Author
The Ministry of the Interior, or more precisely its Service for reception and accommodation of applicants for international protection, is responsible for the reception of applicants for international protection and runs two Reception Centres for applicants for international protection, which are situated in Zagreb and Kutina. The total reception capacity of these two centres is 900 places (600 in Zagreb and 300 in Kutina) as reported by the Ministry of the Interior in March 2024.[1]
A high number of applicants for international protection has been recorded in Croatia in 2024.
The Croatian Red Cross (CRC) reported that during 2024, a significant number of newly arrived applicants for international protection were accommodated in both reception centres. This situation required additional efforts and the full engagement of all CRC staff in reception and accommodation activities to ensure that all beneficieries were provided with beds, hygiene kits, bedding packages, as well as clothing and footwear.
During this period, a large number of applicants stayed in the reception centres for only a few days, with some remaining less than 24 hours. As a result, there was no opportunity to involve them in the daily activities organised by the CRC, which are designed to make their stay in the centres more comfortable and meaningful. The CRC also reported that due to such short stays, it was not possible to conduct even initial interviews with the applicants to assess their needs and the psychological or physical condition they were in. Further challenges in the context of their work included applicants for international protection returned to Croatia under the Dublin procedure, as these people often refused to cooperate with the staff, declined participation in social activities, and expressed dissatisfaction with both the accommodation and their return to Croatia. A frequent issue among this group was the need for medical assistance upon arrival, including cases of individuals who had undergone surgery shortly before their return, mothers with newborns, or persons with chronic illnesses requiring medication and ongoing treatment.[2]
As a result of applicant’s complaints about inadequate conditions of accommodation in the Reception Centre, in accordance with the Ombudsman’s mandate, three inspections of Reception Centres for Applicants for International Protection were carried out by employees of Ombudsperson’s office in 2023. i.e., in Zagreb in June and September, and in Kutina in October 2023. In its 2023 annual report, the Ombudsperson reported about the inadequate conditions in Reception Centres at the time of visits (for example, accommodation on mattresses in the hallway; insufficient number of toilet spaces compared to the number of people being accommodated; dirty common premises due to overcapacity, lack of staff for maintenance, cleaning and laundry, etc).[3] In 2024, the Ombudswoman continued the investigation procedure initiated in 2023 concerning the complaint of an applicant for international protection in regard to the inadequate living conditions at the Reception Centre for Applicants for International Protection in Zagreb. Although in 2024 the reception capacities were not as strained as in the previous year due to a lower number of applicants, complaints regarding accommodation conditions continued to be received by the Ombusdwoman. One applicant complained that, after thoroughly cleaning and repainting the walls of his room at the Reception Centre, he was – for reasons unknown to him – moved to another room infested with bedbugs. Another applicant expressed concern over being placed, as a Ukrainian national, in a room with nationals of the Russian Federation. Procedures initiated on the basis of these complaints resulted in the resolution of individual cases. However, in her 2024 report, the Ombudswoman emphasized the need for a systemic approach to addressing exposure to hygiene, health, and safety risks. She also stressed the importance of taking into account the gender and age characteristics of applicants, their vulnerabilities, and the implementation of measures to prevent violence, gender-based violence, and harassment.[4]
During 2023, the Directorate for European Affairs, International Relations and Funds of the European Union of the Ministry of Interior made two decisions on the allocation of additional financial resources for the implementation of the project aimed at maintaining an adequate level of accommodation in Reception Centres for Applicants for International Protection.[5] In 2024, a Decision was made on the direct allocation of financial resources for the implementation of the project “Providing support for reception and accommodation conditions and security of applicants for international protection – SERVICE AND SECURITY (SAS)” within the AMIF framework. The purpose of the project is to support the financing of costs related to the reception and accommodation of applicants for international protection and the maintenance and repair of infrastructure in reception centres for applicants for international protection.[6]
In addition, a Decision was also made on the direct allocation of financial resources for the implementation of the project “Providing food for applicants for international protection accommodated in Reception Centres for applicants for international protection“. The purpose of the project is to improve the conditions of reception and accommodation of applicants for international protection by financing costs in Reception Centres for applicants for international protection.[7]
Applicants for international protection have the right to accommodation from the day of expressing the intention to apply for international protection until the enforceability of the decision on their application, if they do not have an adequate standard of living.[8]
[1] Information provided by the Ministry of Interior, 8 March 2024.
[2] Information provided by Croatian Red Cross, 20 January 2025.
[3] Ombudswoman: Report of the Ombudswoman for 2023, available in Croatian at: https://bit.ly/4crt2kR.
[4] Ombudswoman: Report of the Ombudswoman for 2024, page 271, available in Croatian at: https://www.ombudsman.hr/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Izvjesce-pucke-pravobraniteljice-za-2024.-godinu-2.pdf.
[5] Ministry of Interior, decisions available in Croatian at: https://bit.ly/3VMQl2Y.
[6] Ministry of the Interior: Decision on the direct allocation of financial resources for the implementation of the project “Providing support for reception and accommodation conditions and security of applicants for international protection – SERVICE AND SECURITY (SAS), 30 October 2024, available at: https://eufondovi.mup.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/Odluke%20o%20dodjeli%20financijskih%20sredstava/Odluka%20SAS%204%2011%202024.pdf?vel=926835.
[7] Ministry of the Interior: Decision on the direct allocation of financial resources for the implementation of the project “Providing food for applicants for international protection accommodated in Reception Centres for applicants for international protection, 26 August 2024, available at: https://eufondovi.mup.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/Odluke%20o%20dodjeli%20financijskih%20sredstava/16.%20Odluka%20Osiguranje%20prehrane%20za%20tmz.pdf?vel=862678.
[8] Article 7(1) Ordinance on the realisation of material reception conditions.