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The U.S. Embassy in Croatia is open for routine and emergency American Citizen Services.
In response to COVID-19, and in order to ensure the safety and security of our customers and staff, the following points will strictly apply to anyone with a confirmed ACS appointment:
International Parental Child Abduction
International parental child abduction is the removal or retention of a child outside their country of habitual residence in breach of another parent or guardian’s custody rights.
One of the highest priorities of the Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad. The Department of State is committed to ensuring fair and humane treatment for U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas. We stand ready to assist incarcerated citizens and their families within the limits of our authority in accordance with international, domestic, and foreign law. More information available at Travel.State.gov.
When an U.S. citizen dies abroad, the Bureau of Consular Affairs assists the family and friends. The Bureau of Consular Affairs attempts to locate and inform the next-of-kin of the U.S. citizen’s death. The Bureau of Consular Affairs provides information on how to make arrangements for local burial or return of the remains to the United States. The disposition of remains is subject to U.S. and local (foreign) law, U.S. and foreign customs requirements, and the foreign country facilities, which are often vastly different from those in the United States.
When a U.S. citizen is the victim of a crime overseas, he or she may suffer from physical, emotional or financial injuries. It can be more difficult because the victim may be in unfamiliar surroundings, and may not know the local language or customs.
Emergency Financial Assistance
If you are a U.S. citizen in Croatia and you are temporarily destitute because of unforeseen circumstances, in some situations we can assist you financially to return to the United States. If you believe you are destitute and are unable to get funds from friends, family, or your employer, please contact:
Zagreb is located in a zone of HIGH seismic activity. There are several web sites like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) sites that provide useful information.
Consular Affairs (CA) is the public face of the Department of State for millions of people around the world. We provide many services, and the most common are listed below.
U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports, or apply for new passports.
If you reside in Croatia and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in Athens, Greece. For more information on their services and how to contact them, please visit the U.S. Embassy Athens Federal Benefits Unite webpage. For comprehensive information on SSA’s services abroad, please visit SSA’s webpage Service Around the World.
Service members, Veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits services on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website at www.va.gov. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) can also be of assistance if Veterans and beneficiaries have questions about benefits and services.
If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you are a U.S. government employee working overseas, you cannot claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. For additional information, visit the IRS website.
U.S. embassies and consulates overseas assist the Selective Service System with its registration program abroad.
Now all U.S. citizens can receive their blank ballots electronically. Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, go to www.FVAP.gov to complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), print and sign the form then return it to your local election office in the United States. We recommend overseas U.S. citizens get in the habit of completing FPCAs each January. You should include your email address on the form so it’s easier for your election officials to reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, be sure to include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you’ll receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices.
The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
Legal Assistance Medical Assistance Entry and Residence Requirements Driving in Croatia Buying Real Estate Mail-Back Option for Consular DocumentsPlease note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
Call 112 (dialing 911 should also work on your smartphone) immediately if you are having a medical emergency here in Croatia. If you become sick or injured, the Consular section can assist you in finding emergency medical care, and, if you wish, inform your family and friends.
Entry and Residence Requirements
Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
U.S. citizens may, under condition of reciprocity, acquire real property in Croatia either by inheritance or by other legal transactions such as purchases, deeds, trusts, etc. Reciprocity is presumed to exist unless proof to the contrary becomes evident. The granting of approval for the acquisition of property rights for foreign nationals (excluding citizens and legal entities from the EU Member States) on real estate in the Republic of Croatia is decided upon in the administrative procedure at the direct request of the acquirer.
Mail-Back Option for Consular Documents
The U.S. Embassy in Croatia uses DHL to mail back U.S. passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA), and Consular Reports of Death Abroad (CRODA) to applicants as an alternative to document pickup at the embassy. If you choose the mail-back option, it is your responsibility to provide the DHL waybill to Consular staff. Once Consular staff receive the waybill, we will assemble the package with your passport/CRBA/CRODA and give it to DHL for delivery.
A child born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may be eligible for U.S. citizenship if the parent(s) meets the requirements for transmitting U.S. citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. U.S. citizens eligible to transmit citizenship are required to file for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).
This section provides an overview of the intercountry adoption process. The process varies greatly, as it is governed by the laws of the countries where the adoptive parents and the child reside (which in the case of the United States means both federal and state law), and also in which of these locations the legal adoption is finalized. Additionally, if the child’s home country is a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, the Hague processes of both countries must be followed.
For the most up-to-date and complete information on marriage requirements, please contact the records registry office (Matični Ured) in the locality where the marriage will take place. The following is an unofficial summary of the requirements for a U.S. citizen to marry in Croatia (the U.S. Embassy in Croatia assumes no legal liability for the accuracy of this information):
Please call: +385-1-661-2300
Outside of Office Hours, contact: +385-1-661-2300
Outside of Croatia: +385-1-661-2300
Emergency Contact – All Locations
Enroll in STEP
International Parental Child Abduction
Arrest of a U.S. Citizen
Death of a U.S. Citizen
Victims of Crime
Emergency Financial Assistance
