Business Facts Croatia – Living and working in Croatia

Croatia is popular with tourists. Here is what you have to look out for if you plan moving there.

Croatia is popular with tourists and is, for many, the number one summer holiday destination. If you want to make the Croatian beaches or cities your daily living and working environment, there are some points to which you should pay close attention. Read more in our Business Facts Croatia.

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Entry to Croatia

Entry and residence in Croatia are simple. With a valid identity card or passport, as an EU citizen you can stay in the country for up to 90 days. If you plan to stay beyond this period, you should contact the relevant police authority no later than eight days before the 90 days end. You will receive a residence permit for a period of five years.

The labour market

As a citizen of the European Union, you are allowed to work in Croatia without a work permit. In the medical sector and in the construction industry in particular, there is currently a shortage of skilled workers in the country. If you speak Croatian, German and another foreign language, your chances of getting a job increase enormously and you can negotiate a higher salary.

In 2017, the unemployment rate was 11%. This rate varies greatly due to seasonal forces, as during the summer months there are many jobs in the hotel and catering sectors, but in winter there is little demand in these areas. Wages in these sectors have risen in recent years, but there are major regional differences.

Working time and entitlement to leave

In Croatia, the law stipulates that the working week may not exceed 40 hours. The number of overtime hours may not exceed eight hours per week. Minor workers are not allowed to work overtime. Croats are entitled a holiday of at least four weeks per year.

Holidays

In addition to the four weeks of holiday entitlement per year, there are 13 public holidays in Croatia. These are:

• 1 January, New Year

• 6 January, Epiphany

• Easter Monday • Corpus Christi

• 1 May, Labour Day

• 22 June, Day of the Anti-Fascist Struggle

• 25 June, Statehood Day

• 5 August, Day of Victory and Home Gratitude

• 15 August, Assumption of the Virgin Mary

• 8 October, Independence Day

• 1 November, All Saints' Day

• 25 and 26 December, Christmas

In addition, there are optional holidays and rest days, so that an employee can get up to 23 additional days off, but this depends on occupation, company, region and religion.

Living

The cost of living in less touristy areas is comparable to that in Germany. However, eating is much cheaper in Croatia than in other European countries. On average, you pay just under seven euros per meal and two euros per drink. Over the years, rents on the coast have risen significantly, but inland they are much lower.

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