrawal Agreement biometric residence card before it expires.

Contact your local police administration (https://mup.gov.hr/police/police-administration/146) for information on how to renew your residence card.

Bringing family members to Croatia if you moved there before 1 January 2021

The Croatian government’s information for UK beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement (https://mup.gov.hr/vijesti/information-concerning-the-future-relations-between-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/283273) explains:
- which family members can join you in Croatia
- how and when they should apply for their residence document
Passports and travel

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
If you have a Croatian residence permit or long stay visa, the time you spend in Croatia does not count towards the 90-day visa-free period you can spend in the Schengen area.

Always carry your passport and residence document when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm). If you’re asked to show your passport at border control, make sure you also show your residence document or other evidence of residence status. Your passport may be stamped if you do not.

If you have dual citizenship with an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Glossary:European_Free_Trade_Association_(EFTA)) country, you should enter and leave Croatia using your EU or EFTA passport.

European Entry/Exit System (EES)

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system) (EES) there are new rules for entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm). Non-EU nationals will need to have their photo and fingerprints taken or verified at the border. This data will be stored in a digital record and used to monitor how long visitors have spent in the Schengen area.

British nationals legally resident in Croatia, and who have a biometric residence card, do not need to register with the EES.

If you’re legally resident in Croatia but do not have a biometric residence card, contact your local police administration (https://mup.gov.hr/police/police-administration/146) for information on how to get one.

For more information about the EES, read:
- EU guidance on the EES (https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en)
- guidance on the EES for UK nationals (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system)
Healthcare in Croatia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Health insurance (https://mss.gov.hr/health/health-insurance/132) is compulsory in Croatia.

To find out how to get medical treatment:
- read guidance on healthcare in Croatia (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-in-croatia/) and health in Croatia (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia/health)
- find English-speaking medical facilities for British nationals in Croatia (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/medical-facilities-in-croatia)
Working in Croatia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in Croatia, you may need a work permit or work visa. Our guidance on travelling to Croatia for work (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-croatia-for-work) explains the different work permits and visas available to you.

You do not need a work permit or visa if you have been living in Croatia legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-europe).

To apply for a job, you may need to provide a UK police certificate (https://www.acro.police.uk/s/acro-services/police-certificates).

If you live in Croatia and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Glossary:European_Free_Trade_Association_(EFTA)) country before 1 January 2021, read guidance for frontier workers (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/frontier-workers-in-eu-and-efta-countries).

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in Croatia, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised (https://psc.hr/en/professional-qualifications/).

Driving in Croatia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
The Croatian government provides information on driving in Croatia, including:
- driving licences in Croatia (https://gov.hr/en/driver-s-license/446)
- registering vehicles in Croatia (https://gov.hr/en/registration/390)
- buying and selling vehicles in Croatia (https://gov.hr/en/purchase-and-sale/392)
For more information read guidance on:
- driving in the EU (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu)
- road travel in Croatia, in safety and security in the travel advice for Croatia (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia/safety-and-security)
Driving in Croatia using a foreign driving licence

You can drive in Croatia for up to 12 months using a driving licence issued in:
- the UK
- Gibraltar
- Jersey
- Guernsey
- the Isle of Man
You cannot replace or renew any of these licences if you live in Croatia.

Exchanging a UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man driving licence

To continue driving after 12 months, you must exchange your driving licence (https://gov.hr/en/replacing-a-driving-licence/530).

You cannot make the exchange until you have been resident in Croatia for at least 185 days. You should apply for the exchange before the 12 months is over. Applications may take time to process, and you’ll need your Croatian licence to drive legally.

If you were living in Croatia before 1 January 2021, read the information on driving licences in the Croatian government’s information for UK beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement (https://mup.gov.hr/vijesti/information-concerning-the-future-relations-between-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/283273).

Applying for a Croatian driving licence

If your driving licence has expired or will expire in less than 6 months, you cannot exchange it. You can apply for a Croatian driving licence (https://gov.hr/en/driving-licence-general-information/520) as a non-EU national.

You will need to pass a theory test and practical driving test.

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for:
- an EU parking card for people with disabilities (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/transport-disability/parking-card-disabilities-people/index_en.htm)
- a Croatian National ID card for people with disabilities (https://mosi.akd.hr/en/national-card)
If you have a UK Blue Badge (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/blue-badge-scheme) and live in Croatia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Croatia (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/croatia-tax-treaties) so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact the Croatian Tax Administration (https://porezna-uprava.gov.hr/en) for any questions about double taxation relief.

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Croatia (https://porezna-uprava.gov.hr/en/income-tax/7363). To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Croatia (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find?serviceType=lawyers&country=Croatia).

National Insurance

Check if you need to pay National Insurance if you’re going to work in the EU, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-insurance-for-workers-from-the-uk-working-in-the-eea-or-switzerland).

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Your UK State Pension is calculated differently if you’ve previously lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/state-pension-if-youve-lived-in-australia-canada-or-new-zealand) and now live in the EU.

Claiming a Croatian pension

Contact the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (https://www.mirovinsko.hr/en) to find out whether you can claim a Croatian pension (https://www.mirovinsko.hr/en/pensions/10).

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.

You can also read guidance on benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EU, EEA or Switzerland (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/benefits-and-pensions-for-uk-nationals-in-the-eea-or-switzerland).

Claiming Croatian benefits

You may be entitled to some Croatian benefits.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:
- read the Croatian government’s guidance on social welfare in Croatia (https://gov.hr/en/social-welfare/246)
- contact your local social security service (in Croatian) (https://socskrb.hr/kontakt/)
Buying and renting property in Croatia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers buying and renting property abroad.

You can also read the Croatian government’s guidance on:
- buying, selling and renting property or land (https://gov.hr/en/purchase-sale-and-rental-of-real-estate/378)
- buying property or land as a foreign national (https://mpudt.gov.hr/acquisition-of-ownership-rights-in-real-estate-by-foreign-nationals/25360)
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Croatia (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=croatia) if you’re considering buying property or land.

Voting in Croatia

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Croatian elections

You cannot vote in Croatian elections unless you hold Croatian citizenship.

You also cannot vote in European elections unless you hold citizenship of an EU country.

Studying in Croatia

If you plan to study in Croatia, you must meet all visa and residence requirements (https://www.studyincroatia.hr/live-and-work-in-croatia/visa-and-residence-permit/) before you travel.

You do not need a student visa if you have been living in Croatia legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-europe).

For more information, read guidance on:
- studying in Croatia (https://www.studyincroatia.hr/study-in-croatia/study-in-croatia-at-a-glance/)
- studying in the EU (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/study-in-the-european-union)
- travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England) (https://www.gov.uk/travel-grants-students-england)
You can also contact:
- your higher education provider in the UK or Croatia
- the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Youth (https://mzom.gov.hr/en)
- the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the UK (https://mvep.gov.hr/the-embassy-107247/107247)
Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education

The European Commission provides information about the school system in Croatia (https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/eurypedia/croatia/overview).

All children must attend school in Croatia from the age of 6 or 7 until they are 14 or 15, depending on their birth month.

For more information, read the Croatian government’s guidance on enrolling your child in kindergarten, primary school or secondary school (https://gov.hr/en/enrolment-in-kindergartens-primary-and-secondary-schools-and-continuing-education-in-croatia/2026).

Childcare

The Ministry of Labour, Pensions System, Family and Social Policy (https://mrosp.gov.hr/en) is responsible for early childhood education and care in Croatia (https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/eurypedia/croatia/early-childhood-education-and-care).

For more information about childcare and parental benefits in Croatia, read the Croatian government’s guidance on parenthood (https://gov.hr/en/parenthood/244).

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in Croatia, register the birth with the Croatian authorities (https://gov.hr/en/registering-the-birth-of-a-child/696).

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Croatia, read guidance on:
- what to do when someone dies in Croatia (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/croatia-bereavement-information)
- English-speaking funeral directors in Croatia (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/funeral-directors?country=croatia)
- death and inheritance in Croatia (https://gov.hr/en/death-and-inheritance/256)
Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad.

The Croatian government’s guidance on marriage, consensual union and civil partnership (https://gov.hr/en/marriage-consensual-union-civil-partnership/242) provides information on how to:
- get married in Croatia (https://gov.hr/en/entry-into-marriage/678)
- form a civil partnership in Croatia (https://gov.hr/en/entry-into-a-civil-partnership/684)
- register an informal civil partnership (https://gov.hr/en/informal-civil-partnership/688) or consensual union (https://gov.hr/en/consensual-union/680) in Croatia
Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.

The Croatian government offers guidance on marriage annulment (https://gov.hr/en/marriage-annulment/692) and divorce in Croatia (https://gov.hr/en/divorce/690).

Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Croatia (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=croatia).

Documents for British people in Croatia

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/documents-for-british-people-abroad). This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries

To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Croatia, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad).

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to Croatia, read guidance on:
- movement of pets in Croatia (https://gov.hr/en/movement-of-pets/1996)
- travelling to Croatia with pets (https://gov.hr/en/travelling-with-pets/1514)
- taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to an EU country (https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad)
Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-to-the-uk). This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

If the NHS funds your healthcare in Croatia through the S1 form, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team (https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/contact-overseas-healthcare-services) to cancel it.

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Croatian authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-commonwealth-development-office-fcdo-consular-information-disclaimer).