Croatian Stay and Work Permit (Residence and Work Permit)

Who it's for

• Third-country nationals with a concrete job offer or employment contract from a Croatian employer
• Key personnel, managers and specialists transferred within a company (intra-corporate transferees)
• Foreign nationals who own at least 51% of a Croatian company or trade and work in it (self-employment route)
• Seasonal workers in agriculture, forestry, hospitality and tourism (short seasonal work has its own simplified rules)

Requirements

• Valid travel document (passport valid at least 3 months beyond the permit)
• Employment contract or equivalent for the specific job and employer
• Labour market test and/or Croatian Employment Service opinion, unless exempt
• Proof of adequate means of subsistence
• Health insurance valid in Croatia
• Clean criminal record certificate (for first-time applicants)
• No entry ban and no alert in the Schengen Information System

What you can do

• Live in Croatia and work legally for the employer and job named in the permit
• Renew the permit with the same employer without a fresh labour market test
• Apply for family reunification once you have held temporary stay for at least one year
• Progress toward long-term residence after five years of continuous legal stay

How to apply

The application (Form 4a / 9a as applicable) is normally lodged by the worker or employer at a Croatian diplomatic mission or consular post before entry. Third-country nationals who do not need a visa may apply at the competent police administration or police station in Croatia.

Where a labour market test applies, the employer arranges it with the Croatian Employment Service before the permit application. Once approved, the applicant is issued a biometric residence permit card and must register their address with the police within three days of arrival.

Documents

• Completed application form
• Recent passport-format photograph
• Copy of valid passport (and visa where required)
• Employment contract / proof of the job
• Proof of the employer's registration and, where relevant, ownership share
• Proof of qualifications where the job requires them
• Health insurance evidence
• Criminal record certificate