Croatia to Extend Residence and Work Permits for Foreign Workers to 3 Years

Key Takeaways

1. Croatia plans to extend residence and work permits for foreign workers from the current one year to three years.
2. The country also aims to introduce better accommodation conditions for foreign workers.
3. Data indicates that approximately 143,000 foreign workers are currently employed in Croatia.

Under a new law set to be introduced soon, Croatia will implement more favorable rules for foreign workers in the country.

According to Croatian Minister of Labour Marin Piletić, the country is looking to establish improved accommodation standards for foreign workers. Additionally, Croatia intends to extend the validity period of residence and work permits for foreign workers from one year to three years.

Minister Piletić explained that by extending residence and work permits, the country aims to facilitate easier transitions between job positions and make changing employers more straightforward for foreign workers.

"The residence and work permit will be extended from the current one year to three years, depending on the duration of the contract. The goal is to enable an easier transition within the same employer to different jobs, as well as an easier change of employers," stated Minister of Labour Marin Piletić.

In response to concerns that foreign workers are taking jobs from Croatian citizens, Minister Piletić argued that these workers have helped the country address significant labor shortages, which have affected the economy. He also mentioned that foreign workers have not reduced wages in Croatia, as the average salary has been rising.

Currently, There Are 143,000 Foreign Workers Employed in Croatia

According to data from the Pension Insurance Institute, there are currently about 143,000 foreign workers employed in Croatia. Minister Piletić noted that most foreign workers come from non-EU countries, with around 12,000 non-EU nationals currently working in Croatia. The majority of these workers are from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania.

Despite the large number of foreign workers, Croatia still faces shortages in several fields. To address this, the Croatian Ministry of Interior recently reported that approximately 20,000 work permits are being issued to foreigners each month. From January to July of this year, over 85,000 residence permits were issued, with around 32,000 permits extended.

While many regions in Croatia require foreign workers, Istria has been particularly affected by these shortages. According to the 2023 EURES report, there are about 30 occupations in Croatia experiencing shortages. Foreigners with skills in these areas have better chances of obtaining a work visa and entering the country for employment purposes.