Hi,
Me & my wife are from South Africa and after a number of visits to Croatia, have decided it is time to pack our bags for Croatia permanently.
We made an appointment with the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria to hear their version of requirements as well. My wife had a Dutch passport all her life but unfortunately this expired in 2009. She was under the impression that the 10 year rule is from expiry, but it proved to be from date of issue, which was 2004. She in any case applied, but it was turned down. They however invited her to appeal the decision. The lady at the Croatian Embassy informed us that you can enter Croatia on an EU passport without any questions asked, bar for the obvious paperwork and minor requirements. According to her one can stay as long as one likes and one is allowed to work as well.
She also mentioned that the rules for everyone else (without an EU passport) have changed recently and that it would be extremely difficult to go and live there on a permanent basis (immigrate), unless your move there goes with "substantial" capital investment. She could not say how much "substantial" is.
We will have enough capital to buy a property for tourism purposes which will be our main income. We will also have enough cash to support ourselves for a year.
Are you aware of the new rules? Any input or advice would be highly appreciated. This is a life changing decision and we obviously want to make sure that we do not run into problems that side. Returning would not be an option.
Many thanks.
Anton van Huyssteen.
Me & my wife are from South Africa and after a number of visits to Croatia, have decided it is time to pack our bags for Croatia permanently.
We made an appointment with the Croatian Embassy in Pretoria to hear their version of requirements as well. My wife had a Dutch passport all her life but unfortunately this expired in 2009. She was under the impression that the 10 year rule is from expiry, but it proved to be from date of issue, which was 2004. She in any case applied, but it was turned down. They however invited her to appeal the decision. The lady at the Croatian Embassy informed us that you can enter Croatia on an EU passport without any questions asked, bar for the obvious paperwork and minor requirements. According to her one can stay as long as one likes and one is allowed to work as well.
She also mentioned that the rules for everyone else (without an EU passport) have changed recently and that it would be extremely difficult to go and live there on a permanent basis (immigrate), unless your move there goes with "substantial" capital investment. She could not say how much "substantial" is.
We will have enough capital to buy a property for tourism purposes which will be our main income. We will also have enough cash to support ourselves for a year.
Are you aware of the new rules? Any input or advice would be highly appreciated. This is a life changing decision and we obviously want to make sure that we do not run into problems that side. Returning would not be an option.
Many thanks.
Anton van Huyssteen.
