Working In Croatia As An International Student

can international students work in croatia

Croatia is a popular destination for international students due to its nature, culture, history, and high-quality education. The country offers a wide range of study programs and opportunities for international students, including the chance to work during their studies. Working students can earn up to €10,080.00 net annually without income tax. International students can work in Croatia through the Student Service administered by the Student Centre, which helps students find part-time and temporary work.

Characteristics Values
Work opportunities for international students International students can work in Croatia through the Student Service administered by the Student Centre.
Student Service availability The service is available to both EU citizens and third-country nationals.
Type of work The work positions are part-time and temporary, allowing students to adjust their work engagement to their student obligations.
Salary The salary is calculated per hour and the minimum net amount for the year 2025 is 6.10 EUR/hour. Work on Sundays, public holidays, and nights (10:00 PM to 6:00 AM) is paid 50% more.
Tax exemption Students can earn up to 10,080.00 EUR net in a year without being taxed. Additional taxation rules apply above this amount.
Visa requirements Citizens requiring a visa to enter Croatia must apply for student residence and a D visa. Applications can be made at Croatian diplomatic missions or consulates.
Temporary stay registration EU/EEA nationals staying longer than 3 months must register their temporary stay with the police administration.
Residence permit International students need a temporary residence permit to attend classes. Third-country nationals must renew their permits annually.
Financial requirements International students must prove sufficient financial means for the duration of their studies, either through personal sources or scholarships.
Scholarships and financial aid Croatian higher education institutions may offer financial aid or partial tuition fee waivers. Scholarships are also available through Bilateral Scholarships of the Republic of Croatia and other programmes.

shunstudent

International students' work rights in Croatia

International students can work in Croatia, but there are some requirements and restrictions. International students can find work through the Student Service, administered by the Student Centre (Studentski centar). The Student Service provides matchmaking services, connecting students with prospective employers. The positions offered are part-time and temporary, allowing students to adjust their work engagement to their student obligations. The salary is calculated per hour, with a minimum net amount of 6.10 EUR/hour for the year 2025. Work on Sundays, public holidays, and nights (from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM) is paid 50% more. Foreign students' employers are obliged to cover the intermediary services of the Student Service and additional fees, which is an additional 18%.

International students must prove they have sufficient financial means for the duration of their studies in Croatia, either from personal sources or scholarships. They must possess monthly financial means equivalent to 25% of the average monthly salary in the previous year and return funds equivalent to 60% of the average monthly salary. Non-EU students must pay tuition fees as dictated by their respective institutions. EU citizens have the right to live and work in Croatia without applying for a residence permit, whereas non-EU citizens must apply for a residence permit and pay tuition fees.

Students can earn up to 10,080.00 EUR net in one year without their income from student work being taxed. If a student earns more than this amount, additional income taxation rules apply. Double taxation can be avoided if Croatia has signed a treaty for the avoidance of double taxation with the student's country of origin. International students who plan to stay in Croatia for longer than 3 months must register their temporary stay with the police administration.

There are a variety of jobs available for students in Croatia, including marketing jobs, internships, student practice in local businesses and startups, sales jobs, language teaching, and private tutoring. Students can also take advantage of additional financing through the Erasmus+ Programme, and some Croatian higher education institutions offer financial aid or partial tuition fee waivers for international students. Croatia has 128 higher education institutions, including several private universities.

shunstudent

Student Service: matchmaking with employers

International students can work in Croatia through the Student Service administered by the Student Centre. The Student Service provides matchmaking services, connecting students with prospective employers.

The Student Service offices are usually units of local Student Centres (Studentski Centar), which are responsible for subsidised student accommodation and meals. The service is available to both EU citizens and third-country nationals. The positions offered are part-time and temporary, allowing students to balance their work and study commitments. The salary is calculated hourly, with a minimum net amount of 6.10 EUR per hour for the year 2025. Work on Sundays, public holidays, and nights (from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am) is paid 50% more. Foreign students' employers are required to cover the intermediary services of the Student Service, which amounts to an additional 18% fee.

Students can earn up to 10,080.00 EUR net in a year without their income being taxed. If a student earns more than this amount, additional taxation rules apply. To avoid double taxation, Croatia must have signed a treaty for the avoidance of double taxation with the student's country of origin.

Visa and Residence Requirements

Citizens of countries requiring a visa to enter Croatia must apply for student residence abroad and then apply for a D visa to enter the country. EU citizens have the right to live and work in Croatia and do not need a residence permit based on their studies. Non-EU citizens must pay tuition fees as dictated by their respective institutions. To study at Croatian higher education institutions, international students must prove they have sufficient financial means for the duration of their stay, either from personal sources or scholarships.

Higher Education in Croatia

Croatia has 128 higher education institutions, with the University of Zagreb being the largest, enrolling over 75,000 students. The country is multilingual, with Croatian, English, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish being commonly spoken. International students can study in Croatia through bilateral intergovernmental programmes or the EU programme ERASMUS+.

shunstudent

Student visas and temporary stay

International students can work in Croatia, but there are some important visa and temporary stay considerations to keep in mind. Here is an overview of the key points regarding student visas and temporary stays in Croatia:

Student Visas:

  • Citizens of countries that require a visa to enter Croatia must first apply for student residence in their home country. After obtaining this, they can apply for a D visa to enter Croatia.
  • EU citizens do not need to apply for a residence permit based on their studies. They can apply on the basis of being an EU citizen, which is a simpler process with additional privileges.
  • International students must prove they have sufficient financial means for the duration of their studies in Croatia. This can be done by showing funds in a foreign or Croatian bank account.
  • Students can also explore scholarships to demonstrate financial support. Some Croatian higher education institutions offer financial aid or partial tuition fee waivers for international students.
  • To study at a Croatian higher education institution, students must have proficient English language skills unless Croatian is their first language.

Temporary Stay:

  • International students can work part-time and temporarily in Croatia through the Student Service administered by the Student Centre. These positions allow students to balance their work and academic commitments.
  • EU/EEA nationals planning to stay in Croatia for longer than 3 months must register their temporary stay with the police administration according to their place of stay.
  • Third-country nationals who are in Croatia on a temporary stay and travel abroad for less than 30 days at a time do not need to notify the authorities. If they leave for 30-90 days for justifiable reasons, they must notify a police directorate or police station with an official letter.
  • A residence permit is typically valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
  • International students can earn up to €10,080 net per year without their income being taxed. Additional taxation rules apply if their earnings exceed this amount.

shunstudent

Income tax for international students

International students can work in Croatia through the Student Service, which is administered by the Student Centre. The Student Service matches students with prospective employers and helps them find part-time and temporary work that fits around their studies.

International students in Croatia may be considered resident or non-resident taxpayers. Resident taxpayers are taxed on their worldwide income, whereas non-resident taxpayers are only taxed on their income from Croatian sources. Non-resident performers, such as artists, athletes, and entertainers, are exempt from paying personal income tax (PIT) if their performance fee is paid to a foreign legal entity and is subject to withholding tax (WHT) in line with corporate income tax (CIT) legislation.

Croatia has progressive tax rates that are determined by an individual's place of residence or habitual abode in the country. The local self-government units can choose from a range of tax rates, with 15% being the lowest possible rate. The taxable base is calculated by applying prescribed tax deductions and tax allowances to the total amount of annual income.

Employment income, self-employment income, and other income that is not deemed 'final other income' are all subject to the process of annual tax liability assessment. Income from property and proprietary rights, income from capital, and other income relating to social contributions are considered 'final income' and are not subject to additional taxation.

Students can earn up to €10,080 net per year without their income being taxed. If they earn more than this amount, additional income taxation rules apply, and they may need to pay income tax. However, double taxation can be avoided if Croatia has signed a treaty for the avoidance of double taxation with the student's country of origin.

It is important to note that the tax rules and regulations in Croatia may change over time, and students should refer to the Croatian Tax Administration office or a tax professional for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding their specific situation.

shunstudent

Scholarships and financial aid

RIT Croatia also offers scholarships and financial aid to students. Financial aid is primarily need-based, taking into account the student's financial situation and the motivation for studying at RIT Croatia. Scholarships, on the other hand, are awarded based on academic achievements and other criteria specified by RIT Croatia. RIT Croatia invests over 350,000 EUR annually to assist first-year students with their tuition costs, and more than 90% of applicants receive financial support. The scholarship amounts range from 1,000 EUR to 10,000 EUR, with some scholarships providing 4,000 EUR for each year of study.

Erasmus+ Programme also provides additional funding for students with special needs, covering real costs incurred during their studies in Croatia. Furthermore, some Croatian higher education institutions may offer financial aid or partial tuition fee waivers for international students, and there are scholarships available through Bilateral Scholarships of the Republic of Croatia and university bilateral agreements.

International students must demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover their living expenses during their studies in Croatia, either through personal funds or scholarships. They are required to have monthly financial resources equivalent to 25% of the average monthly salary in the previous year and return funds amounting to 60% of the average monthly salary.

In addition to scholarships and financial aid, international students can work part-time in Croatia through the Student Service administered by the Student Centre. This service helps students find temporary employment that fits around their studies, with a minimum wage of 6.10 EUR per hour in 2025. Students can earn up to 10,080 EUR per year without paying income tax.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, international students can work in Croatia using the Student Service administered by the Student Centre. The student work positions offered by the Student Service are part-time and temporary, allowing students to work while also studying.

The salary is calculated per hour, and the minimum net amount for 2025 is 6.10 EUR/hour. Work on Sundays, public holidays, and nights (from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am) is paid 50% more.

Citizens of countries that require a visa to enter Croatia must apply for a student residence permit from abroad and then apply for a D visa to enter the country. EU citizens, however, do not need to apply for a residence permit and can apply based on their EU citizenship.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment