Students from EU do not need a visa to enter Croatia. Students from countries outside of EU/EEA in most cases require a visa to enter Croatia.
There are some exceptions, so please check here if you require a visa to enter Croatia:
If a student requires a visa to enter Croatia, it is the student’s obligation to prepare all of the necessary documents, apply for a visa appointment at the embassy or VFS Center.
Students who do not require a visa to enter Croatia, travel freely to Croatia and regulate their stay upon arrival by applying for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of studying at the Police station.
Full time students who require a visa to enter Croatia can apply for short term Visa C to enter Croatia, and within 2 days of their arrival they have to apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of studying at the Police station.
Applying for a short term (C) visa is the quickest procedure. Other option is to apply for temporary residence permit at a Croatian Embassy or at a VFS Center, and after the permit is granted, apply for long term Visa D for the purpose of studies.
Temporary residence permit
EU citizens who plan to study in Croatia for more than 90 days are obliged to apply for the Registration of Temporary Stay for the Purpose of Studies (Croatian: dozvola za privremeni boravak u svrhu studija). Students should submit your application for the issuing of residence card within 89 days of your arrival in Croatia by email. However, we advise you to do that in the first week upon your arrival in Croatia.
Non-EU citizens staying in Croatia for more than 90 days are obliged by law to apply for the approval of temporary stay for the purpose of studies (Croatian: dozvola za privremeni boravak u svrhu studija) within 48 hours of their arrival.
Detailed guidelines are shared with each student after they complete the application process, receive an offer to join the programme and make the payment of the first year’s tuition fees.
