Foreign Labour in Croatia: Sectoral Breakdown and National Origin

Strategic Insights -

Croatia's economy, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sector, relies heavily on international labour to meet peak-season demands. The majority of foreign workers in the country are employed in these sectors, with construction being the second-largest employer. The influx of foreign workers has led to a significant increase in work permits issued, with a total of 98,117 permits issued from January to June 30. The majority of workers are from Nepal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and the Philippines, with many employed in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Key Takeaways:

  • The tourism and hospitality sector is the largest employer of foreign labour in Croatia, with 35,558 workers as of the latest figures from the Ministry of the Interior (MUP).
  • Construction is the second-largest employer of foreign labour, with 28,352 workers.
  • The majority of new residence and work permits issued for first-time employment were in the tourism and hospitality sector (11,574 out of 55,020).
  • Dubrovnik-Neretva County issued 7,622 work permits by the end of June, with 5,230 for regular employment, 883 for seasonal jobs, and 1,509 permit extensions.
  • Nepal is the top source country for foreign workers in Croatia, with 19,207 workers.
  • The top five source countries for foreign workers in Croatia are Nepal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, the Philippines, and India.
  • The construction industry is booming in Croatia, and the country's reliance on foreign labour is likely to remain a key part of its economic landscape in 2025.
  • A total of 55,020 new residence and work permits were issued for first-time employment from January to June 30.

Statistics:

  • 99,118 foreign workers are currently in Croatia.
  • 35,558 out of 99,118 foreign workers are employed in the tourism and hospitality sector.
  • 28,352 foreign workers are employed in the construction industry.
  • 55,020 new residence and work permits were issued for first-time employment from January to June 30.
  • 31,557 permits were renewed during the same period.
  • 12,541 permits were granted to seasonal workers, most of whom are in tourism and hospitality (11,574).
  • 19,207 foreign workers are from Nepal.
  • 18,117 foreign workers are from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • 15,214 foreign workers are from Serbia.
  • 9,286 foreign workers are from the Philippines.
  • 9,060 foreign workers are from India.
  • 7,640 foreign workers are from North Macedonia.
  • 3,314 foreign workers are from Kosovo.
  • 3,112 foreign workers are from Egypt.
  • 2,898 foreign workers are from Uzbekistan.
  • 1,865 foreign workers are from Bangladesh.

Sources:

  • Ministry of the Interior (MUP) - figures on foreign workers in Croatia.
  • Ministry of the Interior (MUP) - sectoral breakdown of foreign workers.
  • Ministry of the Interior (MUP) - national origin of foreign workers.
  • Ministry of the Interior (MUP) - work permits issued for first-time employment, renewed, and seasonal workers.
  • Dubrovnik-Neretva County - work permits issued by the end of June.