Bill of amendments to Law on Foreigners and ID Cards sent to parliament

 (Photo: MUP)

ZAGREB, Aug 27 (Hina) – The Croatian government on Thursday sent to parliament a bill of amendments to the Law on Identification Cards and the Law on Foreigners which should also regulate the temporary residence of digital nomads.

The bill on ID cards, which is expected to enter into force as of August next year, has been aligned with European Parliament’s regulations strengthening security hence the new ID cards will contain a special chip with biometric identifiers showing the holder’s face and two fingerprints in inter-operable digital format.

Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic explained that the age limit for permanent ID cards had been increased to 70 from 65. The new ID cards will also feature the typical EU circle with 12 yellow stars.

In addition, the new ID cards will be available in electronic form on mobile phones and not just on personal computers as is the case now. Anyone wishing to use electronic signatures or ID cards on their phone or tablet will not be charged anything extra, he added.

Law on Foreigners as of 1 January 2021

Bozinovic said that the bill on foreigners, under which annual quotas for the employment of foreigners will no longer be set by the government, notes that prior to employing a foreigner employers will now be obliged to request a test of the labour market by the Croatian Employment Service.

If there is no one in Croatia who meets the employment criteria, the employer can request that a permit be issued to employ a foreigner, said Bozinovic.

He added that exemptions exist for jobs that are currently in short supply such as carpenters, masons, waiters, butchers, and seasonal workers for a period of 90 days in agriculture, forestry, hospitality, and tourism.

Introducing long term ‘D visas’

The bill also introduces long-term ‘D visas’ for citizens from third countries to be issued with temporary residence for the sake of employment, family reunion, studying, research, and secondary-school education.

Another novelty refers to more favourable conditions for temporary and permanent residence for Croats with foreign citizenship (people of Croat descent) or without any citizenship, who have a certificate issued by the Central State Office for Croats Abroad.

Minors whose at least one parent has permanent residence too can now be issued with temporary residence for three years.

Bozinovic also announced another novelty that provides for the possibility of regulating temporary residence for so-called digital nomads or foreigners who conduct digital services for foreign employers.