Temporary employment agencies and permits for foreign workers in Croatia: a new deadline, the same challenges

The old 15-day deadline — law on paper, different practice

Under the previous legal framework, a decision on a residence and work permit application was supposed to be issued within 15 days. In practice, that deadline was almost impossible to meet.

Agencies were frequently faced with:

• waiting months for decisions
• being unable to assign workers to user undertakings on time
• pressure from investors and end clients
• the risk of contract terminations
• increased costs of accommodation and workforce organisation

This situation hit agencies particularly hard, as their business depends directly on the speed and continuity of assigning workers.

 

---

 

The new deadline: 90 days

The amendments prescribe a deadline of 90 days for deciding on an application, including the labour market test procedure. The legislator has thereby aligned the statutory deadline with the system’s real administrative workload.

For agencies, the key issue is not just the length of the deadline — but the predictability of the procedure.

Because in business practice:

• user undertakings expect precise start dates
• projects have clearly defined timeframes
• a delayed permit means direct financial risk

 

---

 

What to do when procedures take longer than prescribed?

Where a decision takes longer than the statutory deadline, agencies find themselves in a particularly sensitive position. A foreign worker’s inability to start work can lead to:

• the loss of contracted business
• reputational risk
• increased operating costs
• strained relations with user undertakings

IMPORTANT: In such situations, procedural and legal mechanisms exist to protect the agency’s interests and prompt the competent authorities to act. A timely response is often decisive for preserving business continuity.

 

---

 

The particular exposure of temporary employment agencies

Unlike individual employers, agencies typically have:

• a larger number of parallel applications
• seasonal or project cycles
• frequent changes of user undertakings
• tight deadlines towards end clients

A delay in one case can trigger a chain reaction affecting a whole series of contractual relationships. Managing permit procedures is therefore no longer merely an administrative matter — it is a matter of legal and business strategy.

 

---

 

Legal support for temporary employment agencies

Primorac Legal provides legal support to temporary employment agencies in:

• monitoring and managing permit procedures
• legal interventions where deadlines are exceeded
• representation before the competent authorities
• initiating judicial protection where necessary
• strategic planning of workforce cycles

The goal is to ensure business continuity and reduce the risk of interruptions in assigning workers.

 

---

 

Conclusion

Extending the deadline to 90 days is a more realistic statutory solution than the previous 15 days. However, the new deadline alone does not remove the operational challenges.

For agencies operating in a dynamic and competitive environment, timely and expert management of permit procedures remains key to business stability and success.

 

---

 

Need legal support?

If you are a temporary employment agency facing challenges in permit procedures for foreign workers, contact us as soon as possible — we will assess your case and propose the optimal approach.

Phone: +385 91 781 8171

E-mail: t.primorac@primorac-legal.hr

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about permit deadlines for foreign workers

What is the deadline for issuing a residence and work permit for a foreign worker?

The deadline is extended from the previous 15 to 90 days. The 15-day deadline existed mostly on paper — in practice, procedures regularly took much longer, so the new deadline reflects reality more accurately.

What if the permit procedure takes longer than the statutory deadline?

Passive waiting is not the only option: a formal reminder (požurnica) and legal remedies for failure to decide within the statutory deadline are available. Document every inquiry and submission — it supports later legal remedies and shows the authority failed to act in time.

Why are temporary employment agencies particularly exposed to permit delays?

User undertakings expect precise start dates, projects have defined timeframes, and a delayed permit means the worker cannot be assigned on time — risking contract terminations, higher accommodation and organisation costs, and reputational damage.

How do I find a good lawyer for foreign worker permits in Croatia?

Look for a firm experienced in immigration law and administrative procedures. The law office of Toni Primorac in Rijeka provides legal support to temporary employment agencies and employers in permit and extension procedures throughout Croatia — in English as well.