Recent data have shown that Croatia has continued to grant a large number of work permits to foreigners this year, too.
As revealed, since the beginning of 2024, Croatia has issued more than 143,000 work permits for foreigners, Schengen.News reports.
The decision of the country to grant such a high number of permits to foreign workers comes amid the labour shortages in different sectors.
However, while foreigners are necessary for the country’s economy, concerns have been raised as in some cases, foreign workers decided to leave Croatia for another EU country once they enter the bloc.
To retain foreign workers, especially highly qualified and skilled talents, it has been suggested that the authorities introduce more favourable conditions for this group of foreign nationals.
Commenting on the matter, a member of the Croatian Parliament, Vesna Vučemilović, said that Croatia lacks an immigration and integration strategy.
The same raised concerns about where foreign workers are going once reaching Croatia. She said that in the last four years, around 400,000 permits were issued to foreigners. However, official data show that a much lower number of foreign workers is currently in the country.
Every worker must be trained for safe work. I would like the taxi driver to know the regulations and have a driver’s license. We must ensure safe working conditions for every worker.
Member of Croatian Parliament Vesna Vučemilović
In addition to the above-mentioned, it was also stressed that stricter measures should be taken against Croatian employers who exploit foreign workers.
Croatia Plans to Extend Validity of Work Permit to 3 Years
As part of its measure to have more favourable rules for foreign workers in the country, Croatia plans to increase the validity of residence and work permits.
As revealed by the Labour Minister of Croatia, Marin Piletić, the country wants to extend the validity period of residence and work permits to three years from the current one year.
By introducing this extension, Minister Piletić said that Croatia wants to offer foreign workers an easier transition from one job position to another and, at the same time, make it simpler for them to change their employers.
The goal is to enable an easier transition within the same employer to different jobs, as well as an easier change of employers.
Minister of Labour of Croatia Marin Piletić
In addition, the Minister said that the country, among others, aims also to introduce new standards for the accommodation of foreigners who enter the country for work purposes.
The most recent 2023 EURES report shows that there are around 30 occupations in shortage in Croatia. Foreign nationals with occupations that are part of the shortage list have a higher chance of obtaining a visa.