Stay and work

Stay and work of EEA nationals in Croatia are possible without a permit or a work registration certificate. In the case of business, there is an option for cross-border freedom to provide services. The same applies to family members and Swiss nationals.

As is the case for Croatian citizens in EU markets, no residence and work permit or work registration certificate is required for EEA nationals to work in Croatia.

An EEA national may enter Croatia if they have a valid travel document or identity card, do not have an entry and residence ban, and do not pose a threat to public order, national security, or public health.

An EEA national has the right to stay in Croatia for up to 3 months from the date of entry if they hold a valid travel document or identity card, are not an undue burden on the social welfare system, and are not required to register for a short-term stay.

Staying up to 3 months

An EEA national has the right to stay in Croatia for more than 3 months from the date of entry:

• If they are a worker, self-employed person, or posted worker,
• If they have sufficient funds for self-support and their family members and have health insurance,
• If they are attending a higher education institution or vocational training and have appropriate health insurance while also providing a declaration proving they have sufficient means of subsistence for themselves and their family members, or
• If they are a family member joining an EEA national who meets the above conditions.

Staying more than 3 months

An EEA national intending to stay in Croatia for more than 3 months must register their temporary residence at the competent police administration or police station according to their place of residence no later than 8 days after the expiry of the 3-month stay.

An EEA national who is a worker, self-employed person, or posted worker will be issued a temporary residence registration certificate for work purposes if they have a valid identity card or travel document and proof of employment or self-employment.

An EEA national attending a higher education institution or vocational training will be issued a temporary residence registration certificate for study or vocational training if they have a valid identity card or travel document, are enrolled in a Croatian higher education institution or vocational training, are part of a student exchange or youth mobility program, or are undergoing an internship through an authorized organization based on international or inter-university agreements, and if they provide a declaration of sufficient funds and proof of health insurance.

An EEA national will be issued a temporary residence registration certificate for other purposes if they have sufficient funds for self-support and their family members, a valid identity card or travel document, and health insurance.

An EEA national will be issued a temporary residence registration certificate for family reunification if they have a valid identity card or travel document and a document proving family membership, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.

An EEA national will be issued a temporary residence registration certificate for a life partnership if they have a valid identity card or travel document and a document proving that they are a life partner or informal life partner.

An EEA national has the right to permanent residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence in Croatia, regardless of absences from Croatia for up to 6 months per year, or up to 12 months continuously (for valid reasons such as pregnancy, childbirth, serious illness, study, professional training, assignment to work in another country), or for military service.

The police administration or police station will issue a residence card confirming permanent residence upon request after verifying the duration of residence.

Exceptions

Exceptionally, an EEA national acquires the right to permanent residence if they are:

• A worker or self-employed person who has ceased working and meets the conditions for an old-age pension in Croatia or has taken early retirement and has been employed in Croatia for at least the previous 12 months while continuously residing in Croatia for more than three years,
• A worker or self-employed person who ceased working in Croatia due to permanent incapacity for work and has continuously resided in Croatia for more than two years,
• A worker or self-employed person who ceased working in Croatia due to permanent incapacity for work resulting from a work-related injury or occupational disease and has received full or partial disability pension in Croatia, regardless of the duration of residence in Croatia,
• A worker or self-employed person who, after three years of continuous employment and residence in Croatia, is employed in another EEA country but retains their residence in Croatia and returns to Croatia daily or at least once a week.

The period of employment of a worker or self-employed person working in another EEA contracting state while retaining their residence in Croatia will be considered as time spent in Croatia to acquire the rights mentioned above.

Competent Authority

Ministry of the Interior

Ul. Grada Vukovara 33, Zagreb

pitanja@mup.hr

Last updated on 26 October 2024