Croatia Own-company owner permit

Art. 110 cases of the stay and work permit include self-employment in a company or sole trade where the foreigner holds at least 51% ownership, without a labour-market test. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What you must show and pay

• An investment of at least EUR 26,544.56 (≈ $29,700) · Invested in founding the company or sole trade (Art. 113(3)(1)); the former HRK 200,000 (≈ $29,700). ^{2 3}
• Income of about EUR 3,024 a month (≈ $3,380) · Owner's own monthly gross pay of at least 1.5 times the average monthly gross pay (Art. 113(3)(3)); about EUR 3,024 (≈ $3,380) using the 2025 average gross pay of EUR 2,016 (≈ $2,250). The Act refers to the latest officially published average. ^{2 4}
• Income of about EUR 2,173.5 a month (≈ $2,430) · Alternative for an owner of a sole trade (obrt): income from the trade of at least 1.5 times the average monthly net pay (Art. 113(3)(3)); about EUR 2,173.50 (≈ $2,430) using the 2025 average net pay of EUR 1,449 (≈ $1,620). ^{2 4}
• A fee of EUR 74.32 (≈ $83) · Administrative fee for the stay and work permit. ¹
• A fee of EUR 31.85 (≈ $36) · Production of the biometric residence permit (EUR 59.73 (≈ $67) for the accelerated procedure); EUR 9.29 (≈ $10) more is paid for its issuance. ¹

Requirements

• The applicant is a third-country national (non EU/EEA/Swiss). ¹
• The applicant owns at least 51% of a company or sole trade registered in Croatia and works in it. ^{2 1}
• At least three Croatian citizens are employed full time on permanent contracts, each paid at least the average gross pay. ²
• The applicant has invested at least EUR 26,544.56 (≈ $29,700) in founding the company or sole trade. ^{2 3}
• The owner's gross monthly pay is at least 1.5 times the average monthly gross pay, about EUR 3,024 (≈ $3,380) on the 2025 average. ^{2 4}
• For a sole trade, the income from the trade is at least 1.5 times the average monthly net pay, about EUR 2,173.50 (≈ $2,430) on the 2025 average. ^{2 4}
• Proof of educational qualification, and a recognition decision where the profession is regulated. ²
• A valid travel document, health insurance and, on a first application, proof of no criminal conviction. ^{2 5}
• No labour-market test or Employment Service opinion is required for Art. 110 permits. ^{1 2}
• The permit is issued for the time needed for the work, for up to two years. ²

Stay

• The stay and work permit is issued for the time needed for the work, for up to two years (Art. 91(12), permits based on Art. 110), and can be renewed.
• First stay: up to 24 months, decided case by case.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Third-country nationals (non EU/EEA/Swiss). Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

Work

Self-employment in the owned company or trade.

Family

Spouse, common law partner and minor children can apply for temporary stay for family reunification.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Work of third-country nationals · Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia · checked 2026-10-10
2. Aliens Act, consolidated text with euro amounts (NN 133/20, 114/22, 151/22, 40/25, 55/26), Article 113 · Zakon.hr (consolidated Narodne novine texts) · checked 2026-10-11
3. Aliens Act (Zakon o strancima), Narodne novine 133/2020, Article 113(3) · Narodne novine (Official Gazette of Croatia) · checked 2026-10-11
4. Average monthly net and gross earnings in 2025: net EUR 1,449, gross EUR 2,016 · Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-01-01
5. Temporary stay of third-country nationals · Ministry of the Interior of Croatia · checked 2026-10-11
6. Long-term residence and permanent stay · Ministry of the Interior of Croatia · checked 2026-10-10