Most Croatian workers want legal right to remote work, survey finds

ZAGREB, 19 March (Hina/CW) – A survey by Alma Career Croatia, which operates the job search portal MojPosao, found that most Croatian workers believe remote work should be a legal right.

Among 500 respondents, 87% said Croatia should legally guarantee the right to work remotely at least two days a week where feasible. Many see it not as a perk but as a logical step in labour market development.

Participants highlighted that physical presence at the workplace does not guarantee higher productivity, with many feeling more efficient at home. They also cited cost savings for employers on office space, equipment and utilities.

Some suggested a four-day workweek as an alternative in roles where remote work is not possible. Around 11% support remote work but prefer it remain a matter for internal company arrangements, while roughly 2% oppose it, arguing it could disadvantage employees whose roles cannot be done remotely.

Since introducing its digital nomad residence permit in 2021, Croatia has positioned itself as one of Europe’s more accessible bases for location-independent workers.

Under the scheme introduced by the Croatian government, foreign professionals employed by companies outside the country can legally live and work in Croatia for up to 18 months without entering the local labour market.

For many observers, the popularity of the programme highlights a broader shift in how work is organised globally.

If Croatia is willing to welcome foreign remote workers through digital nomad visas, supporters argue, expanding legal protections for remote work among domestic employees could be the next logical step in adapting the labour market to a more flexible, digital economy.