Croatia
General visa requirements for travelling to Croatia. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Work / Immigration visa (EU Blue Card Croatia)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- 30 to 90 days
- Fee
- EUR 70 (Visa D) + EUR 80 (Blue Card application)
- Validity
- Up to 2 years, renewable; enables intra-EU mobility after 12 months
- Entry
- Multiple entry
The EU Blue Card (Plava karta EU) is available in Croatia for highly qualified third-country nationals with a university degree and a job offer meeting the salary threshold. The minimum gross annual salary must be at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Croatia (approximately EUR 24,000-26,000 gross per year as threshold). The Blue Card enables intra-EU mobility after 12 months of residence. After 5 years of legal residence in the EU with at least 2 years in Croatia, holders may apply for EU long-term residence. The Blue Card is not subject to the annual quota for foreign workers.
Eligibility
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Nationality
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) with a university degree.
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Employment
Must hold a university degree (minimum 3 years of higher education) and have a job offer meeting the salary threshold of at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Croatia. The degree must be relevant to the position.
Required status: University degree and job offer meeting salary threshold
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Financial
Job salary must meet the minimum threshold set annually by the Croatian authorities.
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Criminal record
Must have no criminal record.
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
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Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: 35x45mm
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Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Rental contract or property ownership; Must cover full stay: Yes
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Police clearance
Validity months: 6
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Blue Card and Visa D application form
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: ["Embassy payment"]; Amount: 70
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Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
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Academic transcript
Provide academic records for the course, qualification or training route.
Must be notarized: Yes; Must be translated: Yes
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Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: Yes
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Private health insurance
Coverage territory: Croatia; Minimum coverage: EUR 30,000
How to apply
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Document gathering
Gather passport, photos, university degree (apostilled and translated), job offer/contract, CV, police clearance, health insurance, and accommodation proof.
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Online application
Complete Blue Card application form. The application can be submitted by the employer at the local police administration in Croatia.
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Appointment booking
Book appointment at the Croatian embassy or consulate for Visa D.
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Fee payment
Pay Visa D fee and Blue Card application fee.
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Document submission
Submit application to Croatian police administration (employer) and Visa D documents at embassy.
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Biometrics
Provide biometric data at embassy or consulate.
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Processing wait
Processing by police administration. Total: 30-90 days.
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Visa collection
Receive Visa D, travel to Croatia, collect Blue Card biometric residence permit from police administration.
Work / Immigration visa (Family Reunification (Temporary Stay for Family Reasons))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- 30 to 90 days
- Fee
- EUR 70 (Visa D) + EUR 80 (temporary stay permit)
- Validity
- Up to 1 year, renewable annually; after 5 years may apply for permanent residence
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Family reunification allows spouses, life partners, minor children (under 18), and in some cases dependent adult children and parents to join a third-country national legally residing in Croatia with a valid temporary or permanent stay permit. The sponsor must have held a temporary stay permit for at least 2 years (reduced to 1 year for EU Blue Card holders). Family members receive a temporary stay permit that includes the right to work. Regulated under the Croatian Foreigners Act (Zakon o strancima).
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Third-country nationals who are spouses, life partners, or minor unmarried children (under 18) of a person legally residing in Croatia with a valid temporary or permanent stay permit.
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Financial
Sponsor must demonstrate sufficient income to support the family member without recourse to public funds.
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Criminal record
Must have no criminal record.
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Health
Must have adequate health insurance.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: 35x45mm
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Rental agreement or ownership document; Must cover full stay: Yes
-
Police clearance
Validity months: 6
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Temporary stay permit application for family reunification
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: ["Embassy payment"]; Amount: 70
-
Private health insurance
Coverage territory: Croatia; Minimum coverage: EUR 30,000
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Gather passport, photos, marriage/birth certificates (apostilled and translated), sponsor's stay permit copy, financial proof, accommodation proof, health insurance, and police clearance.
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Online application
Complete the temporary stay permit application form for family reunification.
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Appointment booking
Book appointment at the Croatian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
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Fee payment
Pay Visa D fee and temporary stay permit fee.
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Document submission
Submit all documents at the embassy or consulate. The application is forwarded to the Croatian police administration for processing.
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Biometrics
Provide biometric data at the embassy or consulate.
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Processing wait
Processing can take 30-90 days.
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Visa collection
Upon approval, receive Visa D to enter Croatia. Collect the biometric residence permit from the police administration upon arrival. Register your address within 3 days.
Work / Immigration visa (Temporary Stay and Work Permit (Dozvola za boravak i rad))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- 30 to 60 days for Visa D; work permit processing 30-60 days
- Fee
- EUR 70 (Visa D) + EUR 80 (work/stay permit fee)
- Validity
- Up to 1 year, renewable annually; after 5 years may apply for permanent residence
- Entry
- Multiple entry
The combined temporary stay and work permit (dozvola za boravak i rad) is regulated by the Croatian Foreigners Act (Zakon o strancima). The employer in Croatia must initiate the work permit process by filing an application with the local police administration. Croatia operates an annual quota system for foreign workers, which sets limits on the number of work permits issued per sector. Certain categories are exempt from the quota, including key workers, ICT specialists, and posted workers. After receiving the work permit approval, the worker applies for Visa D at the Croatian embassy. Upon arrival, the combined stay and work permit card is issued. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, the worker may apply for permanent residence (stalni boravak).
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) with a job offer from a Croatian employer.
-
Employment
Must have a binding job offer or employment contract from a registered Croatian employer. The position must either fall within the annual quota for foreign workers or be exempt from quota requirements (e.g., key workers, ICT specialists, company founders).
Required status: Job offer from Croatian employer
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Criminal record
Must have no criminal record. Criminal background check required.
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Health
Must have adequate health insurance coverage.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: 35x45mm, colour, not older than 6 months
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Rental contract, employer-provided housing, accommodation declaration; Must cover full stay: Yes
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Police clearance
Validity months: 6
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Visa D and work permit application
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: ["Embassy payment"]; Amount: 70
-
Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
-
Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: Yes
-
Private health insurance
Coverage territory: Croatia; Minimum coverage: EUR 30,000
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Gather passport, photos, employment contract, CV, professional qualifications, police clearance (apostilled and translated), health insurance, and accommodation proof.
-
Online application
Employer submits work permit application to the local police administration in Croatia (Policijska uprava). Worker completes Visa D application form.
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Appointment booking
Book appointment at the Croatian embassy or consulate in your country of residence for Visa D application.
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Fee payment
Pay Visa D fee (approximately EUR 70) and work/stay permit fee (approximately EUR 80).
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Document submission
Employer submits work permit application in Croatia. Worker submits Visa D application at the embassy with all supporting documents.
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Biometrics
Provide biometric data at the embassy or consulate.
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Processing wait
Work permit processing by police administration: 30-60 days. Visa D processing: 30-60 days. Total timeline can be 2-4 months.
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Visa collection
Once work permit is approved, receive Visa D to enter Croatia. Upon arrival, register with local police within 3 days. Collect the combined stay and work permit card (biometric residence card) from the police administration.
Work / Immigration visa (Digital Nomad Temporary Stay Permit)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- 30 to 60 days
- Fee
- EUR 70 (Visa D if applicable) + EUR 80 (temporary stay permit)
- Validity
- Up to 1 year, non-renewable (must wait 6 months before reapplying)
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Croatia introduced the Digital Nomad visa in January 2021, making it one of the first EU countries to offer such a program. The permit allows third-country nationals who work remotely for a foreign employer or their own foreign-registered company to reside in Croatia for up to 1 year. Applicants must NOT provide services to or perform work for Croatian employers. Digital nomads are exempt from Croatian income tax during their stay. After the permit expires, the holder must wait 6 months before reapplying. Nationals of visa-free countries can apply directly at the police administration in Croatia without a Visa D. The minimum monthly income requirement is approximately EUR 2,540 (the equivalent of the average Croatian net monthly salary multiplied by a factor).
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) who work remotely for foreign employers or foreign-registered businesses.
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Employment
Must work remotely for a company registered outside Croatia or be self-employed with a business registered outside Croatia. Must NOT perform work for a Croatian employer or provide services to Croatian companies.
Required status: Remote work for foreign employer or self-employed with foreign business
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Financial
Must demonstrate minimum monthly income of approximately EUR 2,540 or equivalent annual amount.
Minimum funds: EUR 2,540/month
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Criminal record
Must have no criminal record.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: 35x45mm
-
Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Rental agreement, property ownership, hotel booking; Must cover full stay: Yes
-
Police clearance
Validity months: 6
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Temporary stay permit application for digital nomad
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: ["Embassy payment"]; Amount: 70
-
Private health insurance
Coverage territory: Croatia; Minimum coverage: EUR 30,000
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Gather passport, photos, proof of employment/self-employment with foreign entity, bank statements, health insurance, accommodation proof, and police clearance.
-
Online application
Complete the temporary stay permit application for digital nomad. Nationals of visa-free countries can apply directly in Croatia; others must first apply for Visa D.
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Document submission
Submit application at the local police administration (Policijska uprava) in Croatia (for visa-free nationals) or at the Croatian embassy/consulate (for visa-required nationals).
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Fee payment
Pay the temporary stay permit fee of approximately EUR 80, plus Visa D fee if applicable.
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Biometrics
Provide biometric data for the biometric residence permit.
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Processing wait
Processing typically takes 30-60 days.
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Visa collection
Collect the biometric residence permit from the police administration. Register your address within 3 days of arrival if not already done.