Foreign workers in Croatia: 160,000 permits in 2025 – where they come from

Zagreb

Croatia has seen a significant influx of foreign workers this year, with official figures revealing that over 160,000 residence and work permits have been issued between January and 30 November 2025.

According to the Ministry of the Interior (MUP), of the total 160,176 permits issued, 76,700 were for new employment, 64,009 for the extension of existing permits, and 19,467 for seasonal work, Jutarnji list writes.

The majority of permits were granted to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed closely by Nepal and Serbia.

Other notable countries include the Philippines, India, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Egypt, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh.

The highest number of permits was issued in the Zagreb Police Department (PU Zagreb) with 40,170 permits.

This was followed by the Istria Police Department (PU Istria) with 22,824 permits and the Split-Dalmatia Police Department (PU Splitsko-Dalmatinska) with 16,602.

Notably, PU Istria saw its highest monthly increase in March, while PU Split-Dalmatia recorded a surge in June, ahead of the peak tourist season.

On the other end of the spectrum, the fewest permits were issued in the Požega-Slavonia (639), Virovitica-Podravina (936), and Bjelovar-Bilogora (1,309) regions.

Top Ten Countries by Work Permits Issued:

1. Bosnia and Herzegovina – 30,188
2. Nepal – 29,579
3. Serbia – 23,145
4. Philippines – 16,195
5. India – 14,500
6. North Macedonia – 11,384
7. Kosovo – 5,860
8. Egypt – 5,149
9. Uzbekistan – 5,161
10. Bangladesh – 3,183