Croatia researcher visa and temporary stay for research

The core document is a hosting agreement (ugovor o gostovanju) concluded with a research organisation in Croatia. With it, you meet the general conditions for temporary stay: passport, means of support, health insurance, a clean criminal record and no entry ban. If the host organisation holds a five-year accreditation for hosting researchers, you do not need to submit proof of health insurance.

Researchers employed on scientific or research posts in Croatian scientific institutions can alternatively obtain a stay and work permit without a labour market test. Short scientific visits of up to 90 days a year for professional development or participation in important projects can be covered by a work registration certificate.

Researchers coming under a hosting agreement are one of the visa-required groups allowed to apply at the police administration in Croatia as well as at a Croatian mission. The application is made on Form 1a with a 30 x 35 mm photo, the hosting agreement and the general documents, translated into Croatian by a certified translator. Visa-regime nationals add Form 18a, a doctor’s health and vaccination certificate not older than 90 days.

If the stay is approved while you are abroad, you obtain a D visa at the Croatian mission or VFS centre within two months before or after the permit start date; it is free for research. The D visa allows 30 days in Croatia to register your address and have the biometric residence card made (EUR 31.85, or EUR 59.73 accelerated).

Extensions are requested at the police administration for your address at least 60 days before the permit expires; you may stay and work until the decision is enforceable. Absences abroad on research mobility in another EEA state do not lead to withdrawal of the permit.

A researcher admitted in another EEA state under a hosting agreement may carry out part of the research in Croatia for up to 180 days in any 360-day period without a Croatian permit, after notifying the police when registering the short stay. For longer periods the researcher applies for temporary stay for research under long-term mobility, attaching the other state’s permit and a Croatian hosting agreement; this permit runs for up to a year or until the other permit expires. Family members accompanying a researcher on short-term mobility may also stay up to 180 days in 360.

A researcher may teach at the host organisation, which can set a maximum number of hours or days. Researchers have equal treatment with Croatian citizens in working conditions and pay, trade union membership, education, recognition of qualifications, social security branches under Regulation (EC) 883/2004, tax benefits and access to goods and services, including subsidised housing schemes.

Family members of a researcher with a hosting agreement may work without a stay and work permit once they hold temporary stay for family reunification.