Information for Ukrainian refugees in Croatia

Card valid until 4 March 2027; EU protection until 4 March 2028, Croatian extension pending

Information checked in October–November 2026.

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Important to know

Since August 2026 temporary protection is granted only to people who met their Ukrainian military obligations (with proof where applicable; the Ministry advises getting an exit stamp); those already protected are not affected. Cards are valid to 4 March 2027 and Croatia has not decided on 2028 yet; after earlier extensions cards had to be validated at the police. Since 4 June 2026 time under temporary protection no longer counts towards long-term residence (Aliens Act amendment). Report a new address within 2 days and tell the police about trips to Ukraine. Croatia for Ukraine: status (in Croatian)

Useful links

Official information

Getting there

Status and documents

How long protection lasts: Temporary protection until 4 March 2027 (Government decision of 26.02.2026), extended automatically. The bilingual 'identity card of a foreigner under temporary protection' (the green card) is your residence permit; each extension is stamped into it at the police (the 2026 deadline was 30 May, but late validation does not cost you the status). The EU has extended protection to 4 March 2028; in past years Croatia adopted its own decision in February.
Documents: Application form (in English or Ukrainian); any document with a photo — passport, ID card, birth certificate (you can apply without documents); proof of residence in Ukraine for non-Ukrainians; papers on family ties; 2 colour photos 3×3.5 cm; proof of address (rental contract or the owner's consent). Since Aug 2026 new applicants must, where applicable, prove they met their military obligations — get an exit stamp when leaving Ukraine.
Where and how to apply: In person at the police administration or station for your address, or online via the Croatia4Ukraine app — the police then invite you to bring your documents. People in collective accommodation apply on site. If you have nowhere to stay: reception centres in Osijek and Gospić (up to 48 h), then collective accommodation. Information line 114 (weekdays 8–16).
Processing time: Usually fast: the card is issued no later than the day after the application unless extra checks are needed (Interior Ministry); it is handed over only in person.
When protection ends: Ends when EU protection ends or by Council decision. If you get temporary protection in another EU country, the Croatian card is withdrawn — send the police a copy of the new card. Trips to Ukraine do not end the status, but tell your police station (in person or by email) when, why and for how long you leave. Report a new address within 2 days and get a new card.
Men aged 18–60: Since August 2026 (EU decision in force from 5 Aug 2026) protection is granted only to people who met their Ukrainian military obligations, with proof where applicable; the Interior Ministry urges getting an exit stamp in your passport when leaving Ukraine. People who already have protection in Croatia are not affected.
Trips to Ukraine: Allowed at any time without losing the status, but tell the police station where your address is registered (in person or by email) when, why and for how long you go; the protection card is not a travel document. If you live in collective accommodation, tell the Civil Protection Directorate before a longer absence, or you may lose your place.
Children without parents: Report any child under 18 without a parent or guardian at once to the police (192) or at border control; a police officer trained to work with children takes over. The social welfare office immediately appoints a special guardian who represents the child and works on family reunification; such children are entitled to accommodation under the Social Welfare Act.

Travel, pets and language

How to get there: Bus: FlixBus and Ukrainian carriers from Lviv (about 20 h), Kyiv and other cities to Zagreb and the coast via Hungary. Train: daily direct train Kyiv – Budapest, then bus to Zagreb. Car: via Hungary (Letenye – Goričan crossing). No flights from Ukraine — Ukrainian airspace is closed to civil aviation.
Pets: EU rules: microchip, rabies vaccination, then a rabies antibody test at least 30 days later and a 3-month wait from the blood sample; EU health certificate. The official portal still describes the 2022 simplified entry (form to veterinarstvo@mps.hr, then a vet inspector checks the animal; chip and vaccination free) — ask the Ministry of Agriculture whether it still applies.
Driving licence: Valid for as long as temporary protection lasts (EU rule). On request you can exchange it for a Croatian licence without a driving test at the police administration, if it expired no more than 6 months ago.
Languages: Croatian; English is common in cities and tourism. Free online Croatian courses A1 and A2 (University of Zagreb, Croaticum, 80 lessons each); the employment service HZZ funds Croatian courses for some sectors through training vouchers; pupils get 70 hours (up to 140) of preparatory Croatian at school.

Work, healthcare and education

Right to work: Yes, without a residence or work permit, on the same terms as Croatians. Register with the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ) for counselling (with a Ukrainian interpreter), job offers and training vouchers. Diplomas are recognised by the ENIC/NARIC office (AZVO) or, for regulated professions, by the relevant chamber or ministry.
Jobs in demand: Tourism and hospitality, seasonal and year-round, especially on the coast; cleaning and maintenance of tourist and business premises; retail; manufacturing; office work — the fields where most temporary protection holders found jobs in 2025 (HZZ).
Healthcare: Yes: with the card you get care to the same extent as people with compulsory HZZO insurance — family doctor, paediatrician, gynaecologist, dentist, specialists and hospital on referral, medicines from the HZZO list. Choose a family doctor at the local health centre (dom zdravlja). Children have the same rights as Croatian children. If you work, you are insured through your job.
Kindergarten: Public kindergartens charge fees set by each city by family income; in Zagreb families with temporary protection pay a share of the full €252.17 a month (10 hours), and those on the guaranteed minimum benefit pay nothing; Rijeka €48–70. Places can be scarce. The pre-school programme in the year before school (predškola) is compulsory and free.
School: Yes, primary and secondary school on the same terms as for Croatians; primary school (8 grades) is compulsory. For Ukrainian pupils the ministry pays for textbooks and materials, and schools give preparatory Croatian classes. Enrol directly at the nearest school.

Benefits

Housing support: No rent allowance for tenants, but the state offers free collective accommodation with meals (hotels and hostels; 2,134 people on 1 Jan 2026) or a flat whose owner the state pays up to €477.80 a month incl. utilities under a lease with the Civil Protection Directorate (3,506 people; scheme extended to 4 March 2027).
One-time payment: No automatic payment. One-off assistance (jednokratna naknada) for urgent needs from the Croatian Institute for Social Work, means-tested (1,019 temporary protection holders received it in 2024).
Monthly allowance for adults: No special allowance, but in social welfare you have the same rights as citizens: the means-tested guaranteed minimum benefit (ZMN), base €170 a month in 2026 for a single person able to work (e.g. €561 for two adults and two children). Apply at the Croatian Institute for Social Work.
Monthly allowance for children: No child allowance: doplatak za djecu (HZMO) is paid only to citizens, permanent residents (3+ years) and people with asylum or subsidiary protection. Children are counted within the guaranteed minimum benefit.

Cost of living

Average rent: Approx., 1-bedroom flat per month: Zagreb €790 in the centre / €600 outside; Split €900 / €645; Rijeka €620 / €475 (Numbeo, Nov 2026); utilities extra.
Groceries per person per month: Approx. €265–290 per person per month for food (Numbeo minimum budget, Nov 2026: Split ~€265, Zagreb ~€291).
Kindergarten fees: Private full-day kindergarten approx. €440–550 a month (Numbeo, Nov 2026: Zagreb ~€440, Split ~€550).
Private school fees: Public school free. International primary schools approx. €12,000 a year in Zagreb and Split (Numbeo, Nov 2026).
Health insurance cost: Usually not needed with temporary protection. If you work, you are insured through your job and pay co-payments unless you buy HZZO supplementary insurance: €15 a month since 1 Feb 2026.

Documents, consulates, legal helpThe same in every country: e-Consul, Diia, free legal aid, a psychologist.

All information is for reference only. Rules and benefits change often, so some of it may be out of date. Always check with official sources before making a decision.

If you spot an inaccuracy, please write to us at howtohelpuacom@gmail.com.