Croatia family visit visa: requirements, fee and processing time
This page covers the Croatia family visit visa — used for visiting relatives or a partner, including family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. Every field below is taken from our editor-verified country record and reflects what the Croatia consular network publishes for applicants of any nationality. You apply in the country where you legally reside, so exact centres and service fees can differ locally.
Where to apply for a Croatia family visit visa
Visits under 90 days need no visa. To join a family member living in Croatia longer term, apply for temporary stay for family reunification either at the Croatian Embassy in London before travelling or, because UK citizens enter visa-free, in person at the local Police Administration (MUP) in Croatia.
Required documents
- Valid British passport
- Proof of the family relationship, apostilled and translated
- Copy of the sponsor's Croatian ID or residence permit
- Proof of accommodation in Croatia (deed or tenancy agreement)
- Proof of sufficient means of subsistence
- Health insurance valid in Croatia
- Completed MUP temporary stay application form
- Two passport photos
- Criminal record certificate where requested
Turn this list into a tick-off checklist on the checklist page, which also flags which items are mandatory and which are only advisable.
Fees, reductions and exemptions
- Family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss or Croatian citizenFree— Directive 2004/38/EC
- Temporary stay administrative fee (non-EU sponsor)€40— State duty paid at MUP; varies locally
- Biometric residence card production€25— Card cost, payable in Croatia
Free for family members of EU/EEA/Swiss and Croatian citizens under Directive 2004/38/EC and the Croatian Act on EEA Nationals; other sponsors pay the standard administrative fee plus card production cost at MUP.
Booking an appointment
Book with the Croatian Embassy consular section, 21 Conway Street, London W1T 6BN (Mon-Thu 11:00-14:00), or lodge the residence application at the Policijska uprava covering your Croatian address. No outsourced centre is involved.
Practical tips
If your sponsor is an EU/EEA/Swiss or Croatian citizen, apply as a family member of an EEA national - that route is fee-free, faster and has lighter income thresholds.
What is unusual about the Croatia process
Because UK citizens are visa-exempt, most applicants simply travel to Croatia and register the temporary stay with the local police rather than pre-applying in London; MUP treats both routes as valid.
Official sources
If you are applying from the United Kingdom
- London — VFS Global — Croatia Visa Application Centre66 Wilson Street, London EC2A 2BTShort-stay Schengen applications.
- London — Embassy of the Republic of Croatia21 Conway Street, London W1T 6BNNational visas, residence permits and complex cases.
Applying from somewhere else? Use the consulate that covers your country of legal residence — the requirements above still apply.
Updated today against official Croatia consular sources. Requirements can change without notice — always confirm before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Croatia family visit visa cost?
- For a Croatia family visit visa, there is no consular fee. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: Family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss or Croatian citizen — free; Temporary stay administrative fee (non-EU sponsor) — €40; Biometric residence card production — €25. Free for family members of EU/EEA/Swiss and Croatian citizens under Directive 2004/38/EC and the Croatian Act on EEA Nationals; other sponsors pay the standard administrative fee plus card production cost at MUP. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
- How long does a Croatia family visit visa take to process?
- A decision on a Croatia family visit visa typically takes around 60 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.
- Where do I apply for a Croatia family visit visa?
- Visits under 90 days need no visa. To join a family member living in Croatia longer term, apply for temporary stay for family reunification either at the Croatian Embassy in London before travelling or, because UK citizens enter visa-free, in person at the local Police Administration (MUP) in Croatia. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
- What documents are required for a Croatia family visit visa?
- The Croatia consular network lists: Valid British passport; Proof of the family relationship, apostilled and translated; Copy of the sponsor's Croatian ID or residence permit; Proof of accommodation in Croatia (deed or tenancy agreement); Proof of sufficient means of subsistence; Health insurance valid in Croatia; Completed MUP temporary stay application form; Two passport photos; Criminal record certificate where requested. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.
- How do appointments work for a Croatia family visit visa?
- Appointment model: Email request. Book with the Croatian Embassy consular section, 21 Conway Street, London W1T 6BN (Mon-Thu 11:00-14:00), or lodge the residence application at the Policijska uprava covering your Croatian address. No outsourced centre is involved.
- Can I apply for a Croatia family visit visa from the United Kingdom?
- Yes. We list 2 submission points in the UK for Croatia, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.
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