OIB (Osobni identifikacijski broj, Croatian personal identification number)

The Tax Administration describes the OIB as a permanent identifier that public authorities use in official records and when exchanging data. Under the OIB Act it has eleven digits: ten chosen at random, which carry no information about you, plus one check digit calculated under ISO 7064 (MOD 11,10). Once assigned it never changes, even if your name or address does. When a Croatian document is used abroad, the letters HR are added in front.

You will be asked for it whenever a public body records you, and also by private bodies such as banks: the Tax Administration lists opening a bank account as a typical reason a foreigner needs one.

1. When you register your stay. The Tax Administration says the competent police station of the Ministry of the Interior assigns the OIB when you register residence in Croatia. You do not go to the Tax Administration.
2. For any other reason, such as opening a bank account before you register, buying property or becoming a taxpayer, apply to the Tax Administration branch responsible for the place where the reason arose, in person or through a representative.
3. Bring the request form (available in Croatian, English and German) and your passport. Without a passport, bring an identity document from your country plus proof of citizenship. A representative also needs a power of attorney in Croatian or translated.
4. EU and EEA citizens can also apply online through the e-Citizens platform service "Dodjela OIB-a".

The Tax Administration issues a certificate of your OIB (Potvrda o OIB-u). The OIB rules say that assigning the number and issuing the certificate are free.

Doctors and nurses from outside the EU usually need recognition of their qualification from the Croatian Medical Chamber or the Croatian Nursing Council, and a stay and work permit applied for by the employer. The OIB comes with the stay: once you register residence, the police assign it. If you need an OIB earlier, for example for a bank account or a rental contract, ask the Tax Administration.

• Applying twice. Check whether you already have an OIB before applying, for example from an earlier stay or property purchase. It is permanent and stays the same.
• Wrong branch. The competent branch is where the reason arose. If none can be determined, the Tax Administration's Zagreb regional office handles it.
• Power of attorney. If a private person applies for you, the power of attorney must be certified. Lawyers, notaries, banks and tax advisers do not need certification.
• Old emergency guidance. A Tax Administration page from the COVID period describes emailed requests with a target of 8 days; the current general route is in person at the branch.

See Croatia for the professional route.