Croatia Passport Application Guide
A Croatian passport (putovnica) is applied for in person at a police administration or station (MUP) at home, or through an embassy or consulate abroad. This guide covers the on-site capture, the 35x45 mm photo rule and the timing. Verified against MUP and MVEP, September 2026.
The 15-second answer
Apply in person at MUP (in Croatia) or an embassy/consulate (abroad). Your fingerprints are scanned and your photo captured on site. If you bring a photo, it must be 35x45 mm, made by a professional — no self-service booths and no retouching. Allow about 2 to 3 months.
Step 1 — apply in person
In Croatia: submit the application in person at a police administration or station (MUP). Applicants aged 16+ (or married with a court permission) apply themselves; minors apply through a legal representative.
Abroad: submit through a Croatian embassy or consulate (MVEP), where your fingerprints are taken and your signature is captured.
Step 2 — the on-site capture
- Fingerprints: two fingers are scanned on site.
- Photograph: the office can capture your photo on site (frontal, without a head covering).
The photo rule (35x45 mm)
If you bring a photo rather than using the on-site capture:
- 35x45 mm per the ministerial ordinance; a template PDF is on the official MUP page.
- A photo made by a professional photographer is accepted.
- Self-service photo booths are not allowed, and the photo must not be retouched (MUP wording).
- Applying abroad, MVEP states one photo 3.5x4.5 cm, taken within the last 6 months, without a head covering.
Prepare it against the rules with the Croatia passport photo page; the free passport photo checker can verify your picture, and the print sheet lays it out for printing.
Step 3 — timing
MVEP advises applying about 2 to 3 months ahead for a new passport. An urgent (žurna) service is available through MUP — confirm the current conditions when you apply.
What to bring
Confirm the current document list and the photo template on the MUP page before your appointment. For other document sizes, see the photo size chart.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for a Croatian passport?
In Croatia, apply in person at a police administration or station (MUP). Abroad, apply through a Croatian embassy or consulate (MVEP).
Is a Croatian passport applied for in person?
Yes. You attend in person, where your fingerprints are scanned and your photograph is captured on site. Applicants 16+ (or married with court permission) apply themselves; minors through a legal representative.
Can I bring a photo I had taken by a photographer?
Yes — MUP accepts a photo made by a professional photographer, but self-service photo booths are not allowed and the photo must not be retouched. The rule is a 35x45 mm format.
What photo size does Croatia require?
The ministerial ordinance sets 35x45 mm. For applications abroad, MVEP states one photo 3.5x4.5 cm, taken within the last 6 months, without a head covering.
How far ahead should I apply for a Croatian passport?
MVEP advises applying about 2 to 3 months ahead for a new passport. An urgent (zurna) service is available through MUP.
Is there a fast-track Croatian passport?
Yes — an urgent (zurna) service is mentioned through MUP. Confirm the current conditions when you apply.
Croatia photo requirements → Photo size chart →
Source note: the in-person application, the on-site fingerprint and photo capture, the professional-photo / no-booth / no-retouching rule, the 35x45 mm ordinance and the overseas 3.5x4.5 cm / 6-month rule are from the Croatian Ministry of the Interior (MUP) passport section and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVEP) consular pages, captured September 2026. Requirements can change; confirm the current figures on mup.gov.hr before you apply.
Browse all passport guides or the photo size chart.