How to Move From the UK to Croatia
Is moving to another country part of your bucket list? If yes, then you have probably already entertained the prospect of relocating to a few notable destinations. Moving to a new country permanently isn’t something anyone should take lightly, particularly because it’s where you’d spend the next few chapters of your life. You’d want it to be a place where you can get the peace of mind you need, find happiness, or maximize the opportunities waiting for you ahead.
Croatia is an underrated destination dream by many expats and immigrants alike; regardless, no one can refute the nice things about how it makes for a perfect home. This humble yet charming country is lined with ski slopes, stunning natural sceneries like lakes and forests, chill cities, and lovely villages altogether. Add to that the great sunny weather that the country is blessed with and the welcoming people all around – you have the dream relocation destination within your grasp.
Of course, moving to a new country wouldn’t be complete if you don’t have your loved ones and family with you. For this reason, you’d have to apply for a US family visa so you can spend this great time with them altogether. The US family visa includes the F4 visa, which allows you to bring your siblings, along with their dependents, to start a new slate with you in your new home.
If you plan to move to Croatia, you’d have to be informed about the things you need to keep in mind before, during, and after the process. Relocation is almost always never easy, and you’d have to be prepared enough to overcome some of the inevitable problems you may face along the way.
Here’s a simple guide about how you can move from the UK to Croatia with some essential tips.
Contents
1. Determine the Appropriate Visa for You
Before you move to Croatia, you’d first have to prioritize the documents and requirements for your immigration. One of the most crucial prerequisites is your visa. The visa you’ll be applying for mainly depends on your purpose for entering the country, so they range in various types like business visas, work visas, family visas, and more.
Keep in mind that citizens of the UK are visa-exempt, which means that you’re free to move around the country even with UK passports alone. However, your passport must contain an unused page for the entry stamp. Furthermore, it should also have a three-month validity from the day they’re planning to leave Croatia.
That said, long-term visitors will consequently have to apply for long-term visas, whether it be for work, family, or study purposes. Remember that you’ll have to comply with the requirements that the Croatian requirement needs from you if you want to settle in the country permanently.
2. Find Employment
Once in Croatia, you would find it a must to find a job that will help sustain your lifestyle. Many Croatian companies tend to look outwards for foreign talent when filling in job vacancies, so this can be a great opportunity for you as well.
But before you even get to apply for work in the country, you’d first have to pass the work permit qualifications. These qualifications state that you:
- Are offered by a Croatian company with a valid work contract
- Are a third-country resident or non-EU citizen
Once you have accomplished these qualifications and complied with the requirements, you can now opt for the appropriate work visa that will allow you to remain in Croatia for a long time. Some of these include:
- Residence and work permit for local hires (up to 1 year for key personnel)
- EU blue card for one year for highly-skilled jobs
- Work and residence permit for local hires (lasts up to 1 year)
As with many other visa applications, these permits also have their own set of requirements but open up the possibility of permanent settlement once you have successfully ticked all the criteria. Do note, however, that work permits are often associated with a specific job contract. This means that the duration of your residence permit will also be similar to how long your work contract will be for. One year is the typical and maximum range for these types of contracts.
In the event that you get fired or have your contract terminated, the same will also happen for your residence permits within a span of 15 days.
3. Search for Appropriate Residence or Property
You also need to look for property to live in if you plan to move to Croatia. Before doing so, ensure that you have the capability to afford Croatia’s cost of living and that you can sustain your daily life there. It’s generally recommended to purchase property before you make the move, especially since you don’t necessarily have to be a resident to do so.
It would be wise to seek professional advice from Croatian real estate agents so that you’ll gain insight into the property market in the country.
