A 2025 Guide to Studying Abroad in Croatia

Turquoise blue waters, ancient landmarks, and delicious food - Croatia has so much to offer those who travel there.

Croatia is known for several things. It's where Dalmatians are from. It's where hot water bottles were invented. They also changed the justice system forever with the invention of forensic fingerprinting.

A fascinating country, Croatia is a great choice for your study abroad journey.

Before you pack to head to the warm, sunny beaches, there are a few things that you will need to do.

From enrolling in an educational program to navigating the visa process, we created this guide to help students on their journey to Croatia.

🇺🇸 Please note: This information is for US citizens looking to study abroad in Croatia. While much of this information will still be useful, processes and options may vary for nationals of other countries.

How to study abroad in Croatia

Students from around the globe head to Croatia each and every year to continue their academic journeys.

To study abroad in Croatia, there are a few steps you will need to take. We will lay out the general steps here and then go into more specific details in the upcoming sections.

• Find an educational course in Croatia and ensure you meet the admission requirements.
• Make sure you meet the Croatian visa/residence permit requirements.
• Apply for admission into a Croatian educational program.
• Receive your acceptance letter 🦉
• Apply for a Croatian visa/residence.
• Move to Croatia!

While there are many details and requirements between each step, this is what the process generally looks like.

In the following sections, we're going to talk more about the nitty-gritty so you have a clearer idea of how it all works and what will be expected of you.

How to find a study abroad program in Croatia

There are a few ways that you can find a program in Croatia.

One of the most popular ways is through your current university, providing you are currently a student in another country.

Universities often have study abroad departments. These departments have longstanding relationships and networks with universities in other countries, helping to facilitate the process of studying abroad. If you're a current student, it's worth setting up an appointment at your school's study abroad department to see if they have any programs in Croatia for your field of study.

If this doesn't apply to you, there are companies and organizations for students looking to study abroad. These programs vary greatly in length of study, field, who can apply, etc. They also typically require payment beyond tuition, housing, etc. Always do your research before entering into any contracts with companies or organizations.

Lastly, it is possible to study in Croatia by finding a program yourself and applying independently. If you need transferrable credits, be careful and pay attention to detail, as it may not always be possible.

Additionally, different programs will have different admission requirements, like GPA, language requirements, or field of study. Make sure you understand the admission requirements and are qualified to apply.

Croatia study visa and residence permit requirements

Students who are NOT EU/EEA/Schengen country citizens AND who plan to stay in Croatia for more than 90 days will need to apply for the proper permissions in order to do so.

This means that US citizens must apply for residency. The majority of students will apply for a "temporary stay" which lasts for the academic year or one year, depending.

To qualify for temporary stay residency in Croatia, students must:

• Fill out application form 1a (it's in both Croatian and English).
• Provide a valid passport (the original copy, as well as a photocopy).
• Show proof that you can sustain yourself (financially) for the entire duration of your stay in Croatia.
• Show proof of valid health insurance that covers you in Croatia.
• Provide an official certificate that confirms you have no criminal convictions (to see more information about this bullet point, you will need to visit the Croatian Embassy's official website).
• Show proof of admission into a higher education institution in Croatia.

Keep in mind that there may be more/varying documents required during the process. Additionally, you should always take actionable information, especially about visas and immigration, from official sources like embassies and trusted partners (like visa processors). They will always possess the most accurate and up-to-date information.

How to apply for Croatian temporary stay

US citizens spending more than 90 days studying abroad in Croatia will need to go through the following steps in order to have the legal right to live and study in Croatia.

• Fill out the official application form for a temporary stay in Croatia.
• Collect all of the required documents (such as those listed above. Make sure to rely on the list found on the Croatian Embassy's official site).
• Once you have all of the documents and the form completed, you need to either:
• You must pay any and all applicable fees.
• Within 3 days of arriving in Croatia, you must register your address/residence with the police. In some cases, your dormitory/hostel might do it for you. In other cases, ask your landlord.
• You will also need to obtain an OIB (a personal identification number). This can be submitted to the Tax Administration online or at your local office (in Croatia). Educational institutions can submit on a student's behalf, so you can also check with them to see if this is an option for you. This number is required for your residence permit or if you wish to open a Croatian bank account.