Find visa optionsFind visas
Menu

Republic of Croatia · work sponsored · Leads to settlement

Stay-and-Work Permit (single permit)

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 9 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 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.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyTied to the employment and typically issued for up to a year or more, renewable - confirm current validity on the official page.
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
Reviewed Ministry of the Interior (Croatia) ↗

In short

As of 18 August 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 18 August 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 18 August 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, while listed categories - such as shortage professions, extensions with the same employer, and Article 110 cases - are exempt from the test. 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.

Recent changes to this route

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the job offer and whether the role needs a labour-market test or falls within a category exempt from the test.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Assemble the contract, labour-market documentation, passport, accommodation and insurance proof.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Apply at the competent police administration or Croatian diplomatic mission and pay the fees.

  4. After approval

    Collect the biometric residence permit, renew before expiry, and track time toward long-term residence.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Stay-and-Work Permit (single permit), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Stay-and-Work Permit (single permit) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Croatia

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Croatia. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

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.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use 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

Matches these professions

NurseCare workerResearcherFinance professional

Also explored by

Indian Filipino Nigerian

Compare Republic of Croatia with

Related routes

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?+

No. Shortage professions listed by the Croatian Employment Service, extensions with the same employer, and Article 110 categories are exempt from the labour-market test. 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 Croatia

How 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: 18 August 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

CompareFind visa options