Croatia passes new law tightening foreign worker requirements

A revised foreign‑worker legislation was adopted in Croatia, introducing compulsory medical examinations, mandatory Croatian‑language training and longer work permits for third‑country nationals. The government highlighted the sector’s reliance on foreign labour, noting that 113,677 foreign workers held valid permits between 1 January and 10 May and that seasonal worker numbers are projected to rise by 150 % by 2025, while new hires of third‑country nationals fell 37 %.

Opposition parties, notably the centrist Most, criticised the measure as a tool that depresses wages and could lead to demographic replacement, accusing the ruling coalition of abandoning “Croatian interests.” Government officials, including State Secretary Irena Petrijevcanin and Labour Minister Ivan Vidis, defended the law as bringing order to the labour market, stressing low unemployment (under 65 000) and the economic benefit of foreign employees. Employers’ group HUP also welcomed the law as a balanced compromise. Funding for language courses will be drawn from EU funds to lessen the burden on employers.