How to get a residence permit in Croatia

Croatia is located in Southern Europe and is known both for its long coastline along the Adriatic Sea and for a large number of islands - their total number is 1,185, perhaps in this part of the continent, this country has no competitors in this parameter. Therefore, so many foreigners decide not only to spend holidays here, but also to purchase real estate. Comfortable modern life surrounded by the sea and seaside vegetation can leave few people indifferent.

Visa regime

According to the decision of the Government of Croatia dated July 22, 2014, all foreigners who are holders of valid Schengen documents, as well as holders of visas and permits to stay in Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania do not need an additional Croatian visa. Therefore, if there is any valid Schengen in the passport, then you can easily come to Croatia and stay on its territory for up to 90 days in each 180-day period, if we are talking about a long-term visa. Croatia has been a member of the European Union since 2013, but has not yet joined the Schengen Agreement, so it should be understood that it is not yet possible to enter other countries of this association with a Croatian visa. Russians can apply for a visa in Russia at the visa application center or at the Embassy of Croatia in Moscow, as well as in Kaliningrad.

Advantages of a residence permit

Any foreigner planning to live in Croatia for more than three months is obliged to issue a residence permit. What kind of option is needed – here a person decides based on their capabilities and desires. The number of people wishing to obtain a residence permit in Croatia increased dramatically immediately after Croatia joined the European Union, which gave its residents the opportunity to work in any EU country. Also, many of those who decide to issue a residence permit in this country do so in the expectation of subsequent permanent residence, which gives the foreigner all the rights of a citizen of Croatia, with the exception of voting rights and the opportunity to run for local authorities.

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Croatia

As in many countries, in Croatia the grounds for obtaining a residence permit are work, doing business, family reunification, work, study, granting political asylum, conducting scientific activities, as well as a long-term tourist trip. Usually, most residence permits are issued for the first time in Croatia for a period of one year with the subsequent possibility of extension, which must be started no later than 30 days before the expiration of the residence permit.

If a foreigner decides to issue a residence permit while still at home, then for this he needs to contact the local Croatian consulate and provide the necessary documents confirming the grounds for obtaining a residence permit. It is usually necessary to prove financial security (at the rate of at least 70 euros per day per person), as well as provide confirmation that a foreigner owns or rents real estate in Croatia.

Obtaining a residence permit in Croatia: work

The easiest way to obtain a residence permit in Croatia regarding the preparation of documents is to apply for a job at a regular local company and obtain a work permit (dozvola za boravak i rad). But a foreigner should understand that it is not easy to find a job for a foreign specialist in Croatia, but if we are talking about working in the IT field, engineering professions, research fields, then everything will be much easier here.

To obtain a working residence permit, a foreign citizen is obliged to provide diplomas translated into Croatian, and the company has a justification for the need to attract a foreign citizen to work. Anyone over the age of 18 can get a work permit without restrictions of the upper age limit. At the same time, for example, for Russians, receiving a pension in Russia is not an obstacle to issuing a work permit in Croatia.

A foreigner has a chance of obtaining a residence permit based on work if the hiring company has a long business history, an active balance sheet, consistently conducts profitable commercial activities, pays taxes and has hired local employees. It is best if it is a full-fledged employment in an ordinary Croatian company. It is desirable that a foreigner does not occupy key positions in the company, otherwise the rule on an increased amount of the company's authorized capital and the presence of 3-5 Croats for each hired foreigner will apply to him. Also, foreign citizens receive a work permit within the quotas established annually by the state, although they do not apply to university teachers, professional athletes and some categories of persons.

Obtaining a residence permit in Croatia: business immigration

A very popular way to obtain a residence permit, especially considering that it has the support of the Croatian leadership, which is very interested in the development of the economies of the countries, it is necessary to demonstrate indicators corresponding to membership in the European Union. Therefore, the desire of foreigners to invest in this country is received here with great hospitality. According to the law, a foreign entrepreneur can register a company of any organizational and legal form in Croatia with an authorized capital of at least 200,000 kuna (26,500 euros). In this case, the costs of staying in the country can be attributed to the costs of maintaining your own company.

But it is necessary to provide at least three Croatian citizens with a salary not lower than the national average with work within their company. In addition, a residence permit for the purpose of doing business is also issued to a foreigner who owns at least 51% of the shares of a Croatian company. If a foreigner moves with his family, then a good option may be to register a company with two founders (for example, a husband and wife), where 51% of the authorized capital will belong to a spouse. However, with a family move, the option of obtaining a residence permit for the motive of family reunification is still most often practiced.

The company is registered in the Commercial Court of Croatia, and a business license can be obtained at any department of the Croatian Police.

Required documents:

• detailed business plan
• certificate of opening a bank account and depositing the authorized capital to it
• information about the name of the future company in Croatian

The first residence permit obtained on this basis is issued for one year, and then extended annually for five years. In the first year of operation, the company should make a profit, that is, the balance should not be zero. It will also be necessary to make contributions to social funds and submit declarations to the tax authorities. After five years of residence in Croatia with a residence permit obtained on the basis of doing business, you can apply for permanent residence.

Obtaining a residence permit in Croatia – family reunification

A foreigner who has officially registered a marriage with a Croatian citizen receives a residence permit, which is issued for one year and then extended. A similar algorithm applies to minor children of a foreign spouse, if any. The option of unregistered cohabitation can also become the basis for obtaining a residence permit if the partners have lived together for at least three years, and in the case of the birth of a child, this period is shortened. After five years of marriage, a foreign spouse can apply for citizenship.

A residence permit can be obtained if a foreigner has close relatives in Croatia who: are citizens of the country, have permanent residence or a residence permit as a researcher, journalist, senior employee of a Croatian company outside the working quota, as well as refugee status. Close relatives also include minor children, parents, brothers and sisters, and spouses. After five years of residence in Croatia with a residence permit for family reunification and upon reaching the age of 18, they can apply for permanent residence.

Obtaining a residence permit in Croatia: study

In Croatia, local universities, colleges, schools and various courses are very popular among foreigners, so obtaining a residence permit for such a motive is very popular here, especially since this option is the most budget-friendly of all possible. Having successfully passed the exam and received an invitation from an educational institution in Croatia, a foreign student must apply for a student residence permit at the Croatian Embassy in his country or through the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Croatia upon arrival in the country. Usually, the validity period of a student residence permit is one year, then it is extended for each year of study. If we are talking about studying at the courses, then a residence permit can be issued for a specific period of study.

Obtaining a residence permit in Croatia: scientific research

This type of residence permit can be issued by employees of a research organization if their activities on the territory of Croatia last more than three months. The organization must submit to the Ministry of Science the relevant documents that will confirm this, after which the expert commissionconsiders this application within 30 days. If it is approved, then such a scientific organization receives accreditation for five years, and a contract is signed with its employees - they receive medical insurance and can apply for a residence permit for the purpose of conducting scientific research.

Obtaining a residence permit in Croatia: refugees

According to Croatian legislation, any foreign citizen can obtain refugee status if he meets the requirements of article No. 65 of the Law on Foreigners. You can apply for political asylum directly at the border of the country at passport control, as well as at any police station or refugee detention center.

Real estate and permanent residence

The presence of real estate in Croatia owned by a foreigner cannot be a separate motive for obtaining a residence permit, but it will be an additional plus when applying for any of the options for obtaining a residence permit.

Grounds for obtaining permanent residence in Croatia

In order to obtain permanent residence in Croatia, it is necessary to reside on its territory continuously for 5 years, but it is allowed to leave the country and be absent for up to 10 months in total, if we are talking about multiple departures, or once within 6 months. For foreign graduates of Croatian universities who have lived with a student residence permit for five years, only half of this period is counted. In order to start registration of permanent residence, you need to submit an application at the local police station, from where it will be submitted to the Croatian Interior Ministry for consideration.

Obtaining Croatian citizenship

Foreigners who have lived in Croatia for five years after obtaining permanent residence, or who have married a citizen of the country, have the right to apply for citizenship by naturalization. The exception is foreigners over 65 years of age. The application with supporting documents is submitted at any police station or at the Embassy of Croatia in the country of residence. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Croatia deals with the issue of obtaining citizenship, during which each applicant is interviewed on the basics of the social structure and legislation of Croatia and passes an exam for knowledge of written and oral Croatian. Becoming a citizen of Croatia, you will have to renounce the citizenship of your country, according to the law, dual citizenship can be obtained only in exceptional cases.

Thank you for your help in preparing the material:

Elena Nevskaya, consultant-expert of the companyADRIONIKA

Olga Sluchanko, lawyer and licensed realtor of the companyRoni nepremičnine