Croatia - Habitual residence
This chapter will explain what you need to know about 'habitual residence' (Uobičajeno boravište) and the conditions you need to meet in order to exercise certain rights.
In what situation can I claim?
Permanent residence, under Croatian law, is the place and address in Croatia where a person has permanently settled for the purpose of exercising their rights and obligations associated with life interests, such as family, professional, economic, social, cultural and other interests.
Temporary residence is the place and address in the Republic of Croatia where a person is temporarily residing but has not permanently settled. Temporary residence needs to be registered if it will last longer than 3 months.
A person must have a permanent residence or a temporary residence when submitting an application for the following entitlements:
- child benefit;
- maternity, paternity and parental benefits;
- one-time financial assistance for a new-born;
- social welfare system (cash benefits and benefits in kind, such as guaranteed minimum benefit, housing allowance, early intervention and other benefits an services).
The term 'habitual residence' is used for people who are using the right of freedom of movement of workers in EU countries, to whom the legislation of one Member State applies. This means that your interests need to be in Croatia in order for Croatian legislation to apply to you.
The term conveys permanence - you have been living in Croatia for some time and intend to stay there for the foreseeable future (the criteria are laid down by EU regulations on the coordination of social security systems).
Jargon busters
- Permanent residence is the place and address in Croatia at which a person has permanently settled for the purpose of exercising their rights and obligations associated with their life interests, such as family, professional, economic, social, cultural and other interests.
- Temporary residence is the place and address in Croatia where a person is temporarily residing, but has not permanently settled at that address. Temporary residence is registered if it will last longer than 3 months.
- Habitual residence is the term applying to people who are using the right of freedom of movement of workers in EU countries, and to whom, in this case, the legislation of one Member State applies. The term conveys permanence - you have been living in an EU country for some time and intend to stay there for the foreseeable future.
Forms you may need to fill in
Know your rights
You can find out about your legal rights at the links below. They are not European Commission websites and do not represent the views of the Commission:
Commission publications and websites:
Who do you need to contact?
Ministry of Interior
Ulica grada Vukovara 33
HR-10000 Zagreb
Croatia
Tel. + 385 16122111
http://www.mup.hr/default.aspx?id=1257
www.policija.hr