New labour rules slow foreign worker imports in Croatia

Croatia currently employs more than 101,000 foreign workers, but significantly stricter rules governing their employment and recruitment are set to come into force within the next two weeks.

Under the new regulations, foreign workers will be required to learn the Croatian language, while employers must ensure suitable and quality accommodation. At the same time, the entire process of importing labour has become considerably longer due to enhanced state oversight.

Ivan Crnov, co-owner of an agency specialising in foreign labour recruitment, has told RTL Danas that the changes have already had a strong impact on the sector.

His agency, which primarily worked with workers from Nepal, has seen a decline of 30 to 40 per cent in recruitment volumes.

Previously, employers would receive a positive or negative opinion from the Croatian Employment Service within three to five days.

That process now takes one to two months. Once approval is granted, work permits can take up to three additional months.

“In total, importing a foreign worker today takes between six and nine months before they even arrive in Croatia,” Crnov explained.

Although work permits are now issued for a period of three years, the conditions for agencies and employers have been tightened significantly.

Companies must now demonstrate a minimum turnover of €10,000 per transaction, provide financial guarantees, and newly established firms are no longer allowed to import foreign workers until they have been operating for at least one year.

The Ministry of Labour has also stepped up inspections. As a result, 11 agencies have been found to be employing workers illegally and have been banned from further labour imports.

State Secretary Ivan Vidiš said the tougher criteria are working as intended.

“Compared year on year, there has been a 60 per cent drop in the registration of new agencies,” he said. “Serious operators have no problems meeting the requirements, but requests coming from agencies have fallen by around 50 per cent.”

Where Croatia’s Foreign Workers Come From

Interior Minister Davor Božinović recently confirmed that there are currently 101,300 foreign workers in Croatia. Alongside workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, the largest numbers now come from Nepal, the Philippines and India.

Davor Štern, Croatia’s honorary consul to the Philippines for the past 30 years, highlighted the dramatic growth in the Filipino workforce.

“When I started, there were just 17 Filipinos in Croatia. Today, there are around 17,000,” he said.

Štern noted that Filipino workers are particularly well suited to tourism, hospitality and maritime industries, as well as potential roles in elderly care and social services. However, he stressed that language skills are essential.

“For these roles, knowledge of the Croatian language is necessary,” he said.

Croatian Language Becomes Mandatory

Language learning will soon become compulsory for foreign workers. At the “Vaš Kod” education institution, around 300 workers from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have already completed Croatian language courses and received certificates.

Hrvoje Matuš, co-owner of the institution, said learning Croatian presents challenges, especially for newcomers.

“The most difficult part is verbs and accents,” he explained.

“Those who have been in Croatia longer pick it up more easily because they hear the language every day, but motivation is key. Overall, we are satisfied with the effort and attitude of foreign workers.”

To achieve basic communication skills and everyday functionality, around 300 words, workers typically need between three and six months of language learning.

With stricter controls, mandatory language learning and higher standards for employers, Croatia is clearly signalling a move away from rapid, large-scale labour imports. Instead, the focus is shifting towards quality, regulation and long-term integration of foreign workers into Croatian society and the labour market.