Moving to Croatia - How to Immigrate to Croatia? (2024)

For many years, Croatia has been a popular destination for expats. While Croatia may be a young nation, it boasts a rich cultural heritage and a diverse geographic landscape. With its rich history, beautiful beaches, stunning islands, and affordable living costs, Croatia offers everything to its expat community.

Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about moving to Croatia.

Facts About Croatia

Croatia, officially known as the Republic of Croatia, is a country in Central and Southeast Europe. Some general facts about the country are the following:

Who Can Move to Croatia?

Croatia is open to any foreigner that wants to move there. So, you, your family, or anyone else can move to Croatia. But, your country of residence is a factor in the relocation process.

• An EU/EEA citizen. If you are a citizen of one of the EU/EEA countries, you can move freely to Croatia. You are not required to obtain a Croatia visa.
• A non-EU/EEA citizen. If your country of residence is not in the EU/EEA countries, you must apply for a long-stay visa and a residence permit to move to Croatia.

Moving to Croatia as an EU Citizen

To move to Croatia as an EU citizen, you do not need to apply for a visa for stays up to 90 days. You must have only a valid passport or another travel document.

If you intend to stay longer than 90 days in the country, you must apply for a temporary resident permit and register with the local police station. You have to apply for a residence permit at least eight days before your 90 days end.

Moreover, you will get a temporary residence permit only if you are coming for the following:

• Work purposes.
• Family reunification.
• To study at a higher education institution.
• Other purposes (but you must have sufficient means to support yourself).

Moving to Croatia as a non-EU Citizen

To move to Croatia as a non-EU citizen, you must apply for a long-stay visa at the nearest Croatian embassy or consulate. The most common long-stay visas are work, student, family, and digital nomad visas.

In addition to the visa, you are required to apply for a temporary residence permit if you want to stay longer than 90 days.

Croatia offers the following ways for you if you choose to move there:

• Moving for work.
• Moving to study.
• Moving for family reunification.

Moving to Croatia for Work

If you have been offered a job by a Croatian company and want to move to the country and work there, you must obtain a long-stay work visa. Furthermore, your employer in Croatia has to get a work permit for you.

After arriving in Croatia, you must apply for a temporary residence permit at the local police department. With the temporary resident permit, you can legally reside in Croatia. Usually, the temporary residence permit is valid for up to one year; nevertheless, you can still extend your stay. After registering your residence, you will get an ID number.

In addition, if you are a freelancer or work remotely, you have to apply for a digital nomad visa. Within three days of entering Croatia, you must register your temporary residence at the local police station.

You can also apply for an EU Blue Card if you are a highly skilled professional and intend to work in Croatia. Generally, the validity of the EU Blue Card is three years.

Moving to Croatia to Study

After enrolling in a Croatian educational institution, you must move there and study. Moving to Croatia requires applying for a long-stay student visa and a residence permit. You will be able to attend classes once you have obtained a residence permit. The visa and residence permit applications can be submitted at the nearest Croatian embassy or consulate.

Upon obtaining your temporary residence permit, the Croatian government registers your presence there and permits you to stay. Residence permits are offered for one year or the entire academic year.

Moving to Croatia for Family Reunification

If you wish to join your family members who are Croatian citizens or legal residents in Croatia, you must apply for a family reunification visa. In addition, you may apply for a temporary residence permit in Croatia through family reunification. The application takes place at the nearest police station.

Family reunification residence permits are valid for one year. After five years with a temporary residence permit, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

Those who are family members of Croatian citizens can stay on their permit for up to two years. Then, after four years on a temporary residence permit, you can be granted permanent residency.

Family members entitled to family reunification include the following:

• Your spouse/partner.
• Your minor child.
• Your adult child (in your care).
• Your parents or other legal representatives.

Will I Be Granted Permanent Residency in Croatia?

You will be granted permanent residency in Croatia. Croatia offers two types of permanent residences:

• Dugotrajno boravište (long-term residence).
• Stalni boravak (permanent residence).

Both permanent residences are granted for an indefinite period. However, you must legally reside in Croatia for five consecutive years to apply for long-term residence. In comparison, stalni boravak (permanent residence) offers more favorable conditions. For instance, family members of Croatian citizens can apply for permanent residence after four years of temporary residence, or children of third-country nationals with permanent residence can apply after three years.

How to Get Croatian Citizenship?

Croatia offers four routes to win citizenship:

• By origin. People born aboard with at least one parent that was a Croatian citizen when they were born.
• By descent. To qualify based on descent, you must have Croatian ancestors who left Croatia permanently for another country. As long as they are considered Croatian emigrants, a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or someone else can qualify as an ancestor.
• By naturalization. You can win citizenship by naturalization if you have resided for eight consecutive years and hold the status of a permanent resident.
• By marriage. You can apply for citizenship by marriage if your spouse is a Croatian citizen and you hold permanent residency.

Does Croatia Allow Dual Citizenship?

Croatian citizens can hold another citizenship in addition to their Croatian citizenship. Whereas you, as a foreigner, must renounce your citizenship in order to hold Croatian citizenship.

Is It Worth Moving to Croatia?

The following pros and cons will give you an unbiased look at Croatia, and you can decide whether to settle there:

How to Move My Belongings to Croatia?

If you are moving permanently to Croatia, you can bring your belongings by land, air, or sea. You can choose how depending on your home country, when you need them, and how much you can pay for shipping.

If you are part of an EU country, there will be no customs procedures or controls. On the other hand, if you are part of a non-EU country, you can be exempt from customs duties and value-added taxes only if:

• You have lived in a non-EU country for at least 12 months before moving to Croatia.
• Your belongings have been in your possession for at least six months.
• Your belongings will be used for the same purpose.

The documentation required includes the following:

• Your valid passport.
• Residence permit.
• Work permit (if applicable).
• Inventory.

Prohibited items are:

• Firearms and ammunition.
• Stuffed animals.
• Tobacco.
• Narcotics.
• Alcohol, wine, and spirits.

Can I Bring My Pets to Croatia?

You can bring your pets in different ways to Croatia:

• Together with you in the passenger cabin.
• In the luggage compartment of the same place as you who travels in the passenger cabin.
• In a different means of transport. You must authorize someone, and pets must arrive five days before or after your arrival in Croatia.

There are specific requirements for bringing pets to Croatia. Once you arrive at the Croatian border crossing, you might be denied if you don’t meet the requirements. In addition, the animal may be quarantined or returned to the country of origin if you are denied admission.

• Pets must be vaccinated against rabies.
• Pets must have a valid identification document. If you are from an EU country, you need a European veterinary passport; if you are from a non-EU country, you need an EU veterinary certificate.
• Pets must have a microchip. The microchip should be done before the vaccination against rabies.
• Pets from high-risk countries must undergo an antibody neutralization test.

Prohibited breeds of pets for entering Croatia include the following:

• Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
• American Staffordshire Terrier.
• Bull Terrier.
• Miniature Bull Terrier.

Which Are the Best Places to Move to in Croatia?

Croatia offers diverse cities, and there is a place for everyone, and some of the most popular places to move to include the following:

• Zagreb
• Dubrovnik
• Split
• Hvar

Zagreb

Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia and the largest city in the country. As the nation’s functional heart and home to a quarter of its population, Zagreb has the largest expat population in the country. Zagreb is one of those cities where you never know what you’ll find. With its art-nouveau architecture, the city’s center has a Hungarian feel, while the rest of the city has wide boulevards and brutalist architecture (reminiscent of the USSR).

Though Zagreb’s cost of living is higher than other parts of Croatia, it remains lower than many European countries. For example, renting a one-bedroom apartment will cost between $400 and $550 monthly. Moreover, Zagreb has excellent healthcare facilities and is Croatia’s hub of international schools.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is one of the most popular cities in Croatia due to being the filming spot of the TV show “Game of Thrones”. Now its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can enjoy Dubrovnik only on foot. Furthermore, Dubrovnik is a safe area, so you will not feel uneasy walking around at night.

There is no wonder why Dubrovnik is a huge tourist attraction. It has stunning scenery and history; it is also warm and safe. The living cost in Dubrovnik is similar to Zagreb, but some things tend to be cheaper. Moreover, the Dubrovnik expat community comprises retired foreigners and foreigners who have married Croatians.

Split

Split is the second-largest in the country and the largest on the Croatian coast. Due to its breathtaking scenery and friendly residents, Split has become tremendously popular amongst expats. It’s in the nation’s south and has many things you could wish for, including parks, jogging paths, beaches, and mountains.

The winter months are the most peaceful in the city because it gets colder and there are no tourists around. As an expat, this is the perfect time to explore everything the city offers.

Hvar

In the Adriatic Sea, just off the coast of Split, lies the small island of Hvar. You might find Hvar the right place if you’re looking for a new home on an island. There is a mild climate in this city, as well as picturesque seaside neighborhoods that cater to up-and-coming retirees.

Known for its luxury and superyacht community, Hvar is a favored spot for the wealthy. However, Hvar is also home to many digital nomads, and it is easy to get around without speaking Croatian.