Croatia work permit (stay and work permit)

Croatian, EEA or Swiss staff must make up at least 20 percent of the employer’s foreign workforce for non-shortage jobs, or 10 percent for shortage jobs. Until those ratios apply, employers with up to 50 domestic workers may file a total of 50 HZZ-based permit applications, and employers with 51 to 250 domestic workers up to 250.

For a worker who needs a visa, the employer must deliver to the police, within five days of the permit being issued, a promissory note (zadužnica) certified by a notary for EUR 2,016 in favour of the Ministry of the Interior. The employer must pay that amount within eight days if the worker does not start work on time, or if the employer dismisses the worker within the first three months for reasons other than the worker’s misconduct. If the note is not delivered, the permit is withdrawn.

For an occupation that is not on the HZZ shortage list, the employer must request a labour market test online from the regional HZZ office before applying. HZZ informs the employer within 15 days whether a suitable worker was found in Croatia. If not, the employer may request an HZZ opinion within 90 days. For shortage occupations, published by the HZZ management board, no test is needed but an opinion still is.

HZZ gives a positive opinion only if the employer actively carries on registered business related to the job, has paid public charges and filed tax reports, has employed at least one Croatian, EEA or Swiss worker full-time without interruption for the past year, has not been convicted of labour or social security offences, had no account blockade longer than 30 days in the last six months, and received at least EUR 100,000 (legal person) or EUR 40,000 (natural person) on its business account in the last 12 months.

The worker must meet the general conditions for temporary stay: a passport valid three months beyond the permit, a legalised criminal record certificate from the home country and any country of residence of more than one year, and no entry ban. The employment contract itself serves as proof of health insurance. Where the employer provides or arranges accommodation, it must meet the standards for appropriate housing.

For a first permit, visa-regime nationals attach Form 18a, a health and vaccination certificate completed by a doctor in the home country and not older than 90 days. For renewals during the first three years a medical check at a county public health institute is required, paid by the employer.

Once the police approve the permit, the worker pays EUR 74.32 for the permit and EUR 31.85 for the biometric residence card and receives a certificate naming the employer, job and validity. A worker who needs a visa must then apply for a D visa (EUR 93) at the competent Croatian mission or VFS Global centre, within two months before or after the permit’s start date, with 30 days of travel insurance of at least EUR 30,000.

After entering Croatia, the worker registers the address and gives biometric data for the card. Temporary stay is withdrawn if the residence is not registered within six months of the start of the permit when a D visa was needed, or within 30 days otherwise.

A renewal for the same employer, worker and occupation needs no new test or HZZ opinion and can be requested by e-mail to the police; apply before the permit expires. From 4 June 2027, workers on HZZ-based or renewed permits must pass an exam in Croatian and the Latin script at level A1.1 before completing one year in Croatia, at the employer’s cost. Speakers of South Slavic languages and people educated in Croatia are exempt, and seasonal workers are not covered.

A worker who enters Croatia on a permit must stay with that first employer for six months, unless criminal or inspection proceedings are started against the employer, the worker’s dignity is at stake or wages are not paid on time. After that, the worker may change employer, or occupation with the same employer, after a new labour market test where the job is not in shortage. Work is limited to the police administration areas where the occupation is in shortage or where the test was carried out.

If the contract ends, the permit is not withdrawn automatically. The worker may be unemployed for up to three months in total on a permit shorter than two years, or six months on a longer one, but must notify HZZ in person within five days, look for work and accept suitable offers. These periods are extended by three months for workers who suffered particularly exploitative conditions. The employer must notify the police within five working days that the contract ended.