Croatia extended temporary protection of displaced persons from Ukraine until 4 March 2024.1
Why this matters
Ukrainian nationals in Croatia with temporary protection and in possession of their Identity Card as a Foreigner under Temporary Protection (“Identity Card�) will need to have the extension of that Identity Card certified.
An Identity Card is considered a residence permit and confirms the status of a foreign national under temporary protection in Croatia. This is the most important document with which Ukrainian nationals may exercise their rights in Croatia.
The extension to temporary protection and any subsequent certification of one’s Identity Card is free-of-charge for beneficiaries of temporary protection.
첵dzܲԻ
In March 2022, the Croatian government granted temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine as a response to the humanitarian needs of Ukrainian people who cannot return to their country due to the armed conflict. A foreign national under temporary protection has the right to an identity card, work without a residence and work permit or a certificate of registration of work, mandatory health insurance, accommodation, and other state supports including education.2
More Details
Displaced persons from Ukraine should present themselves personally at the Croatian Ministry of Interior according to their place of residence to certify the extension of their Identity Card. This should be done no later than 30 April 2023; but it is possible to present oneself later without losing temporary protection status.
There is no need to apply for the extension of temporary protection. The extension will be recorded in the existing Identity Card.
If a displaced person from Ukraine under temporary protection in Croatia changed his/her residential address prior to the extension and has not yet registered the new address in his/her Identity Card:
- an Application for registration / cancellation of the residence address of a foreign national under temporary protection (Form 11) should be completed, and
- supporting documents regarding accommodation should be submitted (lease agreement, statement of the landlord, etc.).
Further Information
More information can be found on:
- By contactingprivremena.zastita@mup.hr.
㣨Leyu Insights
Generally, individuals fleeing the war in Ukraine have been entering Croatia since the conflict began on 24 February 2022. In March 2022, the Croatian government instituted temporary protection for such persons, providing they met the eligibility criteria. (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2022-045, 4 March 2022.) Subject to such individuals having temporary protection status, they have immediate access to the labour market, along with access to social welfare, accommodation, and other state supports including health-care and education.
If employers or individuals have questions regarding temporary protection (who is eligible, what entitlements are available, how to undertake accessing of available benefits and facilities, etc.) and require further advice and assistance they should consult with their qualified immigration counsel or they can contact a member of the Immigration and Employment Law team with 㣨Leyu in Croatia (see the Contacts section).
Contacts
Additional Resources
Footnotes
1Ministry of the Interior, see (in Croatian) the "Status privremene zaštite" webpage at:.
2Ministry of the Interior, see (in Croatian) the "Prava i obveze osobe pod privremenom zaštitom" webpage at:.
Disclaimer
* Please note that 㣨Leyu LLP (U.S.) does not offer immigration services or labour law services. However, 㣨Leyu Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the 㣨Leyu International member firm in Croatia.
GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the 㣨Leyu LLP Washington National Tax practice. The 㣨Leyu name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the 㣨Leyu global organization. 㣨Leyu International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind 㣨Leyu International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does 㣨Leyu International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.
© 2024 㣨Leyu Croatia d.o.o., a Croatian limited liability company and a member firm of the 㣨Leyu global organization of independent member firms affiliated with 㣨Leyu International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.
For more detail about the structure of the 㣨Leyu global organization please visit/governance.