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]
In 2025, new amendments to the Regulation on the Internal Organisation of the MoI entered into force.[2] The amendments, among other organisational units, established Reception Centre for Applicants for International Protection Dugi Dol, with its seat in Krnjak as a third reception centre for applicants for international protection.
According to the 2025 Ombudswoman’s report, the existing housing containers in Dugi Dol can accommodate a maximum of 500 people.[3]
A high number of applicants for international protection has been recorded in Croatia in 2025.
The CRC reported that although there was a noticeable decline in the number of newly arrived applicants for international protection compared to 2024, the trend of rapid departures from the Reception Center within the first 24 hours continued. This hindered the CRS’s initial needs assessments, as individuals frequently arrive late in the evening and depart by the following morning. This short stay also precluded their participation in the CRC’s daily programs, which aim to enhance living conditions and provide a more engaging environment within the Reception Centers. Furthermore, there was an increase in the number of unaccompanied children who left the reception center of their own accord within 24 hours of arrival, which further complicated the provision of adequate support.[4]
According to data from the CRC, 9,842 applicants for international protection were accommodated during 2025. Of that total, 3,171 were placed in the Reception Centre for applicants for international protection in Kutina and 6,671 in the Reception Centre for applicants for international protection in Zagreb. By country of origin, the highest numbers recorded were nationals of Syria, Türkiye, the Russian Federation, and Afghanistan. The majority were single men, though families and, to a lesser extent, single women were also recorded.[5]
Further challenges in the context of their work included applicants for international protection returned to Croatia under the Dublin procedure, as these people often 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, as a significant rise was recorded in the number of beneficiaries diagnosed with mental health issues.[6]
In her 2025 Annual Report, the Ombudswoman noted that throughout 2025, her office received complaints from applicants for international protection regarding accommodation conditions at the Reception Centre for Applicants for International Protection in Zagreb. These complaints included pest infestations (bedbugs and cockroaches) in the living quarters, a poor water supply, and inadequate food quality and quantity. While most procedures initiated in response to these complaints successfully resolved the identified issues, the pest infestation remains an ongoing problem. Despite regular notifications sent to the competent epidemiological services, the execution of control and prevention measures, and weekly treatments, the issues have not been fully eliminated. This underscores the need for a more systematic, long-term approach, including the strengthening of current protocols and the introduction of additional measures.[7]
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.[8] 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.[9]
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.[10]
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.[11]
The 2025 European Annual Asylum and Migration Report noted that Croatia is among the Member States facing challenges in ensuring sufficient reception capacity.[12]
In her 2025 annual report, the Ombudswoman stated that under the National Implementation Plan for the Pact on Migration and Asylum in the Republic of Croatia, the expansion of accommodation capacities is not scheduled to take place until the first quarter of 2029.[13]
In light of this, in 2025 the Regulation on the Internal Organization of the MoI was amended and the Dugi Dol Reception Centre for Applicants for International Protection, headquartered in Krnjak, was established alongside the existing reception centres in Zagreb and Kutina.
[1] Information provided by the Ministry of Interior, 8 March 2024.
[2] Amendments of Decree on the internal structure of the Ministry of Interior, Official Gazette 90/2025 available in Croatian at: https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2025_06_90_1250.html
[3] Ombudswoman: Annual Report for 2025, available at: https://www.ombudsman.hr/hr/download/izvjesce-pucke-pravobraniteljice-za-2025-godinu/?wpdmdl=23118&refresh=69cd1d3691f351775050038.
[4] Information provided by the Croatian Red Cross, 13 February 2026.
[5] Croatian Red Cross: Annual Report of the Croatian Red Cross for 2025,available at: https://www.hck.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/Pristup%20informacijama/Dokumenti,%20zakonski%20i%20podzakonski%20akti/Izvje%C5%A1%C4%87e%20o%20radu%20HCK%20u%202025.pdf?vel=3338517.
[6] Information provided by Croatian Red Cross, 13 February 2026.
[7] Ombudswoman: Annual Report for 2025, available at: https://www.ombudsman.hr/hr/download/izvjesce-pucke-pravobraniteljice-za-2025-godinu/?wpdmdl=23118&refresh=69cd1d3691f351775050038.
[8] Ministry of Interior, decisions available in Croatian at: https://bit.ly/3VMQl2Y.
[9] 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.
[10] 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.
[11] Article 7(1) Ordinance on the realisation of material reception conditions.
[12] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council; The European Annual Asylum and Migration Report (2025), available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0795
[13] Ombudswoman: Annual Report for 2025, available at: https://www.ombudsman.hr/hr/download/izvjesce-pucke-pravobraniteljice-za-2025-godinu/?wpdmdl=23118&refresh=69cd1d3691f351775050038.