Stay and Work of Foreigners in Croatia

Temporary Stay of Foreigners in Croatia

Foreigners who wish to stay in Croatia for more than 3 months or work in Croatia must regulate their stay in the country.

Reasons for which a temporary stay may be granted:

• Family reunification
• Education (secondary level) and studies
• Scientific research
• Humanitarian reasons
• Employment
• Work of a transferred worker

The application for a temporary residence and work permit can be submitted by the employer to the police authority or police station at the foreigner’s future place of residence.

The temporary stay permit is issued for a period of up to 1 year.

The application for an extension of the temporary residence permit must be submitted no later than 30 days before the expiration of the current temporary residence permit to the police authority or police station responsible for the location of the employer’s residence or the foreigner’s workplace.

A foreigner will receive temporary stay if they:

• Provide proof of the purpose of the temporary stay,
• Hold a valid foreign passport,
• Have sufficient funds for their upkeep,
• Have health insurance,
• Do not have a ban on entry or stay in Croatia,
• Do not pose a threat to public order, national security, or public health.

A reason for granting temporary stay for family reunification often includes cohabitation, a relationship between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman that has lasted at least three years, or a shorter period if a child has been born.

The temporary stay ends:

• If the conditions for granting temporary stay no longer exist,
• If the foreigner is banned from entering or staying in Croatia,
• If the foreigner does not register their residence with the police authority or police station within 30 days after the temporary stay is granted,
• If the foreigner has emigrated from Croatia or has stayed abroad continuously for more than 30 days,
• If the foreigner stays in Croatia for a purpose other than the one specified in the residence permit.

If a foreigner stays outside of Croatia for up to 90 days for a justified reason, they will not lose their temporary residence permit, provided they notify the responsible police authority or police station within 10 days of returning to Croatia.

Permanent Stay of Foreigners in Croatia

A foreigner is granted permanent stay if they have held a temporary residence permit continuously for 5 years up to the day of the application, which means that they may have been outside of Croatia for short periods during the 5 years, but for no more than a total of 10 months, or once for up to 6 months.

At the time of the decision on the application for a permanent residence permit, the foreigner must hold a temporary residence permit in Croatia.

A foreigner will receive permanent stay if they:

• Have held a temporary residence permit continuously for 5 years up to the day of the application,
• Hold a valid foreign passport,
• Have sufficient means for their upkeep – see above, temporary residence,
• Have health insurance – see above, temporary residence,
• Can speak Croatian and write in Latin script and are familiar with Croatian culture and societal order,
• Do not pose a threat to public order, national security, or public health.

A foreigner with permanent stay has the right to:

• Work and engage in self-employment,
• Vocational training,
• Education and scholarships for studies,
• Social assistance, pension and health insurance, child benefits, maternity benefits, and parental leave,
• Tax benefits,
• Access to goods and services markets,
• Freedom of association and membership in organizations that represent workers or employers, or in organizations whose members belong to specific professions.

A foreigner loses permanent stay if:

• They are banned from entering or staying in Croatia,
• They move out of Croatia or have lived abroad continuously for more than 1 year,
• It is determined that the foreigner knowingly provided false information or deliberately concealed the purpose and circumstances that were important for obtaining the permanent residence permit,
• There are reasons for protecting public order, national security, or public health,
• They request it themselves.

A foreigner who stays temporarily in Croatia must report their place of residence within 2 days of entering Croatia.

The Work of Foreigners in Croatia

A foreigner can work in Croatia based on a residence and work permit or based on a certificate of work registration.

The residence and work permit can be issued either according to the annual quota or without considering the annual quota.

Without a residence and work permit or a certificate of work registration, only foreigners who:

• Have a permanent residence permit,
• Have asylum or temporary protection,
• Have temporary residence for family reunification with a Croatian citizen, a foreigner with permanent residence, an asylum seeker, or a foreigner with temporary protection,
• Have temporary residence for humanitarian reasons,
• Are full-time students, provided they perform activities through an authorized intermediary without entering into an employment relationship,
• Have temporary residence for the purpose of scientific research.

The residence and work permit can be issued without considering the annual quota for:

• Daily migrants on the condition of reciprocity,
• Key personnel, service workers, employees, and their family members whose status is regulated by the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, on one hand, and the Republic of Croatia, on the other hand,
• Foreigners performing key activities in trading companies, branches, and representations,
• Foreigners who are transferred internally within companies or other essential employees, as defined in the Protocol of the Marrakesh Agreement on the establishment of the World Trade Organization following Croatia’s accession,
• A foreigner working in their own trading company or in a company where they own more than 51% of the shares, or in their own business,
• Employees whose activity is to provide services for or on behalf of a foreign employer who has no right to a business establishment in an EEA member state,
• Primary and secondary school teachers teaching the language and writing of national minorities in schools,
• Professional athletes or sports employees working in Croatia,
• Artists working in cultural institutions in Croatia,
• Foreigners who are members of foreign cooperative societies registered in at least three countries including Croatia,
• Foreigners who are foundation members of representations of foreign foundations and establishments registered in Croatia,
• Foreigners working through the youth mobility program implemented by Croatia in collaboration with other countries,
• Scientific researchers and foreigners employed in scientific, educational, or other research positions in legal persons engaged in scientific work,
• Professors, native speakers of foreign languages, lecturers, and other educators teaching in Croatian universities or registered foreign language schools,
• Foreigners working based on an international agreement.

A foreigner performing key activities in a trading company can obtain a residence and work permit if the following conditions are met:

• A work contract or a written confirmation of the concluded work contract or another relevant contract,
• Proof of the foreigner’s qualifications and suitability,
• Proof of the registration of the trading company, branch, representation, business, cooperative, or institution in Croatia,
• A declaration on the employment eligibility of the foreigner, including details on their expertise, qualifications, work experience, and the reason why the position cannot be filled with Croatian workers (not required if the foreigner owns more than 51% of the shares in the trading company),
• The value of the company’s capital or assets of the partnership or limited liability company exceeds 100,000 kuna,
• At least 3 Croatian citizens are employed in the trading company, branch, or representation (excluding positions of procurators, board members, or supervisory board members),
• Their gross salary is at least equal to the average salary in Croatia for the previous year according to official data from the relevant statistics authority.

If multiple foreigners perform key activities for the same employer, the residence and work permit may be issued if at least 5 Croatian citizens are employed for activities other than that of the procurator, board member, or supervisory board member for each foreign employee.

A foreigner who owns more than 51% of the shares in the trading company must submit the following with their application for the residence and work permit:

• The work contract or a written confirmation of the concluded work contract or another relevant contract,
• Proof of the foreigner’s qualifications and suitability,
• The company’s registration excerpt,
• Proof that the foreigner has contributed at least 200,000 kuna when founding the company or business,
• Proof that at least 3 Croatian citizens are employed,
• Proof that the gross salary is at least equal to the average gross salary in Croatia from the previous year,
• Proof that the company is not operating at a loss,
• Proof of paid taxes and social contributions in Croatia.

EU citizens can obtain a residence and work permit if they submit:

• The work contract or a written confirmation of the work contract or another relevant contract,
• Proof of qualifications and suitability,
• The company registration excerpt.

The residence and work permit is granted to the foreigner for the time necessary to complete the work or for the duration specified in the work contract or another corresponding contract, but for no more than 1 year.

Foreigners can exceptionally receive a residence and work permit for up to 2 years, unless a shorter period is requested.

A foreigner with a seasonal work permit can stay in Croatia for a maximum of 6 months within a year. After that, they must stay outside Croatia for at least six months before returning to work in Croatia.

Residence and Work of EU Citizens and Their Families in Croatia

A citizen of an EEA member state and their family members who have the right to reside in Croatia enjoy the same rights as Croatian citizens under the provisions of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

An EEA citizen and their family members can work and provide services in Croatia without requiring a residence and work permit.

In addition to citizens of EU member states, Swiss nationals also have the same rights as Croatian citizens regarding residence and work in Croatia.