All about the working holiday in Croatia

Beaches, waterfalls, sunshine, and gastronomy... Croatia is the European gem that many are starting to discover. Not much more convincing is required for this beautiful working holiday destination.
Wherever you are in the process of working holiday preparation, pvtistes.net provides free information and resources to help with your planning and big move.
Working Holiday Visa travel insurance.

We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…).

1 Eligibility requirements
Age limit

Between 18 and 30 or 35 years old (inclusive)

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Valid passport

A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday

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Sufficient funds

Enough to support yourself

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Qualifying citizenship

Must be a citizen of a partner country

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Mandatory health insurance

Required as a part of your application

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Beat the quota

Apply before the annual quota is reached

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2 FAQ

01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?

WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.

02. Which nationalities are eligible?

Only young adults from Canada and New Zealand are eligible to apply for the Working Holiday Visa to Croatia.

03. How long is the visa good for?

Canadians can participate in the program twice, for a maximum of 24 months. However there must be a pause of at least 3 months between the two participations.

New Zealanders can stay up to only one year.

04. Do I need to do anything upon arriving in Croatia?

You need to register at the relevant police precinct or police department within 3 days of entering Croatia. You also need to report to the Croatian Health Insurance Institute.

05. Are there any work or study restrictions?

New Zealanders cannot work for the same employer for more than 3 month. Source

This restriction does not apply to Canadians.

06. Do I need to buy health insurance?

Yes. As a part of your application, you will need to provide proof of health insurance. Travel health insurance is sufficient. Once you arrive in Croatia, you will need to report to the Croatian Health Insurance Institute. You may be asked to pay premiums to them.

07. What documents are required for the application?

Standard items include:

  • Passport
  • ID photo
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Proof of sufficient funds

Further details for Canadians and New Zealanders.

08. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?

We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday in Croatia and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.

We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.

09. Where can I apply?

Canadians can apply in person at the Embassy of Croatia in Ottawa or Croatia’s Consulate General in Mississauga. You can also apply in person in Croatia, at the local police station for the area where you plan to live. The latter option is available because Canadian visitors do not need a visa to enter Croatia. Source

New Zealanders can apply in person at the Embassy of Croatia to Australia (they service New Zealand as well). You can also apply in person in Croatia, at the local police station for the area where you plan to live. The latter option is available because New Zealander visitors do not need a visa to enter Croatia. Source

Contents
3 Buying health insurance

As mentioned earlier, all working holiday makers must have comprehensive health insurance for the duration of their WHV. We recommend that you choose one that covers at least medical care, hospitalisation, and repatriation.

We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.

Once you arrive in Croatia, you will then need to report to the Croatian Health Insurance Institute with your insurance policy.

Learn more about Globe WHV
Useful links
Contents
4 Opening a euro account

Croatia’s currency is the euro (€). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.

If you want to have a euro debit card in hand before even arriving in Croatia, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your euro account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Croatia. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Croatia. Learn more about Wise.

There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Croatia.

Learn more about Wise
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5 Finding housing in Croatia

Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Croatia before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.

For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.

Find a hostel on Hostelworld
Useful links
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6 Getting ready for departure

After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!

Useful links
Contents
7 Read up on other important topics

As you prepare for your working holiday in Croatia, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.

Library of free articles and guides on the working holiday
Useful links
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8 Check out language courses and other deals

This is also the perfect chance to learn or brush up on a foreign language. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our other deals for working holiday makers.

Learn more about Babbel (-20%)
Our special offers
Take advantage of our special offers for flights, banking, money transfers, and language courses.
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Contents
Age limit

Canadian applicants must be 18-35 years old.

New Zealander applicants must be 18-30 years old.

Valid passport

You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday.

Sufficient funds

New Zealanders must have at least €507.86 per month, which is 50% of the average net monthly salary in Croatia. Source

No specific figure is provided for Canadians, besides the following official text: “Have proof of sufficient financial resources” (source). Use your best judgement and estimation for what you will need in at least the first 3 months.

Qualifying citizenship

Only citizens of Canada and New Zealand are eligible to apply for the WHV to Croatia.

Mandatory health insurance

As a part of your application, you will need to provide proof of health insurance. Once you arrive in Croatia, you will need to report to the Croatian Health Insurance Institute.

Beat the quota

The government of Croatia has not made annual quotas public online. For more information contact the Embassy of Croatia in Canada or New Zealand, although there should be availability throughout the year.