Croatia’s Foreigners Act Amendments 2026: What Actually Changes for Employers?

1. Stricter requirements for employers — financial and organisational criteria

Account inflows — 12 months back

For a positive opinion of the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ), inflows to the employer’s transaction account over the last 12 months (previously 6) are now reviewed, namely:

• at least EUR 100,000 for companies
• at least EUR 40,000 for crafts businesses

The month in which the application is filed does not count.

Blocked account

If the employer’s account was blocked for more than 30 days — this may be grounds for refusing the permit.

Actively carrying out the registered business

The employer must genuinely carry out its registered activity, which must be connected to the occupation for which the worker is sought.

EXAMPLE: A company registered for agriculture cannot obtain a permit for bricklayers.

 

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2. Ratio of domestic to foreign workers — a dual model

A differentiated system is introduced:

• 20% domestic workers for occupations subject to the labour market test
• 10% domestic workers for shortage occupations

Croatian emigrants and members of their families with approved residence also count towards the number of domestic workers.

This change significantly affects employers with a large share of foreign labour.

 

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3. Territorial restrictions on work — the end of relocating workers without a test

The Act now clearly prescribes:

• A foreign worker may work only in the area of the police administration where the occupation is in shortage or where a labour market test was carried out
• If the test was carried out in one county — the worker cannot work in another without a new test
• The work area will be explicitly stated in the certificate

This prevents the practice of formally testing the labour market in one county while the actual work takes place in another.

 

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4. Mandatory Croatian language exam (A1.1)

After one year of residence, the worker must pass an exam in the Croatian language and Latin script.

• Without proof of a passed exam — the permit extension is refused
• The cost of the exam is borne by the employer
• The obligation does not apply to seasonal workers

Persons who completed schooling in Croatia and speakers of South Slavic languages (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia) are exempt.

NOTE: The provision enters into force one year after the Act is published — employers have a transition period to prepare.

 

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5. Extended permitted unemployment

Instead of the previous 60 days, a foreign worker may now be unemployed:

• up to 3 months
• up to 6 months if they have held a permit for more than 2 years
• an additional 3 months in cases of particularly exploitative working conditions

The worker must: register with the Croatian Employment Service within 5 days, actively seek work and accept offered employment. Otherwise — the permit ceases to be valid by operation of law.

 

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6. Easier change of employer

• A change of employer is possible after 6 months of work (no longer after one year)
• It is no longer limited to the same occupation
• In some cases it is possible even before 6 months — if the employer has seriously violated the worker’s rights

The decision deadline is 45 days. While the procedure is pending — new applications by other employers are rejected.

 

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7. Seasonal work — permits of up to 3 years

A seasonal work permit may be valid for up to 3 years for the same worker and employer. Within that period the worker may work up to 90 days per year or up to 9 months per year. At the end of each period the worker must leave Croatia.

 

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8. Black list — a one-year ban on new permits

An employer on the undeclared work list cannot obtain a new permit for one year from the finding of the irregularity. The ban also applies to seasonal permits and the EU Blue Card.

IMPORTANT: Existing permits are no longer revoked automatically upon entry on the list — but new ones will not be issued.

 

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9. Electronic communication via e-Građani

Conclusions, summonses and certificates will be delivered to employers electronically via the e-Građani system. This speeds up the procedure, but also increases the employer’s responsibility to monitor the system in good time.

 

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Conclusion: more flexibility for workers, tighter control of employers

The amendments simultaneously increase worker mobility, extend permitted unemployment and simplify changing employers — but significantly tighten the scrutiny of employers’ operations.

Particularly risky situations are:

• improperly conducted labour market tests
• non-compliance with territorial restrictions
• failing to meet the domestic worker ratio
• failing to organise the language exam

We recommend that all employers hiring foreign workers verify in good time that their operations comply with the new statutory requirements.

 

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Need legal support?

Primorac Legal provides legal support to employers in adapting their business processes to the new statutory requirements. 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 the Foreigners Act amendments

What financial requirements must an employer meet to hire foreign workers?

The amendments tighten the financial and organisational criteria: account inflows of at least EUR 100,000 for companies, or at least EUR 40,000 for crafts businesses, along with other conditions proving that the employer genuinely operates its registered business.

Does the law prescribe a ratio of domestic to foreign workers?

Yes — a dual model of mandatory ratios is introduced, depending on whether a labour market test applies to the occupation. For occupations subject to the labour market test, at least 20% domestic workers are required.

Does a foreign worker have to pass a Croatian language exam?

Yes — after one year of residence, the worker must pass a Croatian language exam at level A1.1.

What do the amendments bring in favour of foreign workers?

Extended permitted unemployment, an easier change of employer, seasonal permits of up to 3 years, and electronic communication with the authorities via the e-Građani system.

What does the black list mean for new permits?

An employer placed on the black list is barred from obtaining new residence and work permits for one year.

How do I find a good lawyer for employing foreign workers?

Look for a firm experienced in immigration law, employment law and administrative procedures. The law office of Toni Primorac in Rijeka advises employers and agencies on the conditions for employing foreign workers and represents them before the competent authorities throughout Croatia — in English.