How to apply for a work permit

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If you are a third-country national (e.g. non-EU), you may apply for a work permit in Croatia. Before you get too excited, it’s not super easy. In this post, we’ll go over all the requirements for applying for a permit to work and reside in Croatia.

You must be a third-country national to qualify for a work permit because EU nationals can reside and work in Croatia on a residence permit. They do not need to apply for a permit based on employment.

The residence permit based on employment is a unique permit, which provides temporary residence and allows one to work for a Croatian company in Croatia.

Get a Job

Your very first step, BEFORE you can apply for a work permit, is to get a job in Croatia. You cannot apply for a work permit before you have a job.

You’ll need to:

  • Have an offer of employment with a Croatian company in an industry covered by the quota (You can check the latest number of work permits left in the quota here)
  • Have a valid employment contract or other proof of employment

Once you have a job and can prove it, you can start your work permit application.

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Newtown grafitti

How to Apply for a Work Permit

To start your application, go to the administrative police station closest to your residence in Croatia or the embassy/consulate in your home country.

You will need to provide one of the following:

  • Employment contract, or a written confirmation that you signed such contract or some other appropriate proof of employment
  • Proof of registration of a company, or a branch office, representative office, crafts trade, association or a institution in Croatia.

In addition, you’ll also need to provide:

A third-country national who has applied for a residence and work permit based on a work contract with a Croatian employer doesn’t have to enclose proof of health insurance, as health insurance will be provided by the employer.

The Aliens Act and Related By-Laws stipulates in detail the type of residence and work permits not included in the annual work permit quota, who must have a job application certificate, all required documentation and other types of work permits.

Once the work permit is approved, the following fees will be due:

  • 560 kuna for issuing
  • 240 kuna for a biometric residence permit
  • 70 kuna for an administration cost

After the fees are paid, your residence permit will be ordered. After 21 days, you can pick it up the police station.

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Jorge Franganillo

Work Placement

An employee on a work placement can work in Croatia based on following conditions:

  • There is a valid contract between the end user of the service and the worker’s employer
  • The employer is a temporary employment agency that can assign the worker to the end user in Croatia
  • The foreign company sends their worker to work in an office or a branch set up in Croatia

A third-country national or EEA citizen can be sent by their native (foreign) company to work in Croatia for a temporary or periodic duration.

If the worker holds an A1 certificate (issued by the parent country of the worker), he or she can work in Croatia for up to 90 days without a certificate of employment or a residence or work permit.

If the placement of the worker needs to be extended beyond the 90 days, the administrative police station may:

  • Grant temporary residence and issue a residence permit to the third-country national
  • Grant a citizen of the EEA a certificate of temporary admission for work

Have you been granted a work permit under the above program? If so, please share your experience.

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33 thoughts on “How to apply for a work permit”

  1. Parth
    April 25, 2019 @ 9:02 pm

    Hi sara! It’s very helpful for anyone new who wants to look for any information regarding work permits. Thanks for putting up the information.

    I am a recent graduate from India. I’ve got an offer to do internship in Zagreb in an architecture firm. I am unable to understand that,
    1. I should apply for business visa to enter Croatia and than apply for temporary residency for 6 months?
    2. Is there any possibility that I should get 6 months working visa directly?

    Thanks.

    {reply}

    • Expat in Croatia
      April 27, 2019 @ 11:58 am

      Hi Parth,

      Indian nationals require a visa to enter Croatia. You get all the info you need on that here.

      After you hold a visa to enter, you can apply for a work permit at a consulate or within Croatia. You’ll apply for a permit that matches the length of your employment contract.

      Regards,

      Sara

      {reply}

      • Mahbubul Alam
        July 11, 2019 @ 11:05 am

        Hi,
        I am Alam from Bangladesh. here I am doing fashion merchandising job. I want move to Crotia for a fashion company job and how I can get.
        Please help me your advise.

        Thanks
        Mahbubul Alam

        {reply}

        • Expat in Croatia
          July 22, 2019 @ 2:57 pm

          Hi Mahbubul,

          You’ll need to find a company that will hire you, then follow the instructions in the above post.

          Regards,

          Sara

          {reply}

    • Karmbir
      July 12, 2019 @ 8:44 pm

      How to apply job and how to apply work permit my nationality Indian plz contact with me my email ID [email protected] Com my gulf experience 2 years in electrician I need job or contract

      {reply}

  2. Kris
    June 7, 2019 @ 4:25 pm

    Hi Sara,

    Thank you for this website, it helped us a lot so far.

    I am from Croatia, and I have my own company. My girlfriend is a foreigner (from Philippines) with a 90 days multiple entry Visa. We are looking for ways to extend her Visa to 1 year.

    “Proof of registration of a company, or a branch office, representative office, crafts trade, association or a institution in Croatia.”

    Would this be possible if I would give legally part of my company to my girlfriend (share the ownership)? Could she apply based on that for work permit and extend hers Visa duration to 1 year?

    Thank you.

    {reply}

    • Expat in Croatia
      June 13, 2019 @ 8:50 am

      Hi Kris,

      Since you are a Croatian citizen, most likely she can apply for residence based on Family Reunification. Usually this is reserved for spouses, but I have heard of cases where it has been used for girlfriends/boyfriends. You’ll likely have to prove how long you have been dating. Here are the details:

      Regards,

      Sara

      {reply}

      • Shyam kr Thapa
        September 18, 2019 @ 7:43 am

        Hlo mam I m from nepal. How can find job or employer ??

        {reply}

        • Expat in Croatia
          September 24, 2019 @ 12:28 pm

          Hi Shyam,

          Use Google to find businesses in the industry you wish to work, then contact them directly to see if they will offer work contracts to foreign nationals.

          Regards,

          Sara

          {reply}

    • Jahed alom
      August 30, 2019 @ 11:25 pm

      Hallo mem good evening mem I am Mr jahed alom I am from Bangladeshi so I need coratia driving wark permit please help me I have driving license from uae abu dhabi I have experience from 10year

      {reply}

  3. Kate
    June 7, 2019 @ 8:33 pm

    Hi Sara,
    I just granted a working permit until the end of this year.
    Originally my employer would like to apply for work permit until mid September only, however the police said the minimum length is 6 months so they gave me a permit until 31 Dec.
    My employer said the contract will end in mid Sep anyway and my type of visa is linked to the length of contract, so even now I am approved to end of year, I still will have to leave mid Sep. Is it correct? If I got my resident card until end of the year, how would they have to kick me out of the country? Does the employer inform the police once the contract ends or how?

    {reply}

    • Kate
      July 10, 2019 @ 8:21 am

      Hi Sara, may I know if you have any idea about this question please?

      {reply}

      • kareem
        July 25, 2019 @ 9:34 pm

        I think you don’t have to worry about that because before the end time of your contract you can apply again with the same employer or to look for another employer to make a new contract.
        I have also some inquiries , send me a message [email protected]

        {reply}

  4. Roberta
    June 21, 2019 @ 1:46 pm

    Hello there!
    I am from Cameroon,I will go and visit my fiancé next month for 3 weeks. He wants me to visit his family in Hungary,Since Croatia is not a schengen state, what is the process to go from Croatia to Hungary ?Do i need to take a schengen visa in Croatia? Thank you!

    {reply}

    • Expat in Croatia
      June 26, 2019 @ 2:50 pm

      Hi Roberta,

      You will need to check the requirements for your nationality for visiting Hungary.

      Regards,

      Sara

      {reply}

  5. Amit Joshi
    June 26, 2019 @ 8:35 am

    Hello, Sara

    My self Amit. I am from India. Presently, I am working as a Automotive Painter in Saud Bahwan Automotive LLC company in Muscat, OMAN
    Actually I am looking for the job as Automotive Painter in Croatia.. I have 12 years of exp. And I have qualification

    Can you help me to get a job in Croatia

    Thanks
    Amit joshi
    Sulatante of Oman
    +96893261785

    {reply}

    • Expat in Croatia
      June 26, 2019 @ 2:46 pm

      Hi Amit,

      This is not my area of expertise, but perhaps someone will see your post here.

      Regards,

      Sara

      {reply}

  6. Janna
    July 16, 2019 @ 9:08 am

    Hi sara,

    Glad to see your post here

    I am from Phil but living in Dubai right now for 7 years. i have a croatian boyfriend for 2 years now and we decided to marry in zagreb (in future)

    i have 3 questions only.

    1.) can we get married in zagreb while im on tourist visa?

    2.) if we successfully get married there, can i apply for work after?

    3.) do i need to live in croatia for straight 8 years in able to apply for croatian passport?

    thank you so much

    {reply}

  7. Caro
    July 18, 2019 @ 1:53 am

    Hello Sara,

    I got offered a job in Croatia and I am looking for all the requested documents as is the first time the company employees a third-country collaborator. For this reason I read all the details you provided above, but I couldn’t find the requested fees on this website, could you please describe me which are these fees and if is me or the company the one that needs to process this payment.

    Thank you!

    {reply}

    • Expat in Croatia
      August 30, 2019 @ 4:36 pm

      Hi Caro,

      The fees are:
      – 560 kuna for issuing
      – 240 kuna for a biometric residence permit
      – 70 kuna for an administration cost

      Regards,

      Sara

      {reply}

  8. kareem
    July 25, 2019 @ 5:13 am

    Hello, there

    As a non EU citizen , Does there a private or specific job posting website which I can find an opportunity to work in Croatia?

    thanks in advance.

    {reply}

    • Expat in Croatia
      August 7, 2019 @ 1:35 pm

      Hi Kareem,

      Mojposao.hr

      Regards,

      Sara

      {reply}

  9. Mirza Sarhan
    August 22, 2019 @ 7:18 pm

    Dear Sara,

    I hope you are doing well! I have a question regarding renewal of work permit and I would appreciate your expertise here.

    I have a legal work permit till November 1st; most likely I would be extending it with my employer. What documents would I need if it’s renewal? and if it’s renewal, can I apply for renewal at MUP in the last week of October?

    {reply}

    • Expat in Croatia
      August 30, 2019 @ 4:32 pm

      Hi Mirza,

      With regards to permits, they are not renewed. You must do a new application for each new period. You’ll need all the same paperwork you needed the first time including a notarized copy of your new work contract. You’ll go to MUP. You should go to MUP as soon as you can to start that process. Usually they recommend coming 2 months prior to expiration of your permit because you cannot be in Croatia with an expired residence permit.

      Regards,

      Sara

      {reply}

  10. Md Abul Kasem
    September 6, 2019 @ 7:27 pm

    Hi Sara,
    I am Kasem from Bangladesh. here I am doing Graphics Designer job. I have Work experience 12+ Years, I want move to Crotia for a Design House company job and how I can get.
    Please help me your advise.

    Thanks
    Md Abul Kasem

    {reply}

    • Expat in Croatia
      September 9, 2019 @ 2:25 pm

      Hi Md,

      Target a company and apply for a job. Then follow the instructions in this post.

      Regards,

      Sara

      {reply}

  11. Amy
    September 14, 2019 @ 1:04 am

    Hi Kris,

    I’m actually 1st generation Australian but my father is Croatian. I’m currently trying to apply for my Hrvatska putovnica but its proving difficult because my father changed his name to suit the Aussie culture. I can get it but I have to wait which is the problem (+8 months). My boyfriend is Croatian but it looks like it will take 1-2 (more likely 2) years until we get an Australian visa. So I’m thinking of working as a tour guide in Croatia for 6 months to be with him during the process. Just wondering how long does it take to get a working permit in Croatia? If I applied this October would I have it in time for next April? And does my Croatian heritage help at all with the permit?

    Thanks for you in advance for your time and consideration =)

    {reply}

    • Expat in Croatia
      September 16, 2019 @ 1:27 pm

      Hi Amy,

      My recommendation would be to apply for residence under Family Reunification, on the basis of your boyfriend’s citizenship. Usually this is only issued for married couples, however since you are both Croatian and it is short term, the police will likely issue it to you. Here is the info you need: https://www.expatincroatia.com/apply-non-croatian-spouse-residence-permit/

      Cheers,

      Sara

      {reply}

  12. Bibin Mathew
    September 17, 2019 @ 8:59 pm

    Hi
    I’m an Indian passport holder looking for a truck driving job in croatia
    How can I find an employer.

    Thanks Bibin.

    {reply}

    • Expat in Croatia
      September 24, 2019 @ 12:29 pm

      Hi Bibin,

      Use Google to find businesses in the industry you wish to work, then contact them directly to see if they will offer work contracts to foreign nationals.

      Regards,

      Sara

      {reply}

  13. Noah
    September 22, 2019 @ 10:17 pm

    Dear sir or madame,
    I am and agent from Africa we have good working girls and boys who will like to come and work in Croatia so kindly tell me what is your price for a work permit so we work it out.

    Kind regards
    Agent .noah

    {reply}

    • Expat in Croatia
      September 24, 2019 @ 12:22 pm

      Hi Noah,

      I don’t offer work permits. I recommend you target companies directly to see if they will offer a work contract.

      Regards,

      Sara

      {reply}

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