Children who have been granted asylum, subsidiary protection, or temporary protection, as well as those seeking international protection, have the right to education and inclusion in Croatian educational institutions.
To enrol your child in a kindergarten, you must provide a proof of your current status in Croatia. This document confirms your status as a person under international, subsidiary or temporary protection or as an applicant for international protection.
Children who, together with their parents or guardians, have one of these statuses, are enrolled in kindergartens closest to their residence, while ensuring compliance with the State Pedagogical Standard—which regulates group sizes and the number of children per educator.
Kindergarten enrolment in Croatia typically takes place in May (from April to June) for the upcoming pedagogical year, which runs from September of the current year to the end of August of the following year, when kindergartens publish enrolment announcements.
As a general rule, applications for kindergarten admission are submitted based on place of residence, with parents applying to the nearest kindergarten. There is also the option to select an alternative kindergarten as a second choice. A searchable list of kindergartens in Croatia is available on the Ministry of Science and Education website under the Overview of kindergartens section. Additionally, information on kindergartens can be found on the official websites of cities and municipalities that operate them.
Details about the registration process and required documentation can be accessed on the official website of the chosen kindergarten. These instructions are also commonly displayed on the kindergarten’s entrance door for easy reference.
To enrol a child in kindergarten, parents must submit an application, which can be downloaded from the selected kindergarten’s website or obtained in person. Applications are submitted after the kindergarten or city administration announces the enrolment competition for the upcoming academic year.
Along with the application, specific forms and documents must be attached. A list of required documents, along with instructions on how to obtain them, is available on the kindergarten’s website and posted at the kindergarten’s entrance during the enrolment period. In some cases, applications can also be submitted through the e-Citizens system.
For accurate and up-to-date information, it is advisable to contact the nearest kindergarten or consult the city or municipal administration to confirm the required documents and enrolment procedures.
Results and right to appeal
Enrolment results are published by the end of June. If you are not satisfied with the decision, you have the right to appeal. Each kindergarten sets its own deadlines and procedures for submitting an appeal. The contract for the implementation of the program is concluded in August, no later than 1 September.
For children with disabilities, an observation period—typically lasting up to three months—is conducted to assess their needs and ensure placement in an appropriate program that supports their development and well-being.
Priority in enrolment
The Law on Preschool Education defines priority categories for kindergarten enrolment when there are more applicants than available places. The specific criteria and procedures for obtaining priority status are determined by the kindergarten’s founder and outlined in their official regulations. You can obtain more details from the selected kindergarten.
Enrolment during the pedagogical year
Children may be enrolled in kindergarten during the pedagogical year if there are available places.
Kindergarten costs
The economic cost of regular kindergarten programs varies by city and municipality, typically ranging between €199.08 and €331.81 per month. The exact fee is determined by the kindergarten’s founder and may also depend on additional programs offered, which may incur extra charges.
Parents are required to contribute a portion of the total cost, which in most cities and municipalities does not exceed €106.18. The remaining amount is subsidized by local authorities, meaning parents usually pay up to 40% of the full cost.
Fee reductions may be available with a certificate from the regional office of the Croatian Institute of Social Work.
Kindergarten programs
When enrolling a child in kindergarten, parents can choose from various programs:
- regular program — a 10-hour daily program covering care, education, health, nutrition, and social support, or a 5-hour half-day option,
- preschool program — designed for children not attending regular kindergarten, this program is offered in the year before they start primary school,
- special and shorter programs - activities based on children's interests, conducted during or outside the 10-hour regular program. Options may include sports, dance, music, art, drama, informatics, environmental education, religious studies, and more,
- other programs.
For children not enrolled in kindergarten, a free preschool program (minimum 250 hours per year) is mandatory one year before primary school. To apply for the preschool program, parents should register their child at the kindergarten secretariat.
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