Upon arrival in Croatia, you must express your intention to seek international protection by submitting an application. This grants you the status of an applicant for international protection.
After submitting your application (for details on how to apply and obtain international protection status, refer to the section Status of a person under international protection and how to obtain it), you will receive an international protection card within three days. This card does not serve as proof of identity but confirms your right to reside in the Republic of Croatia and provides you registered address for the duration of the asylum process.
Family members who arrived with you are also entitled to stay in Croatia while your international protection application is being processed.
As an applicant for international protection, you are entitled to accommodation in the Reception Centre, food and clothing provided in kind, hygiene supplies, reimbursement of public transport costs for the purposes of the procedure for granting international protection, and financial assistance.
You are entitled to financial assistance if you are unemployed. If you have an income sufficient to ensure an adequate standard of living, or if you possess financial resources or have funds provided to you in another way, you are not entitled to financial assistance.
If you have your own funds, you may choose to live at any address in Croatia at your own expense, with prior approval from the Ministry of the Interior.
In addition, as an applicant for international protection, you are entitled to:
- a procedure in a language that the applicant for international protection understands, with an interpreter for a language that is reasonably believed to be understood
- information about your rights, obligations and procedure for granting international protection, as well as legal counselling
- ensuring adequate material conditions of reception
- healthcare
- primary and secondary education
- free legal aid before the first-instance administrative court
- freedom of religion
- employment, if a decision on your application has not been made within three months and the delay is not your fault;
- appointment of guardians for minors and legally incapacitated persons in the procedure.
From the moment you express your intention to apply for international protection, you have the right to reside in Croatia until your procedure is completed. This allows you freedom of movement throughout Croatia, except in legally specified cases where movement restrictions may apply.
As an applicant for international protection, you are obliged to:
- respect the Constitution, laws and other regulations of the Republic of Croatia
- cooperate with competent state authorities of the Republic of Croatia and act according to their measures and instructions;
- undergo identity verification and security checks
- complete a medical examination
- respect the house rules of the Reception Centre
- report to the Reception Centre within the specified timeframe
- attend hearings and cooperate with the Ministry of the Interior throughout the asylum procedure
- remain in Croatia during the entire international protection granting procedure
- notify the Ministry of the Interior of any address change within two days
- comply with movement restrictions, if imposed by the Ministry of the Interior.
Foreign nationals in transit have the same rights and obligations until they are transferred to the responsible European Economic Area (EEA) member state.
UNHCR, the Croatian Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations protecting the rights of refugees can offer educational or similar programs (Croatian language courses, health care services, sports activities, etc.) and provide other forms of assistance in the Reception Centre. Take advantage of these opportunities to ease your waiting period and help you adjust to life in Croatia.
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