Croatia faces serious migration pressure, EU reports

The European Commission has classified Croatia as one of the EU member states facing a serious migration situation. This designation allows Zagreb to request a full or partial exemption from the EU solidarity mechanism for 2027.

According to the Commission's annual report, Croatia is part of a specific group including Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Austria, and Poland, due to the cumulative effect of migration over the last five years. As a frontline state for the Schengen Area, Croatia is highly exposed to fluctuations in illegal arrivals via the Western Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean routes.

Data from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, shows that 78 percent of all arrivals along the Western Balkan route occurred on Croatian territory. This represents the second-highest number of illegal border crossings in the EU relative to GDP and population. The report notes that the significant increase in arrivals could place disproportionate burdens on Croatia's migration and asylum systems.