Finding a suitable accommodation and registration of address is another important step when coming to Croatia.
Renting an apartment is a process that needs to be started at least one month prior to arrival in Croatia. You can use the services of real estate agenciesor find useful information on accommodation facilities (to buy or rent) in Croatia on the following websites:
For longer stays, a search through newspaper listings is also advisable. However, it is necessary to consult a person who speaks Croatian in order to translate the advertisements. The main newspaper for advertising accommodation is “Plavi oglasnik”. It can be bought nationwide in Croatia or accessed online. Another option is Njuškalo.
The monthly rate for a single-bedroom furnished apartment in cities varies from EUR 300-500 per month, depending on the quality and location. In most cases, it is necessary to pay a deposit in advance in the amount of one month’s rent, which is returned when moving out. There is a possibility of finding a roommate, and this is quite common in cities with lots of students. You can also use “Plavi oglasnik”to find a roommate.
A further possibility is living in student dormitories/housing. The student dormitories are managed by Studentski Centar, and there is a certain quota of spaces reserved for the University. It is the University's responsibility to contact Studentski Centar and recommend a foreigner to them – if there are rooms available for the required period, the foreign researcher/student can get a room in the dormitory.
Buying real estate has been made very easy for EU citizens since February 2009, i.e. their rights in buying and selling real estate are now equal to those of Croatian citizens. Other foreigners may encounter problems, as their rights will be subject to the reciprocity rule (i.e. equal to the rights of Croatian citizens in the real estate market of their home country) and an agreement from the Ministry of Justice may be needed.
Third-country nationals on a short-term stay in Croatia (less than 90 days) are obliged to report their address within two days of entering Croatia if their residence is not reported by an accommodation service provider, health institution, or a tourist board. Third-country nationals on a temporary stay in Croatia (longer than 90 days) are obliged to report their temporary residence and address (boravište i adresa) and any change in their residence and address to the nearest police directorate within three days from their entry to Croatia and from the day of changing their home address, respectively. Third-country nationals with a permanent stay in Croatia are obliged to report their permanent residence and address (prebivalište i adresa), as well as possible temporary residence, and any change in their residence and home address to the competent authority within eight days from the day of changing their residence and home address.
EEA nationals do not need to register their temporary stay and address during the first 3 months of stay in Croatia. However, if they plan to work for more than 3 months in Croatia they need to register their address and apply for a Certificate of the registration of temporary residence for the purpose of work
An application for registration/change/cancellation of residence and address for foreigners must be submitted at the competent police directorate or a police station according to the residence and address in which a foreigner wishes to reside, or according to the registered residence and address in case of change or cancellation. This procedure is free of charge.
Documents required for the registration/change/cancellation of a third-country national’s temporary and permanent residence and address for foreigners on temporary or permanent stay are:
- Application form 16a
- One of the following documents: a foreign travel document, a foreign identity card, certificate on temporary retaining or seizure of a travel document, certificate on reporting a travel document as missing.
- Proof of identity, if an applicant is entering information into the form on the basis of data from the certificate of temporary retaining or seizure of travel documents or the certificate of reporting a travel document as missing.
- Proof of supporting facts which are the basis of registration of temporary or permanent residence and address for a foreigner on temporary stay:
- ownership certificate – original or a document available online; not older than six months
- lease agreement – original (with certified signatures)* and a regular copy
- donation agreement
- sale and purchase agreement, etc.
*If there is no certified lease agreement, the landlord may come with the foreigner to the police directorate or police station and give a statement on the lease personally.
Legal and natural persons providing accommodation services to third-country nationals on a short-termstay (hotels, hostels, motels, etc.), but also health institutions and tourist boards, have to register foreigners through a tourist community office or electronically, online, within 1 day from the arrival of the foreigner. If a foreigner on a short-term stay is staying in Croatia in a private arrangement, he/she needs to register the accommodation within 2 days from the arrival at the competent police directorate or a police station.