Author
There is a difference in the type and duration of travel documents issued to refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. Asylees are issued a passport for refuges valid for 5 years,[1] while foreigners under subsidiary protection are issued special passport for foreigners, valid for 2 years.[2]
Recognised refugees (asylees) can travel within the EU without a visa, while foreigners under subsidiary protection may be required to apply for a visa in order to travel to other EU countries.
A special travel document for foreigners may be issued to a foreigner who has been granted subsidiary protection and is unable to obtain a national travel document due to no fault of his or her own.[3] Such a special travel document for foreigners is valid for a 2-year period.[4]
The request for both passport for refugees and special passport for foreigners should be submitted to the competent police administration or police station.
Beneficiaries are requested to inform the Ministry of Interior, if they move out of the Republic of Croatia or reside abroad continuously for more than 90 days in a period of 180 days, within 15 days from the date of occurrence of the mentioned circumstances.[5] An asylee or a foreigner under subsidiary protection who moves away from the Republic of Croatia or stays abroad continuously for more than 90 days in a 180-day period, without informing the Ministry within 15 days of the occurrence of the aforementioned circumstances shall be fined in the amount of EUR 130.00 to EUR 260.00.[6]
In 2023, a total of 83 travel documents were issued in accordance with Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.[7]
[1] Article 75(5) LITP.
[2] Article 75(6) LITP; Article 6(3) Law on Foreigners.
[3] Article 8(1) Law on Foreigners
[4] Article 65(8) Ordinance on stay of third country nationals in the Republic of Croatia.
[5] Article 64(4) point 5. LITP.
[6] Article 94a(3) LITP.
[7] Information provided by the Ministry of Interior, 8 March 2024.