Croatia
Croatian digital nomad residence permit
The Croatian digital nomad permit is for people who work remotely for a foreign company or for their own business abroad.
News · Croatia
Croatia amends its Aliens Act – longer student permits, new rules for workers
The Croatian Parliament has adopted amendments to the Aliens Act (Zakon o strancima). The changes mainly affect students, seasonal workers and holders of a residence and work permit.
Summary
In brief
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Parliament adopted the amendments on 15 May 2026 with 80 votes in favour, 37 abstentions and none against. They were published in the official gazette (Narodne novine 55/2026) on 27 May.
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Temporary residence for study can be granted for up to three years.
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Students may work up to 25 hours a week.
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Workers may change employer after six months of work, subject to conditions. Seasonal permits can be valid for up to three years.
Background
What happened
The Croatian Government adopted the bill on 23 April 2026. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the aim was to align Croatian rules with the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which applies from June. Parliament passed the amendments on 15 May, and they were published in Narodne novine 55/2026 on 27 May.
The main elements:
- Students: temporary residence for study can be granted for up to three years. Students may work up to 25 hours a week.
- Seasonal work: the permit can be valid for up to three years. Work may last up to 90 days or up to nine months a year.
- Changing employer: possible after six months of work, with a notification and after a labour-market test carried out by the new employer.
- Unemployment: up to three months does not end the permit. For someone who has held a residence and work permit for more than two years, the limit is six months.
- Language exam: holders of a residence and work permit must show an A1.1-level Croatian language and Latin-script exam after at least one year of stay, when renewing the permit, with exceptions. The employer bears the cost of the exam.
For you
What it means for you
- If you plan to study in Croatia: you can plan your study stay for a longer period, and part-time work alongside studies is possible.
- If you plan to work for a Croatian employer: the rules on changing employer and on job-search periods have become more flexible, but a language exam becomes a condition for renewal.
- If you plan to move as a digital nomad: the current conditions of the digital nomad permit are on the programme page.
Programmes
Related programmes
Sources
Sources
Last checked:
- HRT: Croatian Parliament adopts amendments to the Aliens Act – 15 May 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Croatian Ministry of the Interior: Government adopts the bill – 23 April 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Narodne novine 55/2026 – text of the amendment (as published on zakon.hr) – 27 May 2026 (opens in a new tab)