Regulations on the Integration Agreement: Three-Year Deadline and Point System for Asylum Seekers

The Ministry of the Interior has published in Narodne novine No. 97 of September 2, 2026, the Regulations on the Integration Agreement (item 1180), which prescribe the content of the agreement that the ministry concludes with asylum seekers and foreigners under subsidiary protection for their integration into Croatian society. The Regulations were issued by Minister dr. sc. Davor Božinović and shall enter into force on the eighth day following the date of publication.

The Regulations are based on Article 74, paragraph 13 of the Act on International and Temporary Protection (»Narodne novine« No. 70/15, 127/17, 33/23, 17/25, and 59/26). The document bears the markings Class: 011-02/26-01/134 and Registry Number: 511-01-152-26-12, and was signed in Zagreb on August 27, 2026.

Three-Year Agreement and Obligations of the Parties

The integration agreement is concluded for a term of three years and is signed on the day the decision granting international protection is served, in two copies, one of which is served to the person with granted protection. The agreement contains data about the ministry and the person, provisions on the obligations of both parties, deadlines, the method of monitoring progress through a scoring system, and provisions on termination and rescission.

The obligations of the person with granted international protection include:

• regular attendance of a Croatian language course at level A1 and passing the exam within one year from the service of the decision;
• regular attendance of a Croatian language course at level A2 and passing the exam within three years;
• attendance of workshops on integration into Croatian society;
• respect for the Constitution, laws, and the legal order of the Republic of Croatia;
• registration of residence at the competent police administration within 15 days and registration of any change of address within the same period;
• submission of a request to the competent regional office of the Croatian Institute for Social Work;
• reporting the loss, disappearance, or theft of a residence permit or travel document within the prescribed deadlines.

Scoring System for Monitoring Integration

Progress in integration is monitored by a scoring system used to assess the degree of integration and has no impact on the exercise of rights, except in cases prescribed by law. The assessment takes into account the individual circumstances of the person, including membership in a vulnerable group, health status, family circumstances, age, and the availability of integration activities.

After the first year, activities are scored such as attending a Croatian language course at level A1 (25 points), passing the A1 exam (25 points), attending an integration workshop (20 points), enrolling children in preschool and primary school programs (10 points), registered residence (2 points), secured accommodation (10 points), registration with the Employment Service (5 points), employment for at least three months (10 points), and participation in adult education and local community activities (10 points each). The minimum number of points that serves as an indicator of integration is 80.

In the second year, points are awarded for employment of at least six months (20 points), participation in an adult education program (10 points), secured accommodation (10 points), and participation in local community activities (10 points), with a minimum threshold of 50 points. If integration activities are not organized or available, the failure to earn points on that basis cannot be held against the person, and inclusion in the regular educational system is considered equivalent to fulfilling the obligation of attending Croatian language courses.

Termination and Rescission of the Agreement

The integration agreement expires upon the end of the term for which it was concluded, and before the expiration of the term in the event of the cessation of international protection, unilateral termination by the person with granted protection, or mutual termination. A final conviction for a criminal offense or an imposed misdemeanor sanction may be taken into account exclusively as an element of the overall assessment of the agreement’s implementation and does not automatically affect the number of points earned.

The Ordinance is aimed at asylum seekers, foreigners under subsidiary protection, and the institutions that integrate them, and its application should ensure more systematic and measurable monitoring of the inclusion of persons with international protection into Croatian society.

»Based on Article 74, paragraph 13 of the Act on International and Temporary Protection (»Official Gazette« No. 70/15, 127/17, 33/23, 17/25, and 59/26), the Minister of the Interior adopts the Ordinance on the Integration Agreement. Class: 011-02/26-01/134, Ref. No: 511-01-152-26-12, Zagreb, August 27, 2026, Minister dr. sc. Davor Božinović, signed.«