On 21 February 2025, amendments to the existing Foreigners Act (Official gazette number 133/20 -151/22) were voted in the Croatian Parliament, which brings significant changes in the regulation of the stay and work of foreigners in the Republic of Croatia. Key changes include:

  1. Extension of the validity of the EU Blue Card: The validity of the EU Blue Card has been extended from the current two to four years, in order to attract a highly qualified workforce.
  2. Possibility to issue a Blue Card for IT professionals without formal qualifications: People without formal educational qualifications, but with at least three years of work experience in the IT sector, can now obtain an EU Blue Card.
  3. Minimum wage requirement for Blue Card holders: Blue Card holders must have a monthly salary of at least 1.5 times the average gross salary in Croatia.
  4. Stricter conditions for employers:
  • Financial guarantee: Employers who give up on a worker for whom they have obtained a work permit are obliged to pay the state the amount of one average monthly gross salary per worker.
  • Criminal record: Employers convicted of criminal offenses in the field of labor relations (who are blacklisted for undeclared work), social security or general security, as well as those with debts to the state, cannot employ foreign workers.
  • Minimum turnover: Employers must achieve a minimum turnover in order to be able to employ foreign workers: for legal entities it is 10,000 euros per month, and for natural persons it is 15,000 euros in six months.
  1. Obligation to provide adequate accommodation: Employers who provide or mediate in the provision of accommodation for foreign workers are obliged to prove that the accommodation is adequate. Proof – a lease agreement – with clearly defined information about the area (square meters) and the number of people who will use the space. Adequate accommodation – a solid residential building with a sanitary facility physically separated from the sleeping and living quarters, with provided heating, electricity, running water – means an area that meets all hygienic and health conditions necessary for normal living. Likewise, men’s and women’s rooms must be separated unless they are family members, and the minimum square footage for the accommodation of persons, which includes a sleeping area, food preparation space and sanitary facilities, cannot be less than 14 m2 per person.
  2. Increase in penalties for illegal employment:
  • Legal entities: Fines range from 5,000 to 20,000 euros.
  • Natural persons: Fines range from 2,000 to 6,000 euros.
  1. Postponement of sanctions for the adaptation of employers: The suspensive effect of misdemeanor sanctions as an obstacle to the issuance of a permit until 1 January 2026 is prescribed, in order to give employers time to adapt to the new legal conditions
  2. Prohibition of engagement through digital platforms: It is prohibited to perform activities through digital platforms (e.g. Bolt, Wolt, etc.) if the employer has previously illegally employed foreign workers.
  3. Extension of the duration of residence and work permits: Residence and work permits are now issued for up to three years (previously up to one year), and seasonal work permits are issued for up to nine months (previously six months). Also, the number of applications for permits will be limited.
  4. Removal of work experience requirements for simple shortage occupations: For simple (auxiliary) shortage occupations, such as assistant cook, assistant waiter or maid, it is no longer necessary to prove work experience or qualifications.
  5. Prohibition of lower wages for foreign workers: Foreign workers must not have a lower salary than that received by employees in Croatia in comparable jobs.
  6. Introduction of a special category of temporary residence for emigrants: A new category of temporary residence for the purpose of immigration and return of emigration is introduced for Croatian emigrants and their descendants from third countries, who will no longer be treated as foreigners.
  7. Facilitated acquisition of citizenship for emigrants: Immediately after being granted residence, emigrants will be able to apply for citizenship and will have the right to employment and self-employment without a residence and work permit, as well as to education, vocational training and education and study programs.

 

The aim of these changes is to relieve the administrative burden of both the employers and the police administrations that issued permits, better regulation of the area of residence and work of foreigners in Croatia, attract a highly qualified workforce and ensure respect for workers’ rights and labor standards. Increased work of inspection bodies is expected.

 

Author, Admin