Republic of Croatia · work sponsored · Leads to settlement
Stay-and-Work Permit (single permit)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 1 official citation reconfirmed 11 July 2026
Croatia's combined residence-and-work permit for third-country nationals with a Croatian job offer, covering most employment outside the highly-qualified Blue Card route.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - the police administration processes complete applications within published timelines; confirm current processing on the official page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - administrative fees and a biometric residence-permit fee apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Tied to the employment and typically issued for up to a year or more, renewable - confirm current validity on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 1 June 2026, the Stay-and-Work Permit (single permit) for Republic of Croatia is a sponsor-led Croatia immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Croatia government pages, reviewed 1 June 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/croatia/single-permit-work#answer
What is the Stay-and-Work Permit (single permit) in Republic of Croatia?
Stay-and-Work Permit (single permit) is a sponsor-led Croatia route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - administrative fees and a biometric residence-permit fee apply; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - the police administration processes complete applications within published timelines; confirm current processing on the official page; typical duration is Tied to the employment and typically issued for up to a year or more, renewable - confirm current validity on the official page. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The stay-and-work permit is Croatia's single permit combining temporary stay and work authorisation for third-country nationals employed in Croatia. Many roles are processed against a labour-market test or outside the annual quota for listed cases. It is the standard sponsored-employment route for workers who do not use the EU Blue Card, and lawful time held counts toward long-term residence.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓A genuine job offer from an employer registered in Croatia.Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) ↗
- ✓The role satisfies the labour-market test, or falls within a category exempt from the quota.Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) ↗
- ✓The applicant meets the general conditions for temporary stay and holds a valid passport.Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) ↗
- ✓Accommodation and health insurance are evidenced as required.Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) ↗
Common blockers
- !No genuine Croatian employer behind the application.Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) ↗
- !Failure of the labour-market test where it applies and no exemption.Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) ↗
- !Grounds for refusal of temporary stay under the Aliens Act.Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport and a recent photograph.Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) ↗
- ·Employment contract or binding job offer from the Croatian employer.Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) ↗
- ·Labour-market test outcome or proof of an exempt category.Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) ↗
- ·Proof of accommodation and health insurance.Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the job offer and whether the role needs a labour-market test or qualifies outside the quota.
Build the evidence pack
Assemble the contract, labour-market documentation, passport, accommodation and insurance proof.
Submit through the official channel
Apply at the competent police administration or Croatian diplomatic mission and pay the fees.
After approval
Collect the biometric residence permit, renew before expiry, and track time toward long-term residence.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official Stay-and-Work Permit (single permit) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Stay-and-Work Permit (single permit).
Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) · verified
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Related routes
EU Blue Card (Croatia)
Croatia's stay-and-work permit for highly-qualified third-country nationals with a qualifying job offer, granting EU-wide mobility benefits.
Long-Term Residence / Permanent Stay (Croatia)
Croatia's settlement status for third-country nationals after generally five years of uninterrupted lawful stay.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as the EU Blue Card?+
No. The single permit covers most employment, while the EU Blue Card is a separate route for highly-qualified roles. Confirm which fits your job on the official MUP page.
Does the role always need a labour-market test?+
Some categories are exempt or fall outside the annual quota. Confirm whether your role needs the test on the official MUP page.
Do I need a Croatian employer to sponsor me for the stay-and-work permit, or can I apply on my own?+
The stay-and-work permit requires sponsorship: you need a genuine job offer from an employer registered in Croatia, and the role must satisfy the labour-market test or fall within a category exempt from the quota. Confirm the requirements on the official MUP page.
If I move from a Croatian job, will that time count toward permanent residence?+
Yes. The stay-and-work (single) permit is settlement-capable, and lawful time held on it counts toward long-term residence. Unlike study time, which counts only in part, work time on this permit counts toward the qualifying period. Confirm the rules on the official MUP page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in CroatiaHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Ministry of the Interior (Croatia)
Last checked: 1 June 2026