On March 15, 2025, significant and wide-ranging amendments to Croatia’s Law on Foreigners took effect.
EU Blue Card
- The EU Blue Card is now valid for 48 months, up from 24 months previously. If the employment contract is shorter, the card will be issued for the contract duration plus three months, but never exceeding 48 months. The Blue Card cannot be issued for longer than the validity the holder’s passport.
- Moreover, EU Blue Card applicants who are employed as directors or specialists in information and communication technologies are now entitled to demonstrate higher professional skills through professional experience, in addition to higher education qualifications.
Temporary Residence for Returning Croatians
- Temporary residence can now be granted to third-country nationals who are Croatian emigrants, their family members, descendants, or family members of descendants.
- Applicants under this category do not need to provide proof of financial support or health insurance when applying for temporary residence.
- Those granted temporary residence for diaspora return have the right to employment, self-employment, participation in educational programs and vocational training without needing a work permit or work registration.
Employer Guarantee Requirement for Work Permits
- Employers must pay a sum equal to one average monthly gross salary, based on the latest official statistical data, into the state budget if the worker fails to start working as specified in the contract or if the contract is terminated within three months, unless due to the worker’s misconduct.
- To secure the payment, employers must issue a bond to the Ministry of the Interior for the equivalent amount, within five days of receiving the necessary confirmation.
- The paid amount will be used for the repatriation of third-country nationals who are unlawfully residing in Croatia.
- Employers or third-country nationals must notify the police within five working days if an employment contract ends or if the conditions for the residence and work permit no longer apply.
Enhanced Conditions for Work Permits Based on Croatian Employment Service Opinion
Additional conditions have been imposed on work permits based on the opinion of the Croatian Employment Service. These conditions include:
- Employers must ensure that employment contracts for foreign workers meet specific criteria.
- The employer’s business activities over the last six months must align with the regulations.
- Employers must demonstrate a sufficient number of employees who are citizens of Croatia, or citizens of an EEA member state or the Swiss Confederation.
Ensuring Foreign Workers Are Qualified for Shortage Occupations
Employers must prove that foreign workers have the necessary qualifications for shortage occupations, ensuring they are well-suited for their roles in the Croatian labour market.
- Foreign workers can change occupations within the same employer if the new job is in a shortage occupation, and the contract lasts until the permit expires.
- Employers must submit a request to change the occupation within three days of signing the new employment contract, along with required documentation.
- The Croatian Employment Service will issue an opinion within five days to confirm the worker meets the qualifications for the new occupation.
- Workers can begin the new job once the positive opinion is received, and their work permit remains valid until it expires.
- If the opinion is negative, the worker must continue in the original occupation.
Limitation on Work Permit Requests
- Employers can submit a maximum of 50 applications if they employ up to 50 Croatian/EEA/Swiss workers, or up to 250 applications if they employ between 51-250 such workers.
- Exceeding the allowed number of applications will result in the Croatian Employment Service not issuing a positive opinion, which is necessary for permit approval.
Easier Job and Employer Transitions for Foreign Workers
- Foreign workers can change their employer or job role before one year of work or within their work permit validity by submitting an application.
- If submitted within the allowed unemployment period, the worker can stay in Croatia until a decision is made on the application.
- Foreign workers can change roles within the same employer if the new job is listed in the relevant decision, without needing to apply for a new work permit.
- After one year with the same employer, foreign workers can switch employers for the same role with the employer submitting the request.
- Foreign workers with full-time employment can take on additional work with another employer under specific conditions, including labour market testing and approval from the Croatian Employment Service.
Extended Employer Accommodation Requirements
- Employers must provide appropriate accommodation for third-country nationals applying for residence and work permits based on labour market opinions from the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ).
- The accommodation must meet living standards for the entire stay. Employers must notify authorities about any accommodation changes within 8 days.
- Rent must be reasonable compared to the worker’s income and the accommodation’s quality. Rent cannot be automatically deducted from the worker’s salary. Employers must provide a rental agreement outlining clear conditions.
- The accommodation must meet health and safety regulations in Croatia.
- Interior Minister, with consent from relevant ministers, will set technical requirements for appropriate accommodation, rental payments, and documentation needed to prove compliance.
Stricter Penalties for Violating Foreigners Act Provisions
The Croatian government has also introduced new misdemeanors and tighter penalties in relation to the updated provisions of the Foreigners Act.