Croatia comes with challenges. Some procedures are too complicated to do on your own. Even simpler procedures can easily derail. You can do all the right things and still run into issues.
Sometimes, it is best to leave it to a professional. To serve our audience to the fullest, we have carefully and considerately built a network of vetted Croatian attorneys across the country who practice law with honor, honesty, skill and dedication.
Jump to a section:
- How we built our network
- How we vet our lawyers
- High level of service
- How we work
- Shared knowledge
- Coverage
- Specialities
- Lawyer reviews
- Get an introduction to our lawyer network
How we built our network
It all started with one.
Building a network of lawyers was always part of the plan. We specialize in bureaucracy, so it was natural to collaborate with lawyers to vet our information as well as to help our audience.
We didn’t want to send our clients and readers to just anybody. So we waited, patiently, until we found that first lawyer with integrity and high standards, who believed in what we were doing.
From there, the first lawyer introduced us to a trusted colleague. And then another. And then another. We now have a vetted network of 13 lawyers covering a variety of specialties across the country to whom we have sent thousands of people.
We are proud to share that these lawyers have hired more than 10 Croatians to support the work we have sent them. Expat in Croatia is not just about helping people live in Croatia. We also seek to support the Croatian community wherever possible – our lawyer network is one way we do that.
How we vet lawyers
Every lawyer has been recommended through personal referrals from people we trust implicitly.
Next, they are vetted by the head of our legal network as well as by Sara Dyson, founder of Expat in Croatia, during multiple discussions and in-person meetings. Foreigners have different needs than Croatians, so we discuss those differences to gauge if they are well-suited to the task. We evaluate their level of English as well.
Through this process, we also learn about their specialties, experience and personality, so we can match people to the lawyer best suited to handle their case.
After that process is finished, we sparsely refer people to them over months as a test. During this time, we keep extra close contact with the clients to ensure they are getting exactly what they need, while also periodically checking in with the lawyer to get their perspective.
Once they have shown a reputation for providing consistent, exceptionally professional services, they join the network in an official capacity.
High level of service
The culture of legal work in Croatia may be different than what you’re used to.
Keeping in touch – especially when there are no updates – is not standard practice. Lawyers and Croatian clients can go weeks, months, even years without speaking – and this is considered normal from both sides.
This can prove problematic when dealing with foreigners who are not sure who they can trust and constantly need to know what is going on.
Not so in the EIC network! Every lawyer we work with sets clear expectations, provides transparency, outlines explanations and follows up periodically – even if there isn’t yet movement on a procedure. The standard is very high and is constantly being improved and adjusted according to evolving needs.
How we work
From the beginning, you’ll have a dedicated point-of-contact on the EIC side who will personally introduce you to the lawyer best suited to handle your case. You’ll be given all of their contact information including a link to their bar profile.
After the introduction, the lawyer will schedule a FREE conversation digitally or in person so you can get to know them and they can learn more about your case.
Based on that conversation, the lawyer will explain how they can help and the associated cost, at which point you can decide how you’d like to proceed.
Once you’re ready to go, you’ll be provided a dual-language contract from our sister company that outlines the terms of the work to be done, so that all expectations are crystal clear.
Expat in Croatia is with you always.
Your personal EIC contact will be there for you through the process. They will follow up with you periodically to see how everything is going. While issues are rare in our network, sometimes they do happen and are usually due to cultural differences. If you ever have any problems, your EIC contact will do all they can to resolve it for you.
You’re never abandoned. We stay with you along the way.
Shared Knowledge
Our network currently consists of 13 independent law practices. They work as a team to serve everyone.
Every jurisdiction, specialty and case are different. Our lawyers are in contact with each other daily sharing their experiences, challenges and knowledge. This means a client of a lawyer in Dubrovnik can benefit from the knowledge and experience of a lawyer in Pula or Zagreb – and vice versa.
This is truly one of the most unique aspects and biggest strengths of our network. You are not just represented by one lawyer, but by an entire legal team with varying backgrounds. They function as colleagues, not competitors.
The lawyers are our colleagues too. When we need to vet some information, we are on the phone or email with them – talking through a topic so we can present the most accurate information possible to our readers.
This information exchange is mutual. Our lawyers specialize in law, but may not be familiar with the intricacies of how health insurance works or where a South African can obtain a background check. Sometimes they give us a call so they can fill out the picture and give the most holistic service possible to their client.
We work so closely together that we do an annual team building event with the Expat in Croatia team, our lawyers and their teams. Last year, it was Plitvice. This year, it was Paklenica. We’ve introduced a brand new culture to legal work in Croatia and the best part is that we all just love it to death.
Coverage
Our network currently consists of 15 vetted lawyers located in Dubrovnik, island Vis, Pula, Rijeka, Šibenik, Split, Zadar and Zagreb. These lawyers serve their surrounding areas, so if you are in Slavonija or on island Lastovo, our network can still assist in your case. Jump to our contact form by clicking here.
Specialties
A wide variety of specialities are covered within our network including:
- Immigration, including citizenship and residence
- Family law including divorce and custody
- Civil law
- Property law
- Corporate law including trademarking and copyright
- Criminal law
All of our lawyers have multiple specialities – so, your lawyer for Croatian citizenship can also help you with purchasing a property or opening a company.
Examples of the most common procedures:
- Application and registration for Croatian citizenship
- Application for temporary or permanent residence
- Property sale (or purchase)
- Rental contracts
- Job contracts
- Divorce
- Opening a company
- Name changes
- Registration of marriage or birth
Reviews
Below is just a taste of the experiences of our clients. See all of our reviews here or jump to the contact form by clicking here.
Our Reviews
Get an introduction
Ready to get started? Complete the short form below and we will contact you as soon as possible to get you to the right person. We are happy to make your life a bit easier in Croatia.
