As a member of the European Union, Croatia is experiencing rapid economic growth and showing stability. It is a promising place for both progressive companies and skilled workers. Moving to the country for employment will be an excellent opportunity for career development, professional growth, experience, and decent wages. So we have prepared useful information on how to obtain a work visa to Croatia, what requirements you need to meet and how to find a job.

What you need to do to come to the country for work

Foreign workers, planning to work in Croatia, must first obtain a work permit. Therefore, we still recommend finding an employer to start with. You can search for job vacancies in community groups, local company websites, government portals, or job boards. We offer several popular resources where job offers are published:

• Adorno; 

• Bika; 

• Danas radim; 

• Freelance. hr; 

• Jooble HR; 

• MojPosao; 

• Njuškalo; 

• Nova karijera; 

• PickJobs;  

• Posao. 

Once you are confirmed for a position, you can collect documents and apply for a work visa. Usually, the employer must first provide proof of employment. The company will then apply for a work permit and a temporary residence permit in Croatia on your behalf.

The permit entitles the foreign worker to stay in the country for at least 12 months. If necessary, the length of stay can be extended for another 2 years. Qualified foreign workers from third countries also receive an EU Blue Card. As Croatia is part of the European Union, citizens of EU member states do not need a visa or work permit to work in the country.

Terms and conditions

Foreign workers, who are looking for a highly qualified job in Croatia, must have proof of higher education and mandatory work experience of 1 to 2 years. Another important condition for employment in the country is English proficiency. It is desirable to have a sufficient level to hold conversations, read fluently and write.

It is also necessary to have a foreign passport valid for at least 2-3 years and a legalized police permit. There is compulsory health insurance in Croatia. Therefore, take care of your travel and medical insurance. To choose a plan that suits your needs, contact the qualified specialists on our website. The specialists will give you thorough advice and help you choose reliable insurance.

Documents required

To obtain a work visa to Croatia, you will need to submit the following documents to the embassy:

• passport;

• copy of the first pages of your passport;

• passport color photograph;

• certificate of assets, which must confirm the availability of sufficient funds to live in the country;

• proof of employment;

• employment contract;

• confirmation of academic qualifications and skills;

• certificate of clean criminal record;

• medical and travel insurance.

Be sure to check with the embassy for all requirements and a complete package of documents before applying for a visa.

Taxes

Residents of Croatia pay taxes on income earned both domestically and internationally. Residents are considered to be citizens who have lived in the country for 183 days and have owned the property for one or two years. Non-residents pay taxes on income (salary, business profit, etc.) earned only in the country.

Furthermore, there is no state social security system in Croatia. However, employers must pay contributions to health insurance, unemployment insurance, and accident insurance. These costs vary between 0.5-15%.

Job prospects

At present, the country needs a large number of skilled workers. There is a shortage of labor in many industries, which is why many Croatian companies welcome foreign professionals.

Areas, where workers are most needed, are:

• construction;

• tourism;

• healthcare;

• education;

• manufacturing;

• hospitality industry;

• advertising and marketing;

• business and finance;

• IT industry;

• childcare and entertainment;

• HR/recruitment;

• photo and video recording;

• transport;

• retail.

There is also a demand for vacancies such as administrators, waiters, cruise ship workers, cooks, drivers, and welders in the country. Seasonal jobs are also popular.

For foreign workers, the best cities for employment would be:

• Croatian islands;

• Dubrovnik;

• Zagreb;

• Rijeka;

• Osijek;

• Slavonski Brod;

• Pula;

• Karlovac.

The wage level in the country is quite high. Income will depend on the field of specialization, company, qualifications, work experience, and skills. On average, a foreign worker can expect €550-750 per month. More qualified positions are more expensive. Some companies are prepared to pay workers from $1,000 and up.