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Croatia visa for Filipinos

By Bok! · Checked on 30 October 2026

Yes, Philippine passport holders need a visa for Croatia. To work there, your employer first gets your stay and work permit in Croatia. Then you apply in person for a long-stay visa (D) at the VFS Global centre in Makati or at the Croatian Embassy in Jakarta. The visa fee is EUR 93.

Short answer

  • Visa needed: yes. The Philippines is on the EU list of countries whose citizens need a visa to cross the external borders (Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, Annex I). MVEP's visa overview gives "Yes" for Philippine ordinary passports.
  • To work: your employer first gets your stay and work permit in Croatia. Then you apply for a long-stay visa (visa D) (MVEP).
  • Where: the VFS Global centre in Makati City, or the Croatian Embassy in Jakarta, which covers the Philippines. Croatia also has honorary consulates in Manila and Cebu (MVEP).

Which Croatian visa do you need?

Schengen visa (type C)

A Schengen visa (visas A and C) is a short-stay visa. It is for a planned stay of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period, or for airport transit (MUP). Croatia has applied the Schengen rules in full since 1 January 2023. The time you spend in Croatia is added to the time you spend in other Schengen states (MVEP; MUP). For a short visit, such as tourism, MUP says you apply no earlier than six months and no later than 15 calendar days before the trip. The work route is different: a stay and work permit, then a D visa.

Long-stay visa (type D)

The D visa is for a person who has an approved temporary stay or a stay and work permit in Croatia and needs a visa to enter. It is issued for one or more entries, valid for up to six months, with a stay of up to 30 days. You use it to travel to Croatia and register there (MVEP).

Can I enter Croatia with a Schengen visa?

Croatia has been a Schengen member since 1 January 2023, so a Schengen visa (A or C) covers Croatia under the normal Schengen rules. Your days count across all Schengen states: up to 90 days in any 180-day period (MVEP; MUP). Croatian short-stay visas (type C) issued until 31 December 2022, if not expired, are still valid for Croatia only, not for other Schengen states (MVEP). A visa does not automatically give you the right to enter. You may have to answer questions at the border (MVEP).

Step 1: your employer applies for the permit in Croatia

For a new permit, your employer usually asks the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ) for a labour market test first. The test is not needed for jobs on the list set by the HZZ board and in other cases the law lists (HZZ). HZZ gives the result within 15 days (gov.hr). For applications made from 4 June 2026, the police must decide "as soon as possible", at the latest within 90 days of a complete application, test included. In exceptional, complex cases this can be 30 days longer, but not for seasonal work (art. 91 paras 8 and 9; art. 68 and 70, NN 55/2026). Applications started before that date follow the old rules (art. 68). Read more in Croatia work permit processing time in 2026. To follow your application, see how to check your Croatia work permit status.

Step 2: the D visa in the Philippines

Where

The Croatian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, covers the Philippines (jakarta@mvep.hr). The embassy lists the VFS Global centre in the Philippines at Mezzanine Floor, Ecoplaza Bldg., Don Chino Roces Ave., Makati City (Metro Manila). As listed on the embassy page, it takes applications Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 15:00 and returns passports from 14:00 to 16:00. Hours can change. The list of VFS centres that the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes also includes the Philippines. You apply in person, before you travel to Croatia (MVEP).

When

No earlier than three months before, and no later than three months after, the start of your stay and work permit (MVEP).

Documents

For a person with a stay and work permit, MVEP lists:

  • a completed and signed long-stay visa (visa D) application form;
  • a valid travel document (at least two blank pages, issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least three months beyond the validity period of the requested visa);
  • a colour photograph sized 35×45 mm, in accordance with ICAO standards;
  • evidence of an issued stay and work permit in Croatia;
  • travel medical insurance for a stay of 30 days in Croatia, covering emergency medical assistance, hospitalisation and repatriation (including in case of death), valid for the entire Schengen area, minimum EUR 30,000;
  • evidence of means of transport;
  • evidence of the paid visa fee (EUR 93). At a VFS Global centre you also pay a service fee.

Your fingerprints are taken when you apply. Check the current list on the MVEP D visa page before you go. The official sources do not give a fixed processing time for the visa. Ask the embassy.

Step 3: after you arrive

Within 30 days from the start of your visa, go to the police administration or police station (policijska uprava or policijska postaja) to register your address and get your biometric residence permit (MVEP).

Where the Croatian language requirement fits

From 4 June 2027, if you have lived in Croatia for at least one year on a stay and work permit, you must pass a Croatian A1.1 exam, a beginner level of Croatian. You add the proof to your application for an extension or a new permit. Your employer pays for the exam (NN 55/2026, art. 92.a paras 1, 3 and 6; art. 70). You do not need the exam if you finished primary, secondary or higher education in Croatia, or if you speak a South Slavic language (para 7). Seasonal workers are exempt (para 8). A rulebook from the minister will set how the exam is taken and what it costs (para 9). Read A1.1 Croatian exam for your work permit.

Your first Croatian words, from Bok! lessons 1 and 4:

  • Ja sam s Filipina. I am from the Philippines.
  • Filipinac Filipino man · Filipinka Filipina woman

Practise them in free lesson 1 and lesson 4. New to Croatian? Start with Croatian language for beginners. Other countries: India and Nepal.

Bok! is exam preparation, not an official exam or certificate, not a visa agency and not legal advice.

Start learning Croatian before you travel. Bok! lesson 1 is free, with audio, explained in Tagalog, Nepali, Hindi or English.

Start lesson 1, explained in Tagalog

FAQ

Do Filipinos need a visa for Croatia?

Yes, for ordinary passports. MVEP's visa overview gives "Yes" for the Philippines, and the Philippines is in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806.

Where do Filipinos apply for a Croatian visa?

In person at the VFS Global centre in Makati City or at the Croatian Embassy in Jakarta, which covers the Philippines (jakarta@mvep.hr).

Can I enter Croatia with a Schengen visa?

Croatia has applied the Schengen rules in full since 1 January 2023, so a Schengen visa (A or C) covers Croatia under the normal rules. Your days count across all Schengen states: up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

How much is the Croatian D visa?

The visa fee is EUR 93. If you apply at a VFS Global centre, you also pay a service fee (MVEP).

How long does a Croatian work permit take?

For applications made from 4 June 2026, the police must decide within 90 days of a complete application, test included, plus 30 days in exceptional cases. The official sources do not give a fixed time for the visa. See our processing time guide.

Is there a Croatian embassy in the Philippines?

No. The Croatian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, covers the Philippines. MVEP lists honorary consulates in Manila and Cebu.

Sources

Checked on 30 October 2026.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change. For your own case, ask your employer, the police administration (MUP), the Croatian Embassy in Jakarta or a lawyer.