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A1.1 vs B1 Croatian: work permit, long-term residence and citizenship explained

By Bok! · Checked on 19 October 2026

Short answer

Croatia uses two language levels for different goals. The work permit rule needs A1.1. Long-term residence (dugotrajni boravak) needs B1. For citizenship, B1 is required for a course certificate (and, in the rulebook, for foreign university transcripts). Other proof routes have no B1 rule. These are not the same exam.

Work permit: A1.1

From 4 June 2027, many workers from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must show proof of A1.1 Croatian when they renew a residence-and-work permit, or when they ask for a new one under article 97 (for example with a new employer) or under article 110 item 32. The duty is in article 92.a of the Law on Foreigners, added by NN 55/2026. MUP confirms the start date.

The employer pays for the exam (para 3). A finished course at A1.1 or higher can count as proof if the institution is approved to run the standardised A1.1 exam (para 5). Without proof, the Ministry may refuse the application (art. 93 para 1 item 16).

The exam format and official price will be set by a rulebook (para 9). The law says the current long-term residence rulebook (NN 100/2021) must be aligned within six months after 4 June 2026, so around 4 December 2026 (our calculation; art. 69 para 3). That update may or may not set the A1.1 rules. [UNVERIFIED, checked 19 Oct 2026: we found no published A1.1 rulebook; the deadline to align NN 100/2021 is around 4 December 2026.]

Full guide: Croatian A1.1 exam for your work permit.

Long-term residence: B1

Long-term residence is called dugotrajni boravak (NN 40/2025). Older texts such as NN 100/2021 still say dugotrajno boravište. NN 40/2025 replaced the term throughout the law.

Article 150 (as replaced by NN 40/2025, čl. 63) says you normally need five continuous years, right before you apply, of temporary residence, asylum or subsidiary protection. Time on a seasonal work permit does not count (art. 151). Article 153 also requires Croatian and the Latin script, plus a valid passport, means of support, health insurance, and no threat to public order or national security.

The language exam for this status is under article 154. The detailed rules are in the rulebook NN 100/2021. That programme is at level B1. The exam has five parts:

1. listening
2. reading
3. language structures
4. writing
5. speaking

You must pass every part. On listening, reading and language structures you need at least 60% of the points (NN 100/2021 art. 4 and 5).

Article 154 paragraph 3 says the applicant pays for this exam. Exemptions (para 2) include preschool children, people who finished primary, secondary or higher education in Croatia, and people over 65 who are not employed.

Where to take it: see the MZOM list in our guide Where to take the Croatian language exam.

Citizenship: B1 on some proof routes

Regular naturalisation is explained on the MUP citizenship page. Among other conditions, MUP says you must be 18 or older, have lived in Croatia with registered stay for eight continuous years and hold permanent residence (stalni boravak), and know Croatian language and Latin script plus Croatian culture and the social system.

The MUP page lists exam certificates, Croatian school or university diplomas, and foreign education or course certificates as language proof. The detailed rulebook is NN 6/2021.

NN 6/2021 article 2 says you can prove Croatian and the Latin script with:

• a certificate of a passed Croatian language exam at an approved institution, or
• a diploma of primary, secondary or higher education finished in Croatia, or
• a course certificate, or a transcript of grades or diploma supplement from a foreign higher-education institution, at least at level B1.

So B1 is required for a course certificate (and, in the rulebook, for foreign university transcripts). Other proof routes have no B1 rule.

Culture test. NN 6/2021 article 6 and the MUP page both say the questionnaire has 15 questions, and you need at least 10 correct answers. You fill it in alone, in front of an official at the police administration or police station, when you submit your application (NN 6/2021 art. 6 para 2). You have 60 minutes.

Age exemption. People over 60 do not have to prove language or culture knowledge (Law on Croatian Citizenship art. 8 para 5, added by NN 130/2011). The MUP page states the same rule.

Is A1.1 a step towards B1?

In practice, yes: learning A1.1 first makes B1 easier later. Many workers will need A1.1 for the work permit long before long-term residence or citizenship.

This is practical advice only. The law does not say that an A1.1 certificate counts toward B1, long-term residence or citizenship. Those are separate procedures.

FAQ

Sources

• Narodne novine 55/2026 (art. 19 adding art. 92.a; art. 20 amending art. 93; art. 69; art. 70): narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2026_05_55_692.html
• Narodne novine 40/2025 (čl. 63 replacing art. 150; term dugotrajni boravak): narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2025_03_40_545.html
• Law on Foreigners, NN 133/2020 (arts. 150, 151, 153, 154), amended in NN 114/2022, 151/2022, 40/2025 and 55/2026: narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2020_12_133_2520.html (consolidated reading via zakon.hr, unofficial)
• Rulebook on the long-term residence language exam, NN 100/2021: narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2021_09_100_1800.html
• Rulebook on language and culture checks for citizenship, NN 6/2021: narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2021_01_6_124.html
• Law on Croatian Citizenship amendments, NN 130/2011 (art. 8 para 5, over-60 exemption): narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2011_11_130_2609.html
• MUP, regular way to acquire Croatian citizenship: mup.gov.hr/…/281902
• MUP, information for third-country nationals: mup.gov.hr/…/281820

Checked on 19 October 2026.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change. For your own case, ask your employer, the police administration (MUP) or a lawyer.