Pros and cons of relocation to Croatia
Croatia is a paradise among the bustling Europe. Many tourists, after a holiday in the resorts, dream of moving.
There are several reasons for moving to Croatia:
- Convenient geographical location.
- Beautiful and unique nature. Croatia is considered an environmentally friendly country.
- A high level of education and health services at relatively inexpensive prices.
It is difficult to single out the disadvantages of emigration. For each person there are minuses. Not everyone will be able to overcome the barriers and the period of adaptation in the republic.
On April 1, 2013 Croatia joined the European Union, and the legislative framework has become stricter. But a high cultural level, security, reasonable prices, a calm and stable environment still attracts emigrants.
Ways of emigration to Croatia
Legal methods of obtaining a residence permit are quite typical for moving to almost all countries of the world:
- marriage with a state subject;
- study;
- business immigration;
- buying a property;
- employment.
Each of these methods has its own nuances and possible difficulties. The Croatian government has the right to grant citizenship to foreigners for outstanding achievements in science or sports. For them, the immigration process is greatly facilitated. Emigration to Croatia is also possible through family reunion. In this case relatives must have a residence permit or citizenship for at least 2 years. In addition to the above methods, there are plenty of illegal options for moving to Croatia, but you should not start a new life in a quiet and beautiful country with a violation of the law, which can be punished up to deportation from the country and a life-time ban on entry.
Marriage with a Croatian citizen
Today you will not surprise anyone with a marriage with a foreign national.
You can marry both on the territory of Croatia and in other countries. The list of required documents varies slightly depending on the legislation of a particular state.
For marriage in Croatia, it is necessary to submit the following documents 30-45 days before the wedding date:
- copies of the couple’s passports;
- a certificate stating that the foreign person is not married;
- originals of birth certificates;
- copies of witness passports.
Typically, local authorities require an apostille on documents.
After the wedding, the spouse of a citizen of Croatia has the right to apply for a residence permit for a period of 1 year with the right to renew. After 5 years of marriage, a foreigner is granted Croatian citizenship, provided that he or she does not cross the territorial borders of the country. For moving to Croatia many people use fictitious marriages. But you should not use such a way for emigration. Many couples have an interview at the embassy, where the consul quickly reveals fraud.
Education
Higher education in Croatia attracts foreign students with a high level of services, a powerful base for study and a European diploma, which gives the right to work in many European countries. Students are required to apply for a temporary residence permit in Croatia for a period of 1 year with the right to renew (does not count towards the required period of 5 years).
After graduating from the initial stage of higher education, they can go to a magistracy, and then doctoral studies. Many local companies provide internship opportunities for talented students with further employment. According to statistics, the majority of foreign students come from the CIS countries. This method is perhaps one of the cheapest in comparison with investing and buying real estate. On average, a bachelor’s program costs foreign students from 1,000 to 3,000 Euros. Moving to Croatia is also possible if there is an invitation from a legal entity to conduct research.
Business immigration
Croatia is one of the most attractive countries for businessmen in Europe. The government is actively working on the country’s economy to raise its level. The solvency of the population and the standard of living in Croatia is also quite good. According to the legislation of the country, a non-resident of Croatia has the right to register an enterprise with 100% registered capital (at least 20,000 Kuna).
It is necessary to provide the authorities with a business plan, determine the scope of the company. The businessman is obliged to deduct social duties and submit reports to the tax authorities every quarter. Organization registration costs 1000-2000 Euros. The opening of the company allows you to live in Croatia for 1 year. The director or owner of a Croatian company with a share of 51% or more can count on obtaining a residence permit. To do this, the company must meet several requirements:
- investments in activities amount to 200 thousand Kuna or more;
- positive balance of activity;
- the applicant’s salary should be no less than the national average.
The created company should provide jobs for local residents with higher than average pay. In case of violations in the submission of reports on VAT and payment of duties, the government has the right to cancel the business permit and select a residence permit. Investing in the economy is the most realistic way to emigrate to Croatia.
Buying a property
Buying a property is a very controversial way of emigrating to Croatia. A foreign citizen must obtain permission to register property from the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Quite often, the procedure is delayed for several years. Registration fees and duties are paid by the property owner in the amount of 5% of the transaction amount.
The most patient people after the end of the procedure can apply for a residence permit in Croatia. Each case is considered individually by the government. According to statistics, only 50% of the total number of applications is approved. Croatian agencies offer assistance in choosing an apartment and concluding a contract. Buying a property is the most popular way to obtain a residence permit in Croatia.