Residence Card for Non-EEA Family Member of an EEA National

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.

Non-EEA family members of EEA nationals who are accompanying or joining the EEA national can stay in the Republic of Croatia for up to three months form the date of entry into the Republic of Croatia without registering their short-term stay at a police administration/station if they have a valid travel document, and under the condition that they do not become an unreasonable burden on the social welfare system.

Family members will be issued with a residence card if they have a valid travel document and if they: prove 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. do not pose a threat to public policy or national security have not been imposed an entry and stay ban in the Republic of Croatia.

Non-EEA family members of an EEA national who intend to stay in the Republic of Croatia for more than three months have to apply for a residence card of a family member of a Union citizen ( Form 2b ) at a police administration/station according to their place of stay no later than eight days from the expiry of their three-month stay. They will immediately be issued with a certificate of application and they can use their residence card to prove their right to temporary stay. A biometric residence permit is issued for a 13,27 EUR fee with a validity period of five 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.

Family members who are not EEA nationals and who have been legally staying in the Republic of Croatia with an EEA national for a continuous period of at least five years are entitled to permanent stay. An application for permanent stay ( Form 3b ) can be submitted at a police administration/station according to the place of stay, prior to the expiry of a valid residence card for a family member of an EEA national. Family members staying in the Republic of Croatia with an EEA national who has been granted the right of permanent stay pursuant to Article 33 of the Act on EEA Nationals and their Family Members will also be entitled to permanent stay, regardless of the duration of their stay in the Republic of Croatia.