Croatia : Visa and immigration

Do I need a visa and/or work permit?

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. 

How do I apply for a visa and/or 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:

• a completed application form;
• two photographs;
• a copy of your passport;
• a letter or contract proving employment in Croatia;
• a short explanation from the employer explaining your qualification for the post;
• a short justification of employment of a foreign national over a Croatian national.

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.

How do I apply for permanent residency?

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 .