Croatia's cafés face waiter shortage as staff stay on Adriatic coast

Hospitality employers in Zagreb and other continental Croatian cities report a persistent shortage of waiters, bartenders and kitchen staff during the summer season. The Croatian Employment Agency listed 458 job ads for such positions in January, two‑thirds of which were for the Adriatic coast, while similar numbers appeared in June with most vacancies now in inland cities such as Zagreb, Osijek, Slavonski Brod and Varaždin. Many workers opt for seasonal contracts on the coast, leaving inland cafés short‑staffe d. Some owners have responded by switching to a single‑shift schedule or reducing opening hours, noting that the problem recurs each year. The sector’s association dismisses foreign labour as a solution, citing language barriers that hinder service quality. The shortage is expected to grow as the seasonal migration pattern continues.