Becoming a seafarer in Croatia as a career change

Age limits

• The regulation sets minimum ages: 16 for a deck watch rating.
  Source: Pravilnik o zvanjima i svjedodžbama o osposobljenosti pomoraca (NN 130/2013)
• Officer of the watch certificates require a minimum age of 18.
  Source: Pravilnik o izmjenama i dopunama Pravilnika o zvanjima i svjedodžbama o osposobljenosti pomoraca (NN 124/2015)

Entry through your shore profession

Minimum set of documents

• Minimum set to join as a deck rating: basic education, special training, the basic safety certificate, an exam and medical fitness.
  Source: Pravilnik o zvanjima i svjedodžbama o osposobljenosti pomoraca (NN 130/2013)
• A seaman's book requires a medical fitness certificate.
  Source: Pravilnik o pomorskim i brodarskim knjižicama te postupcima i načinu prijave i odjave na obvezno mirovinsko i obvezno zdravstveno osiguranje (NN 21/2024)

Costs and timing: official fees only

• The fee for a seaman's book is EUR 13.
  Source: Pravilnik o pomorskim i brodarskim knjižicama te postupcima i načinu prijave i odjave na obvezno mirovinsko i obvezno zdravstveno osiguranje (NN 21/2024)
• The fee for a seafarer identity document is EUR 13.
  Source: Pravilnik o pomorskim i brodarskim knjižicama te postupcima i načinu prijave i odjave na obvezno mirovinsko i obvezno zdravstveno osiguranje (NN 21/2024)
• The training record book form costs EUR 20.
  Source: Pravilnik o izmjenama i dopunama Pravilnika o zvanjima i svjedodžbama o osposobljenosti pomoraca (NN 136/2025)
• Cadet sea service for officer of the watch is at least 12 months.
  Source: Pravilnik o izmjenama i dopunama Pravilnika o zvanjima i svjedodžbama o osposobljenosti pomoraca (NN 124/2015)

How to avoid scams

• Employment mediation for seafarers may only be done by a Croatian legal entity authorised for it.
  Source: Pravilnik o pomorskim i brodarskim knjižicama te postupcima i načinu prijave i odjave na obvezno mirovinsko i obvezno zdravstveno osiguranje (NN 21/2024)
• Certificates are issued only after an exam before a commission appointed by the minister, not by private agencies.
  Source: Pravilnik o zvanjima i svjedodžbama o osposobljenosti pomoraca (NN 130/2013)

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