diff --git a/config.c b/config.c
index 70b4543..6863269 100644
--- a/config.c
+++ b/config.c
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include "completion.h"
 #include "shortcuts.h"
 #include "zathura.h"
+#include "config.h"
 
 void
 config_load_default(void)
@@ -11,15 +12,19 @@ config_load_default(void)
   if (!Zathura.UI.session)
     return;
 
-  int int_value = 0;
+  int int_value      = 0;
+  char* string_value = NULL;
 
   /* general settings */
   girara_mode_set(Zathura.UI.session, NORMAL);
 
   /* zathura settings */
+  string_value = CONFIG_DIR;
+  girara_setting_add(Zathura.UI.session, "config-dir", string_value, STRING, true, "Configuration directory", NULL);
   int_value = 10;
   girara_setting_add(Zathura.UI.session, "zoom-step", &int_value, INT, false, "Zoom step", NULL);
 
+
   /* define default shortcuts */
   girara_shortcut_add(Zathura.UI.session, GDK_CONTROL_MASK, GDK_c,          NULL, sc_abort,             0,                   0,               NULL);
   girara_shortcut_add(Zathura.UI.session, 0,                GDK_Escape,     NULL, sc_abort,             0,                   0,               NULL);
@@ -91,3 +96,13 @@ config_load_default(void)
   girara_inputbar_command_add(Zathura.UI.session, "print",   NULL, cmd_print,           cc_print, "Print document");
   girara_inputbar_command_add(Zathura.UI.session, "save",    NULL, cmd_save,            NULL,     "Save document");
 }
+
+void
+config_load_file(char* path)
+{
+  if (Zathura.UI.session == NULL) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  girara_config_parse(Zathura.UI.session, path);
+}
diff --git a/config.h b/config.h
index a3a03e7..42344f3 100644
--- a/config.h
+++ b/config.h
@@ -3,9 +3,20 @@
 #ifndef CONFIG_H
 #define CONFIG_H
 
+#define GLOBAL_RC  "/etc/zathurarc"
+#define ZATHURA_RC "zathurarc"
+#define CONFIG_DIR "~/.config/zathura"
+
 /**
  * This function loads the default values of the configuration
  */
 void config_load_default(void);
 
+/**
+ * Loads and evaluates a configuration file
+ *
+ * @param path Path to the configuration file
+ */
+void config_load_file(char* path);
+
 #endif // CONFIG_H
diff --git a/zathura.c b/zathura.c
index 90e07ee..1947439 100644
--- a/zathura.c
+++ b/zathura.c
@@ -70,6 +70,16 @@ init_zathura()
   /* configuration */
   config_load_default();
 
+  /* load global configuration files */
+  config_load_file(GLOBAL_RC);
+
+  /* load local configuration files */
+  char* config_dir = girara_setting_get(Zathura.UI.session, "config-dir");
+  char* configuration_file = g_build_filename(config_dir ? config_dir : CONFIG_DIR, ZATHURA_RC, NULL);
+  config_load_file(configuration_file);
+  free(config_dir);
+  free(configuration_file);
+
   return true;
 
 error_free: