It was announced that the competition's format would be expanded to include a semi-final in 2004. According to the rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country, the "Big Four" (France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom), and the ten highest placed finishers in the 2003 contest are required to qualify from the semi-final on 12 May 2004 in order to compete for the final on 15 May 2004; the top ten countries from the semi-final progress to the final. On 23 March 2004, a special allocation draw was held which determined the running order for the semi-final and Croatia was set to perform in position 19, following the entry from Estonia and before the entry from Denmark.
In 2004, the competition's format was altered by adding a semi-final round.  The rules stipulated that all nations except the host country, the "Big Four" (France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom), and the top ten performers from the previous year must qualify for the semi-final on May 12th, 2004, to compete in the final on May 15th, 2004. The top ten countries from the semi-final advance to the final. A special draw held on March 23rd, 2004, determined the order of performance for the semi-final, placing Croatia in position 19 after Estonia and before Denmark.