Croatia in Need of Foreign Workers to “Save” Tourism Season This Summer

Croatia is a popular destination for tourists and every year the country receives recognition for its tourism sector.

However, the country is increasingly dealing with labour shortages, jeopardising the tourism sector, which is heavily dependent on such workers, Schengen.News reports. 

According to Ivana Mehle, Deputy Director of the Croatian Employment Service (CES), about 30,000 seasonal workers were needed in the first half of 2022 so that the Croatian market labour could meet its needs, Schengen.News reports. 

In 2023, this number dropped to 21,000, but it does not mean that Croatia has overcome its challenges of labour shortages, as seasonal workers are highly demanded in the country, especially in the tourism sector. 

Previously, the Croatian Interior Minister, Davor Božinović, pointed out that foreign workers are needed for the country’s economy and noted that his government will continue to provide support to these workers.

Increasing Number of Seasonal Workers Are Coming From Distant Asian Countries 
While Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a key source for seasonal workers to Croatia, Asian countries are also becoming important sources of employment.

As Mehle pointed out, the majority of foreign workers to Croatia come from Bosnia and Herzegovina, while workers from India and other countries in Asia are increasingly coming to Croatia for work purposes.

Thanks to the liberalisation of the Law on Foreigners, these workers can now come to Croatia, which has rescued the tourism sector from being unsuccessful this year. 

As Total Croatia News reports, the greatest demand for seasonal workers is most evident in the hospitality and hotel industries, with workers being needed for accommodation services, food preparation, and other such services. 

Administrative and support activities such as car rental agencies, travel agencies, and facility maintenance are also the second-most in-demand sectors, while the third sector in demand is transport and warehousing. 

According to local media, the number of work permits issued by Croatian authorities in 2024 reached a record high of 171,000, which is up by 14 per cent compared to 2023 figures.

Source: https://schengen.news/croatia-in-need-of-foreign-workers-to-save-tourism-season-this-summer/