🇭🇷Croatia Visa for New Zealand Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

National Long-Stay Visa (Type D)

Allows third-country nationals who have been granted a temporary stay or work permit in Croatia to enter the country for stays exceeding 90 days, bridging until the residence permit is issued.

Croatian national Type D visa issued by Croatian diplomatic missions and consular offices since 1 January 2023. Valid only for Croatia; does not grant access to other Schengen states for more than 90 days. Typically issued to those who have already been granted a residence or work permit in Croatia. Max stay is up to 30 days on the visa itself; the underlying permit governs long-term stay.

Stay and Work Permit (Single Permit)

A unified authorisation allowing third-country nationals to temporarily reside and work in Croatia under a specific employer and occupation.

Single permit combining residence and work authorisation. Application submitted to competent police administration at employer's location. Fee: EUR 74.32 for permit + EUR 31.85 biometric card (EUR 59.73 expedited) + EUR 9.29 administrative fee. Labour market test required unless position is on deficit occupations list. Permit holder may work only for the specified employer and occupation. Employer fines EUR 6,630-19,900 per violation.

Work Registration Certificate (Short-Term Work)

Short-term authorisation for third-country nationals to work in Croatia for up to 90 days or 30 days per calendar year without a full residence permit.

Available in two durations: up to 90 days or up to 30 days annually. Fee: EUR 39.82. Applicants must hold valid travel document and employment contract. Does not confer residence rights beyond existing visa/visa-free entitlement.

Seasonal Worker Permit

Permits third-country nationals to work in seasonal industries (agriculture, forestry, hospitality, tourism) in Croatia for limited periods each calendar year.

Two sub-types: up to 90 days annually (no labour market test required) and up to 9 months (requires labour market test unless deficit occupation). Applications submitted via Croatian Employment Service (HZZ) platform. Covers agriculture, forestry, hospitality, and tourism sectors.

EU Blue Card (Highly Qualified Worker Permit)

Residence and work permit for highly qualified third-country nationals with higher education qualifications working under a minimum one-year employment contract in Croatia.

Requires higher education diploma or equivalent, employment contract for minimum 1 year, salary at least 1.5x average gross annual salary in Croatia. Valid for the duration of the employment contract; as of 2025 amendments, can be up to 48 months. No labour market test required. Fee: EUR 74.32 permit + EUR 31.85 biometric card (EUR 59.73 expedited) + EUR 9.29 administrative. Path to long-term residence after 5 years (may aggregate time across EU states with minimum 2 years in Croatia). Statutory processing deadline: 60 days.

Temporary Stay for Digital Nomads

Allows third-country nationals who work remotely via digital technology for a foreign employer or their own foreign-registered company to reside in Croatia for an extended period.

Available to non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens only. Cannot work for Croatian employers or clients. Initial stay up to 18 months; extendable by 6 months if applied 60 days before expiry. New application possible 6 months after previous stay ends. Income requirement: minimum EUR 3,622.50/month (2.5x average Croatian monthly net salary), or lump sum EUR 43,470 for 12 months / EUR 65,205 for 18 months. Required documents: valid passport, health insurance, employment/business proof, bank statements, criminal record clearance, Croatian address. Fees: EUR 46.45 (temporary stay) + EUR 31.85 biometric card (EUR 59.73 expedited) + EUR 9.29 administrative. Visa-required nationals apply via embassy (additional Type D visa EUR 93). Online application available for visa-exempt nationals. Does not count toward permanent residence.

Temporary Stay for Education (Student Permit)

Allows third-country nationals to reside in Croatia for the purpose of secondary school education or university studies.

Granted for up to 1 year, renewable. Applicants must provide proof of enrolment, valid travel document with 3+ months validity beyond permit expiry, proof of financial self-sufficiency, health insurance, and clean criminal record. Fees: EUR 46.45 (temporary stay approval) + EUR 31.85 biometric card (EUR 59.73 expedited) + EUR 9.29 administrative.

Temporary Stay for Family Reunification

Allows close family members (spouses, common-law partners, minor children, parents of minor Croatian citizens) of Croatian nationals or lawfully residing third-country nationals to join them in Croatia.

Eligible family members: spouses and common-law partners, minor children (biological, adopted, step), parents of minor Croatian citizens. Family members of seasonal workers generally ineligible. Documents required: marriage/birth/partnership certificates; common-law partnership can be proved by shared child's birth certificate, 3 years cohabitation proof, or witness statements. Family members of Croatian nationals exempt from providing certain documents (obtained ex officio). Fees: EUR 46.45 + EUR 31.85 biometric card + EUR 9.29 administrative.

Temporary Stay for Scientific Research

Allows third-country national researchers with a hosting agreement with a Croatian research institution to reside in Croatia to conduct scientific research.

Requires hosting agreement with a Croatian research institution. Fees: EUR 46.45 + EUR 31.85 biometric card + EUR 9.29 administrative. Renewable annually.

Temporary Stay for Humanitarian Grounds

Grants residence to third-country nationals who cannot return to their home country due to health crises, age-related issues, or as victims of domestic violence.

Covers health crises, age-related inability to leave, and domestic violence victims. Applied for at police administration. Fees: EUR 46.45 + EUR 31.85 biometric card + EUR 9.29 administrative.

Self-Employment Residence and Work Permit (Business Owner)

Allows third-country nationals who own at least 51% of a Croatian-registered company or trade to reside and conduct business in Croatia.

Requires minimum 51% ownership stake in a Croatian company or trade. No minimum investment threshold specified in official sources. Exempt from labour market test under Article 110 of the Aliens Act. Renewable annually. After 5 years of uninterrupted lawful residence, may qualify for long-term residence. Fee: EUR 74.32 permit + EUR 31.85 biometric card + EUR 9.29 administrative.

Long-Term Residence Permit (EU)

Grants stable, long-term EU residence status to third-country nationals who have legally resided in Croatia for at least 5 uninterrupted years.

Requires 5 years uninterrupted lawful temporary stay. Absences up to 10 months total over 5 years (single absence max 6 months) permitted. Also requires: valid travel document, financial self-sufficiency, health insurance, knowledge of Croatian language and Latin script. Language exemptions for children under school age, those educated in Croatia, and persons over 65. Fee: EUR 83.62 decision + EUR 31.85 biometric card (EUR 59.73 expedited) + EUR 13.94 certified copy.

Permanent Stay Permit

Grants permanent residence rights in Croatia to qualifying third-country nationals including family members of Croatian citizens, diaspora members, long-term refugees, and others.

Eligible categories: (1) family members/life partners of Croatian citizens after 4 years uninterrupted temporary stay; (2) Croatian diaspora members or stateless persons after 3 years; (3) refugees with 10+ years status; (4) minor children of permanent/long-term residents after 3 years; (5) returnees in housing programs; (6) children born in Croatia without regulated status. Requires valid travel document, no security or public health threat. Fee: EUR 83.62 + EUR 31.85 biometric card.

Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit

Allows a manager, specialist, or trainee employee of a company established outside the EU to be transferred to a Croatian branch, subsidiary, or group company of the same undertaking.

Croatia's implementation of EU Directive 2014/66/EU on intra-corporate transfers, listed as a distinct 'stay and work permit for intra-corporate transfer' on the official Work of third-country nationals page. Managers and specialists may be transferred for up to 3 years; trainees for up to 1 year. Requires prior employment within the group and an assignment letter/work contract. No labour market test required. Permits intra-EU mobility to group entities in other EU member states. Fee: EUR 74.32 permit + EUR 31.85 biometric card (EUR 59.73 expedited) + EUR 9.29 administrative.

Temporary Stay and Work of Posted Workers

Allows third-country nationals employed by a foreign company to be posted to Croatia to provide a service or perform work under a contract between the foreign employer and a Croatian entity.

Listed as a distinct work category ('temporary stay as a posted worker') alongside the single permit and EU Blue Card on the official Work of third-country nationals page. For workers posted to Croatia under a cross-border service contract; the foreign employer remains the employer. Duration is tied to the service contract/posting. No labour market test required in defined cases. Governed by the Croatian Aliens Act and EU posted-worker rules.

Working Holiday Visa (Youth Mobility Scheme)

Allows young citizens of partner countries (New Zealand, Canada) to travel to Croatia for up to 12 months and take up incidental employment to supplement their travel funds.

Croatia operates reciprocal youth-mobility/working-holiday schemes with two countries. New Zealand scheme (in force 11 August 2014): citizens aged 18-30, stay up to 12 months, may work but not more than 3 months for a single employer, may enrol in study/training up to 6 months, annual quota approx. 100. Canada Youth Mobility MoU (in force 2010, implemented 2011): citizens aged 18-35, stay up to 12 months, usable up to twice with a pause between stays. Applicants need a valid passport, return ticket or sufficient funds, proof of financial means, and health insurance; consular fee approx. USD 100. Temporary stay decision issued by Croatian police; processing up to 2 months. Not available to third-country nationals without such a bilateral agreement.

Temporary Stay for Life Partnership

Allows a life partner or informal life partner of a Croatian citizen or of a third-country national lawfully residing in Croatia to reside in Croatia.

Distinct temporary stay ground (Croatian: zivotno partnerstvo) separate from family reunification. Croatia recognises same-sex registered life partnerships. Proof of an informal life partnership may include a shared child's birth certificate, evidence of at least 3 years' cohabitation in a shared household, or witness statements. Granted for up to 1 year, renewable. Fees: EUR 46.45 temporary stay + EUR 31.85 biometric card (EUR 59.73 expedited) + EUR 9.29 administrative.

Temporary Stay of Long-Term Residents of Another EEA Member State

Allows third-country nationals who hold EU long-term resident (permanent stay) status in another EEA Member State to reside and work in Croatia.

For third-country nationals granted EU long-term resident status in another EEA Member State under EU Directive 2003/109/EC. They may stay in Croatia up to 3 months without a permit; for stays exceeding 3 months they must apply for temporary stay at a police administration. Once granted, they may work in Croatia without a separate stay and work permit. Family members may also qualify. Renewable; can lead to Croatian long-term residence. Fees: EUR 46.45 temporary stay + EUR 31.85 biometric card + EUR 9.29 administrative.