Croatia’s Growing Reliance on Foreign Workers: Over 143,000 Work Permits Issued in 2024

• Croatia has granted more than 143,000 work permits to foreign nationals in 2024 as part of efforts to alleviate widespread labor shortages across key sectors.
• Despite the influx, many foreign workers are leaving for other EU countries, fueling concerns over Croatia’s ability to retain skilled talent.
• Croatian Parliament member Vesna Vučemilović stresses the importance of implementing better integration and retention policies to support foreign workers and address labor shortfalls.
• Plans are in place to improve conditions, including extending work permits to three years and introducing new housing standards for foreign workers.

Croatia’s reliance on foreign talent continues to grow in 2024, with over 143,000 work permits issued since January alone. This influx highlights the country’s ongoing efforts to combat significant labor shortages impacting multiple industries. However, Croatia now faces a retention challenge, as many foreign nationals are using their EU access to relocate to other member states in pursuit of better opportunities.

Labor shortages have prompted businesses to seek international workers, yet concerns are mounting over the country’s ability to retain them. According to Croatian Parliament member Vesna Vučemilović, Croatia must implement a more comprehensive immigration and integration strategy, especially for skilled workers who are crucial to the economy. Vučemilović notes that while Croatia has issued approximately 400,000 work permits over the past four years, the number of foreign nationals currently residing in the country remains significantly lower.

“The safety and training of every worker is essential,” Vučemilović emphasized. “For instance, ensuring that a taxi driver is well-versed in regulations and holds a valid driver’s license. We must ensure safe and fair working conditions across the board.”

In response, calls for stricter protections and improved working conditions are gaining momentum. Advocates stress the need for measures to prevent exploitation by employers and enhance the retention of skilled foreign workers. One of the notable proposals is to extend the validity of residence and work permits from the current one-year term to three years. Labor Minister Marin Piletić, who announced the initiative, highlighted that this change would make job transitions smoother for foreign employees, either within the same company or to different employers.

“The goal is to enable smoother transitions within the same employer to various job roles, as well as easier changes between employers,” explained Minister Piletić, adding that the proposed extension would provide greater stability and encourage foreign workers to consider Croatia a long-term destination.

Beyond extending work permit validity, the Croatian government also aims to set new standards for worker accommodation. These upgrades are expected to improve the living conditions for foreign employees, making the country a more appealing option for skilled workers from abroad.

As Croatia navigates the complexities of its labor market, balancing the attraction of foreign talent with effective retention measures is essential. By implementing strategies like enhanced working conditions and longer permit durations, Croatia can position itself as a desirable destination for international workers while addressing critical labor shortages across various sectors.