Croatia construction services face rising costs and labor shortages

Construction and maintenance service prices in Croatia are experiencing significant upward pressure. According to a 2026 study by the Emajstor platform, 46 percent of service providers have increased their prices, primarily driven by inflation and the rising cost of materials. An additional 45 percent of providers anticipate price hikes of up to 10 percent.

The sectors seeing the highest increases include facade workers, painters, furniture manufacturers, general builders, and maintenance staff. While some consumers report that high prices are becoming a standard, others express frustration over lack of transparency and sudden price escalations after work has commenced.

Beyond rising costs, the Croatian market faces a chronic shortage of skilled labor in construction and other key sectors. This labor deficit is attributed to long-term issues such as educational policies and working conditions, leading to a reliance on foreign workers to sustain economic activity.