Temporary protection: Croatia
🛰️ Varta monitors 5 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: Act on International and Temporary Protection + Croatian Government decision extending temporary protection until 04.03.2027 + EU Directive 2001/55/EC • status valid until 04/03/2027 • already extended until 04/03/2028
Steps
- 1
Apply at the police or online
In person — at the nearest police administration/station for your residence (in collective centres MoI officers take applications on site) or online via croatia4ukraine.mup.hr. The online form is Latin-script only; select your category (Ukrainian citizen as of 24.02.2022, family member etc.).
📍 Policijska uprava / postaja or croatia4ukraine.mup.hr⏰ As soon as possible after arrival💳 Free - 2
Receive the card (iskaznica)
Upon approval you receive a bilingual (Croatian-English) temporary protection card — it also serves as proof of residence. Carry it at all times.
📍 Police station for your residence💳 Free - 3
Register with a doctor and the HZZ
With the card you have full mandatory health insurance rights — choose a family doctor. For job search, register with the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ); you may work WITHOUT a separate work permit.
📍 Local health centre (dom zdravlja) / HZZ office⏰ After receiving the card💳 Free - 4
Enrol children in school and arrange assistance
Children access primary and secondary education on par with Croatian citizens. Social assistance (incl. the one-off cash allowance) is arranged via local social welfare centres; in collective accommodation — via the duty social worker.
📍 Local school / social welfare centre💳 Free - 5
Report address changes within 2 days
Report every change of residence to the police within 2 days of the change (Obrazac 11 — address registration/deregistration). This is a condition for keeping your entitlements, incl. aid and housing.
📍 Police station for the new address⏰ 2 days from the change💳 Free - 6
Status extension
For current holders the status was extended AUTOMATICALLY until 04.03.2027 (Government decision). Card verification with the new validity ran at police stations 26.02–30.05.2026; latecomers do not lose the status. Following the EU Council decision of 30.07.2026 an extension until 04.03.2028 is expected — watch hrvatskazaukrajinu.gov.hr.
📍 Police station for your residence⏰ Per MUP announcements💳 Free
Documents
Completed application (Zahtjev za odobrenje privremene zaštite)
requiredThe form exists in Croatian, English and Ukrainian at hrvatskazaukrajinu.gov.hr. It must be filled in Croatian or English Latin script only.
Identity document (passport / ID / other)
if availableCOPIES are attached. If you have no document (lost, expired, non-biometric) the application is still accepted; identity is established from available data.
Two colour photographs 3×3.5 cm
requiredNeeded for the temporary protection card (iskaznica).
Proof of your address in Croatia
requiredThe address and the accommodation provider’s contact go into the application. Address changes must be reported to the police within 2 days (Obrazac 11).
Evidence of leaving Ukraine after 24.02.2022
if availableThe form asks for the date of FIRST leaving Ukraine after 24.02.2022 (not return-trip dates). Passport stamps help.
Ukrainian residence permit documents
if availableThose who held international protection or permanent residence in Ukraine on 24.02.2022 state the issuing authority, number and validity of the permit (form items 17–18).
Ukrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
Tick ONE category: a Ukrainian citizen residing in Ukraine on 24.02.2022; a family member; a stateless person or third-country national with protection/permanent residence in Ukraine; or an unaccompanied minor.
Last name, former/maiden name, first name, father’s and mother’s names, date/place/country of birth, citizenship (all if multiple), sex — in Croatian or English LATIN script only, as in the passport.
Enter the date of FIRST leaving Ukraine after 24.02.2022. It is NOT the date of coming back after a return trip made at your own risk.
Document type (passport/ID/other — if you have one), number, issue date, expiry, issuing country. Attach COPIES.
Tick your education level (primary/secondary/undergraduate/graduate/PhD), enter your occupation, email and mobile number.
Your address in Croatia + the accommodation provider’s contact (phone/email). OIB (tax number) — only if already assigned.
❌ Filling in Cyrillic (only Croatian/English Latin script is accepted) ❌ Item 11 — the latest return date instead of the FIRST departure after 24.02.2022 ❌ Several categories ticked instead of one ❌ Missing the 2 colour photos 3×3.5 cm ❌ Accommodation provider’s contact missing
Name, surname and temporary protection card details — in Latin script as on the card.
The address you are leaving (for deregistration).
Your new address in Croatia; submit within 2 days of moving.
Sign and file at the police station for the NEW address.
❌ Missing the 2-day notification deadline ❌ Filing at the old-address station instead of the new one ❌ Details not matching the temporary protection card
Benefits
Basic subsistence and accommodation
Persons under temporary protection are entitled to basic subsistence and accommodation; the state also finances rental agreements for housing units.
How to apply: Via reception authorities/MoI; rental scheme per announcements at hrvatskazaukrajinu.gov.hr
One-off cash allowance
Persons under temporary protection facing extraordinary costs due to their life circumstances.
How to apply: In private housing — via the local social welfare centre; in collective centres — via the duty social worker (mobile teams)
Healthcare coverage
Temporary protection card holders — upon presenting the card; choose a family doctor.
How to apply: At your local health centre with the card
Work without a permit and HZZ support
Persons under temporary protection may work without a residence-and-work permit or work registration certificate.
How to apply: Register with the HZZ office for your residence; vacancies also via the EU Talent Pool
Wise — transfers without hidden fees
A multi-currency account and transfers between Ukraine and Europe at the real exchange rate. Handy for receiving salary and sending money to family.
Open a Wise accountThe price for you does not change; the commission supports our free guides.
Where to apply
MoI police stations (all policijske uprave/postaje)
Policijska uprava zagrebačka (Zagreb) — administrative affairs
Croatia4Ukraine online application
Contacts
What happens after protection ends
The status runs until 04.03.2027; after the EU Council decision of 30.07.2026 an extension until 04.03.2028 is expected (new applicants will face military-obligation conditions). Afterwards: a residence-and-work permit on general grounds, study, family reunification or international protection. Time under temporary protection generally does not count towards long-term residence — with stable employment, consider switching to a work-based permit early.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Work-based residence — Croatia
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: MoI police stations (all policijske uprave/postaje).
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
MoI police stations (all policijske uprave/postaje)
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🎓 Study — Croatia
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
MoI police stations (all policijske uprave/postaje)
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — Croatia
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
MoI police stations (all policijske uprave/postaje)
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏢 Self-employment/business — Croatia
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
MoI police stations (all policijske uprave/postaje)
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏠 Permanent residence — Croatia
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
MoI police stations (all policijske uprave/postaje)
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
6 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Do I need to do anything to keep my protection after the current period?
No application is needed — protection is extended automatically, but you must go in person to the police administration or police station for your place of residence to have the extension endorsed on your temporary-protection foreigner's card (iskaznica). As of 3 September 2026 Croatia has NOT yet announced either its national decision for the term to 04.03.2028 or the dates of the endorsement window; in earlier cycles the window opened in late February and closed at the end of May, so watch hrvatskazaukrajinu.gov.hr in winter 2027. Where: Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova (the Croatian Ministry of the Interior) — the policijska uprava / policijska postaja for your place of residence (boravište). There is no online portal for this: an in-person visit is required. For a child under 16 the endorsement can be done by a parent or guardian; for a person with reduced mobility, by a family member or a responsible person from the institution. Questions: privremena.zastita@mup.hr. Important: Do not confuse two different things. (1) The STATUS itself is not lost if you miss the deadline: the official page says explicitly that those who come after the window's end date do not lose their status and keep all rights and obligations. You can come later. (2) But a CARD without the endorsement does not prove that your status is valid — the official text calls the endorsed card proof of valid status before the authorities of Croatia and other countries. In practice, without the endorsement you will run into problems with banks, employers, social benefits and border crossings. So you do need to act; missing the deadline is simply not a disaster. On dates: no official date for the 2027→2028 cycle has been published yet. Source: https://hrvatskazaukrajinu.gov.hr/informacije/status-privremene-zastite/152 (checked 03.09.2026).
Do I need to do anything to extend my status?
The status was extended automatically until 04.03.2027. Card verification required a personal visit to the police between 26.02 and 30.05.2026, but latecomers do NOT lose the status — attend as soon as you can. Watch for announcements on the next extension (the EU has already extended protection until 04.03.2028).
Can I visit Ukraine?
Short trips to Ukraine do not by themselves cancel the status — the MoI form even asks specifically for the date of FIRST leaving Ukraine after 24.02.2022, not return-trip dates. However, a lasting return to Ukraine is a ground for ending protection, and address changes in Croatia must be reported within 2 days.
My passport is non-biometric or expired. What now?
Apply with what you have: the form asks for a document type “if you have one” — copies of available documents are attached and identity is established from the data provided. In parallel, obtain a new passport at the Ukrainian embassy in Zagreb.
Can I work in Croatia?
Yes, from the moment temporary protection is granted — without a residence-and-work permit and without a work registration certificate. Register with the HZZ for job-search support; the EU Talent Pool is also available.
What financial aid can I receive?
You are entitled to basic subsistence and accommodation; additionally a one-off allowance for extraordinary costs (per the official publication — up to HRK 2,500 ≈€330 per person / HRK 3,500 ≈€465 per family; confirm current euro amounts). Contact the social welfare centre or +385 99 399 7317 / ukrajina@mrosp.hr.
- Hrvatska za Ukrajinu — Status privremene zaštite (МВС, офіційно) ✓
- Hrvatska za Ukrajinu — Socijalna prava i pomoć ✓
- Hrvatska za Ukrajinu — Prava i obveze ✓
- Croatia4Ukraine — онлайн-подача заяви (МВС) ✓
- UNHCR Croatia help
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.