This graduate thesis describes and analyzes the refugee term as well as the conditions required for the acquisition of refugee status by analysis and application of relevant legal sources, in particular the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the Regulations of European Legislation within the European Union. One of the starting points for determining refugee status is the UNHCR as an UN agency, with the aim of protecting the rights and welfare of refugees. The graduate thesis also deals with the practical cases of European legislation with individual cases decided by the competent authorities of non-EU member states, and analyzes the asylum institute and its specialties as a key element of the refugee right in the world and in the European Union. At the end of the graduate thesis, an analysis is carried out regarding the relevant statistics in Croatia and in the world, especially regarding the number of refugees and asylum seekers as well as their demands.