Croatia self-employment and company owner permit

A third-country national with a stake of at least 51 percent must use this self-employment route; an HZZ-based permit cannot be issued for the same or a different company or trade they own. A foreign national registered as a person authorised to represent a company, branch or representative office must obtain a permit as key personnel instead.

Key personnel permits have similar thresholds: share capital or assets above EUR 26,544.56, at least three Croatian citizens employed full-time on at least the average gross salary (three per foreign key employee where several foreigners hold key posts), and a gross salary for the key employee of at least 1.5 times the average. Owners of a company that receives investment incentives or carries out a strategic investment project can obtain a permit under a separate rule.

You must hold at least 51 percent of a company (trgovačko društvo) or a sole trade (obrt) registered in Croatia. Founding steps such as registering the company or trade are not regarded as work under the Aliens Act, so you can set up the business before you hold the permit.

The permit is granted if you invested at least EUR 26,544.56 in founding the company or trade; at least three Croatian citizens are employed full-time on open-ended contracts with a gross salary of at least the average gross salary paid in Croatia in the previous year; and your own monthly gross salary is at least 1.5 times the latest published average gross monthly salary. An owner of a sole trade must instead show income from self-employment of at least 1.5 times the average net monthly salary.

Along with the general documents for temporary stay, you attach the employment contract with your own company (not required for self-employment in a sole trade), proof of your educational qualification and, for a regulated profession, the decision recognising your foreign qualification. Evidence of the investment, the three Croatian employees and their salaries comes from the court or trade register, bank records and the pension insurance register. Visa-regime nationals add Form 18a for a first permit.

No labour market test or HZZ opinion is needed. The application can be filed at the police administration for the company’s seat or the place of work, including by e-mail, or at a Croatian mission abroad. After approval you pay EUR 74.32 for the permit and EUR 31.85 for the residence card; if you need a visa, you then obtain a D visa (EUR 93) at a Croatian mission or VFS centre within two months of the permit’s start date.

On arrival you register your address and give biometric data. Your company must keep paying salaries and contributions: the permit is withdrawn if checks with the Tax Administration or the central insurance register show that salaries or contributions are not being paid.

Renewals for the same company and occupation are requested at the police before the permit expires, again with proof that the employment and salary conditions are still met. After five years of continuous legal stay you can apply for long-term residence, provided you pass the Croatian language and Latin script test and have means and health insurance.