Residency Options for Expats in Croatia

Residency Options for Expats in Croatia (2025 Guide)

TL;DR: Expats in Croatia can secure residency through several main routes—employment or EU Blue Card, family reunification, study or research, the digital nomad permit, or “other purposes” like property ownership or language study. Most permits run for one year, some count toward permanent residence after five years, while digital nomad and “other purposes” stays usually don’t. The right path depends on whether you’ll work locally, join family, or simply live on foreign income.

Who actually needs a residence permit?

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: No visa to enter. If staying over three months, you must register temporary stay with the local police administration (MUP). Family members who are not EU/EEA/Swiss have their own registration rules. mup.gov.hr
Third-country nationals (e.g., US, Canada, UK): Visa rules vary by nationality, but even if you enter visa-free, you’re limited to 90 days in any 180 days across Schengen. Longer stays require temporary residence.

The main residency routes

Stay & Work Permit (employer-sponsored)

This is the standard combined stay-and-work permit for non-EU nationals hired by a Croatian employer. It’s tied to a specific job and employer, commonly issued for up to one year with renewal. In many cases the employer must pass a labour-market test via the Croatian Employment Service unless an exemption applies.

Good for: full-time local employment.
Watch-outs: employer-specific; switching jobs usually means a new application.

EU Blue Card (highly-qualified)

For degree-qualified professionals meeting salary and skills thresholds. Key advantage: no labour-market test. Time on a Blue Card can also count toward long-term residence, with special accumulation rules if you’ve held Blue Cards in other EU states.

Family Reunification

Close family of eligible sponsors (Croatian citizens; permanent/long-term residents; certain temporary residents) can obtain temporary stay for family reunification. Validity typically aligns to the sponsor’s status; there are carve-outs and exclusions (e.g., seasonal workers, some “other purposes”).

Good for: spouses/partners, dependent children, and other qualifying “close family” per law.

Watch-outs: documentation proving the relationship and cohabitation; category-specific exclusions.

Students & Researchers

University study and scientific research (hosting agreement) are established grounds for temporary stay. Student stays may allow limited work; researchers follow their hosting agreement.

Good for: degree programs, funded research projects.

Watch-outs: proof of enrollment/hosting agreement, accommodation, means, health insurance.

Digital Nomad Temporary Stay

For non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens working remotely for non-Croatian employers/clients. The permit can be granted up to 18 months (often less), with a possible short extension and a six-month “cool-off” before applying again. Close family can join via reunification. Income from foreign sources under this status is not subject to Croatian personal income tax; digital nomads are also exempt from health-insurance contributions (note: separate rules apply to other income categories and tax residency tests).

Good for: remote employees, founders with non-Croatian entities, freelancers with foreign clients.
Watch-outs: no work for Croatian entities; time generally does not count toward permanent residence; re-application spacing rules apply.

“Other Purposes” (including property ownership, prepaid rent, language study)

Croatia offers a discretionary “other purposes” ground. In practice, common sub-routes include:

Property ownership (residential real estate you own and actually use),
Prepaid long-term rent,
Croatian language study at approved programs.

These are typically issued for up to one year, don’t count toward permanent residence, and usually cannot be renewed back-to-back (a six-month gap often applies). Decisions are case-by-case at the local police administration.

Good for: retirees “test-driving” life in Croatia; people building a base while planning a longer-term route.

Watch-outs: no local work; discretionary; plan for gaps between permits.

How long until permanent residence (and beyond)?

Long-term residence (EU) / Permanent stay: Most third-country nationals qualify after five years of continuous legal stay, with permitted absences (generally up to 10 months total or 6 months in one stretch). You must still hold a valid temporary status at the moment of decision and meet integration/means/insurance requirements.

Citizenship (naturalisation): Possible after several years of residence and integration under the Croatian Citizenship Act (commonly cited threshold: 8 years). The exact route depends on your category (regular naturalisation, diaspora, Croat ethnicity, marriage, etc.).

Process, timing, and documents (what to expect)

Where to apply: Typically at a Croatian consulate abroad; visa-exempt nationals can often apply at the local police administration (MUP) in Croatia.
Usual validity: Up to one year for most temporary stays (some categories can be longer); a biometric residence card is issued upon approval.
Registration: After approval/entry, register your address with MUP within three days.
Fees (reference point): Administrative fees for temporary stay issuance and the biometric card are published by MUP (e.g., €46.45 issuance + €31.85 card; accelerated options cost more). Local practice varies—always check the current schedule at your police administration.
Typical evidence (varies by route): valid passport, proof of accommodation, proof of means, health insurance, clean criminal record (first-time applicants), and purpose-specific documents (employment contract, hosting agreement, marriage cert, title deed/land registry extract, school enrollment).

Choosing the right path (quick scenarios)

You have a Croatian job offer → Stay & work permit via your employer.
You’re a senior specialist with strong credentials → Consider the EU Blue Card to skip the labour-market test.
You work remotely for non-Croatian clients → Digital nomad status (tax-favoured, but not a bridge to permanent residence).
Your spouse/partner or parent qualifies → Family reunification typically fastest.
You want to “try life” in Croatia without working locally → Other purposes (e.g., property ownership, prepaid rent, language study). Expect one year max and gaps between permits.

Compliance notes that save headaches

Schengen math matters: Count all days in the Schengen Area toward your 90/180. Overstays create problems later.
Digital nomad tax: Under current guidance, foreign-source employment/business income of digital nomads is not subject to Croatian PIT, and health-contribution liability is waived for this status. Keep records, and mind your home-country tax obligations.
Address & deadlines: Late address registration or late renewals can lead to withdrawals or rejections; watch the 60-day renewal windows some categories use.

How Relocation Croatia helps

We map your best-fit route, assemble a complete application (translations, apostilles, police checks), coordinate with MUP and consulates, and guide family and property/other-purposes cases with realistic timelines—so you’re not learning the hard way at the counter.

Ready to move from research to action? Book a paid consultation with Relocation Croatia. We’ll review your facts, confirm eligibility, and build your exact plan to residency and beyond.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

We have put together some commonly asked questions.

Can I get residency just by buying property?

Often yes—under “other purposes”—but it’s discretionary, usually one year, no local work, doesn’t count toward permanent residence, and typically not back-to-back without a gap.

Do digital nomads pay Croatian income tax?

Under current guidance, foreign-source employment/business income of digital nomads is not taxed in Croatia, and they are exempt from health contributions. Other income types and tax-residency rules may differ—get tailored advice.

How long is a temporary residence permit valid?

Most are up to one year (some categories can be longer). A biometric residence permit is issued on approval.

How soon can I get permanent/long-term residence?

Generally after five years of continuous legal stay (with allowed absences), if you meet integration and other conditions.

Can my family join me?

Close family members can often apply under family reunification, with category-specific rules and exclusions.

Where do I apply—inside Croatia or at a consulate?

Depends on your nationality and route. Many third-country nationals apply at Croatian consulates abroad; visa-exempt nationals can often apply at a local police administration in Croatia.