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Study in Croatia

Croatia 

Croatia: your live and learn destination

Croatia is one of the sunniest spots in Europe and one of the safest countries in the world!

Welcome to Croatia, one of the European richest countries in terms of biodiversity that continues to attract tourists, digital nomads and international students due to its spectacular nature, relaxed lifestyle and career opportunities in the digital industries.

A member state of the European Union, Croatia is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world according to the Global Peace Index 2021 produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). The multi-lingual and hospitable environment makes everyday life and communication easy and makes adjusting to new surroundings that much simpler. A recent survey by Landgeist places Croatia as the second safest country in Europe (after the neighbouring Slovenia) in terms of how safe individuals feel walking alone on the streets at night.

Best known for its beautiful Adriatic Sea coastline, sunny islands and world-renowned athletes, Croatia is a land of innovators like Nikola Tesla, Ruđer Bošković and home to inventions that transformed human existence, many of which are used in everyday life, such as: alternating current, electrical transformers, power lines, parachute, ball-point pen (Penkala pen) as well as the necktie. Croatian landscape is recognized by Hollywood as well: Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Mama Mia, Captain America and many other cinematic marvels were shot in Croatia.

As a study destination, Croatia follows the Bologna Process and offer students bachelor, master and postmaster opportunities across the country. The long educational tradition derives from public universities offering university studies focusing on academia and science, while the private university sector as Algebra mostly offers professional studies which equip students with applicable knowledge and skills sought after the relevant industry labour market.

Zagreb 

Zagreb, one of the oldest European cities, is not only the administrative but also economic, diplomatic and cultural capital of Croatia, with a population of almost one million.

The capital accounts for one fourth of Croatia’s entire population while maintaining a “big small” city vibe that offers the cosiness of smaller towns with all the advantages of other famous European capitals. With its excellent public transport network, exploring Zagreb is an easy task.

The city of science and culture is the home to more than fifty museums and galleries as well as private art collections and about twenty theatres and music venues. Zagreb is a vibrant multi-cultural city no matter the season: in the summer, you can enjoy outdoor activities and events as picnics, sports, rooftop parties, open-air cinemas and street festivals while winter brings a genuine Christmas atmosphere with its traditional Zagreb Advent Christmas market offering plenty of fun, traditional Croatian cuisine, unique events and artistic manifestations.

Today, Zagreb is a university city with forty higher education institutions and a student population which accounts for 1/10 of the city’s population. History of education in Zagreb dates back to the middle of 14th century with its first primary school, leading to the 16th century when the first secondary school and the first university were established.

The quality of higher education, a never-ending bucket list of things to do and affordability make Zagreb a dream student destination. Oh, did we mention that the closest beaches are a two-hour drive from Zagreb?

Your Stay at Algebra

    • Before Arrival
      • Visa
      • Accommodation
      • Health Insurance
    • Arrival in Croatia
      • Temporary Stay Registration
      • COVID-19
      • Healthcare
      • Employment
      • International Welcome Day and Orientation Week
      • Croatian Language and Culture

 

Before Arrival

  • Visa

Depending on the country you are traveling from, you may require a visa in order to enter Croatia.

EU/EEA citizens do not require a visa to enter Croatia, while citizens outside of the EU/EEA should check if the need a Visa to enter Croatian by contacting the nearest Croatian Embassy/Consulate.

Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs official website: Visa requirements overview

Additional source: www.doyouneedvisa.com  

Students can apply for a short-term Visa C to enter Croatia and the temporary residence permit for the purpose of study 2 days upon their arrival.

Students who need a visa should submit the following documents to the nearest Croatian Embassy:

  • Visa application 
  • 35×45 mm colour photo
  • evidence of travel insurance for min 30 days up to the amount of 30.000 EUR
  • proof of accommodation
  • Invitation letter from the University
  • proof of means of subsistence to cover the stay in Croatia (+/- 3300 EUR annually)
  • booked plane ticket

Similar documents are required for the temporary residence permit, but instead of travel insurance, students have to prove they have health insurance.

This is the quickest procedure, alternatively, students can apply for temporary residence permit in our Embassy, and after the permit is granted, apply for long term Visa D for the purpose of studies. This procedure can take up to 6 months, so we hesitate to recommend it.

For any questions relating visa procedures, please contact the International Office:

international-office@algebra.university

Accommodation

Algebra University does not have on campus student dormitories at the moment. In order to help our students arrange their accommodation, we collaborate with the Home in Zagreb agency. Home in Zagreb provides various student-friendly accommodation options, including rooms, apartments and studios. The accommodation is furnished and fully equipped with easy access to public transportation in Zagreb. The Home in Zagreb agency also supports students during the whole period of their stay in Zagreb, in case of emergency or for advisory purposes.

The Home in Zagreb accommodation offer is available on their official website and updated on a regular basis: https://www.homeinzagreb.com/

Health Insurance

In order to apply for a short-term Visa C to enter Croatia, students have to show evidence of travel insurance for a minimum of 30 days in the amount of up to 30,000 EUR.

Students can choose between an insurance provider in their home country.

Arrival in Croatia

  • Temporary Stay Registration
  • COVID-19
  • Healthcare
  • Employment
  • International Welcome Day and Orientation Week
  • Croatian Language and Culture (novi kolegij info)

Temporary Stay Registration

To regulate temporary stay during studies, students are required to apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of study in the first two days upon arrival.

Detailed information and forms can be checked on the Ministry of Interior website: https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/temporary-stay-of-third-country-nationals/281661

In order to apply for a temporary residence permit, the student should prepare the following documents:

  • One colour photograph 35x45mm
  • Valid passport and photocopy of a passport
  • Proof of admittance to a higher education institution in Croatia written in Croatian language, or a certificate indicating the student is in a student or youth exchange program.
  • Proof of sufficient funds to support oneself: a scholarship or proof of having access to finances in the amount of at least 1,700 HRK per month during 12 months and sufficient funds to buy a plane ticket to return to their home country (approximately 3,300 EUR annually). The proof of receiving a scholarship is issued by the legal entity granting the scholarship and the proof of finances is issued by a bank in the form of a bank statement.
  • Proof of health insurance:
    • European Health Insurance card
    • Health insurance certificate issued by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund
    • Certificate of a foreign health insurance provider stating the right to health care in accordance with EU regulations of the social security system or international social security contract
    • Proof of private health insurance or travel insurance for citizens of countries with which the Republic of Croatia has not concluded a social security contract. Upon the approval of their temporary residence, they are obliged to contact the competent office of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund in order to determine the right to health insurance according to regulations on health insurance of third country nationals in the Republic of Croatia.
    • “bolesnički list” (based on Bilateral treaty on social insurance regulating the issue of utilizing healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey and North Macedonia)
  • Proof of no criminal record in the home state or in the state where student stayed for more than one year prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia stamped with an apostille (required when applying for temporary stay for the first time) * or
  • Proof that a student has not been banned from entering and staying in the Republic of Croatia, or that no warning has been issued in the Schengen information system to prohibit him/her from entering.

* Proof of no criminal record for students outside EU/EEA needs to be stamped with an apostille (recommended to apply as soon as possible since in some countries the process of obtaining an apostille can be long)

Within 30 days of receiving the notification that their temporary stay has been granted, foreigners have to report their residence to the police administration/station. Failing to do so within said time period, the temporary stay permission/work and residence permit become invalid.

For any questions relating temporary residence permit applications, please contact the International Office: international-office@algebra.university

  • Covid-19 regulation

From 8 April 2022, all Covid-related regulations have been lifted.

If you’re coming from an EU state, you can enter Croatia without a Covid pass while third country citizens will still need to show a Covid certificate.

Detailed information can be found here:

https://www.koronavirus.hr/en

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/travel-and-covid/croatia/index_en.htm

  • Healthcare

Students are required to have health insurance during their studies in Croatia.

Students can use one of the following as health insurance during their studies:

  • European Health Insurance card
  • Health insurance certificate issued by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund
  • Certificate of a foreign health insurance provider stating the right to health care in accordance with EU regulations of the social security system or international social security contract
  • Proof of private health insurance or travel insurance for citizens of countries with which the Republic of Croatia has not concluded a social security contract. Upon the approval of their temporary residence, they are obliged to contact the competent office of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund in order to determine the right to health insurance according to regulations on health insurance of third country nationals in the Republic of Croatia.
  • “bolesnički list” (based on Bilateral treaty on social insurance regulating the issue of utilizing healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey and North Macedonia)

Foreigners with temporary residence in Croatia, regardless of the purpose of their temporary residence permit, whose right to compulsory health insurance or health care is not insured on another basis, are obliged to obtain insurance by becoming payers of health insurance contributions.

The national health insurance can be applied for at CHIF regional or branch office. A one-time application fee in the amount of 930 EUR, while the annual fee is 930 EUR.

  • Employment

EU/EEA and international students can work part-time (20 hours/week) during their full-time studies using the services of the Student Service Center.

Employment after completing your studies

Issuing residence and work permit – the EU Blue Card in the Republic of Croatia, and how to get it through Algebra University

If you are coming from a non-EU country (i.e. India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Pakistan…), and are a highly qualified third-country national, you have to submit your application for the residence and work permit at the diplomatic mission/consular post of Croatia or at the police administration/station in the intended place of residence. Highly qualified refers to at least a finished master level study programme. Please find the list of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Offices of Croatia on the following link:

https://mvep.gov.hr/services-for-citizens/consular-information-22802/visas-22807/visa-requirements-overview-22879/22879

The residence and work permit (the EU Blue Card) simultaneously grants temporary and not timely limited residence and work in Croatia.

The residence and work permit can be granted to third-country nationals who meet the criteria stated in Article 54 of the Aliens Act (a valid passport, health insurance, proof they have means of support) and enclose:

  1. work contract or some other corresponding contract for performing highly qualified labour, lasting for at least a year
  2. proof of finished higher (university) education at master level or higher.

The residence and work permit (the EU Blue Card) is issued in the form of a biometric residence permit.

Application for Issuance of Approval for temporary/permanent stay can be found here:

https://mup.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/stranci/Obrazac%201a.pdf

https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/stay-and-work-of-highly-qualified-third-country-nationals/281692

Foreigners who do not need a visa for entering Croatia can submit their temporary residence application to the police administration/police station according to the intended place of residence, employer’s location or place of work.

Foreigners who do need a visa for entering Croatia submit their temporary residence or residence and work permit application to a diplomatic mission/consular post of Croatia. Exceptionally, they can submit the application to the police administration/police station according to the intended place of residence if:

  • they are coming for the purpose of regular bachelor, master or postmaster studies
  • they are coming for the purpose of scientific research based on visiting contract
  • they are covered by Article 76 Paragraph 1 Items 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the Aliens Act. These are foreigners working as part of youth mobility programmes run by the Republic of Croatia in cooperation with other states, scientific research and foreigners employed for scientific, scientific-teaching or other research work places in scientific legal persons, university professors, native speakers of foreign languages, foreign-language instructors and other lecturers invited by Croatian universities or registered foreign language schools, foreigners working pursuant to an international treaty, other than the treaty referred to in Article 79 Paragraph 1 Item 2 of the same Act.

The following must be enclosed with the application:

  • a colour 35×45 mm photo
  • a copy of a valid passport
  • evidence of health insurance
  • evidence of sufficient means of subsistence
  • evidence of the reason for temporary stay

(e.g. marriage certificate, university enrolment confirmation or other proof based on purpose of intended stay).

The online Visa Application form can be found on the following link: 

https://crovisa.mvep.hr/default.aspx?langId=en

Students studying at our institution will be fully supported by our Career Centre to get required work contract with Croatian employer and will be supported administratively in obtaining the EU Blue Card.

  • International Welcome Day and Orientation Week

Before the start of each academic year, Algebra University organizes the Orientation Week for incoming international students. During the Orientation Week, students will be provided with support in finalizing the required documentation for the purpose of studying in Croatia as well as have organized Zagreb sightseeing tours to get acquainted with their new home city. Students will also attend organized campus tours to familiarize themselves with the facilities and support services at their disposal. Apart from the lecture rooms, students will be introduced to the Student Office and Algebra Career Centre among others.

The International Welcome Day is traditionally held at the end of the Orientation Week. Full time, Erasmus+ incoming and study abroad students will be given an official welcome at Algebra University by the Dean, the Vice Dean for Students as well as teaching and non-teaching staff that will provide support for the duration of their studies at Algebra. Students will be given important information as well as instructions and guidelines to follow in order to be successful at their chosen study programme and make the most of their life in Croatia.

  • Croatian Language and Culture

The Croatian Language and Culture module helps international students acquire elementary Croatian language proficiency level and offers an excellent insight into Croatian culture. Students will learn a well-balanced selection of Croatian terminology, key conversational phrases and grammatical structures. The course will also add a practical value in terms of enabling students to use the language in social activities when interacting with locals during their stay in Croatia.

An additional aim of the module is to strengthen students’ cultural competence about Croatia as a modern country, as well as a country with long history that is located at the intersection of three different European cultural circles. The special emphasis in the module is put on facts about famous Croatians and Croatian history, geography, cuisine, customs and the Croatian way of life.

Students who decided to enrol in the elective Croatian Language and Culture module can acquire 4 ECTS points

Why is Algebra a safe choice for your future?

A Strong
Tailwind

Here you will learn all about information technologies and prepare for a career that is constantly in demand. We offer you a platform for personal growth that makes you a prime target for employers.

Modern Methodology

We refuse to stand still in a rapidly changing world. Our programmes stay relevant and keep up with modern trends.

Matchless
Quality

We take pride in numerous accolades and our title of The best professional study programme in Croatia and constantly strive to justify that trust. We do not take our task lightly, knowing that your future depends on it.

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