Identity Card Issuance

An identity card is an electronic public document used to prove identity, Croatian citizenship, sex, date of birth, and permanent residence in Croatia

All Croatian nationals have the right to hold the Croatian electronic identity card, regardless of their age and whether or not they have permanent residence in Croatia. If they do not have permanent residence in Croatia, their residence abroad will be noted on the identity card which, in such a case, they will not be able to use as proof of permanent residence.

The identity card is a mandatory identity document for all Croatian citizens over the age of 18 who have registered permanent residence in Croatia. It is also mandatory for persons who are 16 or older, who have permanent residence in Croatia and who have been allowed by the court, during non-contentious proceedings, to enter into marriage and who did enter into marriage.

Submitting the application

The application for the issuance of an identity card can be submitted at a police administration or police station that deal with administrative affairs.

When submitting the application for the issuance of an identity card, the applicant has to:
  • make a payment, depending on the type of issuance procedure, and provide proof of payment (for payments made via online banking, the proof needs to be printed and enclosed to the application; for prices and fees and example of a correctly filled out money order see Deadlines and Prices of Issuance of Identity Card)
  • provide previously issued identity card or another public document that can be used to verify the applicants identity (passport); identity of children who do not hold identity documents is confirmed by their parents
  • provide one colour photograph sized 3.5cm x 4.5cm  (the photo does not have to be provided if the applicant has been issued with a passport or an identity card within the last five years that contains a personal identification number (OIB) and for which a photo had already been provided and the applicant’s appearance has not significantly changed)
  • sign an Agreement on certification services
  • give fingerprints of his left and right index finger
When the identity card is renewed, the old identity card needs to be provided so that it can be annulled and returned.

The photo provided with the application for the issuance of an identity card has to be an accurate representation of the person submitting the application, without any head covering.

Exceptionally, a photograph for the issuance of an identity card may be taken where a person wears a head covering for medical or religious reasons, under the condition that the cheeks, chin, and forehead are not covered.
 
Persons with multiple first and last names that cannot be fully printed on the identity card due to the number of characters will have to make a statement before a registrar to determine which parts of their name will be used in legal transactions and printed on the identity card.

Exemptions for the sick and disabled

When submitting the application for the issuance of an identity card, the applicant has to give fingerprints of his left and right index finger. If the applicant is missing an index finger or the tip of the index finger has been injured, fingerprints of the middle or another finger will be taken. If the applicant is missing one hand, a fingerprint will be taken of the index and middle finger or another finger from the other hand. Fingerprints will not be taken if this is not possible due to permanent medical reasons.

Blind people who wear dark sunglasses can provide photos in which they are wearing them. Upon their request, the back of their identity card can feature a Braille “OI” marking to help them identify their identity card. 
 
If the applicant is severely ill, elderly or has a physical condition that affects his mobility, in certain justifiable cases, competent police administrations/stations can organise, with prior arrangement, a visit by an official to collect the application for the issuance of an identity card.
 
More details on the issuance procedure, exemptions, submission of applications for children, period of validity, and all information on electronic identity cards are available on the website of the Ministry of the Interior: Identity card (eOI).