Croatia Reminds Foreign Workers: Complete Form 18a Health Check Before Travel

Foreign nationals applying for their first Croatian work permit now face one more step before boarding their flight. Croatia has reminded employers and recruitment agencies that workers from visa-required countries must complete mandatory medical examinations and submit Form 18a before travelling.

Without the completed Certificate of Health Status and Vaccination Status (Form 18a), Croatia will not process the residence and work permit application.

Who Must Complete Form 18a?

The rule applies only to foreign workers who meet all of these conditions:

• Citizens of visa-required third countries, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Egypt, and Uzbekistan
• Applying for their first temporary residence permit for employment
• Completing all required medical tests before arriving in Croatia

This requirement does not cover foreign workers renewing or extending their temporary residence permits. Their health examinations, where required, are carried out in Croatia under a separate process.

Medical Tests Required Before Arrival

Form 18a must be completed in English and has two sections. The applicant must provide personal details and sign a declaration confirming that they do not have any chronic illnesses that affect their health or ability to work.

A licensed doctor must then complete the medical section, which includes:

• Confirmation of treatment for active tuberculosis, if applicable
• Chest X-ray taken within the last three months
• Laboratory results confirming the absence of Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi A, B, and C issued within the last three months
• Vaccination records showing the latest doses for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and measles

The completed form remains valid for 90 days from the date of issue.

Employers Must Verify Documents Before Submission

Croatian authorities have placed the responsibility on employers and recruitment agencies to ensure Form 18a is fully completed, signed, stamped, and submitted along with the residence and work permit application to the Ministry of the Interior.

The Croatian Institute of Public Health has also made one point clear. Public health institutes in Croatia will not complete Form 18a or carry out these examinations after a worker arrives.

This reflects a wider shift across Europe, where destination countries are pushing more immigration checks to the pre-departure stage instead of handling them after arrival.

What This Means for Foreign Workers

Croatia has become an increasingly popular destination for foreign workers in sectors such as construction, hospitality, tourism, and manufacturing.

Anyone heading to Croatia for a first-time job should complete the required medical tests well before their visa appointment. Waiting until arrival is no longer an option, and missing Form 18a could delay or derail the entire permit process.

Key Points at a Glance

• Who: First-time Croatian work permit applicants from visa-required countries, including India
• Form: Certificate of Health Status and Vaccination Status (Form 18a)
• Language: English
• Validity: 90 days
• Medical tests: Chest X-ray, laboratory tests, vaccination records, and health declaration
• Where to complete: In the applicant’s home country before travel
• Who submits it: Employer or authorised representative with the permit application

Travelobiz Take:

We think this is a practical reminder for Indian workers, not a new hurdle. I would complete Form 18a early because missing one document could delay your Croatia work permit and travel plans.