Croatia Tightens Visa Regulations for Foreign Workers and Employers

In response to increasing instances of visa and work permit misuse, Croatia has enacted significant amendments to its Aliens Act, introducing stricter controls for foreign workers and the employers who hire them.​

Key Changes

Enhanced Visa Application Scrutiny: Foreign nationals seeking employment in Croatia will now undergo more rigorous checks during the visa application process. This measure aims to prevent cases where individuals obtain visas and permits but fail to commence employment, using Croatia as a gateway to other EU countries. ​

Employer Financial Guarantees: Employers are now required to provide a financial guarantee when applying for work permits for foreign workers. This guarantee, equivalent to one month's gross salary, ensures that employers are accountable if the foreign worker does not commence employment. ​

Stricter Regulations for Intermediary Agencies: Agencies facilitating the employment of foreign workers must now meet higher standards, including a proven track record of employing Croatian or EU nationals. Approximately 20% of existing agencies are expected to meet these new criteria. ​

Crackdown on Fraudulent Practices: The Croatian government has revoked the licenses of several agencies found to be involved in fraudulent activities, such as redirecting foreign workers into unauthorized gig economy roles. ​
Croatia Week

Implications

These reforms aim to protect the integrity of Croatia's labor market, ensuring that foreign workers are employed in legitimate roles and that employers uphold their responsibilities. The measures also align with broader EU efforts to regulate labor migration and prevent exploitation.​