Croatia Work Permit: Latest Detailed Guide for 2024-25

A Croatia Work Permit is required to work in Croatia, which is among the best countries in Europe to work and gain stability. When the world was battling for jobs and stability the unemployment rate in Croatia in early 2022 was 6.7% only. Their GDP grew by 5% in that year and the average monthly salary recorded was EUR 1,018 in 2022. Moreover, apart from a high standard of living, Croatia became even more popular because of the popular web series Game of Thrones. Unfortunately, there are no vacancies in the cast & crew of GOT that they are offering.

However, with a high demand for employees in sectors like construction and tourism, students can explore various options and select the most suitable one based on their qualifications. However, let’s not forget that to initiate your career path, you must have the Croatia Work Permit. The procedure includes multiple steps and one is required to present specific documents to be eligible for a work permit. In this blog, we will go through the various details about the Croatia work permit. 

What is the Croatia Work Permit?

A non-EU citizen wanting to work in the country needs to apply for a Croatia work permit. The permit allows a third-country national to work legally. Your employer is responsible for applying for a work permit on your behalf. Croatia issues two types of work permits- a Croatia work registration certificate, and a Croatia work permit+residence permit.

It is important to remember that a work permit is not a work visa. The Croatia work permit only allows you to work in the country, and the work visa (Schengen C or D visa) allows you to travel to the country. After you obtain a work permit you can apply for a work visa.

Types of Work Visas in Croatia

While the most typical option for workers to receive a work visa in Croatia is through a work and residence permit combination, individuals may also be qualified for a job registration certificate. These diplomas are frequently given to advisors, artists, writers, and clergymen.

Type of Croatia Work Permit	Eligibility
Croatia work permit+residence permit	All immigrants from countries outside of the European Union.
Croatia work registration certificate	Consultants, performers, journalists and members of the religious order

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Eligibility Criteria to Obtain a Croatia Work Permit 

Article 89 of the Aliens Act, requires the employer to submit necessary information on behalf of the employee. Therefore, the following conditions have to be met 

• The employer must have concluded an employment contract with the employee
• Provide information regarding the working conditions and details of the job opening 
• Company registration certificate
• Certificate of taxes paid 
• Statement of the employer justifying the employment of the alien.

You will receive the work permit if the employer meets the conditions, and the annual quota work the specific jobs are not filled.

Who is Extemped from Croatia Work Permit?

The Aliens Act (Article 95) states that certain foreigners do not need a work permit. For example, company founders,  important people under international agreements, board members working for less than 3 months each year, researchers, invited professors,  religious representatives staying for a short period, journalists, artists, and performers.

Moreover, those involved in sports, defence, cultural preservation, and technical roles are also exempt from the permit requirements. The Croatia work permit is also not needed by asylum seekers, students involved in temporary work, and permanent residents.

Residence and Work Permit 

The residence and work permit is a permit that allows a foreigner to stay and work temporarily. Earlier the permit was given on the basis of the quota system.  The  Government of the Republic of Croatia would publish the decision on the annual quotas in the Official Gazette. However, the government seems to have shifted to the labour market test. This means a labour market test may be conducted (by the employer) before hiring for a foreigner.

Documents Required to Apply for a Residence & Work Permit 

The following documents are required for a residence and work permit. The Croatian work permit is only issued if you submit these documents

• You must have a valid travel document 
• A valid health insurance 
• A colour photograph (35×45 mm)
• Proof that you have funds to cover your expenses
• Proof of health insurance
• An employment contract, 
• Proof of educational  and work qualifications for the job
• Proof of company registration, representative office or branch, or association registration. The registration must not be older than 6 months 
• Proof that the employee has paid the administrative and consular fees

Croatia Work Permit: Work Registration Certificate

The Work Registration Certificate is issued for either 90 days or 30 days in a year. The Ministry issues work permits either through a police station or a police administration.

• A 90-day work registration certificate: This is given to recreational workers and tourist agents, scientists,  administrative staff, teachers, and experts engaging in cultural and educational cooperation programmes, foreign correspondents in Croatia, lectures taking part in organised conferences/seminars,  authors, artists taking part in cultural events, etc.
• A 30-day work registration certificate- This certificate is given to those undertaking professional training, employed with a foreign employer who is a producer of equipment or machinery, and legal persons to undertake legislation governing undertaking activities, . authors and performers, and accompanying persons.

Documents Requirements 

The following documents are required to issue a  Croatia Work Permit-work registration certificate. As a third-country national you need to submit the following documents.

• Work contract
• A valid passport or travel document

Who Will Issue a Croatia Work Permit?

A work permit is issued in the area of the employer’s head office location. A permit is issued either by

• A competent authority
• Police station/Police Administration 

Check out the countries that give work permits after study!

How to Apply for the Croatia Work Permit?

One common feature of work permits in almost all countries is the employer’s contribution. The employer holds complete responsibility for getting the immigrant employee into the country safely and securely. He has to guide the employee correctly to avoid any confusion. Once you visit the embassy of Croatia, the representatives will mention if any special requirements are needed. Here is the detailed process of applying for the Croatia work permit.

Accepting the job offer in Croatia

One of the essential prerequisites as a future employee of Croatia is to have a job offer in hand before applying for a work permit. Check that your name, personal details, job description and wages on the contract and offer letter are the same as discussed. Do a quick background check on the company and its position. The best way to know about the company work culture is by connecting to the ex-employees. If it seems good to you, go ahead and accept the proposal. 

Applying for the Croatia work permit and residence permit

After acceptance, you need to visit the closest Croatian consulate or embassy in your home country. We have three embassies and consulates of Croatia in India- Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata. You have to submit the documents and apply for a work permit. You will be asked to get a medical test done or even sit for an interview before the work permit is issued to you. It usually takes 2-3 months for the Croatia work permit to be issued. You can apply for the residence permit supporting the Croatia work permit.

Fly to Croatia

You can now book your tickets to Croatia once your work permit and residence permit is in your hand. Ensure that at no point do you submit original copies of your visa, passport, proof of identity or financial evidence details. 

Croatia Work Permit Fees

The fees for a Croatia work permit is as follows:

Work Permit	Validity
Residence and Work Permit	USD 100
Work Registration Certificate	EUR 39,82

Croatia Work Permit Validity

The work permit validity depends on the permit you have received. The permit validity is as follows:

Work Permit	Validity
Residence and Work Permit	1 year
Work Registration Certificate	30 days or 90 days

Croatia Work Permit Fees

The fees for a Croatia work permit is as follows:

Work Permit	Validity
Residence and Work Permit	USD 100
Work Registration Certificate	EUR 39,82

Processing Time 

The processing time for a work permit in general is provided below:

Particulars	Processing Time
Croatia Work Permit	15 working days

Reasons for Rejection of Work Permit

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs is very strict when it comes to the issuance of work permits. Certain grounds for rejection of the work permit are:

• If your health condition doesn’t meet Croatian standards. In the case of infectious diseases, your work permit application will be rejected. 
• Incomplete application form with misleading information.
• Inadequate information supporting reasons for your work permit.
• Expired or damaged passport.
• Unable to prove financial soundness to survive in Croatia.
• If you are unable to provide proper documents like your lease agreement, police record, etc, your work permit will be rejected. 

In case of rejection of the work permit, you can complain about the reason for rejection to the embassy by paying a fee of INR 3,745 within 15 days of rejection.

Check out the Reasons for UK Visa Rejection

When to Apply for the Croatia Work Visa

We advise candidates to submit their applications no earlier than 90 days before the scheduled departure date. To account for any unanticipated processing delays, the Croatian High Commission advises that you submit your application at least 3 weeks before your intended departure date.

FAQs

Croatia is developing at a fast rate along with the other countries in the European Union. Live life king-size with a job on weekdays and relax by the islands on the weekend in Croatia. All you need is a Croatia work permit and assistance from Leverage Edu– your guiding partner throughout the entire process of settling in Croatia.