Croatia: 19% of Foreign Workers Plan to Stay for Life

Survey Reveals Strong Long-Term Intentions Among Migrant Workforce

A new survey conducted in Croatia reveals a striking trend: 19% of foreign workers want to stay in the country for the rest of their lives, and 55% plan to bring their families.

The study, conducted between December 2024 and January 2025 among 400 foreign workers, shows that the majority came from:

Philippines (38%)

Nepal (26%)

India (20%)

Key employment sectors include:

Transportation (22%)

Hospitality (19%)

Construction (17%)

Long-Term Outlook & Remittances

32% plan to stay over 5 years

23% aim to remain 6 to 10 years

20% wish to stay until retirement

90% send remittances to support families back home

According to Dr. Iva Tadić from the Institute for Migration Research, the main motivation is economic — steady jobs and income security.

Work Permit Applications Plummet

Since Croatia tightened its work permit policies in March 2025, applications dropped by 70%. Nearly 7,000 fewer permits were submitted compared to the same period in 2024. Still, the total number of foreign workers remains high: approximately 136,000 people.

Integration Remains a Core Challenge

At the “Croatia Tomorrow” conference, HUP VP Sadmir Hošić stressed the need for broader integration:

“We’ve made some progress, but society and businesses must continue working together to make the labour market inclusive for all.”