Before coming to Pula
Visa Requirements:
EU/EEA Citizens: If you are a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to travel within the EU. You can enter Croatia with a valid ID card or passport and must register at the Central police station if staying for more than 3 months.
Visa Needed: Nationals of other countries must obtain a visa for Croatia (Visa C). Check the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for a list of countries that require a visa.
Nationals of countries subject to the visa requirement need to procure an entry visa for Croatia (viza C).
You can find more about obtaining a visa and residence permit for third countries on Visa and residence permit – Third country nationals.
For more information due Visas, it can be found on Republic of Croatia – Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (Visa requirements overview, Forms, Visa information system (VIS) and processing of personal data, Online visa application form, FAQ.
Application: Submit your Visa C application to the diplomatic mission or consulate of the Republic of Croatia in your home country. The list of diplomatic missions and consulates is on the Ministry's website.
The visa request form can be filled out online but the paper copy of the form along with supporting documents should be submitted in person no more than 3 months before the start of the intended visit. The list of diplomatic missions and consulates is on the Ministry's website.
Health Insurance:
EU Students: Use your valid European Health Insurance card to access healthcare services.
Non-EU Students: Regulated health insurance is required for a temporary residence permit.
You access general health care by selecting a primary care physician. For other levels of care (e.g. hospital visits, specialist exams), you will need a referral from your selected physician.
Countries with Health Care Agreements:
If your country has a health care agreement with Croatia, contact your public health insurance provider before arriving to obtain a certificate. Upon arrival in Pula, replace your certificate with a patient's certificate at the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (HZZO).
Health care for foreigners in Croatia should be provided under the same conditions as for Croatian citizens.
If your country has a health care agreement with Croatia contact your public health insurance provider before arriving to obtain a certificate. For this, you can check Croatian Health Insurance Fund – Information on health insurance in Croatia, European Health Insurance Card, Countries with health care agreements with Croatia, Erasmus students and How to access health care services in Croatia.
Upon arrival in Pula, replace your certificate with a patient's certificate at the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (HZZO).
Upon Arrival to Pula
OIB Number:
It is a personal identification number in Croatia, required to obtain the student X-card, register your stay at the police station, residence permit.
The OIB consists of eleven random numbers that do not correlate to your identity for security purposes. Every assigned OIB is unique and unchangeable.
You can request an OIB number only in person, upon your arrival at the Tax Office (Carrarina ul. 5, 52100, Pula, phone number: + 385 52 379 700). You need to fill Application for the determination and assignment of the personal identification number (OIB).
Register your temporary stay (EU-Citizens):
- Original and a copy of the ID card/passport
- Copy of the European Health Insurance Card or Health insurance policy
- Statement from Juraj Dobrila University of Pula about student status and scholarship (provided upon arrival from Office for Partnership and Projects)
- Fulfilled Application Form 1b and Application Form 6b
- Landlord contract certified by a public notary
Residence Permit (NON-EU citizens):
All International students must register their addresses within 48 hours after crossing the border:
- Fulfilled Form 1a
- Landlord contract certified by a public notary.
- Original and copy of the passport – first page (provided by the student, validity three months longer than the stay)
- Copy of the Health insurance policy
- Proof of short-stay registration if firstly stay at a hotel/hostel (ex. eVisitor)
- Temporary residence permit card regulated in EU country
- Statement from Juraj Dobrila University of Pula about student status and scholarship (provided upon arrival from Office for Partnership and Projects)
- 1 color photograph (3×3,5 cm).
The landlord has to register the non-EU citizen immediately or do the short registration via eVisitor (tourist registration system) after which the registration at the police station stated above is mandatory.
Student Card (X-Card):
Only Erasmus+ Incoming students have the right to use the X-Card. International exchange students do not have the option of obtaining this student card.
Exchange students have the same rights as local students and can obtain a student X-Card. The X-Card gives you discounts on transportation, cinema tickets, restaurants, and more.
Erasmus students access the student's restaurants at the same price as local students while the international students with a discount.
To get an X-Card, each student must upload to the application form:
- A photo of the face (300x300 pixels in jpg format)
- A picture of their signature (400x70 pixels in jpg format on white paper with a black marker)
The Student X-card proves the student’s status and allows the student to eat at the student’s restaurant, and get additional discounts outside the University (restaurants, public transportation, bus ticket, Cinema Valli, etc.).
A certain amount of money is available on X-card (around €50-60), which is paid by the Ministry of Science and Education. If the money from the card is spent, it will be refunded in two weeks.
A standard meal in a student canteen will therefore cost between €0,80 and €1. –Special meal orders (between lunch and dinner) are not included in that program of more affordable student meals.
After satisfying the conditions, students can request a temporary student card and pay a fee of around 8.00€.
Students will be notified by email when the permanent card is ready for collection (usually within three weeks).
ISIC (International Student Identity Card):
The ISIC card is the only internationally recognized proof of student status.
The card offers student benefits and discounts worldwide and has been endorsed by UNESCO since 1968.
The card is not associated with Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, and students can apply for it independently on the official ISIC – International Student Identity Card.
Language Requirements:
Erasmus and international students enrolled in courses held in English that are a consultancy and listed under the course catalogue.
The students who are studying foreign languages (English or Japanese), Italian language and literature, and Educational sciences can enroll in courses with regular students if they speak the language of instruction.
Students must have good language skills equivalent to minimum level B2 on the CEFR scale.