Croatian Government Scholarship 2025-26 in Croatia

The Croatian Government Scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year present an excellent opportunity for international students, researchers, and educators to pursue their academic goals in Croatia. Offered by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth and the Agency for Mobility and EU Programs, the Croatian Government Scholarships support foreign students, university teachers, and researchers for study or research at accredited public Croatian institutions.

The Croatian Government Scholarship, funded by the Croatian State Budget, are available through two application pools: (1) Scholarships based on Bilateral Agreements and (2) Scholarships for learning the Croatian language. Candidates must apply online and be nominated by their home country’s competent authorities. These scholarships cover tuition fees, provide monthly stipends, and offer additional benefits such as subsidized accommodation and meals. The application deadline is April 4, 2025.

Universities/Institutions:

Funded By: Ministry of Croatia
Host Country: Croatia
Program Level: Bachelor, Masters, PhD
Program Duration: Varies by Type

Types of Croatian Government Scholarship:

Application Pool 1: Bilateral Agreements

Open to citizens of countries with an educational agreement with Croatia.
Applicants must apply online and be nominated by their country’s relevant authority.
Eligible countries: Belgium (Flanders), Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Germany (Bavaria), Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Türkiye, and Ukraine.
It includes:
- A1 – One Semester Studies of the Croatian Language (4 – 5 months)
- A2 – Semester/Partial Studies (4 – 10 months)
- B – Full Undergraduate (BA) or Graduate (MA) Studies
  - BA: 36 or 48 months
  - MA: 12 or 24 months
- C1 – Full Postgraduate Doctoral (PhD) Programme (36 months)
- C2 – Partial Postgraduate Doctoral (PhD) Studies or Research (1 – 10 months)
- D – Postdoctoral Studies and Research (1 – 10 months)
- E – Short Postdoctoral Research Visit (3 – 29 days)
- F – Summer Seminar of Croatian Language and Literature (2 weeks)

Application Pool 2: Learning Croatian Language

Open to international students currently studying Croatian or Slavic Studies.
Requires a Recommendation Letter from their Croatian language professor.
Two scholarship options:
1. One-semester study (4-5 months) at the University of Zagreb or Rijeka.
2. Summer seminar (2 weeks) in Dubrovnik.

Study Areas

Humanities and Social Sciences
Engineering and Technology
Natural Sciences
Health and Medical Sciences
Arts and Culture
Business and Economics

Croatian Government Scholarship Benefits:

1) Undergraduate/Graduate Studies (A1, A2, B)

€300/month (July & August excluded)
Subsidized student dormitory accommodation
Discounted meals at student restaurants

2) Full & Partial PhD Studies (C1, C2)

€320/month (July & August excluded)
Subsidized student dormitory accommodation
Discounted meals at student restaurants

3) Postdoctoral Studies (1-10 months) (D)

€480/month
Subsidized student dormitory accommodation

4) Short Research Stays (3-14 days) (E)

€30 per day
Subsidized student dormitory accommodation

5) Summer Seminar (F)

Tuition-free course
Free accommodation & meals
Cultural program included

Benefits Not Included:

Travel Expenses: Costs related to international or domestic travel are not covered.
Visa Fees: Applicants are responsible for their visa application fees.
Personal Expenses: Costs such as personal entertainment, books, and supplies are not included.

Eligibility Criteria for Croatian Government Scholarship

Minimum age: 18 (as of October 1, 2025).
No age limit for:
- A1: Semester Studies
- D & E: Postdoctoral Research Visits
- F: Summer Seminar
Age limits:
- 30 years for BA, MA, and PhD scholarships (A2, B, C1, C2).
Not eligible if:
- Less than two semesters completed at the home institution.
- Holds a residence permit or applying for one in Croatia.
- Already enrolled in a Croatian study program.
- Applying to private universities in Croatia.
- Lacks citizenship of the nominating country.

Additional Requirements for PhD & Postdoc Applicants

Must secure a host professor (mentor) in Croatia before applying.
Letter of Invitation from the host institution is required.
Research should be in English or Croatian (medical specialization excluded).

Additional Rules & Notes:

Under 36 years old to stay in student dormitories
No double funding (cannot combine with other scholarships like Erasmus+)
The monthly grant is a contribution to living costs, not full coverage
Must be in Croatia for at least 15 days/month to receive full support
Visa and other personal expenses are not covered
Financial benefits may change based on government policies

Choice of Semester and Institution for Pool-02

Students applying for A1 Semester Studies can choose:
- Winter semester: October – February
- Summer semester: March – June
Study options:
- University of Zagreb – Croaticum (14 ECTS, more intensive)
- University of Rijeka – Rijeka School of Slavic Studies (4 ECTS, less intensive)
To know More, Visit

Documents to be Submitted by Scholarship Type

A1: One-Semester Study (Croatian Language) (4-5 months)

Online application form
Copy of passport/ID
CV (Europass preferred)
Letter of Interest (1-2 pages)
Proof of enrolment at home institution
Transcript (last 2 semesters); BA graduates must submit BA degree
Recommendation letter from Croatian language professor, co-signed by Head of Department

A2: Semester/Partial Studies (3-10 months)

Online application form
Copy of passport/ID
CV (Europass preferred)
Letter of Interest (1-2 pages)
Proof of enrolment (BA or MA)
Transcript (last 2 semesters); BA graduates must submit BA degree
Recommendation letter from a professor
Letter of Invitation from Croatian host institution (signed by Head of Department)
Language proficiency certificate (English/Croatian)

B: Full Degree (Bachelor/Master) (BA: 36 months, MA: 12-24 months)

Online application form
Copy of passport/ID
CV (Europass preferred)
Letter of Interest (1-2 pages)
Highest degree/diploma (BA for MA applicants, high school certificate for BA applicants)
Language proficiency certificate (English/Croatian)
Letter of Invitation from Croatian university dean
Provisional enrolment certificate from the host institution

C1: Full PhD (36 months)

Online application form
Copy of passport/ID
CV (Europass preferred)
List of publications (if applicable)
Highest degree/diploma
Work Plan (1-2 pages)
Language proficiency certificate (English/Croatian)
Two recommendation letters from experts
Letter of Invitation from Croatian university dean
Provisional enrolment certificate from the host institution

C2: Partial PhD or PhD Research (1-10 months)

Online application form
Copy of passport/ID
CV (Europass preferred)
List of publications
Proof of PhD enrolment at home institution
MA degree
Work Plan (1-2 pages)
Two recommendation letters
Letter of Invitation from Croatian university
Language proficiency certificate (English/Croatian)

D: Postdoctoral Studies/Research (1-10 months)

Online application form
Copy of passport/ID
CV (Europass preferred)
List of publications
PhD degree
Work Plan (1-2 pages)
Two recommendation letters from experts
Letter of Invitation from host institution
Language proficiency certificate (English/Croatian)

E: Short Research Visit (3-29 days)

Online application form
Copy of passport/ID
CV (Europass preferred)
List of publications
PhD degree
Work Plan (1-2 pages)
Two recommendation letters
Letter of Invitation from Croatian host institution
Language proficiency certificate (English/Croatian)

F: Summer Seminar (2 weeks)

Online application form
Copy of passport/ID
CV (Europass preferred)
Proof of enrolment (students) or highest degree/diploma (teachers/researchers)
Letter of Interest (1-2 pages)
Recommendation letter from a professor
Language proficiency certificate (minimum B1 in Croatian)

Croatian Government Scholarship Application Procedure

📌 Application Pool 1 (For Bilateral Scholarship Applicants)

Apply through the Agency’s online application system.
Contact your national institution for nomination.
The national institution sends a Nomination Letter to the Agency via email (bilaterala@ampeu.hr) or post.
Required documents must be in English or Croatian.
National authorities responsible for Bilateral Scholarships must nominate candidates.
Applicants must hold citizenship of an eligible country; residents without citizenship are not eligible.
Deadline: April 4, 2025.

📌 Application Pool 2 (For Croatian Language Course Applicants)

Apply through the Agency’s online application system.
Submit a Recommendation Letter from your current Croatian language professor.
No additional email or post submission is needed.
Upload all required documents listed in the Application Form.
Keep a copy of all submitted documents.
Deadline: April 4, 2025.

Tips for Successful Application:

Start Early: Begin the application process well in advance to ensure all documents are prepared.
Follow Guidelines: Adhere strictly to the application instructions provided.
Proofread: Ensure all documents are free from errors and are well-organized.
Seek Recommendations Early: Request recommendation letters promptly to give your referees ample time.
Highlight Achievements: Emphasize your academic and extracurricular accomplishments in your application.

Monthly Living Expenses for International Students

Estimated cost: €400 – €700 per month
Rent: €150 – €400 (depends on city & accommodation type)
Food: €150 – €250
Transportation: €20 – €50 (discounts for students)
Miscellaneous (entertainment, internet, books, etc.): €50 – €150

Why Choose This Opportunity?

Fully funded or partially funded scholarships
Study in top Croatian universities
Experience rich European culture and historical heritage
Affordable living costs compared to other European destinations
Networking opportunities with international students and researchers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I apply if my country doesn’t have a bilateral agreement with Croatia?
- No, only applicants from eligible countries can apply.
Is knowledge of the Croatian language mandatory?
- Not always; many programs accept English proficiency.
Does the scholarship cover travel expenses?
- No, travel costs are the applicant’s responsibility.
Can I extend the scholarship beyond the given duration?
- No, the scholarship duration is fixed and cannot be extended.
Are part-time jobs allowed for international students in Croatia?
- Yes, but working hours may be restricted for non-EU students.

Official Link for More Details & Application

🔗 Official Website – Croatian Government Scholarships 2025-26