Your first weeks working abroad – registration, tax, insurance

1. Register your stay: if you stay longer than 3 months, register your temporary stay at the police administration or police station where you live – no later than 8 days after the 3 months end. You need an ID card or passport, documents on the purpose of your stay (e.g. employment contract), health insurance, proof of means and of accommodation. You get a registration certificate free of charge; a biometric residence card is optional (€13.27, valid 5 years).
2. OIB: your personal identification number. You get it when you register your residence, or you can ask for it at a Tax Administration office. You need it to get a job, open a bank account, make payments and deal with institutions.
3. Insurance: your employer registers you for compulsory pension and health insurance (HZZO) and must give you a copy of the registration.
4. Tax: the employer deducts income tax and your pension contribution (20% of gross pay); health insurance (16.5%) is paid by the employer on top. The basic personal allowance is €600 a month. Tax rates are set by your city or municipality: a lower rate on income up to €5,000 a month (€60,000 a year) and a higher rate above that.
5. Bank account: you need your OIB to open one.

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