Admin formalities and settling in

- Using public notary services
- Translation services
- Local registration
- Work and residence permit
- Insurance

Using public notary services

A public notary is required to witness, stamp and register all contracts between individuals and between individuals and companies. Such contracts would include leases, sale of an asset, visas (when a work permit is applied for). When yuo are going trought the visa application process described above, copies of any oficial documents or translations will have to be notarised

Javni bilježnik provide a walk-in service and you can use any of the numerous ones you see along the streets in town. Just look for the signs.

Local Registration

All foreigners technically should register themselves at the local police station. In Zagreb this is the main police station, Petrinjska 30. Failure to register may lead to a fine from a local magistrate, which can be both time consuming and frustrating. I you are staying in a hotel, the hotel will register you with the local police. This techically applies to your house guests too, although this is not generally practical, especially if they are only staying for the weekend. You also required to register any change of adress whilst you are in Zagreb.Altough the police station works longer hours, the Registration Department is open from 08:00-15:30 Monday to Friday only. You should go up to the first floor, turn sharp right, take number and go trought the double glass doors marked Državljanstvo stranci ('foreign nationalities'). The two windows of Counter 29 and 30 (signed stranci) are immediately to your right. Be prepaid for a long wait. Stand behind the yellow line.

Work and residence permit

The Visa Department is also on the first floor at Petrinjska 30 and is open Monday to Friday 08:00-15:30. Turn right at the top of the stairs and take number (Odsjek za strance) along the corridor. Be prepared for a long wait. The visa application process in Croatia can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience.The police station is not user-friendly, the signs are all in Croatian and, although most of the staff do speak some English (reluctantly), if you have access to a lawyer or to Relo Company of similar standing who knows the police station and is familiar with the Extended Stay Visa process, then ask them to accompany you. They will able to help you buy and fill in the many official forms and guide you trought the first intervju, by-passing many of the delays and potential misundersstandings you may encounter if you attempt it alone. Arrive early in the morning to avoid the worst of the queues and allow between 1 and 2 hours for the first visit.After you have done all this, you will be asked to go back and collect the permit around 20 days later. You should expect to receive a visit at home (or a phone call) from your local police, checking that you really do live where you say you do – in practice this often happens many weeks after the visa has been issued.