Social life, customs, and everyday institutions in Croatia
This domain tests practical knowledge of everyday Croatian institutions and common social customs. Questions ask where to register a birth, which office handles health insurance, or which holiday is celebrated on a given date.
Everyday institutions
- The civil registry (matični ured) records births, marriages and deaths. Address registration (prebivalište) is handled by the police administration.
- The OIB is a permanent personal identification number used in dealings with the state. Health insurance is administered by HZZO, pensions by HZMO, employment by HZZ, and social welfare by the centar za socijalnu skrb.
- Education: eight-year compulsory primary school, then secondary school (gymnasium or vocational) and university.
- Public holidays include 1 January, 6 January (Epiphany), Easter, 1 May, 30 May (Statehood Day), Corpus Christi, 22 June (Anti-Fascist Struggle Day), 5 August (Victory Day), 15 August (Assumption), 1 November (All Saints) and 25-26 December.
- Customs include Christmas and Easter celebrations, name days, Sunday family lunches, coffee culture, carnival and the Sinjska alka.
Worked example
Question: "A family moves to a new town. Where do they register their new address?" Reasoning: the matični ured keeps vital records, not address records. Residence is registered with the police administration. The answer is the police administration.
Traps
OIB is not a health-insurance card. HZZO is health, HZMO is pensions. Since 2020, 30 May is Statehood Day and 8 October is no longer a public holiday.