Croatia Introduces Stricter Visa Rules for Foreign Workers and Employment Agencies

Stricter Screening for Work Visas.
As of 2025, Croatia has implemented tighter controls over foreign worker visa applications following numerous cases of visa abuse. According to Interior Minister Davor Božinović, foreign nationals were frequently obtaining visas and permits but never showing up for work.

To curb these issues, employers must now provide a financial guarantee when applying for a work permit. This takes the form of a blank promissory note, stored by the Ministry of the Interior, which can be enforced if the employer fails to hire the declared foreign worker.

"We are tightening the system to ensure that both sides — workers and employers — comply with the rules. Employers now need to take real responsibility for their applications," Božinović said.

Licensing and Regulation of Employment Agencies

The government has also imposed stricter licensing requirements on employment agencies that recruit foreign workers. Only agencies with a track record of hiring Croatian or EU nationals will be allowed to continue operating.

According to Božinović, only 20% of current agencies are expected to meet the new criteria. Furthermore, eight agencies have already lost their licenses due to irregularities.

The Broader Context: Labor Shortages and Visa Abuse

Croatia continues to face severe labor shortages, particularly in construction, hospitality, and agriculture. In recent years, the country has issued tens of thousands of work visas. However, the surge in foreign workers has also led to rising incidents of document misuse and gig-economy exploitation.

The new rules aim to strike a balance between welcoming legitimate workers and preventing fraudulent employment practices that undermine both the labor market and the immigration system.