Changing Employers in Croatia on a Work Permit

Changing employers in Croatia (Republika Hrvatska — Republic of Croatia) on a work permit became much easier with the amendments to the Foreigners Act in force since 4 June 2026. Holders of a stay and work permit (dozvola za boravak i rad) can now switch employers after six months without applying for a new permit, and if they lose their job they may stay up to three months unemployed — or six months after more than two years on a permit — to find new work. EU Blue Card holders can change employers for the same highly qualified work. This EU Helpers guide explains each route, the paperwork and the risks — international candidates can explore Croatian opportunities through EU Helpers. Croatia has been an EU member since 2013, joined both the Schengen area and the eurozone on 1 January 2023, has been a NATO member since 2009 and a Council of Europe member since 1996.

Essential Context: How Croatian Work Permits Are Tied to Employers

The 2026 amendments align Croatia with the EU Single Permit Directive.

When You Can Change Employers in Croatia

• After six months on your permit — under the 2026 rules, you can move to a new employer without a new stay and work permit.
• Within the first six months — a change generally requires a new permit unless there are exceptional circumstances; get advice first.
• After losing your job — register with the HZZ within five days; you can stay up to three months (six after two years) to find new work.
• Blue Card holders — you can move to another employer for the same highly qualified work.

The Step-by-Step Process

Stay and Work Permit Holders

1. Check that you have held your permit for at least six months.
2. Secure a written offer and new employment contract from a Croatian employer that meets the employer conditions.
3. Resign from your current job with the correct notice; your current employer must notify the police of the contract ending through e-Građani.
4. Make sure the change of employer is recorded with the police administration, following the latest Ministry of the Interior guidance.
5. Start work with the new employer once the change is properly recorded.

EU Blue Card Holders

1. Confirm the new job is the same type of highly qualified work and meets the salary threshold.
2. Notify the police administration and submit your new contract — EU guidance sets a deadline of 8 days.
3. Continue working on your existing card, which stays valid until its expiry date.

Documentation You Will Need

Timing: How Long the Switch Takes

Rules on Notice, Probation and Severance

• Notice — under the Croatian Labour Act, notice periods start at two weeks and increase with length of service; when an employee resigns, the notice period is generally capped at one month unless agreed otherwise.
• Probation — a probationary period of up to six months can be agreed in the contract.
• Severance — resigning does not usually entitle you to severance; statutory severance applies to certain dismissals after two years of service.
• Unused leave — compensation for unused annual leave is paid when the job ends.

Salary and Benefits When Switching

Your new salary must be at least equal to that of local employees in comparable positions, and Blue Card holders must keep a salary of at least 1.5 times the national average. The 2026 minimum gross wage is €1,050 a month. If you sponsor family members, check that your new income still meets the family reunification conditions.

Risks and Common Mistakes

• Changing before six months — a change in the first six months generally needs a new permit.
• Not registering with the HZZ — you must register within five days of losing your job.
• Refusing suitable work offered by the HZZ — this can lead to losing your permit.
• Moving a shortage-occupation permit to the wrong region — you cannot work where the occupation is not in shortage.
• Overstaying the unemployment period — three months, or six after two years.
• Forgetting the address registration — register within 15 days of moving.

Special Cases

• Seasonal workers — seasonal permits follow separate rules and can now run up to three years for the same worker and employer.
• Professional drivers — freight and bus drivers can receive long-term visas of up to one year under the 2026 rules.
• Additional job — full-time workers can take a second job of up to 8 hours a week with a confirmation instead of a new permit.
• Intra-corporate transferees — ICT permits are tied to the group employer.
• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens — no permit is needed.

Final Guidance

Changing employers in Croatia on a work permit is now possible without a new permit once you have held your stay and work permit for six months, under the amendments in force since 4 June 2026. Secure your new contract, give the right notice, make sure the change is recorded with the police administration and, if you lose your job, register with the HZZ within five days to use your three- or six-month unemployment window. Blue Card holders can switch for the same highly qualified work by notifying the police within 8 days. Always confirm current procedures with the Ministry of the Interior before resigning. International candidates can explore Croatian opportunities through EU Helpers. EU Helpers supports foreign workers with offer reviews, timing, notifications, HZZ registration and documents.