Glossary: work permits and hiring foreign workers in Croatia

The A1 certificate documents that a worker posted from one EU member state to another continues to pay social-security contributions in their home country. Relevant for cross-border postings inside the EU, not for third-country nationals.

Example: A Slovenian construction company posts a worker to Croatia for 6 months — they carry an A1 form issued in Slovenia.

An annual decision by the Croatian Government that sets the total number of work permits for non-EU nationals, broken down by sector and occupation. Quotas for shortage occupations (construction, tourism, healthcare) are regularly increased.

Example: The 2026 quota introduces an enlarged allocation for the tourism sector in coastal counties.

The process of evaluating and choosing candidates against a given job profile. It includes CV review, verification of work history and documents, a video or in-person interview and reference checks.

An opinion from the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ) that an employer must obtain before applying for a work permit. HZZ checks whether a domestic or EU candidate exists for that position (the labour market test). Certain shortage occupations get an expedited or automatic procedure.

Example: For welders and carpenters the HZZ opinion is typically issued in 8–15 days.

A type-D visa allows stays of more than 90 days in Croatia (and the Schengen area). It is required for foreign workers arriving with the intention of working longer-term. It is filed at a Croatian embassy in the source country and is a precondition for obtaining a residence permit.

A special residence permit for foreign nationals who work remotely for an employer based outside Croatia. It does not grant the right to work for Croatian employers — it is meant for freelancers and employees of foreign companies.

Example: A US software developer under a US employment contract receives a 12-month residence permit in Split.

A written agreement between employer and worker that sets the terms of employment: job title, salary, working hours, duration and notice period. Mandatory for every worker in Croatia. Foreign workers must have a valid employment contract as a precondition for issuing a permit.

A special type of work permit for highly-qualified third-country nationals (university degree + minimum salary of 1.5× the national average). It speeds up access to long-term resident status and eases mobility inside the EU. Relevant for IT specialists, engineers and physicians.

Actively reaching out to specific candidate profiles who are not necessarily on the open market — e.g. an experienced head chef or a marine engineer with exact certifications. The agency finds them through its own network or via partners in the source country.

A bundle of activities that help a foreign worker settle into a new environment: finding accommodation, registering residence, opening a bank account, getting oriented in the city, cultural onboarding and general administrative help.

A check carried out by the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ) before issuing the opinion required for a work permit — it establishes whether a candidate matching the profile exists in the domestic or EU labour pool. If not, the path opens for hiring a foreign worker.

Example: HZZ opens a 15-day window for domestic candidates to apply; if none meet the criteria, the opinion is issued.

An application for a residence-and-work authorisation submitted to the Croatian Ministry of the Interior. The standard processing time is 30–45 days from a complete file. Seasonal permits are processed in 20–30 days.

The total cost of a foreign worker includes the gross salary, the employer's social-security contributions (~17% in Croatia), housing allowances (if the agency or employer provides accommodation) and a one-off agency fee. Always calculate using the gross cost, not the net amount the worker receives.

The process of introducing a new worker to the role and the company culture. For foreign workers it also includes practical support: settling in, registering residence, opening a bank account and getting familiar with workplace rules and colleagues.

A combined permit that bundles the right of residence and the right to work into a single document. It is issued for a fixed period (typically 1 year with renewal options) and is tied to a specific employer.

A cooperation model in which the agency sources and screens candidates, while the actual employment relationship is formed between the worker and the employer. The worker is on the employer's payroll. The agency charges a one-off fee for sourcing and administrative support.

A document that allows a foreign national to legally stay in Croatia for more than 90 days. Non-EU workers need both a residence and a work permit — they are usually issued together as a single combined permit for temporary stay and work.

A special type of permit for seasonal work (tourism, hospitality, agriculture), lasting up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The procedure is faster than for a standard permit. Well suited for summer seasons in coastal destinations.

A model in which the agency remains the worker's formal employer, while the worker performs the job at another business (the user). Regulated by Articles 46–48 of the Croatian Labour Act. The user directs the work; the agency carries the employer obligations (wages, taxes, contributions).

A person who is not a citizen of any EU, EEA or Swiss state. Unlike EU nationals (who enjoy free movement of workers), third-country nationals must go through the formal permit procedure to work and live in Croatia.

The business that uses a worker assigned to it by an agency. The user does not become the worker's employer — it pays no contributions or net wages — only an agency fee. The user must still provide safe working conditions in line with the Croatian Labour Act.

A document that allows a foreign national to perform paid work in Croatia. It is issued by the Ministry of the Interior (MUP), and the application is filed together with an opinion from the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ).