Stay and work of citizens of the EEA member states in the Republic of Croatia

From the moment when Croatia became a full member of the European Union (EU) the most common question in the context of one of the four fundamental freedoms of the EU – free movement of persons – is the one regarding the stay and work of citizens of Member States of the European Economic Area (EEA, formed by all the EU Member States and three EFTA countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) in the Republic of Croatia. Free movement of persons includes the possibility of a person who comes from a Member State, whose citizen that person is, has a right of residence, work and education in another Member State, and the same applies to family members of such persons.

Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and members of their family (regardless of whether they are also citizens of an EEA Member State) have the right to reside in the Republic of Croatia, are equal in rights with citizens of the Republic of Croatia and can work in the Republic of Croatia.

1. STAY OF CITIZENS OF THE EEA MEMBER STATES IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

An EEA citizen may enter Croatia if he or she has a valid travel document or identity card, is not banned from entering or staying, and does not pose a threat to public order, national security or public health.

Short stay

• stay in duration of up to 3 months from the date of entry into the Republic of Croatia with the possession of a valid travel document or identity card.
• there is no obligation to report to the police department / station.
• the same applies to family members of citizens of EEA Member States on short stays.

Temporary residence

• stay longer than 3 months from the day of entry into the Republic of Croatia, provided that the citizen of an EEA Member State comes:
  • for the purpose of work, as a worker, self-employed person or posted worker;
  • for the purpose of study or vocational training;
  • for other purposes;
  • for the purpose of family reunification as a family member of a citizen of the EEA Member State who meets the requirements of the previous three points;
  • for the purpose of a life partnership.
• obligation to report to the competent police department / station within 8 days from the expiration of 3 months of stay.

A certificate of registration of temporary residence is issued to an EEA citizen:

• who is an employee or self-employed person if he or she has a valid identity card or travel document and a certificate of employment or proof that he or she is a self-employed person;
• who attends a higher education institution or vocational training if he or she has a valid identity card or travel document with proof of attendance, a statement on means of subsistence and proof of health insurance;
• for other purposes if he or she has sufficient means of subsistence for himself and his family members, a valid identity card or travel document and health insurance;
• for the purpose of family reunification with proof of family member status and financial / social / health dependence on a citizen of an EEA Member State or the status of a household member;
• for the purpose of a life partnership, if he has a valid identity card or travel document and is a formal or informal life partner of a citizen of an EEA Member State.

At the request of a national of an EEA Member State, a residence card may be issued.

Registration of residence of a citizen of an EEA Member State and his family member who have temporary residence in the Republic of Croatia:

• duty of registration of temporary residence within 15 days from the arrival in the place of temporary residence, if they intend to stay there longer than 3 months.

Permanent residence

• after 5 years of continuous legal residence in Croatia, regardless of the period of absence from Croatia up to 6 months a year, or 12 months continuously for justified reasons or for military service;
• after continuous residence in the Republic of Croatia for a period of 3 years in case of a worker or self-employed person who has ceased working and meets the conditions for retirement in Croatia, where he was employed for at least the previous 12 months;
• after continuous residence in the Republic of Croatia longer than 2 years in case of a worker or self-employed person who ceased working due to permanent incapacity for work;
• irrespective of the duration of stay in the Republic of Croatia in case of a worker or self-employed person who was decommissioned in Croatia due to permanent incapacity for work as a result of work-related injury or occupational disease, and is therefore qualified for a disability pension (full and partial);
• after 3 years of continuous employment and residence in the Republic of Croatia in case of a worker or self-employed person who has been employed in another Member State of the EEA after 3 years and maintains residence in the Republic of Croatia, returning to Croatia at least once a week;
• if he or she is a family member, then the condition is that he or she has been legally residing in Croatia for at least five years with a citizen of an EEA Member State who has the right to permanent residence in the Republic of Croatia (with certain exceptions).

At the request of an EEA Member State citizen, the police department / station shall issue a permanent residence card.

Registration of domicile / residence of a citizen of a Member State of the EEA and his family member with permanent residence in the Republic of Croatia:

• duty of registration of domicile (and change) within 15 days of arrival in the place of domicile;
• duty of registration of temporary residence within 15 days from the arrival in the place of temporary residence, if they intend to stay there longer than 3 months.

2. WORK OF CITIZENS OF THE EEA MEMBER STATES IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

A citizen of an EEA Member State for the purpose of work in the Republic of Croatia only submits an application for temporary residence for the purpose of work, provided that he has a valid identity card or travel document and a certificate of employment or proof of employment (contract, employer’s certificate, etc.).

A citizen of an EEA Member State may also work in the Republic of Croatia as a posted worker (who intends to stay here for more than 3 months) by registering a temporary residence permit for the purpose of work provided he has a valid identity card or travel document and proof that he is a posted worker (certificate from home country).