First Option - FREEDOM TO PROVIDE CROSS-BORDER SERVICES
If you are established in EU/EEA state, you are entitled to provide services in the Republic of Croatia on a temporary and occasional basis, without the obligation to establish a business presence in Croatia and without a prior professional qualification check.
In such cases, an online declaration shall be submitted directly to the competent authority at pisarnica@mingo.hr and/or
rudarstvo@mingo.hr, together with a photograph or scan of the following documents (signed, without a stamp):
- proof of establishment in an EU/EEA Member State;
- proof that there is no prohibition on the provision of the service;
- proof that the service has been provided for at least two (2) years within the previous ten (10) years;
- proof of professional qualifications.
A foreign mining company may provide temporary services in the Republic of Croatia using its own engineers or employees to perform such activities, without their foreign professional qualifications being subject to a prior check.
Registration with the Ministry of Economy, Mining Sector, is not required for the temporary provision of services, unless such provision involves the appointment of a natural person as the responsible person for the performance of mining works related to the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, acting through their employer, being a mining business entity.
Second Option - FREEDOM TO ESTABLISH
If you are established in an EU/EEA Member State, you may, as a natural or legal person, provide services in the Republic of Croatia on a permanent basis, provided that you establish a business presence in Croatia and submit the documentation required for the recognition of professional qualifications in the field of mining (mining engineer).
Recognition of Professional Qualifications - Mining Engineer
An application for the recognition of a professional qualification in the field of mining (mining engineer) shall be submitted to pisarnica@mingo.hr and/or rudarstvo@mingo.hr. The following documentation shall be submitted under the general system:
a) proof of citizenship (EU/EEA Member State);
b) proof of formal education (diploma, certificate, or other public document issued by a competent educational institution);
c) a supplementary document on formal education detailing the educational programme (subjects, lectures, classes, and exercises);
d) proof of acquired professional work experience in relevant positions and its duration;
e) proof of professional qualification (e.g., passing a professional examination, obtaining authorisation for independent practice from the competent professional chamber, where applicable);
f) a certificate issued by the competent authority of the home state confirming that the applicant is not prohibited from practising the profession at the time of issuance, where applicable.
Documents referred to under points b) and c) shall be submitted as certified copies together with a certified translation into the Croatian language. Translations must be certified by an authorised permanent court interpreter for the language in which the document was issued.
Registration with the Ministry of Economy, Mining Sector, is not required for the establishment of a business, unless the provision of services involves the appointment of a natural person as the responsible person for the execution of mining works related to the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, acting through their employer, being a mining business entity.
Provision of Services by Natural Persons (Mining Engineers)
A natural person who is a mining engineer may freely provide services in the Republic of Croatia without the obligation to contact the competent authority, provided that such services do not constitute regulated activities.
Where the services provided fall under regulated activities applicable to citizens of the Republic of Croatia (including, but not limited to, acting as a responsible person for mining works), the employer shall appear before the competent authority and demonstrate that the natural person meets all conditions required of citizens of the Republic of Croatia.
Considering the professional qualifications of a mining engineer, the holder of such qualifications may perform all tasks that do not require the passing of a professional mining examination in the Republic of Croatia. For tasks specified in the Ordinance on Passing the Professional Examination in Mining (Official Gazette No.
84/24), the conditions applicable to a foreign national are identical to those applicable to a citizen of the Republic of Croatia.
Fees
None
Competent authority and regulations
Ministry of Economy
Ulica grada Vukovara 78, 10 000 Zagreb
+385 1 6106 111 (Central Office)
+385 1 6106 940 (Mining Sector)
pisarnica@mingo.hr;
rudarstvo@mingo.hr
Mining Act (OG
56/13)
Act on Amendments to the Mining Act (OG
83/23)
Ordinance on Passing the Professional Examination in Mining (OG
84/24)
Authorization
Decision on the application for recognition of a foreign professional qualification in the field of mining
Time limit: 30 days
Recognition of a foreign professional qualification in the field of mining
Time limit: 90 days
Legal remedies
The Ministry shall decide on the application by issuing a decision against which no appeal may be lodged. However, an administrative dispute may be initiated before the
Administrative Court in Zagreb. The administrative dispute shall be initiated by filing a lawsuit within thirty (30) days from the date of delivery of the decision.
