You need to know precisely what you need to do to get into any country, and Croatia is no exception. Since January 2023, the country has been a part of the European Union and the Schengen Area. It has a clear visa (travel permit/pass) policy that notifies individuals who can enter the nation, when they may do so, and for how long. The kind of visa you need to travel to Croatia depends on your nationality, how long you intend to stay, purpose for your trip (work/study), or to be with family. Knowing what kind of permit you need is the first step to making sure your trip goes successfully.
Short stays
If you merely wish to travel to Croatia for a short period, as for a vacation, business conference, or family visit, you may not need a travel pass at all. It became a member of the Schengen Area and the European Union on January 1, 2023. People from Schengen countries may visit the nation without a permit and travel about freely within its borders. People from countries that don’t require a pass to visit Croatia, such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and many more, may also stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. But this visa-free access is only for short-term reasons, like tourism, business, or something like.
People from countries that require a travel pass must secure a Type C permit, which is also known as a short-stay pass. You need this pass to enter the country, and it enables you stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Applicants must go to a Croatian embassy or consulate in their home country and provide proof of where they will stay, travel insurance, money, and a valid cause for their trip.
Long stays
You need a long-stay pass or a residence permit if you wish to stay in the nation for more than 90 days. This is true for everyone who wants to work, study, join family members, perform scientific research, or live in there for any other valid purpose. A Type D permit, or long-stay permit, is frequently provided alongside a temporary resident permit. You must apply for it before you may enter the nation.
One of the most recent modifications to Croatia’s immigration rules is that digital nomads may now get a new kind of residence permit. This program permits persons from other countries who work from home for companies or clients outside of Croatia live in the nation for up to a year. This option is popular with those who work from home and wish to live in a beautiful area with a lot of culture and a good quality of life.
Transit
You could require a Type A transit permit if you are simply passing through Croatia on your route to another country. This generally applies to visitors from specific countries who require a visa to remain in the international transit area at Croatian airports. Most persons who are only travelling through the country won’t need this kind of visa unless they are part of a certain category that Croatian immigration regulations define.
Using a Schengen visa to enter Croatia
Since it entered the Schengen Area, Croatia now welcomes those with valid Schengen visas into the country. This means that you may go to Croatia with a Schengen permit from another member state as long as your pass is still valid and you don’t remain in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days in a 180-day period. This law makes it simpler for tourists and business travellers to go to more than one destination in Europe, providing them additional choices.
Not requiring a visa or having a Schengen-wide permit is helpful for a lot of travellers. However, those who wish to stay longer or come from countries that aren’t on the list of nations that don’t require pass need to make sure their applications are ready ahead of time. You can make sure you meet all the requirements and avoid any complications when you go by checking with the nearest Croatian embassy or consulate and looking at official government instructions. You may look forward to witnessing how lovely and pleasant Croatia is after you acquire the right visa.
You can also view these posts:
Things to know before immigrating to Croatia
Getting an employment visa: Work permit in Croatia
Getting a job as an expat in Croatia