Croatia Granted 14% More Work Permits in 2024

Croatian authorities have issued 171,000 work permits between January and October of 2024, one of the highest records ever issued. Compared to 2023, the number of work permits is up by 14 per cent, which shows a difference of 21,000 work permits.

According to the local media, analysts in Croatia estimate that the total number of work permits issued in 2024 is likely to reach 200,000, Schengen.News reports. 

Most of the foreign workers in Croatia come from Western Balkan countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and North Macedonia, in addition to workers from Nepal and India, while 10,000 come from the European Union countries. 

Authorities Say More Vacancies Will Be Soon Generated in Croatia 
According to Boris Vujčić, the Governor of the Croatian National Bank, nearly 50,000 jobs were created in 2024, and the employment growth trend is likely to continue. However, in order to meet the market requirements, more foreign workers have to be recruited. 

Some of the most required professions in Croatia include hospitality and healthcare, while construction work positions have been mainly filled out, except for earthquake rehabilitation jobs. On the other hand, the job vacancy index reveals that Croatia has a shortage of salespeople, cooks, waiters, warehouse workers, and drivers. 

The Croatian Employers’ Association points out that many industries, such as construction, tourism, hospitality, and even trade, depend quite heavily on foreign workers. Importing workforce from other countries will be important in the future since Croatia’s population is bound to decrease by 100,000 people in the upcoming years. 

Nepalese Workers in Croatia Sent €68.5 Million Home in 2023 
Data from the Croatian National Bank reveals that Nepalese nationals sent €68.5 million home throughout 2023, known as remittances, and that is twice the amount they sent in the previous year. 

In total, foreign workers from Croatia sent more than €1 billion abroad in the first nine months, while €3 billion from 2021 to the end of September 2023. 

In the first half of last year, €787 million euros of private remittances were sent from Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Nepal, India, the Philippines, and North Macedonia. According to Eurostat data, Croatians sent €5.61 billion or 7.2 percent of the national gross product from abroad to their state. 

The Southern Adriatic does not have a prominent labour shortage, with many foreign workers being settled there. On the other hand, central Croatia has a scarcity of workers.

Source: https://schengen.news/croatia-granted-14-more-work-permits-in-2024/