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  • By Travis Kliever
  • Updated March 4, 2024
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Travis Kliever
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Travis is a global business development advisor. He has spent the last 14 years supporting business establishment and development in North America, Southeast Asia, and throughout the world. With multiple degrees from the University of Oregon, Travis currently splits his time between the US, and Bali, Indonesia. At RemotePad, Travis writes about remote work, hiring internationally and PEO/EOR business models.
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How to Get a Croatia Work Visa & Work Permit: Requirements & Procedure

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Embarking on a Croatian adventure for work? This guide will navigate you through the process of obtaining a Croatia work visa, from necessary documents to application steps.

Key Takeaways

  • There are several different types of Croatia work visa available depending on the nationality of the applicant, and the details of the position.
  • The EU Blue Card, Croatia Work Permit, and Croatia Digital Nomad visa are all options, depending on the circumstances of the applicant.
  • For help in applying for a Croatia work visa, consider engaging the services of a Global PEO. 

What are the different types of Croatia work visa?

Croatia has several visa options available for workers from outside the EU: As a member of the EU, workers from within the EU/common market are not required to have a visa or permit to work in Croatia. Note that in Croatia, the work permit and residence visa/residence card are separate documents. 

Key types of work permit in Croatia include: 

  • The EU Blue Card — to qualify for this an applicant must have an employment offer of at least one year from a Croatian company and earn at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Croatia. Applicants must have at least a 3-year bachelor’s degree level education or the equivalent. The EU Blue Card is valid for up to two years and can be extended. 

  • A work and residence permit for local hires — this is available to individuals with an offer of employment from a company in Croatia and who possess relevant education or professional experience. The visa is valid for up to one year and can be extended. Note, employers seeking to sponsor this visa must satisfy a Labor Market Test demonstrating that no Croatian employee was available to take the job (though there are exemptions). Partners or children may join through family reunification conditions

  • Work and residence permit for local hires – key personnel — a distinct work permit for managers and highly skilled technical employees. Unlike the regular work and residence permit, this visa does not require that the job go through a Labor Market Test. 
  • Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT) permit — as in other EU countries this visa is available for transferring managers and trainees and lasts for up to three (managers) or one (trainees) year(s)
  • Croatia Digital Nomad Visa — this is an expedited visa process designed for remote workers who wish to stay in Croatia for an extended period, up to one year, while working for their overseas employer or running their own business. To qualify for the Croatia digital nomad visa, applicants must be an employee of a foreign company or be self-employed and work for clients outside of Croatia, and have an income higher than the average monthly salary in Croatia.
     
     

The Croatia Work Visa Application Process

Generally, the process for a Croatia work visa proceeds as follows: 

  • The employer applies to the Croatian Ministry of the Interior for a Labor Market Test to clarify whether the proposed job is ellgible for a work visa. 
  • The employer or employee apply online for a work and residence permit. All required documents must be attached and the compulsory fee paid. Applications can also be submitted at a Croatian embassy or consulate, but only where a labor market test is not required
  • The individual must register with the local police (MUP) on the awarding of the Croatia work visa and arriving in Croatia. The individual must also apply for biometrics and apply for the residence card at the same time. 
  • Apply for a work registration certificate. All individuals, whether Croatian nationals or foreigners must have this document which is distinct from the work permit. 

Croatia work visas — our take

As a prosperous EU country, Croatia is a common destination for individuals seeking to live an work in the EU. 

If you would like support in the Croatia visa and work process, consider assistance from an international Professional Employer Organization (PEO) that has operations in Croatia They are experts at navigating Croatia immigration processes. 

FAQs

A Croatia work visa is usually valid for 1-2 years, depending on the visa and is renewable. 

No. As Croatia is part of the EU, citizens of EU/common market countries may work in Croatia without a permit. 

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