Ombudsman/Ombudswoman

In the Republic of Croatia, protection against discrimination based on race, ethnic origin or color of skin, sex, language, religion, political or other belief, national or social origin, proprietary status, trade union membership, education, social, marital or family status, age, health status, disability, genetic inheritance, gender identity, sexual expression or orientation is guaranteed by the Anti-discrimination Act.

Central body for protection against discrimination is the Ombudsman/Ombudswoman, authorized by the Croatian Parliament to promote and protect human rights and freedoms as defined by the Constitution, laws and international legal acts on human rights and freedoms adopted by the Republic of Croatia.

Ombudsman acts on the basis of a complaint only in the absence of court proceedings. Complaints should be filed on a form published on the Web-site of the Ombudsman/Ombudswoman or as a personal complaint submitted by hand, regular mail or electronically.

Ombudsman/Ombudswoman acts also based on anonymous complaints.

Ombudsman/Ombudswoman shall examine the complaint and undertake the actions belonging to his/her area of competence required for elimination of discrimination, and inform the applicant thereon.

 Forms: 

Complaint regarding human rights violation  – pdf

Complaint of discrimination – pdf

Complaint regarding human rights violation   – word

Complaint of discrimination – word

More info:
https://www.ombudsman.hr/hr/

 

Gender Equality Ombudsperson

In accordance with the Gender Equality Act, Gender Equality Ombudsperson is established as an independent and authonomous body for fight against discrimination in the area of gender equality. Gender Equality Ombudsperson monitors the implementation of the Gender Equality Act and other regulations relating to gender equality.

Citizens can turn to the Ombudsperson if they believe that they have experienced discrimination based on gender and marital or family status, as well as sexual orientation and gender identity. The Ombudsperson may be addressed in writing to the address, orally, by telephone, e-mail. The application is made via the online form on the Ombudsman’s website. Upon receipt of the application, the Ombudsperson will contact the applicant in the manner indicated for the appointment of the meeting. If it is an anonymous report, the procedure is followed by the report, but it is difficult to collect data and determine the situation. The Ombudsperson will act upon the application within 30 days.

Form: 

Web form in case of gender discrimination

More info:

https://www.prs.hr/cms

 

Legal aid Clinic

Protection against discrimination is also possible through the Legal Clinic established at the Faculty of Law in Zagreb, i.e. through a section for combating discrimination and minority rights set up within the Legal Clinic.

Authorized applicants for legal aid can contact the Legal Clinic in person, by mail to the address of the Legal Clinic or by fax. To ensure monitoring of the quality of legal aid provided, the Legal Clinic does not provide flat-rate advice by phone or e-mail. The request for legal assistance is submitted via the online form on the clinic’s website. The case is assigned to a certain group upon receipt and on average they bring the final text of the legal opinion within 10 days and it is delivered to the indicated address or delivered by prior arrangement. Upon receipt and acquaintance with the case, the Legal Clinic will inform the applicant about the expected duration of the procedure.

Forms:

Legal aid web form – Pravna klinika

More info:

http://klinika.pravo.unizg.hr/osnovne-informacije

Institution

Ombudsman
Trg hrvatskih velikana 6; Zagreb 10000
Savska cesta 41/3 ; Zagreb 10000 (temporary address)
Tel: +385 1 485 1855
+385 1 4851 853
E-mail:
info@ombudsman.hr

Working hours 9 till 12 (Tuesday-Friday)

The Ombudswoman of the Republic of Croatia is a commissioner of the Croatian Parliament responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution, laws and international legal acts on human rights and freedoms, adopted by the Republic of Croatia. 

Info: https://www.ombudsman.hr/hr/

 

 

Gender Equlity Ombudsperson
Preobraženska 4/I ; Zagreb 10000
Tel: +385 1 48 48 100

E-mail:
ravnopravnost@prs.hr

Working hours 9 till 14 (Monday-Friday)

Gender Equality Ombudsperson is an independent and autonomous body for fight against discrimination in the area of gender equality.

Info: http://www.prs.hr/

 

 

Legal aid Clinic
Ul. Jurja Žerjavića 6/II ; Zagreb 10000
Tel: +385 97 6529 891;
+385 97 6529 892;
+385 97 6529 902.

Working hours 17 till 19 (Wednesday and Thursday); 10 till 12 (other days)

Legal aid Clinic at the Faculty of Law in Zagreb has been established in order to provide legal aid for persons who cannot bear the expenses of legal aid without putting at risk their existence.

Info: http://klinika.pravo.unizg.hr/

http://klinika.pravo.unizg.hr/osnovne-informacije

 

The education system of the Republic of Croatia comprises the following

• Early and preschool upbringing and education– includes education, training and care for preschool children, and it is realized within programs for education, training, health care, nutrition and social care for children from six months until starting school.
• Primary education – lasts 8 years and is compulsory for all children, usually from the age of six to fifteen. All children in Croatia who turn six by 1 April of the current year are covered by the obligation to enroll in primary school in the same year.
• Secondary education – in Croatia includes:
  • gymnasiums – general secondary schools that last four years (include education tracks in science, mathematics, science and mathematics, language, general, and classical education);
  • vocational schools, which are divided into technical schools in different vocational areas and other vocational schools in various areas ( industry, economy, medicine ), that last four years;
  • art schools that focus on dance, music and fine arts, which also last four years;
  • industry and related economy and craft schools that last for a period of three years and prepare students for specific occupations in these areas.
• Higher education – lasts three years (six semesters) for a bachelor’s degree (undergraduate study) and five years (ten semesters) for a master’s degree or six years (twelve semesters) for a professional doctorate (graduate study). The postgraduate, doctoral study lasts three years (six semesters). A bachelor’s degree can also be awarded at polytechnics and colleges. In addition to university studies, there are also various professional and specialist studies.

The Ministry of Science and Education is responsible for the entire education system in the Republic of Croatia.

Local and regional self-government units are the legal founders of pre-school education institutions, primary and secondary schools, and as founders they are responsible for educational processes in their area.

 

Enrollment of children in kindergartens is done exclusively through the e-registry (“e-pisarnica”):

https://e-pisarnica.zagreb.hr/ePisarnica/eIsprave2

 

Primary school enrollment form:

https://www.scribd.com/doc/208380725/1-UPISNICA-u-O%C5%A0

Enrollment in primary schools is during June of the current year

The main document for enrolling children in primary school is the Rules of Procedure for Enrolling Children in Primary School

https://www.azoo.hr/images/stories/dokumenti/propisi/Pravilnici_21.pdf

 

Enrollment of students in high school is based on the Rules of Procedure on the Elements and Criteria for Enrollment in Secondary Schools 2020/2021. The student enrollment competition shall be published no later than June 30, 2020 on the web pages and bulletin boards of secondary schools and founders. Students who do not complete primary education as regular primary school students in the Republic of Croatia, who complete primary education or have completed it abroad or in other educational systems, apply to the Central Application Office in the manner described on the web page www.upisi.hr

Applications and enrollment in secondary schools begins 1 June and ends 27 July of the current year.

Secondary school enrollment form:

http://upisi.weebly.com/uploads/6/2/5/0/62504953/upisnica_u_srednju_skolu.pdf

 

Enrollment of students in the university is the responsibility of each university or faculty.

For universities, the cost of the entrance exam is 150 – 500 kuna (approx. 20 – 60 euro), depending on the faculty.

Enrollment in faculties takes place after passing the entrance exam, which is in the competence of each faculty.

 

More information:

https://gov.hr/moja-uprava/obrazovanje/srednjoskolski-odgoj-i-obrazovanje/upis-u-srednju-skolu/526

https://ucenici.com/upisi-u-srednju-skolu-sve-o-upisima/

https://ucenici.com/pravilnik-o-elementima-i-kriterijima-za-izbor-kandidata-za-upis-u-i-razred-srednje-skole/?amp=1;

https://www.scribd.com/doc/208380725/1-UPISNICA-u-O%C5%A0

 

Institution

Ministry of Science and Education
Donje Svetice 38; Zagreb 10000
Tel: +385 1 4569 010

E-mail:
odgojiobrazovanje@mzo.hr

Working hours 9 till 16  (Monday-Friday)

The Ministry of Science and Education supports the overall development of the Republic of Croatia by providing conditions for: education and the formation of competent, ambitious and responsible individuals with an affordable, inclusive, quality and accessible system of lifelong learning; for quality vocational education that meets the current and future needs of the labor market for the development of science based on excellence and international competitiveness. The Directorate for Education performs administrative and professional tasks related to the implementation of acts and other regulations in the field of education and the preparation of expert bases for draft strategies, acts and proposals for other regulations within its competence. It monitors, proposes and implements measures to improve the conditions in the system of early, preschool, primary and secondary education and adult education. The Directorate performs tasks related to the planning and execution of the necessary funds from the state budget, participates in the development of strategic frameworks and program documents related to the development of the system of education and adult education.

Info: UPISI

The right to the recognition of foreign educational qualifications belongs to Croatian citizens, foreign citizens and stateless persons.

Depending on the type of qualification whose recognition is required, the competence for conducting the procedure of foreign educational qualification recognition belongs to:

1. 1. The procedure of recognition of completion of foreign primary education for employment purposes and secondary school (general-orientation, gymnasium and artistic programs) for the purpose of employment or further education is conducted by the Education and Teacher Training Agency.
   2. The procedure of recognition of completion of foreign secondary education under vocational scheme for the purposes of employment or further education is conducted by the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education.
   3. The procedure of recognition of primary or secondary education for the purpose of further primary or secondary education is conducted by the school in which the applicant intends to continue schooling.
   4. The procedure of recognition of primary education for the purpose of starting secondary education us conducted by the school in which the applicant intends to continue schooling.
   5. Recognition of higher education qualifications and study periods for the purpose of further education in the Republic of Croatia is under the competence of universities, polytechnics and colleges, while the recognition for the purpose of employment is under the competence of the Agency for Science and Higher Education , National ENIC / NARIC Office.

 

For the recognition of primary school completion for the purpose of employment in the Republic of Croatia:

1. 1. 1. original or certified copy of the most recent certificate (school report, diploma) acquired abroad;
      2. sworn translation into Croatian of the certificate, issued by court interpreter/translator, except for the documents issued in Croatian and in Latin script;
      3. certificate of citizenship (copy of the “domovnica”, identity card, passport or any other public document proving citizenship);
      4. acknowledgment of the payment of administrative fee in the amount of 140 kuna ( approximately 19 euro) into the account of the State budget or certificate proving general exemption from administrative fee payment, issued by the local Tax Administration office of the place of the applicant’s ( temporary) residence or a proof of refugee, exile or other status, in accordance with Article 8 of the Administrative Fees and Taxes Act
      5. in case of change of name or family name, a copy of the public document proving that change (for example, decision, vital records certificate).

 

For the recognition of secondary school completion for the purpose of employment or further education in the Republic of Croatia:

1. 1. 1. original final certificate (diploma) obtained abroad (or a certified copy)
      2. sworn translation into Croatian of the final certificate, issued by court interpreter/translator, except for the documents issued in Croatian and in Latin script
      3. copies of secondary school certificates for each grade
      4. certificate of citizenship (copy of the “domovnica”, identity card, passport or any other public document proving citizenship);
      5. acknowledgment of the payment of administrative fee in the amount of 140 kuna ( approximately 19 euro) into the account of the State budget or certificate proving general exemption from administrative fee payment, issued by the local Tax Administration office of the place of the applicant’s ( temporary) residence or a proof of refugee, exile or other status, in accordance with Article 8 of the Administrative Fees and Taxes Act
      6. in case of change of name or family name, a copy of the public document proving that change (for example, decision, vital records certificate).

 

Deadlines for issuing a decision:

1. 1. 1. no later than 30 days, counting from the day of submission of a correct request (a correct request is one that contains all the necessary documentation for its resolution)
      2. 60 days, counting from the day of submitting a correct request for cases where an examination procedure is conducted

 

If it is necessary to verify the authenticity of the foreign educational qualification whose recognition is requested, the deadline for issuing the decision shall cease to run and shall continue the day of receipt of the statement from competent authorities.

More info:

–  Procedure

–   Form

 

Frequently asked questions and answers regarding the recognition of a foreign educational qualification

1. 1. • Q&A
      • AZOO

Institution

Agency for Science and Higher Education
Donje Svetice 38; Zagreb 10000
Tel: +385 1 2785 000

E-mail:
iok@azoo.hr
agencija@azoo.hr

Working hours 9 till 16 (Monday-Friday)

The founder of the Agency is the Republic of Croatia, and the rights and duties of the founder are performed by the ministry responsible for education. The activity of the Agency is to perform professional and advisory work in education. The Agency participates in the monitoring, improvement and development of education, from pre-school to secondary school level, adult education, the education of Croatian citizens abroad and the education of foreign nationals in Croatia. Also, the Agency has a procedure for the recognition of foreign educational qualifications on completed primary education for employment and on completed secondary education in general, gymnasium and art programs for employment or further education.
The Agency submits a report on its work to the Ministry of Science and Education.

Info: AZOO

At the level of the Republic of Croatia, there is no system of public housing.

If you are a citizen of an EU Member State and you suddenly fall ill, get injured or get into an accident during your stay in Croatia, you are entitled to health protection based on the European Health Insurance Card.

The above-mentioned refers to:

• mandatory medical insurance;
• supplementary medical insurance.

Conditions:

Every person who has a residence in the Republic of Croatia and foreign persons with a registered permanent stay are registered for the mandatory medical insurance of the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (HZZO), if not otherwise stipulated in an international agreement.

• Nationals from other countries in the EU are obligated to register for insurance, provided that they are not insured in the other country, along with non-EU nationals, if they are granted temporary residence in Croatia.
• They are insured based on their employment contract with an employer that has its headquarters in Croatia or based on them performing an economic or professional activity in Croatia, if EU regulations, i.e. international agreements do not state differently.

You can register for supplementary medical insurance only if you are registered as an insured person with mandatory health insurance with the HZZO.

Mandatory medical insurance with the HZZO is granted based on various conditions (e.g. employment contract, performing economic activity, retirement, family member of an insurance holder). You are granted the right to health protection within mandatory health insurance if you are a registered insured person with the HZZO.

Your status of person insured with the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance is confirmed with a health insurance card, i.e. a certified copy of the application for health insurance. If you are a mandatory health insurance insuree and you are older than 18, you can register for supplementary medical insurance.

The rights included in the mandatory health insurance are granted when you register with the regional HZZO office for your place of permanent or temporary residence.

You should usually register within 30 days.

 

The insurance includes:

• the right to primary health protection;
• the right to specialist-conciliar health protection;
• the right to hospital health protection;
• the right to use medicinal products defined in the basic and supplementary list of medical product of the HZZO;
• right to help regarding dental prosthetics and to dental prostheses;
• right to orthopedic and other aids and right to health protection abroad

Mandatory health insurance application form:

http://www.hzzo.hr/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/TISKANICA2_04122017.pdf?831c2f

 

Parent caregiver status or caregiver status

• Parent caregiver status can be acquired by parents of a child with developmental disabilities or a disabled adult.
•  If the family has two or more children with developmental disabilities or disabled persons, the status of parent caregiver can be acquired by both parents.
• Exceptionally, when the parents of a child with developmental disabilities die or neither parent lives with the child or cares for the child, the status of caregiver can be transferred to one family member who lives with the child. This right can be claimed even if the parent cannot care for the child due to their psychological or physical state.
• A family member can have this status even if in a single-parent family there are two or more children with developmental disabilities or there is a disabled adult.
• The right to the parent caregiver status, instead of a parent, can also be acquired by a  married or cohabitating partner of the parent of the child with developmental disabilities or disabled adult if they live in a family unit.

Conditions:

• Parent caregiver or caregiver status can be claimed if a child or disabled adult is entirely dependent on the assistance and care of another person, i.e. if they are completely immobile and use orthopedic aids.
• Status can also be acquired if the child or disabled person has several types of severe impairments (physical, mental, intellectual or sensory), because of which they completely depend on the assistance and care of another person to meet their basic living needs.
• Parent caregiver or caregiver status cannot be acquired if a child with developmental disabilities or disabled adult received residential care, organized living, or full-day or half-day semi-residential care.
•  Parent caregiver or caregiver status cannot be acquired when a child with disabilities or disabled adult stays 4 or more hours a day in a pre-school, educational or healthcare institution, social care home or at some other accommodation service provider.
• A parent caregiver or a caregiver shall be entitled to an allowance, as well as to pension insurance, health insurance and unemployment rights at the expense of the State Budget.
• A parent caregiver or caregiver may also be entitled to child benefit.
• A parent caregiver or caregiver is entitled to mandatory pension insurance. Parent caregiver or caregiver status is obtained via the Social Welfare Centre in the place of residence of the applicant.

Forms:

https://www.czss-zagreb.hr/obrasci

 

 

Institution

Zagreb Social Welfare Centre
Eugena Kumičića 5 ; Zagreb 10000
Tel: +385 1 4550-220
+385 1 4550-644
+385 1 4550-813
+385 1 4550-849

E-mail:
zagreb@czss-zagreb.hr

Working hours 8 till 16 hours (Monday-Friday)

Zagreb Social Welfare (CZSS) Centre – An institution with public authorities, the CZZS Zagreb provides its users with services and professional assistance in resolving specific individual needs, protects the rights and interests of socially sensitive groups and contributes to improving the quality of life in the local community. Provides help in ensuring and achieving funds and conditions to cover basic needs of those who are socially at risk, disabled and others who with the help of family members or on their own or in another way cannot meet their needs due to unfavorable personal, family, economic, social and other circumstances. In order to prevent, alleviate and eliminate the causes and conditions of social vulnerability, the families, particularly children and others who are unable to care for themselves, are provided with support. Active participation in the local community encourages all institutions and individuals to participate in exercising human rights and achieving social justice for all members of the community.

Info: CZSS

 

Croatian Health Insurance Institute, Zagreb Regional Office
Margaretska 3; Zagreb 10000
Tel: +385 800 7979 (mandatory health insurance),
+385 800 7989 (supplementary health insurance)

Working hours 8 till 16 hours (Monday-Friday)

E-mail:
info@hzzo.hr

The Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (HZZO) is a public institution and legal entity – its rights, obligations and responsibility are established under the Act on Mandatory Health Insurance and the Statute of the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance
The Ministry of Health monitors the legality of the Institute’s work
The Institute is managed by an Administrative Board, which is comprised of 9 members, appointed by the Government of the Republic of Croatia. The Administrative Board makes adopts decisions and general acts of the Institute. The director governs the work of the Institute. The Institute operates through 7 departments managed by assistant directors. The Institute’s structure consists of a Direction and 4 regional offices (Zagreb, Osijek, Split, Rijeka) that govern the work of 16 regional offices at 134 locations

Info: HZZO

http://www.zdravlje.gov.hr/

https://mdomsp.gov.hr/adresar-ustanova/1673?aid=849