EEA Family Member Temporary Stay

The following persons are considered to be family members of EEA nationals: 1. spouse 2. common-law partner, if the relationship lasts three years or less provided that the stability of the durable relationship can be established on the basis of some other circumstances 3. lineal descendant by blood of the EEA national or his spouse, common-law partner, or life or informal life partner, up to 21 years of age 4. adoptee of the EEA national or his spouse, common-law partner, or life or informal life partner, up to 21 years of age 5. the person referred to in items 3 and 4 over the age of 21 who the EEA national or his spouse or his common-law partner, or life or an informal life partner is obligated to support and is actually supporting, 6. lineal ancestor by blood who has to be supported and is actually supported by the EEA national or his spouse or common-law partner, or life or informal life partner. Exceptionally, other family members of the EEA national or his spouse or common law partner, or life or informal life partner may be considered family members if, in the country of origin, they are: 1. a dependent family member 2. a household member, or 3. dependent on his personal care due to a serious health condition.

Family members of a Croatian citizen who are EEA nationals themselves, may register their temporary stay for the purpose of family reunification as described above. Along with the above mentioned documents, family members of a Croatian citizen who are EEA nationals themselves also have to submit proof that the respective Croatian citizen: is employed or self-employed, or is enrolled in a higher education institution or a vocational training programme, has health insurance, and they have to provide a statement proving that he has sufficient means of subsistence, or has sufficient means of subsistence and health insurance.

Family members of an EEA national who are EEA nationals themselves and who intend to stay in the country for more than three months have to register their temporary stay at a police administration/station according to their place of stay no later than eight days from the expiry of their three-month stay ( Form 1b ) and provide a copy of a valid ID or travel document, as well as: proof that they are a family member of an EEA national: 1. for proving marriage - extract from the register of marriages, not older than 6 months 2. for proving the existence of a common-law partnership - extract from the birth register not older than six months, or a single status certificate if the marriage status is not evident from the extract from the birth register, or an extract from the register of common-law partnerships if there is one in the country where there was the common-law partnership, and also an extract from the birth register for a child if a common child was born into the common-law partnership 3. for proving a parent-child relationship - extract from the birth register or a decision of the competent authority on the adoption of the child 4. for proving the relationship with a family member who is a dependent family member, a household member, or who is dependent on the EEA national due to a serious health condition, the following documents are required: - extract from the birth register or a decision of the competent authority on the adoption of the child - proof that the family member needs to be taken care of materially or for health reasons by the EEA national with whom the reunification is requested (medical documents, proof of dependency or guardianship, etc.). The following circumstances indicate a common-law partnership where no child has been born into it: a statement from common-law partners on their life together, proof of cohabitation prior to submitting the application, witness statements on the existence and duration of the common-law partnership and other proof of the existence and duration of the common-law partnership.

4. for proving the relationship with a family member who is a dependent family member, a household member, or who is dependent on the EEA national due to a serious health condition, the following documents are required: - extract from the birth register or a decision of the competent authority on the adoption of the child - proof that the family member needs to be taken care of materially or for health reasons by the EEA national with whom the reunification is requested (medical documents, proof of dependency or guardianship, etc.).

EEA nationals and their family members who have been granted temporary stay are obligated to register their temporary residence or change of temporary residence within 15 days from the day of their arrival in the place and at the address of temporary residence if they intend to stay in that place for more than three months. EEA nationals and their family members who have been granted permanent stay are obligated to register their permanent residence and change of permanent residence within 15 days from the day of their settlement at the place and at the address of permanent residence. EEA nationals and their family members who have been granted permanent stay are obligated to register their temporary residence in the place where they intend to stay for more than three months, within 15 days from the date of arrival in the place and at the address of temporary stay. Temporary residence can be registered for up to one year (if they intend to stay for more than one year, the are obligated to extend their temporary residence registration within 15 days from the expiry of that time limit. In any case, temporary residence cannot exceed two years). Exceptionally, if they are receiving education or performing tasks of non-permanent character, or if they are accommodated in various institutions, religious communities and other legal entities, with foster families and other natural persons, their temporary residence may last as long as their education, employment or accommodation in institutions, other legal entities and with natural persons. Relevant documents must be provided thereof. Registration/cancellation of temporary or permanent residence, or registration of change in address of accommodation is submitted on Form 6b together with a copy of an identity document, and a title deed, a purchase contract, or a lease contract certified by a notary or the ministry responsible for finance. If the lease contract has not been certified accordingly, the owner of the real estate must give his consent by signing Form 6b at the police administration/station.

Family members of an EEA national who are EEA nationals themselves and who intend to stay in the country for more than three months have to register their temporary stay at a police administration/station according to their place of stay no later than eight days from the expiry of their three-month stay ( Form 1b ) and provide a copy of a valid ID or travel document, as well as: proof that they are a family member of an EEA national:

A certificate confirming that an EEA national has registered his temporary stay is printed out of the information system free of charge. A biometric residence card is issued upon the request of the EEA national for a fee of 13,27 EUR with a validity period of 5 years.

EEA nationals and their family members may work and provide services in the Republic of Croatia without a stay and work permit, or a work registration certificate.

EEA nationals are entitled to permanent stay after five continuous years of legally staying in the Republic of Croatia. In exceptional cases, EEA nationals are entitled to permanent stay even if they have been legally staying for less than five continuous years. Exceptions are laid down in Article 28 of the Act on EEA Nationals and their Family Members.