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Croatia work permit processing time in 2026
By Bok! · Checked on 30 October 2026
Since 4 June 2026, the police must decide on a work permit under Article 97 within 90 days of a complete application, and this time includes the labour market test. In difficult cases it can be 30 days longer. After that come the D visa and registration in Croatia. The law gives no fixed time for the visa.
Short answer
- 90 days at the latest from a complete application for a residence-and-work permit under Article 97, including the labour market test (Law on Foreigners, art. 91 para 8, as changed by NN 55/2026).
- Plus 30 days is possible in exceptional cases linked to a complex application. This extra time is not possible for seasonal work permits (art. 91 para 9).
- After the permit: if you need a visa, you apply for a D visa, then you register with the police in Croatia within 30 days of the start of the visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs D visa page gives no processing time for the visa.
Who applies, and where
In most cases your employer in Croatia starts the process. Before applying for a new permit, the employer must ask the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ) for a labour market test, except in the cases the law lists (art. 98 para 1). For the cases handled at a police office, MUP says the worker or the employer can apply, in person or by e-mail. The route depends on your case:
| Your case | Where the application goes | Labour market test? |
|---|---|---|
| Job on the HZZ list of shortage jobs | Online (HZZ/MUP platform) | No |
| Seasonal work in farming, forestry, hotels or tourism, up to 90 days in a calendar year | Police administration or police station (in person or by e-mail), or online on the HZZ platform | No |
| Extension: same employer, same job, same worker | Police administration or police station | No |
| Article 110 groups (for example key staff, EU Blue Card, intra-company transfer) | Police administration or police station | No |
| All other cases | Labour market test first, then online | Yes |
Sources: MUP work permits page, HZZ, gov.hr (see the list at the end).
Step by step, with the official deadlines
| Step | Who | Official deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Labour market test | Employer asks HZZ | HZZ tells the employer the result "at the latest within 15 days" from the request | Law on Foreigners art. 98 para 5; gov.hr |
| 2. Permit application | Employer | Within 90 days from receiving the HZZ notice | Art. 98 para 6; HZZ; MUP |
| 3. Decision on the permit | Police administration or station | "As soon as possible", at the latest 90 days from a complete application; this period also covers the labour market test | Art. 91 para 8 (NN 55/2026, art. 18) |
| 3a. Complex cases | Police | Up to 30 more days; the police inform the applicant. Not for seasonal work permits. | Art. 91 para 9 (NN 55/2026, art. 18) |
| E-mail route (no test) | Employer and police | Automatic receipt. If something is missing, the police tell you within 5 working days. Later you get an e-mail or phone call about when and where to collect the permit. | MUP instructions for employers |
| 4. D visa (if you need a visa) | You, in person | Apply no earlier than 3 months before and no later than 3 months after the permit starts | Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVEP) |
| 5. Registration in Croatia | You | Within 30 days from the start of the visa, go to the police to register your address and get a biometric residence card | MVEP; MUP |
[UNVERIFIED, checked 30 Oct 2026: the law says the 90 days run "from the day of a complete application" and also "cover" the labour market test, which happens before the application. The official pages do not explain how the days are counted in practice.]
The police send decisions on procedure (zaključci) and calls to the employer electronically, to the employer's e-Građani inbox (art. 91 para 13). The permit confirmation also goes to that inbox (art. 96 para 2). This is a channel for the employer, not a status page for you.
The D visa
You apply in person at the Croatian embassy or consulate, or at the VFS Global visa application centre that MVEP names. The visa fee is EUR 93. At a VFS centre you also pay a service fee. MVEP lists the documents on its D visa page. The D visa page gives no processing time for the visa, so ask your embassy. From Nepal or India? See Croatia work permit for Nepali citizens or Croatia work permit for Indian citizens. To follow your application, see How to check your Croatia work permit status.
After you arrive, MUP says the residence card is issued within 30 days of a complete application in the normal procedure, or within 5 working days in the fast procedure.
Applied before 4 June 2026?
Procedures that started before the new law took effect are finished under the old rules (NN 55/2026, art. 68). The new law took effect on 4 June 2026, the eighth day after it was published on 27 May 2026 (art. 70).
Extensions
- For the same employer, same worker and same job, apply at least 30 days before your permit ends, at the police administration or station where you live (art. 92 para 1).
- The police must decide before your current permit ends (art. 92 para 2).
- If you applied on time, you may stay and work in Croatia until the decision on your application is enforceable (art. 92 para 5).
- Seasonal work: apply at least 15 days before the permit ends. MUP decides within 3 days of a complete application (MUP work permits page).
What can make it slower
- A missing document. On the e-mail route, the police tell you within 5 working days if the application must be completed (MUP instructions). The 90 days count from a complete application (art. 91 para 8).
- A complex case. The police can add up to 30 days and must inform the applicant (art. 91 para 9).
The official pages we checked do not say how long each police office takes in practice. Our advice: plan with the official deadlines above, and do not rely on faster times that agents or social media posts promise. If you are unsure, ask your employer or the police administration.
Where the Croatian language requirement fits
From 4 June 2027, if you have lived in Croatia for at least one year on a residence-and-work permit, you must add proof of A1.1 Croatian, a beginner level of Croatian, when you apply for the extension or for a new Article 97 permit (or a permit under Article 110 item 32) (art. 92.a paras 1 and 6; start date in art. 70; MUP). Seasonal workers do not need it (art. 92.a para 8). So plan the exam before your extension date. Read more in A1.1 Croatian exam for your work permit and Where to take the Croatian language exam. New to Croatian? Start with Croatian language for beginners.
Bok! is exam preparation, not an official exam or certificate, not a visa agency and not legal advice. Rules can change; check the official sources below.
Start learning Croatian while you wait. Bok! lesson 1 is free, with audio, explained in Nepali, Tagalog, Hindi or English.
FAQ
How long does a Croatian work permit take in 2026?
For a permit under Article 97 applied for on or after 4 June 2026, the law says the police must decide as soon as possible and at the latest within 90 days of a complete application (art. 91 para 8). The law does not promise a shorter time.
Do the 90 days include the labour market test?
Yes. The law says the 90-day period also covers the labour market test (art. 91 para 8). The official pages do not explain how the days are counted in practice.
Can it take longer than 90 days?
Yes, by up to 30 days in exceptional cases linked to a complex application. The police must tell the applicant. This is not possible for seasonal work permits (art. 91 para 9).
How long does the visa take at the embassy?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs D visa page does not give a processing time. Ask your embassy. Apply no earlier than 3 months before and no later than 3 months after your permit starts (MVEP).
Do I need Croatian for my permit?
Not when you first come. From 4 June 2027, after at least one year in Croatia on a residence-and-work permit, you need A1.1 proof for an extension or a new Article 97 permit (art. 92.a paras 1 and 6). Seasonal workers do not need it (art. 92.a para 8). See our full guide.
Sources
- Narodne novine 55/2026, Law amending the Law on Foreigners: art. 18 (art. 91 paras 8, 9, 13), art. 23 (art. 96 para 2), art. 19 (art. 92.a), art. 25 (art. 98), art. 68 (old cases), art. 70 (start dates): narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2026_05_55_692.html
- Narodne novine 40/2025, Law amending the Law on Foreigners: art. 26 (new text of art. 92, extension) and art. 32 (new text of art. 98, labour market test): narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2025_03_40_545.html
- Narodne novine 133/2020, Law on Foreigners (base text): narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2020_12_133_2520.html
- MUP, work permits (routes, extensions, seasonal extensions): mup.gov.hr/radne-dozvole/286764
- MUP, instructions for employers (e-mail route): mup.gov.hr/…/Uputa za poslodavce.pdf
- MUP, third-country nationals (residence card times; A1.1 duty from 4 June 2027): mup.gov.hr/…/281820
- HZZ, work permits and the labour market test: hzz.hr/usluge/radne-dozvole-za-zaposljavanje-stranaca-i-test-trzista-rada/ and tips for applying
- gov.hr, work of foreigners: gov.hr/hr/rad-stranaca/1214
- MVEP, long-stay visa (D) and documents: mvep.gov.hr/…/259933
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) or a lawyer.