Published: 05.09.2026
According to Croatian Interior Ministry data cited by the source, 14,928 people, including 3,227 Russians, expressed an intention to seek asylum at the border in 2025, but only 1,236 formally applied and 24 were granted protection. For 2026, the cited figures show 428 formal applications and only two positive decisions; separate accounts describe prolonged waiting, discrimination, and the risk of deportation.
The sources show a large gap between the number of people expressing an intention to seek asylum and the number who reach the formal procedure and receive protection. For Russians and others entering through the Balkans, this means that the Croatian route should not be treated as a reliable way to legalise residence in the EU. Another risk comes from the Dublin Regulation: applicants who continue to another EU country may be sent back to Croatia as the first country of entry. This is highly relevant before travel for people without another residence basis who are relying specifically on asylum.