Croatia is a great site for both corporations and people because it is a member of the European Union (EU) that is experiencing economic growth and stability. You should get enough information if you wish to relocate to Croatia for work.

If you are planning to secure a job in the country will need a permit and a residency document. Since the country is a member of the EU, it affords citizens of other EU countries to live there without visas, and citizens of other countries outside the auspices of the EU are mandated to secure a work permit.

In Croatia, the majority of work and residency permits are only valid for a year. If a candidate needs to stay in Croatia, Croatia allows them to renew their work visa for at least 60 days before it expires. The country is also a member of the EU Blue Card network, which, because of the Blue Card’s two-year validity, can help third-country nationals.

While the most typical option for employees to obtain a visa in the country is through a work and residence permit combination, some may be qualified for a work registration certificate. These certificates are frequently given to consultants, actors, journalists, and members of religious orders.

Working in Croatia also allows you to enjoy all the benefits of residing in the EU, such as the freedom of moving to the Schengen area, the chance to be employed and do business in the member-states with fewer requirements, as well as travel to European destinations without the need for a visa (with some exceptions).

Previously, the government used a quota system for work and residence visas, meaning that applicants could only acquire a permit if the country’s quota was low. On January 1, 2021, the quota system was discontinued. Employers must first contact the country’s employment service (HZZ) for a labor market evaluation to see if there are any jobless Croatian nationals appropriate for the post under the new Foreigners Act, which regulates the entry, stay, and work of non-EU nationals in the country.

If no qualified candidates are found during the study, the company might apply for a work and residence permit for a foreign national.

Visa requirements

For processing, you’ll need the following documents:

  1. A copy of their passport
  1. A passport-size photo
  1. Demonstration of their ability to survive in Croatia
  2. Evidence of health insurance
  1. An employment contract
  1. Proof of academic qualifications and skills
  1. Evidence of their company’s registration

Blue card

Employees seeking an EU Blue Card must be non-EU citizens with a bachelor’s degree or five years of senior professional experience. A binding employment offer or an ongoing work contract is also required for applicants. The Blue Card application procedure is frequently expedited by member states, making it speedier than the usual work and residency permit process.

Work Visa

The procedure for applying for a work visa in Croatia is determined by the kind of visa and the processes followed by the local embassy. Some embassies, for example, do not require appointments and instead work on a first-come, first-served basis.

An applicant has to attend the police station closest to their Croatian domicile or the embassy/consulate in their home country to begin the process.

They must next submit all of the following documents, as well as an application. When the work and residence permit is authorized, the applicant must pay 870 kunas for the permit’s issuance, as well as a separate biometric residence permit and administration costs. Once all fees have been paid, Croatia will issue a residency permit, which your employee can pick up at the police station after 21 days.