01/09/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/09/2021 00:14
This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.
Entry requirements
If you're going to Croatia to work (or any other EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.
On the day you travel, you'll need your passport to both:
If you're travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some work-related things without needing a visa or work permit, such as attend business meetings. These are usually covered by the Schengen visa waiver.
Although Croatia isn't in the Schengen area it still applies the 90-day rule, but it applies it differently.
If you're going for other types of work you may need a visa, work permit or residence permit.
Croatia's authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.
You must always check with Croatia's government before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements.
If you're working in more than one country you'll need to check the entry rules of each country.
If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.
Visa and permit documents
This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Croatia. It includes a checklist of documents that you'll usually need to include when applying.
It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Croatia's authorities or embassy.
You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:
Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa. This guide uses the same terms used in Croatia, so you know which ones to use when speaking to Croatia's authorities.
Check if you need a visa or permit
Croatia is not in the Schengen area.
The Schengen area countries apply the 90-day visa waiver rule as a group. This means if you visit one or more of the Schengen area countries within a 180 day-period, it all counts towards the Schengen 90-day limit.
Croatia applies a separate 90-day limit. It doesn't apply the 90 days as a group within the Schengen area countries.
This means you can spend up to 90 days in a 180-day period in other European countries and it won't affect how long you can spend in Croatia. You'll still be able to stay in Croatia visa-free for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
You don't need a visa or permit if you're travelling to Croatia for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for:
These activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.
Border checks
At the border, you may be asked to show:
Check Croatia's exemptions
Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit because they're exempt.
All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country's authorities.
The following may not require a visa or permit in Croatia for up to 90 days in a 180-day period:
Exemptions are covered by the visa waiver.
Show proof of exemption
You need to be able to show proof that you're exempt to the authorities on request. This could be your EU ICT permit if you have one.
Further checks
If you're not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from Croatia's embassy or immigration authorities.
Applying for a visa or permit
This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit to help you prepare, but you'll need to check the exact rules and processes with Croatia's embassy or immigration authorities.
Taking your family
If you have a family they won't be able to get dependant visas if you're working in Croatia short term. They may be able to join you for up to 90 days under the visa waiver.
Partners, and children under 18 may be able to join you if you have a long-term permit.
Registering short-term work and permits for long-term work
If you're working temporarily in Croatia for up to 90 days you need to apply for a work registration certificate.
You must apply for a long-term permit if you're in Croatia because you're:
Long-term permits are valid for up to 1 year depending on which one you need.
Registering short-term work
You need either a 30-day or 90-day work registration certificate depending on what work you're carrying out in Croatia.
30-day work registration certificate
You need a 30-day certificate if you're:
90-day certificate
You need a 90-day certificate if you're:
To qualify you must:
A temporary stay and work registration certificate can take 3 to 5 days to get. It's valid for up to 30 or 90 days and you can't extend it.
How it works
You need to check with Croatia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You or the Croatian company submit a work registration certificate application to the local police station (MUP).
You or the Croatian company collect your work registration certificate from the local police station in Croatia.
You register with the local police (MUP) within 48 hours of arriving in Croatia.
Application documents
Croatia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Transferring long term from a UK-based company to a Croatian branch
You need an intra-corporate transfer (ICT) permit if your UK-based company moves you to a branch in Croatia to work for:
To qualify you must:
An ICT permit can take 8 to 15 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 1 year. You can extend it for another 2 years if you're a manager or specialist.
If you have a partner, or children under 18 they can join you once you get your permit.
How it works
You need to check with Croatia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You or your employer submit an ICT work and residence permit application to the local police station (MUP), Croatian embassy or consulate.
You register with the local police station (MUP) when you get to Croatia. At the same time you submit your biometrics and apply for a residence card.
You collect your residence card once issued from the local police station (MUP).
Application documents
Croatia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Working for a Croatian company on a long-term Croatian contract
You can apply for one of these work permits if you've been offered employment with a company in Croatia:
EU Blue Card
To qualify for an EU Blue Card you must:
An EU Blue Card can take 10 to 15 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it for up to 5 years.
This permit type may lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a partner, or children under 18 they can join you once you get your permit.
How it works
You need to check with Croatia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You or your employer apply online for an EU Blue Card, or submit an application form to the Croatian embassy or consulate.
You register with the local police station (MUP) when you get to Croatia. At the same time you submit your biometrics and apply for a residence card.
You collect your residence card once issued from the local police station (MUP).
Application documents
Croatia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Work and residence permit for local hires
If you don't qualify for an EU Blue Card you can apply for a work and residence permit for local hires.
To qualify you must:
A work and residence permit for local hires can take 10 to 15 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it for up to 5 years. This permit type may lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a partner, or children under 18 they can join you once you get your permit.
How it works
You need to check with Croatia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer applies for a labour market test from the Croatian Employment Service (CES). The CES check if there are any suitable candidates in Croatia. A labour market test is not required if your job is exempt
You or your employer apply online for a work and residence permit. You can submit an application form at the Croatian embassy or consulate, but only if a labour market test is not required.
You register with the local police (MUP) when you get to Croatia. At the same time you submit biometrics and apply for the residence card.
You collect your residence card once issued from the local police station (MUP).
Application documents
Croatia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Providing long-term services to a client in Croatia
You can apply for a work placement permit to provide services if your UK employer has a contract or work order with a company in Croatia.
To qualify you must:
A work placement permit can take 10 to 15 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it.
If you have a family they won't be able to get dependant permits with this permit type. They may be able to visit you under the Schengen visa waiver.
How it works
You need to check with Croatia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You or your employer apply online for a work and residence permit, or submit an application form at the Croatian embassy or consulate.
You register with the local police (MUP) when you get to Croatia. At the same time you submit your biometrics and apply for a residence card.
You collect your residence card once issued from the local police station (MUP).
Application documents
Croatia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Self-employed (freelance) work
You need a self-employed residence permit to carry out self-employed work or set up a business in Croatia.
To qualify you must:
Your company must:
A self-employed work and residence permit can take 8 to 15 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it. This permit type may lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a partner, or children under 18 they can join you once you get your permit.
How it works
You need to check with Croatia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You or your employer apply online for a work and residence permit, or submit an application form to the Croatian embassy or consulate.
You register with the local police (MUP) when you get to Croatia. At the same time you submit your biometrics and apply for a residence card.
You collect your residence card once issued from the local police station (MUP).
Application documents
Croatia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Investing in or donating money to Croatia
To qualify for a residence permit as an investor you must:
An investor permit can take 8 to 16 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it. This permit type may lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a partner, or children under 18 they can join you once you get your permit.
How it works
You need to check with Croatia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You or your employer apply online for a work and residence permit, or submit an application form to the Croatian embassy or consulate.
You register with the local police (MUP) when you get to Croatia. At the same time you submit your biometrics and apply for a residence card.
You collect your residence card once issued from the local police station (MUP).
Application documents
Croatia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Research work
To qualify for a residence permit for scientific research you must have a hosting agreement with a Croatian accredited research organisation to work on a research project.
A researcher residence permit can take 10 to 15 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 1 year and you can extend it. This permit type may lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a partner, or children under 18 they can join you once you get your permit.
How it works
You need to check with Croatia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You or your employer apply online for a residence permit, or submit an application form to the Croatian embassy or consulate.
You register with the local police (MUP) when you get to Croatia. At the same time you submit your biometrics and apply for a residence card.
You collect your residence card once issued from the local police station (MUP).
Application documents
Croatia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Digital nomad (technology work)
To qualify for a digital nomad residence permit you must:
You cannot work for, or provide services to a company in Croatia with this permit type.
A digital nomad residence permit can take 8 to 15 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 1 year. You can't extend it. If you have a partner, or children under 18 they can join you once you get your permit.
How it works
You need to check with Croatia's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You apply online for a residence permit or submit an application form to the Croatian embassy or consulate.
You register with the local police (MUP) when you get to Croatia. At the same time you submit your biometrics and apply for a residence card.
You collect your residence card once issued from the local police station (MUP).
Application documents
Croatia's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Croatian government guidance
Read official Croatian government information on visas and working in Croatia.
Check for travel changes
European governments may update or change their rules without notice.
You should always check foreign travel advice for Croatia, for updates on issues such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.