On July 15, 2010 the Croatian Parliament enacted the Republic of Croatia European Parliamentary Elections Act, which regulates the election of Croatian Members of the European Parliament.
After signing the Treaty of Accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union on 9 December 2011, the Croatian Parliament adopted the Decision on Appointing Croatian Parliament Observer Members in the European Parliament on 16 March 2012. Pursuant to the Treaty of Accession, twelve members were designated observers to the European Parliament from among the ranks of members of the Croatian Parliament proportionate to the composition of the 7th Sabor.
Pursuant to Article 11 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament, observers participate in the work of the Parliament and have a right to speak in committees and political groups. However, they do not have the right to vote or to stand for election to positions in the European Parliament.
The twelve Croatian observer MEPs were active within the framework of political groups and parliamentary committees as follows:
| Name | National party | Political group | Committee |
| Ms ANTIČEVIĆ MARINOVIĆ Ingrid | SDP | Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D) | Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) |
| Ms BORZAN Biljana | SDP | Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D) | Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) |
| Mr BOŽINOVIĆ Davor | HDZ | Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) (EPP) | Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) |
| Mr GRUBIŠIĆ Boro | HDSSB | Non-Attached Members (NI) | Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) |
| Ms JERKOVIĆ Romana | SDP | Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D) | Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) |
| Mr MATUŠIĆ Frano | HDZ | Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) (EPP) | Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) |
| Mr PICULA Tonino | SDP | Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D) | Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) |
| Mr PLENKOVIĆ Andrej | HDZ | Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) (EPP) | Committee on Budgets (BUDG) |
| Mr PUPOVAC Milorad | SDSS | Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D) | Committee on Budgets (BUDG) |
| Mr RADOŠ Jozo | HNS | Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) | Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) |
| Ms VRBAT Tanja | SDP | Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D) | Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) |
| Mr VULJANIĆ Nikola | HL | Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D) | Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) |
The first elections for the Croatian members of the European Parliament were held on 13 and 14 April 2013. On 1 July 2013, following Croatia's accession to the EU, 12 Croatian MEPs joined the European Parliament after the elections.