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Work / Employment in Croatia

3 documented routes of this kind in Croatia, each with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.

Residence and Work Permit (Stay and Work Permit) for Third-Country Nationals

The standard route for non-EU nationals to live and work in Croatia. A combined stay-and-work permit is issued as a residence permit, generally requiring a Croatian employer, an employment contract, and (for most jobs) a labour market test through the Croatian Employment Service.

Processing time
Decision generally within statutory administrative timeframes; renewals should be filed at least 30 days before expiry
Validity
Up to 3 years when the Croatian Employment Service opinion is required (labour market test); up to 2 years when issued without a labour market test. Per amendment NN 40/2025 in force 15 March 2025.
Language requirement
Not required for the permit itself; Croatian language proficiency required later for permanent residence/citizenship
Permanent residence
Long-term residence/permanent stay generally after 5 years of continuous lawful temporary stay
Citizenship
Naturalisation generally after 8 years of continuous registered residence with approved permanent stay

Requirements

  • Valid passport/travel document
  • Employment contract or other proof of work with a registered Croatian employer
  • Labour market test and opinion of the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ), unless exempt (e.g. seasonal work up to 90 days in agriculture/forestry/hospitality/tourism, key personnel, self-employment, EU Blue Card, intra-corporate transferees, service providers, volunteers, trainees, crew members)
  • Proof of adequate means of subsistence
  • Health insurance
  • Proof of qualifications where the profession is regulated
  • No security or public-order concerns

Required Documents

  • Completed application for stay and work permit required
  • Valid passport (with required remaining validity) required
  • Colour photograph (35x45 mm) required
  • Employment contract or written agreement on work required
  • Evidence of registered employer (court/registry extract) required
  • Proof of professional qualifications (where required)
  • Proof of health insurance required
  • Proof of means of subsistence required

Official fees

  • Stay and work permit 74.32 EUR
  • Biometric residence card (standard) 31.85 EUR
  • Biometric residence card (accelerated) 59.73 EUR

Process Steps

  1. 1

    Secure employment

    Obtain a job offer/employment contract from a registered Croatian employer.

  2. 2

    Labour market test

    Unless exempt, the employer requests a labour market test and opinion from the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ).

  3. 3

    Submit application

    Apply at a Croatian diplomatic mission/consulate abroad, or (if visa-exempt) at the competent police administration/station in Croatia.

  4. 4

    Await decision

    Application is processed by the competent police administration; if approved, enter Croatia (with a Category D visa if required).

  5. 5

    Register and obtain biometric card

    Register your residence address within 30 days and collect the biometric residence permit.

Official Sources

Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT) Permit

Third-country nationals transferred within a multinational company to a Croatian entity as managers, specialists, or trainees may obtain a combined stay and work permit under EU Directive 2014/66/EU without a labour market test. Managers and specialists may stay up to 3 years; trainees up to 1 year.

Processing time
30–60 days (indicative)
Validity
Up to 3 years for managers and specialists; up to 1 year for trainees
Language requirement
None specified
Permanent residence
ICT time does not count toward the 5-year PR qualifying period
Citizenship
Not applicable

Requirements

  • Valid travel document (minimum 3 months validity beyond permit)
  • Employment contract or transfer letter confirming the intra-corporate transfer
  • Proof of prior employment with the same corporate group for at least 9 months (managers/specialists) or 6 months (trainees)
  • Evidence of accommodation in Croatia
  • Health insurance valid in Croatia
  • Proof of adequate financial means for self-support
  • No criminal convictions (criminal record certificate from country of origin; EEA-mobile ICT holders exempt)

Required Documents

  • Valid passport or equivalent travel document required
  • Intra-corporate transfer letter or secondment agreement required
  • Employment contract with the Croatian receiving entity required
  • Proof of prior employment with the sending company (9 months / 6 months) required
  • Proof of accommodation (lease, employer letter) required
  • Health insurance certificate valid in Croatia required
  • Criminal record certificate (from country of origin or habitual residence) required
  • Proof of financial means required

Official fees

  • Administrative decision fee 74.32 EUR
  • Biometric residence card (standard procedure) 31.85 EUR
  • Biometric residence card (accelerated procedure) 59.73 EUR
  • Additional card issuance fee 9.29 EUR

Process Steps

  1. 1

    Prepare documents

    Gather the transfer letter, employment contract, proof of prior employment (9 or 6 months), travel document, accommodation proof, health insurance, and criminal record certificate.

  2. 2

    Submit application

    File in person at the police administration/station with jurisdiction over the employer's registered seat or the applicant's planned place of residence in Croatia.

  3. 3

    Await decision

    The authority issues a decision within an indicative 30–60 days. The permit combines the right to stay and work.

  4. 4

    Collect biometric card

    Pay the biometric card fee and collect the residence document. The card serves as proof of both right to stay and right to work.

Official Sources

Seasonal Worker Permit

Third-country nationals may obtain a combined stay and work permit for seasonal employment in agriculture, forestry, hospitality, and tourism. The permit is issued for up to 90 days (without a labour market test) or up to 6 months (with a labour market test). Accommodation must be arranged and documented. Seasonal work time does not count toward long-term residence.

Processing time
Standard administrative processing at the jurisdictional police administration/station
Validity
Up to 90 days (short-season) or up to 6 months in any 12-month period
Language requirement
None specified
Permanent residence
Seasonal work time does not count toward the 5-year permanent/long-term residence qualifying period
Citizenship
Not applicable

Requirements

  • Valid travel document
  • Employment contract specifying type of work, duration, remuneration, and working hours
  • Proof of adequate accommodation
  • No criminal convictions (criminal record certificate from country of origin)
  • No entry or stay bans in Croatia or the EEA
  • Labour market test (for stays exceeding 90 days, unless profession is on the exemption list)

Required Documents

  • Valid passport or equivalent travel document required
  • Employment contract for seasonal work required
  • Proof of accommodation (lease, employer accommodation letter) required
  • Criminal record certificate from country of origin required
  • Health insurance certificate valid in Croatia required
  • Labour market test confirmation from Croatian Employment Service (stays over 90 days)

Official fees

  • Administrative decision fee (stays over 90 days) 74.32 EUR
  • Biometric residence card (standard procedure) 31.85 EUR
  • Biometric residence card (accelerated procedure) 59.73 EUR
  • Card issuance administrative fee 9.29 EUR

Process Steps

  1. 1

    Secure employment contract

    Obtain a signed seasonal employment contract from a Croatian employer in agriculture, forestry, hospitality, or tourism specifying duties, dates, and wages.

  2. 2

    Arrange accommodation

    Confirm accommodation meeting minimum legal standards. If employer-arranged, ensure the cost does not exceed 30% of net salary.

  3. 3

    Labour market test (if required)

    For stays over 90 days, the employer must obtain a labour market test opinion from the Croatian Employment Service unless the role is on the exempt high-demand list.

  4. 4

    Submit application

    Apply at the jurisdictional police administration/station with all documents. Pay the administrative decision fee.

  5. 5

    Collect permit / biometric card

    For stays over 90 days, collect the biometric residence card upon approval. For stays of 90 days or less, a biometric card is not required.

Official Sources

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