Work of aliens

WORK OF EEA NATIONALS

1.a CONDITIONS FOR WORK OF EEA NATIONALS

EEA nationals who are employed or self-employed and who intend to stay in the Republic of Croatia for more than three months may register their temporary stay for the purpose of work if they hold:

a valid identity card or travel document
a certificate of employment or proof of self-employment.

Necessary documents

temporary stay registration form for EEA nationals (Form 1b),
a copy of a valid identity card or travel document, and

a contract of employment or a certificate of employment issued by one’s employer, or
for self-employed persons, e.g. excerpt from the crafts and trades register or extract from the register of companies in case of a majority owner of a company.

1.b WORK OF POSTED WORKERS – EEA NATIONALS

Conditions for work of EEA nationals

EEA nationals who are posted workers and who intend to stay in the Republic of Croatia for more than three months may register their temporary stay for the purpose of work if they hold:

a valid identity card or travel document

proof that they are posted workers.

Necessary documents

temporary stay registration form for EEA nationals (Form 1b),

a copy of a valid identity card or travel document, and
A1 certificate issued by their home country from which they were posted.

Remedy

Action before the administrative court.

1.c RESIDENCE DOCUMENTS

EEA nationals may, if they wish so, apply for the issuance of a residence card (this is not mandatory).

Fee

A residence card costs HRK 79.50.

The residence card fee in the amount of HRK 79.50 can also be paid via Internet banking, to the state budget account, IBAN HR1210010051863000160, model HR65, reference number: 7005-485-OIB (OIB – personal identification number of an EEA national for whom the payment is being made).

EEA nationals who have not been assigned an OIB will have to enter the following reference number: 7005-485-RKP-file number.

WORK OF THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS

Third-country nationals may work in the Republic of Croatia on the basis of a stay and work permit or a work registration certificate, unless provided for otherwise by law.

2.a WORK WITHOUT A STAY AND WORK PERMIT

Third-country nationals may work in the Republic of Croatia without a stay and work permit or a work registration certificate if they have been granted:

temporary stay for the purpose of family reunification with a Croatian national, third-country national who has been granted long-term residence, permanent stay, asylum or subsidiary protection in accordance with legislation governing international protection
temporary stay for the purpose of life partnership with a Croatian national, third-country national who has been granted long-term residence, permanent stay, asylum or subsidiary protection in accordance with legislation governing international protection
temporary stay for the purpose of family reunification or life partnership with a third-country national who has been issued with an EU Blue Card or a stay and work permit as an intra-corporate transferee
temporary stay for the purpose of family reunification or life partnership with a third-country national who has been granted long-term residence in another EEA Member State
temporary stay on humanitarian grounds
autonomous stay
temporary stay as posted workers
temporary stay for the purpose of research referred to in Article 74 of the Aliens Act
temporary stay for the purpose of family reunification or life partnership with a researcher referred to in Article 74 of this Act
temporary stay for the purpose of university studies, if they are employed or self-employed for no more than 20 hours a week, unless the student traineeship is an integral part of the study programme
the status of a full-time pupil when they perform work through authorised agents, without entering into an employment relationship, for no more than 20 hours a week
temporary stay as persons with long-term residence in another EEA Member State
asylum or subsidiary protection, or if they are applicants for international protection in accordance with legislation governing international protection
long-term residence
permanent stay.

2.b STAY AND WORK PERMIT ON THE BASIS OF THE OPINION PROVIDED BY THE CROATIAN EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

1.LABOUR MARKET TEST

Prior to submitting an application for the issuance of a stay and work permit, the employer has to request the local branch or office of the Croatian Employment Service to carry out a labour market test, except in the following cases:

– when it comes to the extension of a stay and work permit for the same employer and the same third-country national (Article 98, paragraph 1 of the Aliens Act)

– when, on the basis of the situation on the national, regional and local labour market with regard to the number and structure of the unemployed and needs of certain economic sectors, the Supervisory Board of the Croatian Employment Service adopts a decision on the professions for which employers do not have to request a labour market test. The Decision will be published on the website of the Croatian Employment Service (Article 101 of the Aliens Act)

– when seasonal workers are employed in agriculture, forestry, catering industry and tourism in the Republic of Croatia for a period of up to 90 days during a calendar year (Article 104, paragraph 2 of the Aliens Act)

– when it comes to one of the specifically listed categories of third-country nationals referred to in Article 110 of the Aliens Act (e.g. foreign correspondents, key personnel in companies, self-employed persons in companies or sole trades, EU blue card holders).

A labour market test consists of checking the situation in the records of the unemployed and agency procedures for recruiting workers from the national labour market.

The local branch or office of the Croatian Employment Service will inform the employer about the labour market test results within 15 days from the request made by the employer.

If the labour market test shows that there are no available workers in the records of the unemployed who meet the employer’s employment requirements or if the requirements cannot be met by the unemployed migrating within the country, the employer may request a stay and work permit within 90 days from being notified about the labour market test results.

APPLYING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A STAY AND WORK PERMIT

The application for the issuance of a stay and work permit is submitted electronically via HZZ/MUP platform HERE.

A police administration/police station will request opinion from a local branch or office of the Croatian Employment Service ex officio.

Positive opinion about the employment will be provided to the competent police administration/police station by the local branch or office of the Croatian Employment Service if a contract of employment has been concluded, as well as if there is proof of meeting the employer’s requirements in the labour market test relating to the level of education, educational qualifications, work experience and all other conditions required by the employer, and if the employer:

performs economic activities in a sector registered in the Republic of Croatia,
has paid all due public contributions of which official records are kept by the ministry responsible for finance,
has employed at least one national of the Republic of Croatia, or EEA national, or national of the Swiss Confederation to a permanent and full time position in the Republic of Croatia in the last six months, and
has not been convicted for criminal offences in the area of labour relations and social insurance.

A local branch or office of the Croatian Employment Service will obtain the above-mentioned evidence required for positive opinion ex officio and/or from the employer.

An employer – natural person whose sole trade operates on seasonal basis has to employ at least one national of the Republic of Croatia, or EEA national, or national of the Swiss Confederation in the territory of the Republic of Croatia in the previous season (the employer – natural person is included in the number of employed workers).

A local branch or office of the Croatian Employment Service will not provide positive opinion if the number of nationals of the Republic of Croatia, or EEA nationals, or nationals of the Swiss Confederation employed by the employer is less than 1/4 of the total number of employed workers.

Conditions for the issuance of stay and work permits on the basis of the opinion provided by the Croatian Employment Service

A police administration/police station will issue a stay and work permit to third-country nationals if:

– they meet general requirements to be granted temporary stay (1. hold a valid foreign travel document, 2. have means of subsistence, 3. when applying for the first temporary stay, they provide a document proving that they have not been convicted of crime, which has been issued by their home country or a country in which they have resided for more than a year immediately prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia, 5. they have not been forbidden to enter into the Republic of Croatia and stay in the Republic of Croatia, or if no alert has been issued in SIS for the purpose of forbidding their entry, 6. they do not pose threat to public policy, national security or public health)

– a contract of employment has been concluded and if proof is provided of meeting the employer’s requirements in the labour market test relating to the level of education, educational qualifications, work experience and all other conditions required by the employer

– a local branch or office of the Croatian Employment Service has provided positive opinion.

Documents necessary for the issuance of stay and work permits on the basis of the opinion provided by the Croatian Employment Service

application for the issuance of a stay and work permit (Form 9a)

a colour 35×45 mm photo
a copy of a valid travel document
a contract of employment clearly indicating the amount of third-country national’s salary is considered to be proof of means of subsistence (in the case of continuation of work with another employer, 6 payslips have to be provided)
contract of employment
proof of meeting the employer’s requirements in the labour market test relating to the level of education, educational qualifications, work experience and all other conditions requested by the employer

proof of recognition of foreign professional qualifications in accordance with special legislation in case of the employment of third-country nationals who will be working in a regulated profession in accordance with a list of regulated professions in the Republic of Croatia
document proving that they have not been convicted of crime, which has been issued by their home country or a country in which they have resided for more than a year immediately prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia (only when applying for the first temporary stay).

Authorisation for carrying out activity

A stay and work permit on the basis of the opinion provided by the Croatian Employment Service

Remedies

Action before the administrative court.

2.c STAY AND WORK PERMIT WITHOUT THE LABOUR MARKET TEST AND THE OPINION OF THE CROATIAN EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

A stay and work permit without the labour market test and the opinion provided by the Croatian Employment Service is submitted to police administration/police station (employers via e-dozvole) and may be issued:

to foreign correspondents, accredited in the Republic of Croatia, or foreign media reporters
to key personnel in companies, branch offices and representative offices
to third-country nationals for self-employment in a company in which they hold an ownership share of at least 51 % or in a sole trade in which they hold an ownership share of at least 51%
to highly qualified third-country nationals who meet the requirements to be issued an EU Blue Card
to third-country nationals who provide services on behalf of or for a foreign employer who is not entitled to establishment in an EEA Member State, and the companies are not linked, as provided for by Article 3, paragraph 1, item 15 of this Act
to teachers and lecturers who teach at educational establishments in the language and script of national minorities
to professional athletes or sport workers
to artists working at cultural institutions, experts in cultural heritage protection, library science and archival science in the Republic of Croatia
to third-country nationals who have entered into employment with foreign associations registered as foreign associations in the Republic of Croatia and in at least three other countries
to third-country nationals who are members of trust bodies of representative offices of foreign trusts and foundations registered in the Register of the Representative Offices of Foreign Trusts and Foundations in the Republic of Croatia
for the purpose of children and youth mobility programmes carried out by the Republic of Croatia in cooperation with other countries
to scientific researchers employed in scientific legal entities to perform scientific work, teach or hold other research positions
to university professors – native speakers of foreign languages, foreign language instructors and other lecturers at Croatian higher education institutions or other educational institutions or registered international schools and foreign language schools
to third-country nationals for the purpose of implementing international treaties
to third-country nationals who are intra-corporate managers, experts or trainees
to third-country nationals subject to intra-corporate transfer for the purpose of long-term mobility
to third-country nationals arriving for a definite period of time to perform particular activities under the agreements concluded between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and third countries
to third-country nationals who are healthcare trainees in the Republic of Croatia in accordance with legislation governing healthcare
to third-country nationals arriving for the purpose of carrying out strategic investment projects or who are holders of incentive measures in accordance with legislation on investment promotion
to civilian and military government officials from other countries arriving to work in the Republic of Croatia based on cooperation agreements with the Government of the Republic of Croatia
to representatives and staff of religious communities who perform exclusively religious or charitable activities
to third-country nationals for the purpose of internship in diplomatic missions or consular posts accredited in the Republic of Croatia
to volunteers under the international exchange and volunteer cooperation programmes, and if they volunteer outside the international exchange programme, they are required to have an approval from the authority competent for carrying out voluntary service schemes
to third-country nationals for the purpose of traineeship in a host entity on the basis of the Training Agreement
to third-country nationals for the purpose of carrying out professional practice, professional development or voluntary services under the Union Programme, Erasmus+ Programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport and its successors, European Solidarity Corps programmes, as well as other international programmes, and other programmes and initiatives carried out by ministries responsible for education, science and voluntary service, who do not have to provide proof that the host entity holds a third party liability insurance policy
to third-country nationals for the purpose of working on vessels and who are on the crew list
to those who carry out supervision and inspection of overhaul and shipbuilding, or supervision or inspection of production, assembly of equipment, machinery and other plants based on an export contract or order by a foreign buyer in the area of shipbuilding
to administrative staff, experts, teachers and lecturers from foreign cultural, educational and scientific establishments who perform their tasks in the Republic of Croatia as part of cultural and educational cooperation programmes, as well as to administrative staff, experts, teachers and lecturers from foreign cultural, educational and scientific establishments with branch offices in the Republic of Croatia, provided that they are coming from their parent institution
to artists, authors, technical and other indispensable staff participating in the making of a demanding audiovisual work
to other indispensable persons, apart from intra-corporate transferees, as defined by the Protocol of Accession of the Republic of Croatia to the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation.

Conditions for the issuance of stay and work permits without the labour market test and the opinion of the Croatian Employment Service

A stay and work permit without the labour market test and the opinion provided by the Croatian Employment Service will be granted to third-country nationals who:

hold a valid foreign travel document
have means of subsistence
have health insurance (not necessary if a contract of employment has been concluded with a Croatian employer)
when applying for the first temporary stay, provide a document proving that they have not been convicted of crime, which has been issued by their home country or a country in which they have resided for more than a year immediately prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia, unless the person is an intra-corporate transferee utilising mobility, arriving from another EEA Member State
have not been forbidden to enter into the Republic of Croatia and stay in the Republic of Croatia, or if no alert has been issued in SIS for the purpose of forbidding their entry
do not pose threat to public policy, national security or public health
have a contract of employment, and
provide proof of educational qualifications acquired. In addition to the application, one has to provide a decision on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications in accordance with special legislation in case of the employment of third-country nationals who will be working in a regulated profession in accordance with a list of regulated professions in the Republic of Croatia.

When applying for a stay and work permit, third-country nationals are not obligated to provide a contract of employment if they are self-employed in their own sole trade in which they hold an ownership share of at least 51%.

2.d Additional conditions for the issuance of stay and work permits to third-country nationals performing key activities:

1.the value of the company’s share capital, and the assets of a limited partnership or a general partnership exceed the amount of HRK 200,000.00

at least three Croatian nationals are employed permanently and full-time in a company, branch office or representative office of a foreign company on jobs other than procurator, member of the management board or supervisory board, and their gross salary corresponds to at least the amount of an average gross salary paid in the Republic of Croatia in the previous year according to the official data published by the state administration authority competent for statistics
their gross salary corresponds to at least the amount of 1.5 average gross salary paid in the Republic of Croatia in the previous year according to the official data published by the state administration authority competent for statistics

If there are several third – country nationals performing key activities for the same employer, a stay and work permit may be issued provided that:

the value of the company’s share capital, and the assets of a limited partnership or a general partnership exceed the amount of HRK 200,000.00
for each third-country national employed, there are at least three Croatian nationals employed permanently and full-time on jobs other than procurator, member of the management board or member of the supervisory board, and their gross salary corresponds to at least the amount of an average gross salary paid in the Republic of Croatia in the previous year according to the official data published by the state administration authority competent for statistics
their gross salary corresponds to at least the amount of 1.5 average gross salary paid in the Republic of Croatia in the previous year according to the official data published by the state administration authority competent for statistics

Third-country nationals registered as persons authorised to represent a company, branch office or representative office are obligated to regulate their stay and work permit as key personnel, and they cannot be issued with a stay and work permit on the basis of the opinion provided by the Croatian Employment Service for the said company, branch office or representative office.

2.e Additional conditions for the issuance of stay and work permits to third-country nationals who are self-employed in their own company or in a company in which they hold an ownership share of at least 51 % or in their own sole trade in which they hold an ownership share of at least 51%:

they have invested at least HRK 200,000.00 in the establishment of a company or a sole trade,
at least three Croatian nationals are employed permanently and full-time, and their gross salary corresponds to at least the amount of an average gross salary paid in the Republic of Croatia in the previous year according to the official data published by the state administration authority competent for statistics
their gross monthly salary corresponds to at least the amount of 1.5 average gross monthly salary paid in the Republic of Croatia according to the latest official data published by the state administration authority competent for statistics, whereas third-country nationals self-employed in their own sole trade have to prove that the amount of their income from self-employment corresponds to at least the amount of 1.5 average net monthly salary paid in the Republic of Croatia according to the latest official data published by the state administration authority competent for statistics.

Third-country nationals registered as founders of a company, or those who hold an ownership share of at least 51% in a company or those who hold an ownership share of at least 51% in a sole trade are obligated to regulate their stay and work permit as self-employed persons, and they cannot be issued with a stay and work permit on the basis of the opinion provided by the Croatian Employment Service for the said company or sole trade.

2.f Supporting documents for the issuance of a stay and work permit to third-country nationals self-employed in their own company or in a company in which they hold an ownership share of at least 51% or in their own sole trade in which they hold an ownership share of at least 51%

Supporting documents for self-employment in a company:

copies of a contract of employment and applications for pension and health insurance for at least 3 Croatian nationals
a list of company members certified by the Commercial Court or a notary public’s certificate on company members certified by the Commercial Court if the application is submitted by a third-country national who holds an ownership share in a company of more than 51%
receipts and other proof demonstrating investment through tangible and intangible assets in the amount of at least HRK 200,000.00 (tangible assets are considered to be the value of real estate/building and equipment/machinery, where the value of real estate should not exceed 50% of the total value of tangible assets; intangible assets or eligible investment costs may include certain categories of intangible investments (patents, licences, know-how, etc.). Tangible and intangible assets which represent investment costs have to comply with the following requirements: they have to be used only in the company, they have to be regarded as assets that can be written down (depreciable assets) and they have to be included in the assets, that is, shown on the balance sheet
a company operating in the Republic of Croatia for over a year has to be part of the value added tax system, as evidenced by presenting a certificate of registration with the Ministry of Finance – Tax Administration
BON 1 and BON 2, as well as a certificate issued by the competent Tax Administration office on paid tax liabilities and contributions, not older than one month.

Supporting documents for self-employment in one’s own sole trade in which one holds an ownership share of at least 51%:

copies of a contract of employment and applications for pension and health insurance for at least 3 Croatian nationals
receipts and other proof demonstrating investment through tangible and intangible assets in the amount of at least HRK 200,000.00 (tangible assets are considered to be the value of real estate/building and equipment/machinery, where the value of real estate should not exceed 50% of the total value of tangible assets; intangible assets or eligible investment costs may include certain categories of intangible investments (patents, licences, know-how, etc.). Tangible and intangible assets which represent investment costs have to comply with the following requirements: they have to be used exclusively in a sole trade and they have to be regarded as assets that can be written down (depreciable assets)
BON 2, as well as a certificate issued by the competent Tax Administration office on paid tax liabilities and contributions, not older than one month
a statement on the amount of income from self-employment and a decision establishing compulsory contributions for contribution debtors, issued by the Tax Administration
a list of fixed assets – Form DI when extending a stay and work permit.

IMPORTANT: When applying for the ISSUANCE OF THE FIRST STAY AND WORK PERMIT IN A NEWLY ESTABLISHED SOLE TRADE with an ownership share of at least 51%, third-country nationals have to enclose the following:

application for the issuance of a stay and work permit (Form 9a)
a colour 35×45 mm photo,
proof of means of subsistence
proof of health insurance
a copy of a valid travel document
proof of the registration of the sole trade in the register of crafts and trades, and
proof of meeting the investment requirements through tangible and intangible assets in the amount of HRK 200,000.00

document proving that they have not been convicted of crime, which has been issued by their home country or a country in which they have resided for more than a year immediately prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia (only when applying for the first temporary stay).

Once the first stay and work permit for self-employment in a newly established sole trade is issued, third-country nationals have a deadline of 6 months to deliver to the competent police administration/police station their sole trade working permit or a decision on the registration of the date when the sole trade began to operate, and a copy of a contract of employment and applications for pension and health insurance for at least 3 Croatian nationals.

2.g Conditions for the issuance of stay and work permits to third-country nationals who:

perform key activities in a company pursuant to Article 112 of this Act or who hold an ownership share in this company of at least 51%, and the company is a holder of incentive measures in accordance with legislation on investment promotion, or carries out strategic investment projects in accordance with legislation on strategic investment projects of the Republic of Croatia
perform activities or carry out projects in the Republic of Croatia pursuant to international treaties on professional and technical assistance that the Republic of Croatia has concluded with an international organization:

have a valid travel document
have means of subsistence
have health insurance

when applying for the first temporary stay, they provide a document proving that they have not been convicted of crime, which has been issued by their home country or a country in which they have resided for more than a year immediately prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia
have not been forbidden to enter into the Republic of Croatia and stay in the Republic of Croatia, or no alert has been issued in SIS for the purpose of forbidding their entry
do not pose threat to public policy, national security or public health.

Necessary documents:

application for the issuance of a stay and work permit (Form 9a)
a colour 35×45 mm photo
a copy of a valid travel document
proof of health insurance
proof of means of subsistence
certificate issued by the competent ministry that the company is a holder of incentive measures or carries out strategic investment projects in accordance with special legislation

document proving that they have not been convicted of crime, which has been issued by their home country or a country in which they have resided for more than a year immediately prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia (only when applying for the first temporary stay).

2.h Conditions for the issuance of stay and work permits to providers of services on behalf of or for a foreign employer who is not entitled to establishment in an EEA Member State

a provider of services is employed with a foreign employer who is not entitled to establishment in another EEA Member State and has appropriate qualifications, and
a foreign employer has concluded a contract with a company or sole trade registered in the Republic of Croatia, provided that this involves the provision of specific services in the area of high technology.

Necessary documents for the issuance of stay and work permits to providers of services on behalf of or for a foreign employer who is not entitled to establishment in an EEA Member State:

application for the issuance of a stay and work permit (Form 9a)
a colour 35×45 mm photo
a copy of a valid travel document
proof of health insurance
proof of means of subsistence, and
proof of employment with a foreign employer
proof of third-country national’s professional qualifications
a contract on the provision of services concluded between a foreign employer and a company or sole trade in the Republic of Croatia

document proving that they have not been convicted of crime, which has been issued by their home country or a country in which they have resided for more than a year immediately prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia (only when applying for the first temporary stay).

2.i STAY AND WORK PERMITS FOR INTRA CORPORATE TRANSFEREES

Intra-corporate transferees are third-country nationals who perform the activities of a manager, specialist or trainee and have concluded a contract of employment with a company, branch office or representative office established in a third country which temporarily transfers them for professional purposes or for training purposes to a company, branch office or representative office established in the Republic of Croatia (hereinafter: host entity) which belongs to the same company or linked companies.

An intra-corporate transferee is:

a manager – a person holding a senior position who directs the management of the host entity established in the Republic of Croatia, receiving general supervision or guidelines from the board of directors or shareholders of the company or a person performing an equivalent duty, where that position includes: directing the host entity or its part, supervising and controlling the work of the other supervisory, professional or managerial personnel, and the authority to decide on the rights and obligations of employees arising from their employment
a specialist – a person possessing competences essential to the areas of activity, techniques or management of the host entity established in the Republic of Croatia. In assessing those competences, account shall be taken not only of the knowledge specific to the host entity, but also of whether the person has necessary skills which shall be proven by professional qualifications, including adequate professional experience for the type of work or activity requiring specific technical knowledge, including possible membership to an accredited professional association
a trainee – a person with a higher education institution degree who is transferred to a host entity established in the Republic of Croatia for career development purposes or in order to obtain training in business techniques or methods, and is paid during such transfer.

Additional conditions for the issuance of stay and work permits to intra-corporate transferees:

the host entity established in the Republic of Croatia and a company established in a third country belong to the same company or linked companies
the manager or specialist has been employed within the same company or group of companies for an uninterrupted period of at least nine months immediately preceding the day of intra-corporate transfer or in case of a trainee for an uninterrupted period of at least six months
they enclose a contract of employment and a transfer certificate confirming the details of the duration of transfer and the location of one or more host entities; proof that they will assume the position of a manager, specialist or trainee in one or more host entities; the salary, as well as other conditions of employment provided for during the intra-corporate transfer and proof that their transfer back to the company, branch office or representative office established in a third country will be possible upon the completion of the intra-corporate transfer; and the enclosed contract of employment and a transfer certificate must clearly indicate that the following working conditions will be guaranteed:

– maximum work periods and minimum rest periods

– minimum paid annual leave

– increased salary for overtime work

– protection of health and safety at work

– prohibition of discrimination

– protection measures for the work of pregnant women, women who have recently given birth and who are breastfeeding, and minor workers, whereby the said working conditions are guaranteed at the level of rights laid down by the legislation of the Republic of Croatia or collective agreements which are expanded to include all employers and workers in a specific area, branch or industry in line with special legislation

the manager or the specialist have the required professional qualifications and experience necessary to work in the host entity established in the Republic of Croatia to which they have to be transferred, whereas the trainee is required to have a higher education institution diploma
their salary is not lower than the salary received by employees in the Republic of Croatia for equivalent positions in line with the existing legislation or collective agreements
the main purpose of establishing a host entity in the Republic of Croatia is not to facilitate the regulation of stay of intra-corporate transferees
the intra-corporate transfer for managers and specialists does not exceed three years, or one year for trainees.

Necessary documents

application for the issuance of a stay and work permit (Form 9a)

a copy of a valid travel document
a colour 35×45 mm photo
proof of health insurance
proof of means of subsistence

document proving that they have not been convicted of crime, which has been issued by their home country or a country in which they have resided for more than a year immediately prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia (only when applying for the first temporary stay)
proof that the companies are linked – extract from the register of companies or other proof that the host entity established in the Republic of Croatia and a company established in a third country belong to the same company or group of companies
a contract of employment concluded with a company established in a third country
a transfer certificate
a certificate issued by the company that the manager or specialist has the necessary qualifications and experience to work in the Republic of Croatia
a higher education institution diploma for a trainee.

Short-term mobility of intra-corporate transferees

Third-country nationals holding a valid permit issued for the purpose of intra-corporate transfer by another EEA Member State may work in a host entity established in the Republic of Croatia belonging to the same company or linked companies for the period of up to 90 days in any 180-day period without the obligation to obtain a stay and work permit or a work registration certificate.

Long-term mobility of intra-corporate transferees

Third-country nationals holding a valid permit issued for the purpose of intra-corporate transfer by another EEA Member State who intend to work for more than 90 days in a host entity established in the Republic of Croatia belonging to the same company or linked companies may be granted a stay and work permit for long-term mobility.

Necessary documents

application for the issuance of a stay and work permit (Form 9a)

a valid residence permit issued by another EEA Member State for the purpose of intra-corporate transfer

a copy of a valid travel document
a colour 35×45 mm photo
proof of health insurance
proof of means of subsistence

proof that the companies are linked – extract from the register of companies or other proof that the host entity established in the Republic of Croatia and a company established in a third country belong to the same company or group of companies
a contract of employment concluded with a company established in a third country
a transfer certificate
a certificate issued by the company that the manager or specialist has the necessary qualifications and experience to work in the Republic of Croatia
a higher education institution diploma for a trainee

2.j STAY AND WORK PERMITS FOR VOLUNTEERS AND TRAINEES

VOLUNTEERS

A stay and work permit may be issued at the request of third-country nationals who will be volunteering if they meet general requirements to be granted temporary stay and if they enclose the following:

agreement with the host entity registered in the Republic of Croatia, which has to contain the following: a description of the voluntary service scheme; the duration of the voluntary service; the placement and supervision conditions of the voluntary service; the volunteering hours; the resources available to cover the third-country national’s subsistence and accommodation costs, a minimum sum of money as pocket money throughout the stay, and the training to work with children and vulnerable groups, as prescribed by legislation governing voluntary service, and
proof that the host entity has subscribed to a third-party insurance policy, unless arriving within the framework of the European Voluntary Service (EVS).

Exceptionally, a stay and work permit may be issued to third-country nationals who are not covered by the international exchange and volunteer cooperation programme if they enclose a voluntary service agreement in accordance with legislation governing voluntary service and if they obtain approval from the authority responsible for the implementation of voluntary service schemes.

Necessary documents

application for the issuance of a stay and work permit (Form 9a)

a copy of a valid travel document
a colour 35×45 mm photo
proof of health insurance
proof of means of subsistence

document proving that they have not been convicted of crime, which has been issued by their home country or a country in which they have resided for more than a year immediately prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia (only when applying for the first temporary stay)
an agreement with a host entity registered in the Republic of Croatia
proof that the host entity has subscribed to a third-party insurance policy, unless arriving within the framework of the European Voluntary Service (EVS).

TRAINEES

A stay and work permit may be issued at the request of third-country nationals arriving for the purpose of traineeship if they meet general requirements to be granted temporary stay and if they enclose the following:

– a training agreement with the host entity registered in the Republic of Croatia which provides for a theoretical and practical training, and which contains the following: a description of the training programme, including the educational objective or learning components, the duration of the traineeship, the placement and supervision conditions of the traineeship, the traineeship hours, and the legal relationship between the trainee and the host entity, and

– proof of having obtained a higher education degree within the two years preceding the day of application or proof of currently pursuing a course of study that leads to a higher education degree.

Necessary documents

application for the issuance of a stay and work permit (Form 9a)

a copy of a valid travel document
a colour 35×45 mm photo
proof of health insurance
proof of means of subsistence

document proving that they have not been convicted of crime, which has been issued by their home country or a country in which they have resided for more than a year immediately prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia (only when applying for the first temporary stay)
a training agreement concluded with the host entity
proof of having obtained a higher education degree within the two years preceding the day of application or proof of currently pursuing a course of study that leads to a higher education degree.

Authorisation for carrying out activity

A stay and work permit without the labour market test and the opinion provided by the Croatian Employment Service

Remedies

Action before the administrative court.

2.k EU BLUE CARD (a stay and work permit for highly qualified third-country nationals)

A stay and work permit (the EU Blue Card) for highly qualified third-country nationals is at the same time regarded as a temporary stay and work permit in Croatia.

Conditions for the issuance of stay and work permits – the EU Blue Card

A stay and work permit (the EU Blue Card) may be granted to third-country nationals who:

hold a valid foreign travel document
have means of subsistence
when applying for the first temporary stay, they provide a document proving that they have not been convicted of crime, which has been issued by their home country or a country in which they have resided for more than a year immediately prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia
have not been forbidden to enter into the Republic of Croatia and stay in the Republic of Croatia, or no alert has been issued in SIS for the purpose of forbidding their entry
do not pose threat to public policy, national security or public health,

and enclose:

a contract of employment for performing highly qualified jobs for and under the direction of another person, in the duration of at least one year, which has been concluded with a company, branch office, representative office, sole trader, family farm, cooperative, association or institution registered in the Republic of Croatia
proof of higher education, that is, a diploma, certificate or other proof of formal qualifications issued by a higher education institution recognised in their home country
proof that they meet the conditions to exercise a regulated profession stipulated in the contract of employment in accordance with special legislation on professional qualifications.

The contract of employment that they enclose has to include the gross annual salary in the amount of at least 1.5 times average gross annual salary according to the official data published by the state administration authority competent for statistics.

Necessary documents

application for the issuance of a stay and work permit (Form 1)

a copy of a valid travel document
a contract of employment or other relevant contract for performing the activities of highly qualified workers in the duration of at least one year (including the gross annual salary in the amount of at least 1.5 times average gross annual salary according to the official data published by the state administration authority competent for statistics),
proof of higher education or undergraduate and graduate university degree or integrated undergraduate and graduate university degree or specialist graduate professional degree

decision on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications in accordance with special legislation in case of the employment of third-country nationals who will be working in a regulated profession in accordance with a list of regulated professions in the Republic of Croatia
document proving that they have not been convicted of crime, which has been issued by their home country or a country in which they have resided for more than a year immediately prior to arriving in the Republic of Croatia (only when applying for the first temporary stay).

Authorisation for carrying out activity

A stay and work permit – the EU Blue Card

Remedies

Action before the administrative court.

WORK OF POSTED WORKERS – THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS

Conditions for regulating temporary stay for the purpose of work of posted workers

Third-country nationals who are posted by their employer established in another EEA Member State to work in Croatia for more than 90 days have to regulate temporary stay for the purpose of work of posted workers.

Temporary stay for the purpose of work of posted workers may be granted if third-country nationals:

hold a valid foreign travel document
have means of subsistence
have health insurance
have not been forbidden to enter into the Republic of Croatia and stay in the Republic of Croatia, or if no alert has been issued in SIS for the purpose of forbidding their entry
do not pose threat to public policy, national security or public health.

Necessary documents

application for the issuance of a temporary stay permit (Form 1a)
a colour 35×45 mm photo
a copy of a valid travel document
proof of health insurance
proof of means of subsistence
a contract of employment concluded with a foreign employer established in another EEA Member State
A1 certificate issued by their home country from which they were posted.

Authorisation for carrying out activity

Temporary stay for the purpose of work of posted workers

Remedy

Action before the administrative court.

2.l ADMINISTRATIVE FEES FOR A STAY AND WORK PERMIT AND TEMPORARY STAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF WORK OF POSTED WORKERS

The administrative fee for the issuance of a stay and work permit is HRK 560.

If the said amount is paid at the post office / FINA (Financial Agency) / bank, this can only be done by using a payment slip which can be obtained at a police administration/police station.
NOTE: The administrative fees for the issuance of a stay and work permit (HRK 560) can also be paid via Internet banking, to the state budget account, IBAN HR1210010051863000160, model HR64, reference number: 5002-713-OIB (OIB – personal identification number of a third-country national for whom the payment is being made).
Foreign nationals who have not been assigned an OIB will have to enter the following reference number: 5002-713-number of their valid travel document/identity card.
(IMPORTANT: maximum a 10-digit number, and if the number starts with zeros (0), they are omitted. Letter symbols, slashes, full stops, commas, etc. are also NOT to be written).
For example, if a travel document/identity card number of a foreign national is AZ004586, then the reference number reads: 5002-713-4586 (without letter symbols and zeros, and with maximum ten digits).

The administrative fee for granting temporary stay is HRK 350.

Third-country nationals who have not been assigned an OIB will have to enter the following reference number: 5002-713-number of their valid travel document/identity card.

(IMPORTANT: maximum a 10-digit number, and if the number starts with zeros (0), they are omitted. Letter symbols, slashes, full stops, commas, etc. are also NOT to be written).
For example, if a travel document/identity card number of a foreign national is AZ004586, then the reference number reads: 5002-713-4586 (without letter symbols and zeros, and with maximum ten digits).

2.m BIOMETRIC RESIDENCE PERMIT

All third-country nationals who have been granted temporary stay and issued with a stay and work permit (apart from third-country nationals who have been granted a stay and work permit for seasonal work for up to 90 days) are obligated to obtain a biometric residence permit.

The biometric residence permit card costs HRK 240.

The administrative fee in the amount of HRK 70 also has to be paid to the state budget IBAN account or in tax stamps.

NOTE: The administrative fee for a residence permit in the amount of HRK 240 can also be paid via Internet banking to the state budget account, IBAN
HR1210010051863000160, model HR65, reference number: 7005-485-OIB (OIB – personal identification number of a person for whom the residence permit is being made).

Third-country nationals who have not been assigned an OIB, will have to enter the following reference number: 7005-485-RKP-file number.

The biometric residence card administrative fee in the amount of HRK 70 can also be paid via Internet banking, to the state budget account, IBAN HR1210010051863000160, model HR64, reference number: 5002-713-OIB.

Third-country nationals who have not been assigned an OIB will have to enter the following reference number: 5002-713-number of their valid travel document/identity card.

WORK REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE

A police administration/police station may issue a work registration certificate to third-country nationals for performing contracted work in the territory of the Republic of Croatia over a shorter period of time.

The following categories of third-country nationals may work for up to 90 days in a calendar year based on a work registration certificate:

tourist agents and recreation workers in accordance with legislation governing the provision of services in tourism
tourist agents from foreign tourist agencies arriving pursuant to an agreement on the provision of services concluded with a tourist agency in the Republic of Croatia
scientists undergoing scientific and professional development, scientists – representatives of international organisations and scientists who are to participate in scientific projects important for the Republic of Croatia
administrative staff, experts, teachers and lecturers from foreign cultural, educational and scientific establishments who perform their tasks in the Republic of Croatia as part of cultural and educational cooperation programmes, as well as administrative staff, experts, teachers and lecturers from foreign cultural, educational and scientific establishments with branch offices in the Republic of Croatia, provided that they are coming from their parent institution
foreign correspondents, accredited in the Republic of Croatia, or foreign media reporters
those who carry out supervision and inspection of overhaul and shipbuilding, or supervision or inspection of production, assembly of equipment, machinery and other plants based on an export contract or order by a foreign buyer in the area of shipbuilding
for the purpose of working on vessels and those who are on the crew list
lecturers participating at organised conferences and seminars
artists and technical staff participating in opera, ballet, theatre, concert, visual arts and other cultural events, and authors and performers in film and television industry
experts in cultural heritage protection, library science and archival science
artists, authors, technical and other staff participating in the making of high-budget films
other indispensable persons, apart from intra-corporate transferees, and business visitors as defined by the Protocol of Accession of the Republic of Croatia to the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation
for the purpose of implementing international treaties.

The following categories of third-country nationals may work for up to 30 days in a calendar year based on a work registration certificate:

those who carry out professional training, development or education of persons employed with legal and natural persons in the Republic of Croatia
those employed with a foreign employer who is a producer of machinery or equipment and who are arriving for the purpose of their delivery, assembly or service, and their work is a condition for exercising warranty rights
natural persons and those employed with legal persons from third countries registered for performing undertaking services in accordance with legislation governing undertaking activities
those participating at fairs or exhibitions where their employer is an exhibitor
employees in circuses and amusement parks
those participating in shooting of fashion editorials or advertising campaigns
accompanying reporting, organisational and technical staff at sports events and competitions
authors and performers in musical, stage and dancing arts, as well as the accompanying reporting, organisational and technical staff
those attending professional training in a company linked to a foreign employer
providers of auditing and consulting services.

Conditions for the issuance of a work registration certificate

A legal or natural person employing or using the services of third-country nationals needs to have an appropriate contract concluded with a third-country national or foreign employer who is sending a third-country national to work in the Republic of Croatia, or other proof of activities performed.

Necessary documents

There is no application form

Necessary documents:

a written request for the issuance of a work registration certificate (which contains the third-country national’s first and last name, the date, place and country of birth, and nationality, information on the time period for which the issuance of a work registration certificate is requested, and types of activities that the third-country national is to perform), and
a certified copy of a valid travel document of a third-country national or of another document that serves for crossing the state border, and
documents showing that the activities involved include those for which a work registration certificate is requested (an appropriate contract concluded with a third-country national or foreign employer who is sending a third-country national to work in the Republic of Croatia, or other proof of activities performed).

Authorisation for carrying out activity

Work registration certificate

Remedy

Action before the administrative court.

ADMINISTRATIVE FEE

The administrative fee for the issuance of a work registration certificate is HRK 105.

If the said amount is paid at the post office / FINA (Financial Agency) / bank, this can only be done by using a payment slip which can be obtained at a police administration/police station.

NOTE: The administrative fee for the issuance of a work registration certificate in the amount of HRK 105 can also be paid via Internet banking, to the state budget account, IBAN HR1210010051863000160, model HR64, reference number: 5002-713-OIB (OIB – personal identification number of a third-country national for whom the administrative fee is being paid).
Third-country nationals who have not been assigned an OIB, will have to enter the following reference number: 5002-713-number of their valid travel document/identity card.

(IMPORTANT: maximum a ten-digit number, and if the number starts with zeros (0), they are omitted. Letter symbols, slashes, full stops, commas, etc. are also NOT to be written).

For example, if a travel document/identity card number of a foreign national is AZ004586, then the reference number reads: 5002-713-4586 (without letter symbols and zeros, and with maximum ten digits).

Competent authority and legislation

Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova

Ulica grada Vukovara 33, 10000 Zagreb

More information: mup.gov.hr – građani – moji dokumenti – stranci

e-mail: pitanja@mup.hr

Aliens Act (Official Gazette 133/20)

Ordinance on the status and work of third-country nationals in the Republic of Croatia (Official Gazette, No: 52/12, 81/13, 38/15, 100/17, 61/18 and 116/18)

Ordinance on the status and work of highly-qualified third-country nationals in the Republic of Croatia (Official Gazette, No: 120/12, 81/13 and 38/15)

Act on Nationals of EEA Member States and their Family Members (Official Gazette, No: 66/19, 53/20 and 144/20)

Ordinance on the entry and stay of nationals of EEA Member States and their Family Members in the Republic of Croatia (Official Gazette, No: 107/20, 148/20).

FORMS

Form 1 (application for the issuance of a stay and work permit EU BLUE CARD)

Form 1a (application for the issuance of a temporary stay permit for third-country nationals)

Form 1b (temporary stay registration form for EEA nationals)

Form 9a (application for the issuance of a stay and work permit)

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