Legal frame Pomorski zakonik arts 137 and 147 (as amended to NN 17/19; zakon.hr consolidation, secondary); Zakon o strancima NN 133/20 as amended, arts 1(3), 110, 139–140; Pravilnik NN 42/17 art. 10; Pravilnik o brodicama i jahtama NN 27/05, arts 53–55.
The seaman's book
The pomorska knjižica proves the capacity in which you are signed on and your sea service. The Maritime Code (art. 137(3)) requires one for:
- Croatian citizens serving as master or crew on Croatian-flag ships, and on foreign ships;
- Croatian citizens on a yacht of any flag "with permanently embarked crew" that requires a maritime title;
- foreign nationals or stateless persons crewing a Croatian-flag ship, yacht or other maritime object.
It is issued by a harbour master's office to anyone aged 16 or over who is fit for the work (art. 137(4), (6)). It can be electronic. The seafarer's identity document under the ILO convention is issued by the same office.
Medical fitness
The national titles (C, yacht master A and B) are renewed every five years on proof of medical fitness, "particularly sight and hearing" (arts 53–55). Merchant CoCs follow the seafarers' medical rules of the Pravilnik o zvanjima. Which medical a harbour master accepts for a yacht title renewal was not confirmed. Ask the issuing office before you book an examination abroad.
Third-country crew: work and residence
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals work under free movement. For everyone else the Zakon o strancima (Aliens Act) applies, with three provisions that matter on yachts:
| Situation | Rule | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Short engagements | Work on a work-registration certificate (potvrda o prijavi rada) for up to 90 days a calendar year, for people "working on vessels and entered in the crew list" | arts 139–140 pt 7 |
| Longer engagements | Residence and work permit without a labour-market test for the same group | art. 110 pt 26 |
| Croatian ship in international navigation | The Act does not apply to third-country crew while the ship sails outside Croatia | art. 1(3) |
The charter regulation repeats that foreign crew on charter vessels must comply with these rules (NN 42/17 art. 10). Visas and Schengen entry are a separate step; check them with the police before the crew member travels.
Foreign masters on Croatian-registered yachts
Croatia has no nationality rule for masters. Where a foreign-owned yacht in the Croatian register has a foreign master, the master's public powers pass to a crew member who is a Croatian citizen or resident in Croatia (PZ art. 147(2)). These cover keeping order, recording births and deaths, and acting as an authority aboard. Plan the crew list so that someone qualifies.
CAUTION — The 90 days are per calendar year The certificate counts days in the calendar year, not per contract. A crew member doing a spring delivery and a summer season can run out.