Updated: July 2010

The recognition of foreign higher education qualifications is carried out for the purposes of employment (professional recognition) or continuation of education (academic recognition) in the Republic of Croatia, and it is based on the Act on the Recognition of Foreign Educational Qualifications (Official Gazette 158/2003 and 198/2003), and the Act on Amendments to the Act on the Recognition of Foreign Educational Qualifications (Official Gazette 138/2006). The Agency for Science and Higher Education, which is the National ENIC/NARIC Office, conducts the professional recognition procedure. The Office is part of the European Network of National Information Centres on recognition and mobility.

The optimal duration of the procedure of professional recognition of foreign higher education qualifications is three (3) months.

Academic recognition
Refers to the recognition of foreign higher education qualifications for the purpose of continuing education in the Republic of Croatia. Academic Recognition Offices are established at every university, polytechnic or school of higher education for the purposes of academic recognition of foreign higher education qualifications and recognition of periods of study, in accordance with general rules of the universities, polytechnics and schools of higher education.

Guidelines for initiating the procedure of professional recognition of foreign higher education qualifications:
1. Fill out application form
2. Collect documents required for professional recognition of foreign higher education qualifications
3. Pay administrative fee
4. Submit documents

The procedure consists of several steps:
1. After receiving and processing the application ENIC/NARIC Office advises the applicant on required
supplements if the application is incomplete.
2. The National ENIC/NARIC Office examines the accreditation of the institution wherein a foreign higher
education qualification is acquired, accreditation of the study program in question, authenticity of the foreign higher education qualification for which recognition is applied, entitlements and possibilities that the qualification ensures in the country of issue.
3. National ENIC/NARIC Office submits collected information (document Guidance), together with the documentation for recognition to the Professional Body.
4. The Professional Body evaluates the foreign higher education qualification in accordance with the Criteria for evaluation of foreign higher education qualification by the Agency for Science and Higher Education and submits its Opinion on the evaluation to the National ENIC/NARIC Office.
5. The Agency for Science and Higher Education issues a decision on recognition of the foreign higher education qualification.
6. The decision on professional recognition of the foreign higher education qualification is mailed to the applicant’s address specified in the application for recognition.