The president of Croatia, officially the President of the Republic of Croatia, is the head of state, commander-in-chief of the military and chief representative of the Republic of Croatia both within the country and abroad. The president is the holder of the highest office in Croatia. However, the president is not the head of the executive branch as Croatia has a parliamentary system in which the holder of the post of prime minister is the most powerful person within the country's constitutional framework and everyday politics.
The system of honours of the Republic of Croatia was established after the independence of Croatia in 1991. There are nineteen main decorations conferred since 2019, in addition to several other medals and awards.
The Grand Order of Queen Jelena, or more fully the Grand Order of Queen Jelena with Sash and Morning Star, is an order of the Republic of Croatia. It was established in 1995. It ranks second in the Croatian order of precedence after the Grand Order of King Tomislav.
The Order of Duke Trpimir, or more fully the Order of Duke Trpimir with Neck Badge and Morning Star, is an order of the Republic of Croatia. It ranks sixth in the Croatian order of precedence after the Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir. It is awarded to Croatian and foreign ministerial level officials and others for merit in contributing to the independence, integrity and international reputation of the Republic of Croatia, the construction of Croatia, and development of relationships between Croatia and other countries.
The Order of Stjepan Radić is a Croatian national decoration which ranks thirteenth in importance. The order was formed on 1 April 1995.
The Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir, or more fully the Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir with sash and Morning Star, is an order of the Republic of Croatia. It ranks fourth in the Croatian order of precedence after the Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir IV. The order is among only four orders that hold the title of grand order and has one class, like all Croatian orders and decorations.
The Order of Ante Starčević is a Croatian national decoration which ranks twelfth in importance. The order was formed on 10 March 1995.
The Grand Order of King Tomislav, or officially the Grand Order of King Tomislav with Sash and Great Morning Star, is the highest state order of Croatia. It is usually awarded to top foreign officials for their contribution to the improvement of Croatia's good standing internationally as well as achievements in developing international relations between Croatia and their respective countries. It is awarded by the President of Croatia. The order has one class. It is named after King Tomislav of Croatia.
The Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir IV, or more fully the Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir IV with sash and Morning Star, is an order of the Republic of Croatia. It ranks third in the Croatian order of precedence after the Grand Order of Queen Jelena. The next order in rank is the Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir. The order had been established on June 20, 1992 and reconstituted on April 1, 1995.
Order of the Croatian Cross is the 15th important medal given by Republic of Croatia. The order was founded on April 1, 1995.
Homeland's Gratitude Medal is the 19th most important medal in the Croatian honours system.
The Order of Duke Domagoj is the 8th most important medal given by the Republic of Croatia and is the nation's highest award for bravery. The order was founded on April 1, 1995. The medal is awarded for valor in combat. It is named after duke Domagoj of Croatia.
The Order of Ban Jelačić is the 10th most important medal given by the Republic of Croatia. The order was founded on April 1, 1995. The medal is awarded for excellence in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia. It is named after the ban of Croatia Josip Jelačić.
The Order of Petar Zrinski and Fran Krsto Frankopan is the 11th most important medal given by the Republic of Croatia. The order was founded on 1 April 1995. The medal is awarded with two versions of the Croatian interlace: the golden one posthumously for valor in combat, and the silver one for persons declared missing in the Croatian War of Independence. It is named after Petar Zrinski and Fran Krsto Frankopan.
The Order of Danica Hrvatska is the fourteenth most important medal given by the Republic of Croatia. The order was founded on 1 April 1995. The medal is awarded for different purposes and with different faces:
The Order of the Croatian Trefoil is the sixteenth most important medal given by the Republic of Croatia. The order was founded on 1 April 1995. The medal is awarded for excellence in war, direct war danger or in extraordinary circumstances in peacetime.
Dušan Bilandžić was a Croatian historian and politician.
Andrija Andabak was a Croatian soldier who distinguished himself in the Croatian War of Independence.
The Grand Order of Franjo Tuđman, or officially the Grand Order of President of the Republic Franjo Tuđman with Sash and Morning Star, is the 5th highest state order of Croatia. It is awarded to Croatian citizens, as an expression of the highest recognition of the Republic of Croatia for promoting Croatian state and national interests at home and abroad, especially for promoting civic unity and national unity, statehood and spiritual values of the Croatian people. It is awarded by the President of Croatia. The order has one class. It is named after the first President of Croatia Franjo Tuđman.
The Medal for Participation in Operation Flash is a medal awarded by the Republic of Croatia for participation in Operation Flash. The medal was founded on April 1, 1995.
