Croatia is preparing major changes to its Law on Foreigners that could affect many non-EU workers living and working in the country.
According to the Croatian government, the proposed amendments aim to strengthen worker protections, simplify permit procedures and align Croatian legislation with new European Union migration rules.
One of the biggest proposed changes to Croatia’s Law on Foreigners is the introduction of mandatory Croatian language learning for some foreign workers.
Under the proposal, many third-country nationals, meaning workers from countries outside the European Union and European Economic Area, would need to pass a basic Croatian language exam at A1.1 level after one year in Croatia if they want to extend their residence and work permits.
The law has not officially entered into force yet. The amendments have now been sent to the Croatian Parliament and most of the new rules are expected to begin applying later in 2026 after additional regulations and transition periods are introduced.
The proposed Croatian Law on Foreigners changes would also make it easier for foreign workers to change employers. Instead of applying for a completely new permit, workers would be allowed to switch employers after six months with their first employer.
Several additional changes are planned under the proposal. Seasonal work permits could become valid for up to three years in some cases, permitted unemployment periods would be extended, and residence registration deadlines would increase from three to 15 days.
The government also plans stricter rules for companies hiring foreign workers. Employers would need to meet stronger financial conditions, while companies placed on a government blacklist after serious labour law violations or inspections could temporarily lose the ability to request new permits.
Supervision of accommodation provided to seasonal workers would also become stricter.
According to figures presented during a recent government session, Croatia issued more than 136,000 residence and work permits during the first nine months of 2025, highlighting how dependent sectors such as tourism, construction and hospitality have become on foreign labour.
