Living in Croatia

CoronavirusIf you were living in Croatia before 1 January 2021

Some parts of this guide only apply if you have been living in Croatia since before 1 January 2021. You should followread these in addition to the rest of the guidance in each section.

You should also read our Living in Europe page for detailed guidance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Coronavirus

Follow the advice of the Croatian Government and your local authority. You canshould also read ourthe Croatia travel advice for our latest guidance..

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in CroatiaCroatia, seeread our coronavirus travel advice.

StayVisas upand to dateresidency

You should:

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• followdeal thewith Britishyour Embassybenefits, Zagrebpension on Facebook and Twitter

Youtax canif also:

• readyou theare Croatianmoving government’sor guidanceretiring onabroad.

  Check thethe entry UK’srequirements withdrawalfor from the EUCroatia

•  and read thethe Croatian Ministrygovernment’s of Interior’s guidance for UK nationals on residency,how drivingto andget frontiera workersvisa

The Withdrawal Agreement

If you wereare legally resident in CroatiaCroatia, beforeyou 1must carry Januaryand 2021,show both your rightsvalid willpassport be(as protecteda byproof theof Withdrawalidentity) Agreementas .

Youwell shouldas checkyour thatvalid youresidence arecard correctlyat registeredall andtimes, shouldin getcase aasked newfor residencethese document by 30a Junepolice 2021 to evidence your rights.officer. 

You

Visas shouldand alsoresidency readif ouryou guidancewere on living in Europe.

VisasCroatia andbefore residency1 January 2021

If you werehave livinglived in Croatia since before 1 January 20212021, you needand toyour getfamily amembers newhave residencerights permitunder bythe 30Withdrawal JuneAgreement.

You 2021.should Ifrequest youa don’tnew youWithdrawal mayAgreement havebiometric toresidency paycard ‘Dozvola aboravka’ fine,from thoughthe yourCroatian rightspolice. underThis document shows that you have the Withdrawalrights Agreementdefined willin notthe beWithdrawal affected.Agreement.

ReadWe thestrongly Croatianrecommend government’sthat guidanceyou onrequest residencethe rightsnew and‘Dozvola howboravka’. toIt apply.

Movingalso toshows Croatia

Checkyour theright entryto requirementsenter for Croatia and readexempts you from the CroatianEuropean government’sTravel guidanceInformation onand howAuthorisation toSystem get(ETIAS) aand visa. requirements.

Passports and travel

You shouldmay carryhave yourto residencepay document,a asfine well(around as200 yourCroatian validKuna) passportif when you travel.did Ifnot youapply havebefore applied30 June 2021, but notyour yetrights receivedunder yourthe document,Withdrawal carryAgreement yourwill certificatenot ofbe application.affected.

IfYour youclose havefamily notmembers yetcontinue appliedto forbe aable residenceto document,join you shouldand carrysettle evidencein thatCroatia youat areany residenttime in Croatia.the Thisfuture. couldRead includemore ainformation tenancyon agreementwho orthis aapplies utilityto bill in yourthe name,Living datingin fromEurope 2020.

Ifguidance. youThey cannotmust showtravel thatto youCroatia areand residentthen insubmit Croatia,an youapplication mayas beyour askedfamily additionalmember. questionsNationals atof thecertain bordernon-EU tocountries entermay theneed Schengena area,visa andbefore yourtravel. passportThe mayCroatian beauthorities stampedshould onissue entryfamily andreunion exit.visas Thisfree willof not affect your rights in Croatia.charge.

Passports

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Passports and travel

RenewCoronavirus yourtravel passportrestrictions beforemay youaffect booktravel yourto traveland iffrom youCroatia.

You docan apply notfor haveor enoughrenew timeyour leftBritish onpassport yourfrom passport.Croatia.

AsCheck athe non-EEACroatia national,travel differentadvice borderfor checkspassport willvalidity applyrequirements.

Always carry your passport when travelling to other EUEU/or orEuropean SchengenFree areaTrade Association (EFTA) countries. YouIf mayyou have tocitizenship useof separatean lanesEU/or fromEFTA EU,country, EEAin andaddition Swiss citizens when queueing. You may also need to showyour aBritish returncitizenship, oryou onwardshould ticket,enter accommodation booking and thatleave youCroatia haveusing enoughyour moneyEU/or forEFTA your stay.passport.

Entry requirements

YouCroatia canis travelnot topart otherof the Schengen area. countriesIf foryou upstay toin 90Croatia dayswith ina anyCroatian 180-dayresidence periodpermit withoutor along visastay forvisa, purposesthis suchtime asdoes tourism.

Tonot staycount longertowards thanyour 9090-day days in any180 180-daydays period,visit tovisa-free worklimit orin study,Croatia or for businessthe travel,Schengen area.

If you mustvisit meetcountries in the entrySchengen requirementsarea, setmake outsure by the country you aredo travellingnot to.exceed Thisthe couldvisa-free mean90 applyingdays forin aany visa180-day orperiod. workYou permit,are asresponsible wellfor ascounting ahow temporarylong residenceyou permit.

Periodsstay ofunder timethe authorisedSchengen by a visa orwaiver, permitand willyou notmust countcomply towardswith yourits 90-day visa-free limit.conditions. 

Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area.area. Check each country’s country’s travel advice page forpage for information on entry requirements.

Travel

If toyou thewere UKliving andin IrelandCroatia hasbefore not1 changed.

DrivingJanuary in Croatia

2021

IfWhen you aretravel, residentcarry inyour Croatia,Dozvola youboravka shouldor exchangefrontier yourworker UKpermit licenceissued forunder athe CroatianWithdrawal one.Agreement, in addition to your valid passport.

You shouldmust exchangeproactively show your drivingresidence licencedocument, ator theother nearestevidence policeof station.residence Youstatus, can do this if you haveare eitherasked anto approvedshow temporaryyour orpassport permanentat residenceborder incontrol. Croatia.Other Toevidence exchangemay be your licence,tenancy youagreement willor needa theutility following:

• bill in your originalname, UKdating drivingfrom licence2020. andIf translation
• paymentyou slip
• administrativehave fee
• aapplied 35for, xbut 45not mmyet photograph

Otherreceived, documentationyour mayresidence bedocument, required.show your certificate of registration.

ForIf informationyou oncannot drivingprove inthat Croatia, you shouldare reada theresident guidancein on:

• whatCroatia, you needmay tobe driveasked abroad
• roadadditional travelquestions inat Croatia
• drivingthe licenceborder renewalto andenter exchange

Drivingthe inEU. theYour UKpassport withmay abe Croatianstamped licence

Youon canentry useand yourexit. CroatianThis licencewill innot theaffect UKyour forrights shortin visits,the country or exchangecountries itwhere foryou alive UKor licencework. withoutIf taking a test.

Bringingpassport ais UK-registeredstamped, vehiclethe tostamp Croatia

Readis ourconsidered guidancenull onand takingvoid awhen vehicleyou outcan show evidence of thelawful UK.residence.

YouIf canyou readhave therights Europeanunder Union’sthe guidanceWithdrawal onAgreement, caryou registrationcan enter and taxesexit inCroatia Croatia.with a valid passport. You maydo benot exemptneed fromany someadditional ofvalidity theseon taxes.the Ifpassport sobeyond youthe willdates needon certificateswhich ofyou exemption.are travelling.

Healthcare

Read our guidance on healthcare in Croatia and make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances.

State healthcare: S1

YouTravel mayinsurance beis entitlednot intended to statecover healthcare paidcosts for by the UK if you live inoverseas.

You Croatiashould andalso you:read guidance on:

• arefinding receivingan aEnglish-speaking UKdoctor Statein PensionCroatia
• aretravelling receivingwith somemedicines

Working otherin ‘exportableCroatia

If benefits’

you are aplanning frontierto workermove whoto lives in Croatia and commuteswork, toyou workmay inneed thea UK

havevisa.

To beenapply sentfor toa Croatiajob temporarilyyou bymay yourneed UKto employer

Readprovide oura guidanceUK onpolice usingcertificate.

Read:

• working anor S1providing formservices in Croatia
• working toin ensurean youEU arecountry
• EU guidance correctlyon registeredworking forin healthcare.
  an EU country

EuropeanIf Healthyou Insurancewere Cardliving (EHIC)in andCroatia Globalbefore Health1 InsuranceJanuary Card (GHIC)2021

IfYou youhave arethe residentright into Croatia,work youunder mustthe notWithdrawal useAgreement yourif UK-issued EHIC or GHIC for healthcare in Croatia, unless you arehave a studentDozvola orboravka aresidence detacheddocument, (posted)or worker.have Currentapplied EHICsfor will remain valid until the expiry date on the card.one.

If you arelive living in CroatiaCroatia and youwere mayregularly becommuting eligibleto forwork ain newanother UK-issuedEU EHIC or GHICEFTA ifcountry you’re:

• abefore UK1 studentJanuary in2021, Croatia
• aread UKour Stateguidance Pensionerfor with a registered S1
• a frontier workerworkers. 

  Professional with a registered S1

qualifications

TheYou cardmay youneed receiveto willget dependyour onprofessional whenqualification recognised if you movedwant to Croatia.

Applywork nowin for a newprofession UKthat EHICis orregulated GHIC.

Anin EHICCroatia. orWhen GHICdoing isthis, notyou awill replacementbe fortreated comprehensiveas travela insurance.

Forthird morecountry informationnational. readA ourthird guidancecountry onnational healthcareis whensomeone travellingwho indoes Europenot andhave adviceEU, onEEA foreignor travelSwiss insurance.nationality.

YouRead should also read guidance on:

• findingrecognition anof English-speakingprofessional doctor in Croatiaqualifications
• checkinghow thatto get your prescriptionsqualification arerecognised legal in Croatia

Working

If you were living in Croatia

before 1 January 2021

If youthe wererelevant legallyregulator resident in Croatia officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you havestarted the rightrecognition toprocess work,by asthis longdate, asmake sure you remainunderstand legallythe resident.terms of your decision. You should get advice from the relevant regulator.

Studying in Croatia

If you areplan planning to comestudy toin CroatiaCroatia, toyou work,must youmeet mayall needvisa arequirements visa.before you travel.

YouContact maythe needrelevant tohigher applyeducation forprovider ain UKCroatia policeto certificatecheck beforewhat fees you applymay forhave ato job.pay.

Read the Department for International Trade’s guidance on:

• workingcontinuing oryour providingstudies services in Croatiathe EU
• howstudying toin getthe yourEuropean qualificationUnion
• healthcare recognisedfor students in Croatia

and sign up for their updates.

Frontier workers

If you live in Croatia and were regularlyliving commuting to work in anotherCroatia EU or EFTA country, before 1 January 2021, you may need a permit to prove that you are a frontier worker.

2021

IfThe youstudying live in the UKEuropean orUnion anotherguidance EUincludes orinformation EFTAif countryyou andwere regularlyalready commutedliving to work in Croatia before 1 January 2021, you need a frontier worker permit. Read the information on how to apply for the permit on the Ministry of Interior’s guidance for UK nationals.2021.

Money and taxTax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Croatia toso make sure that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

ExistingYou doubleshould taxationget arrangementsprofessional foradvice UKon nationalspaying livingtax in CroatiaCroatia. haveFind notan English-speaking changedlawyer followingin the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.Croatia.

YouRead should read the guidance on:

• tellingtax HMRC if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• tax if you get a pension and live abroad
• EU guidance on paying income tax in Croatia

The

Croatian Ministry of Finance has information about customcustoms services and declarationsdeclaration of goods

Croatian inMinistry Croatia.

Youof shouldFinance getinformation professionalabout adviceexcise onduties paying(in taxCroatian)

EU infactsheet Croatia.on Youbuying cangoods findonline anfrom English-speakingUK lawyer in Croatiawebsites.

National Insurance and social security contributions

National Insurance-type contributions (NIC) are called ‘social security contributions’ (SSC) in Croatia. Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Croatia.

Banking

WhetherYou UKcan banksrequest canproof providefrom servicesHMRC toof customersthe livingtime you’ve worked in the EEAUK isand ayour matterUK ofNational localInsurance lawrecord.

Read andguidance regulation.on:

• national Yourinsurance bankfor orworkers financefrom providerthe shouldUK contactworking youin ifthe theyEEA needor toSwitzerland
• social makesecurity anycontributions changesfor workers coming to yourthe productUK orfrom the wayEEA theyor provideSwitzerland

Benefits

UK it.benefits

Read Ifguidance youon haveentitlement anyto concernsUK aboutbenefits whetherand pensions while you mightare beliving affected,in contactCroatia.

Check yourwhich providerUK orbenefits seekyou independentcan financialclaim advice.while abroad and how to claim them.

ReadMany theincome-related Moneybenefits andsuch as Pension ServiceCredit guidanceand onHousing banking,Benefit insurancecannot andbe financialpaid servicesto changesyou if you’re abroad for more informationthan on4 cross-borderweeks.

Croatian banking.benefits

You may be entitled to Croatian benefits. To find out if you are and how to claim, check the European Commission guidance on Croatian social security benefits.

Pensions

Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while while you are living in Croatia.

TellRead theState UKPension governmentguidance officesif thatyou dealhave withlived yourin benefits,Australia, pensionCanada andor taxNew ifZealand and you are movingclaiming or retiringwaiting abroad.to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Croatia, you can claim:

• your your UK State Pension or  or new UK State Pension. Contact the the International Pensions Centre for tofurther claiminformation
• your Croatian pension through your local social security office (in Croatian)
• pensionspensions, from working in other EU countries, if youyou’ve have worked in other EU countries

Read the Money and Pension ServiceService’s MoneyHelper guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.do not.

BenefitsMoney and banking

Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA depends on local laws and regulation. Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on banking, insurance and financial services for more information on cross-border banking.

Accommodation and buying property

You do not need to be resident in Croatia to buy property or land. The regulations for third-country nationals apply.

Read:

• our guidance on entitlementbuying a property abroad
• Croatian government guidance on buying property or land
• list of English-speaking lawyers in Croatia

Driving in Croatia

You cannot renew or replace your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence if you live in Croatia. Read the guidance on what you must do to UKdrive benefitslegally andin pensionsCroatia:

• what you need to drive in the EU
• driving whilelicence rules in Croatia if you arelive livingthere
• road travel in Croatia.Croatia

Exchanging your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence

If you live in Croatia, you must exchange your non-Croatian licence for a Croatian one. You do not need to take a driving test. You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging your licence.

TellRead the UKCroatian governmentgovernment’s officesguidance thaton dealhow withto exchange your benefits,licence.

Exchanging pensionyour andlicence tax if you arewere movingliving orin retiringCroatia abroadbefore 1 January 2021

If you were living in Croatia before 1 January 2021 read the Croatian government’s additional guidance on driving licences.

Disabled drivers

CheckIf whichyou have a UK benefitsBlue Badge and live in Croatia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority. You can claimapply whilefor abroada andnew howCroatian todisabled claimparking them.card (in Croatian).

ManyRead income-relatedthe benefitsEU suchguidance ason pensionthe creditEU andparking housingcard benefitfor cannotpeople bewith paiddisabilities.

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to youCroatia

Read ifour you’reguidance abroadon fortaking morea thanvehicle 4out weeks.of the UK.

YouRead canthe requestCroatian proofgovernment’s ofguidance theon timewhat you’vehappens workedif your foreign-registered vehicle is involved in an accident.

Registering a vehicle in Croatia

If you have lived in Croatia before 1 January 2021, you will be issued with black printed license plates. When registering your vehicle, you should bring your ‘Dozvola boravka’ with you, to prove your rights under the UKWithdrawal Agreement.

If fromyou HMRCmoved ifto Croatia after 1 January 2021, you arewill askedlicense your vehicle under rules for this.Third Country Nationals.

Driving outside Croatia with a Croatian benefitslicence

You maycan beuse entitledyour Croatian licence when visiting the UK. Keep up-to-date with the UK Highway Code.

If you go to live in the UK, you can exchange your Croatian benefits.licence for a UK one without taking a test.

To finddrive outin ifanother youcountry, arein entitledaddition to your Croatian benefitslicence andyou howmay need to claim,apply checkfor Croatianan social security benefitsIDP.

Read the EU guidance on:

• EU driving licences and insurance
• driving licence exchange and recognition in the EU

Voting

You cannot vote in local municipal elections in Croatia or European Parliament elections.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

Births, deathsdeaths, marriage and gettingcivil marriedpartnerships

If your child is born in Croatia, you willcan register the birth with the UK authorities in addition to registering locally. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth abroadwith the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

If someone dies in Croatia you can:

• read our guidance on on:
  • what to do after someone dies abroad
  • findbereavement English-speaking funeral directors in Croatia
  • readfinding English guidancespeaking forfuneral UKdirectors nationalsin on bereavement information for Croatia

  Find out how toyou can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

  FindYou outmay aboutalso need notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Croatia.

  Accommodation and buying propertyPets

  YouIf doyou’re notmoving need to be resident in Croatia towith buyyour propertypet, orread land.the Theguidance regulationsand forensure third-countryyou nationalscomply apply.

  Youwith shouldthe readregulations:

  • ourtaking generalyour guidancepet on buying a property abroad
  • themoving Croatianto MinistryEU ofcountries Justice’swith guidanceyour on buying property or landpet (in Croatian)
  • our list of English-speaking lawyers in Croatia

  Pets

  IfTo youvisit haveother acountries petwith passportyour issuedpet, bycheck Croatiathe orrules anotherfor EUthe membercountry state,you’re youtravelling canto. useContact ityour vet to get the travel withdocuments your pet toneeds. GreatRead Britainguidance and elsewhere in the EU.on:

  A

  • bringing GB-issuedyour EU pet passportto isGreat notBritain. validCheck forthat travelyour topet’s therabies EUvaccinations orare Northernup Ireland.to Youdate. shouldVets speakin toGreat yourBritain vetcannot beforeenter yourabies travelvaccination todetails getin thenon-UK necessaryissued pet travelpassports
  • travelling documentsto andIreland ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.

    Read guidance on:

    • bringing your pet to GB
    • travelling with your pet in the EU
    • travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet

    Emergencies

    CheckDial the rulesEuropean ofemergency thenumber country112 you’rein travellingCroatia to for anythe additionalpolice, restrictionsambulance or requirementsfire beforebrigade, you travel.

    Emergencies

    You can dial the European emergency number on 112 or Croatia uses:dial:

    • 192 for police
    • 193 for fire brigade
    • 194 for ambulance
    • 195 for search and rescue at sea
    • 1987 for road assistance

    Find the full list of emergency numbers in Croatia.

    IfDial you’re the victimEU of116 crime,000 havehotline beento arrested,report a missing child in the EU country where you live or arein affectedanother byEU acountry.

    If crisisyou abroad,need contactguidance on child abduction, read the Britishguidance Embassyon Zagrebinternational parental child abduction; the EU guidance on child abduction and EU guidance on child abduction to another EU country.

    YouRead maythe alsoguidance need:

    • English-speakingif translatorsyou andhave interpretersbeen inthe Croatia
    • English-speakingvictim lawyersof a rape or sexual assault in Croatia
    • notary.

      If andyou’re documentarythe servicesvictim inof Croatiaa crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Zagreb

    .

    Returning to the UK

    TellCheck the COVID-19 travel guidance for entering the UK.

    Tell andthe Croatian and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

    You Tomust helpde-register proveyour youtemporary areor nowpermanent livingresidence in the UK, you should de-register:Croatia:

    • temporary or permanent residence in Croatia at the local police station
    • from your local health centre

    To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

    If you get healthcare in Croatia through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

    Read the guidance on on returning to the UK permanently which which includes information on, amongst other things, tax,bringing family members, tax and access to services.

    Useful information

    • help and services in Croatia
    • notary and bringingdocumentary familyservices members.
      in Croatia

    Disclaimer

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