Croatia
Croatian employers are willing to recruit foreigners but in order to do so they must justify why they have chosen a foreign worker over a national employee. It therefore needs to be evident that the foreign citizen has skills or knowledge not available from national citizens.
The Croatian Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship sets annual quotas of work permits for foreigners meaning a limited amount can be employed each year. The quotas are divided into categories, e.g. healthcare, science and education, manufacturing, etc. and once the quota for that category has been filled, no more foreign employees can be recruited for that year. All of this can make it difficult for UK citizens to find work.
The usual application process is with a covering letter and CV. The use of application forms is also common and some companies, particularly the larger ones, may use online application processes.
If the job advert is in Croatian and they require a Croatian speaker for the role, ensure your application is also written in the language so they can see your level of proficiency.
Jobs which require English speakers will usually accept applications in English, but if you are unsure about this contact the HR department of the company beforehand to find out.
The format of the CV is similar to that used in the UK. It should include details such as contact information, education, employment history, and specialist skills. Ensure your CV is specifically targeted at the job you are applying for and that it shows you have the required skills.
Find out more about CVs and covering letters.
There are usually two stages of interviews; if the first interview goes well you will be invited for a second interview, after which a decision will be made. Interviews are usually carried out in Croatian if the job role requires a Croatian speaker. Positions with large international companies operating in Croatia may carry out the interview in English if they are looking for an English speaker.
UK qualifications are recognised within Croatia. ENIC-NARIC can help to compare your qualifications and show what the equivalent Croatian qualification is.
If you are planning to live and work in Croatia, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.
See Kidon Media-Link for a full list of newspapers in Croatia.
It is possible to find vacancies through speculative applications. Ensure your covering letter is written in Croatian and be clear about your reasons for wanting to work in Croatia. Use the company contacts listed in job market to make speculative applications.
AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales) is a student-run organisation that offers students work placements and exchange schemes abroad, including in Croatia, to help gain leadership skills and professional experience.
IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) arranges paid practical and relevant traineeships for science and engineering students in over 80 countries which includes Croatia.
The amount of English language schools and institutions is increasing and as a result native English language teachers are required. A TESOL qualification is usually needed and should enable you to earn a better wage, although the pay will still be relatively low compared with other countries.
It is possible to get private tuition work as well as contracted work which may last between 10 to 12 months. See TEFL.com and Global English for further information. ESL Base has a list of language schools in Croatia.
There are many opportunities to work with eco-volunteer projects in Croatia, see Research-Educational Centre for the Protection of Nature
for some example projects.
Volunteers' Centre Zagreb (VCZ)
promotes volunteering through short and long-term volunteering projects. Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation
is a marine conservation project based in Croatia with a focus on dolphins.
Anywork Anywhere: Croatia has details of various voluntary projects including the protection of the Eurasian Griffons vultures, the restoration of dry stone walls and rescuing fresh water ponds.
Due to visa restrictions it can be difficult to get casual and short-term work. It will be dependent on employer need and can be restricted.
See Concordia International Volunteers for short and long-term volunteer projects, as well as information on various projects in Croatia.
Workaway aims to promote work exchange programmes between budget travellers, culture seekers, families or individuals who are looking to help with a range of activities. They have hosts for projects in Croatia.
There are around 130 higher education institutions in Croatia. These consist of public and private universities, polytechnics and colleges of applied sciences. These institutions are subject to quality control and supervision by the Croatian Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship .
There are two different types of study available to students:
Croatia is part of the Bologna Process, which allows for greater compatibility and comparability of higher education systems in Europe. The structure of the higher education system in Croatia has been significantly reformed and is now divided into three cycles - undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate.
In Croatia, graduate study is the equivalent of postgraduate study in the UK. Courses typically last one to two years and on completion the student is awarded a Masters qualification with reference to a specialist subject.
Alternatively, a specialist professional qualification can be taken at graduate level, which lasts one to two years. The student will then become a ‘specialist’ of the relevant profession.
Postgraduate study in Croatia refers to Doctorate-level study. This takes three years to complete and consists of scientific or research training. Upon completion the student is awarded the title of Doctor of Science or Doctor of Arts depending on the subject.
Although English is widely spoken, many courses are taught in the Croatian language. Foreign students are encouraged to learn the Croatian language in order to fully understand the culture of their surroundings and participate in their postgraduate course. Universities often offer additional intensive language courses, such as the one at the University of Zagreb - Croaticum .
The largest and oldest university in Croatia is the University of Zagreb . The second largest university is the University of Split . For a list of all universities in Croatia see Study in Croatia: Institutions and Study Programmes .
To determine individual entry requirements for graduate and postgraduate courses, contact the university directly.
Closing dates for postgraduate study applications can vary between institutions and areas of study, so ensure that you contact the institution directly for exact closing dates.
Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the chosen institution. Applications can often be made online and often require an application form, personal statement and CV. Two academic references are usually requested.
Croatia is currently a candidate country for the European Union. If it becomes a member state, other EU citizens will be able to enrol on programmes of study under the same conditions as Croatian citizens.
Fees for individual courses are set by each higher education institution and vary widely, so check with the institution you are interested in. Living costs will also differ dependent on individual needs and budgeting skills. As a rough monthly guide the University of Zagreb recommends 1000hrk for food, 1500hrk for a room and utilities, 100hrk for transport, 400hrk for books and 800hrk for miscellaneous expenses.
In order to study in Croatia, foreign students need to show they have sufficient funds. This may be sourced through scholarships, although the majority of higher education institutions in Croatia do not offer any. Some may be available through programmes such as Erasmus Mundus and Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies (CEEPUS) .
Erasmus Mundus is a mobility programme for postgraduate higher education. It aims to promote the European Union by attracting students from countries outside the EU to register for joint Masters degrees. See the website for information on which programmes are available and check with your institution's Erasmus coordinator (usually based in the international office) to see which countries they have links with and in what subject areas.
Croatia is part of the Bologna Process which aims to standardise qualifications in its member countries. This means qualifications will be recognised back in the UK, which is also a member of the Bologna Process. For further information and help on comparing qualifications, see UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) .
See Study in Croatia for further information and advice.
All EU nationals do not require a visa to enter Croatia. They are able to stay in Croatia for up to 90 days without a visa. Non-EU citizens should check with the embassy in their home country to see if they are exempt from needing a visa or if they are required to have one before entering the country.
Those intending to stay for a longer period will require a temporary residence permit, which must be applied for via the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia .
The maximum duration of a first temporary residence permit is one year. It can be extended, on condition that the applicant's passport remains valid for at least three months after the expiry of the extended temporary residence permit. Extensions must be applied for via the nearest police station to your residence in Croatia.
In order to work in Croatia you will be required to have an employment visa along with a work permit.
The application for an employment visa can be made at the Croatian consulate in your country of residence or through the Croatian Ministry of Interior . Required documents for the employment visa are:
Once you have an employment visa, an application can be made for a work permit. The Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship issues the permits and the applications are submitted by your employer.
If you are a non-EU citizen you might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Croatia.
Permanent residency will not be considered until a temporary residence permit has been held for five consecutive years. For full detail regarding the law and applying for residence permits see the Croatian Ministry of Interior .
The main source of public employment services is the Croatian Employment Service . Its offices are able to help with job vacancies, vocational guidance and mediation services. Unemployed foreigners can sign up to the job registry but information is in Croatian so it is advisable to contact the service by email for further support.
Croatia is a candidate country for the EU and if it gains membership there are likely to be further sources of support for those wishing to work abroad via resources such as the EURES - European Job Mobility Portal .
Careers services in universities in Croatia are a relatively new addition following its entrance to the Bologna Process, which brings its higher education structure in line with other European countries. It may be some time before services are equivalent to those offered by universities in the UK. The University of Dubrovnik has a careers service but you should check with other individual institutions in advance to identify whether careers support will be available.
If you face legal or health problems you can contact the British Embassy in Croatia . They are able to direct individuals to relevant information, provide access to English-speaking lawyers, contact relatives or friends in the UK and provide local information about police and procedures.
Croatia uses the European standard emergency number, which is 112. This can be used to access the police, fire service, ambulance, alpine rescuers, as well as other rescue services.
Specific emergency contact numbers in Croatia are:
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
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