Moving to Croatia
Step-by-step Immigration Guide

Croatia has long been a favored destination for expatriates, known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse geography, and affordable living costs. In this guide, we will provide you with comprehensive information on relocating to Croatia.

Croatia welcomes foreigners who wish to make it their new home. Your eligibility for relocation depends on your country of residence:

EU citizens can stay in Croatia for up to 90 days without a visa, requiring only a valid passport or equivalent travel document.
For stays exceeding 90 days, EU citizens must apply for a temporary residence permit, with options for work, family reunification, higher education, or other purposes.
Temporary residence permits are typically valid for up to one year, with the possibility of extensions.

Non-EU citizens must apply for a long-stay visa at the nearest Croatian embassy or consulate.
Long-stay visas are available for various purposes, including work, study, family reunification, and digital nomad activities.
To stay in Croatia beyond 90 days, non-EU citizens must also obtain a temporary residence permit.

Croatia offers numerous advantages and some challenges:

Bringing your pets to Croatia is also possible through various means:

1. Travelling with your pets in the passenger cabin.
2. Transporting your pets in the luggage compartment of the same aircraft you're traveling on.
3. Using a separate means of transport, where you must authorize someone to transport your pets. Your pets must arrive either five days before or after your own arrival in Croatia.

Specific requirements apply when bringing pets to Croatia. Failure to meet these requirements at the Croatian border crossing could result in denial of entry, quarantine, or return to the country of origin.
Pet requirements include:

1. Rabies vaccination for your pets.
2. A valid identification document, such as a European veterinary passport for EU country residents or an EU veterinary certificate for non-EU country residents.
3. Microchipping for pets, ideally performed before rabies vaccination.
4. An antibody neutralization test for pets from high-risk countries.

Please note that certain breeds of pets, including Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, and Miniature Bull Terrier, are prohibited from entering Croatia.

Croatia boasts a variety of cities, each offering unique appeal, making it suitable for various preferences. Here are some of the most sought-after places to consider when moving to Croatia:

If you're planning to relocate your belongings to Croatia permanently, you have several transportation options available, including land, air, or sea. Your choice may depend on factors such as your home country, timing, and budget.
For individuals coming from EU countries, there are typically no customs procedures or controls. However, if you're moving from a non-EU country, you may be exempt from customs duties and value-added taxes under the following conditions:

1. You have resided in a non-EU country for at least 12 months before relocating to Croatia.
2. Your belongings have been in your possession for a minimum of six months.
3. You intend to use your belongings for the same purposes in Croatia.

Essential documentation for transporting your belongings includes:

1. A valid passport.
2. Residence permit.
3. Work permit (if applicable).
4. An inventory of your belongings.

Prohibited items for import include firearms and ammunition, stuffed animals, tobacco, narcotics, as well as alcohol, wine, and spirits.

Croatia offers two types of permanent residence:

• Dugotrajno boravište (Long-term residence): Requires five consecutive years of legal residence in Croatia.
• Stalni boravak (Permanent residence): Offers more favorable conditions, such as a four-year requirement for family members of Croatian citizens.

Croatian citizenship can be acquired through several routes:

• By Origin: For those born abroad with at least one Croatian citizen parent.
• By Descent: Based on Croatian ancestry, with specific criteria for qualifying ancestors.
• By Naturalization: After eight consecutive years of residence as a permanent resident.
• By Marriage: Available to spouses of Croatian citizens with permanent residency.

Croatian citizens can hold multiple citizenships alongside their Croatian citizenship.
However, foreign nationals seeking Croatian citizenship must renounce their existing citizenship.