Information and communication technology professionals who have not completed higher education but possess sufficient knowledge and several years of work experience will be able to prove their professional competence when applying for an EU Blue Card.
New EU Blue Card rules in Croatia establish a formal procedure for assessing knowledge, skills and competences acquired through professional experience.
The Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy has presented regulations governing the work of the commission responsible for carrying out these assessments.
The procedure applies to third-country nationals seeking an EU Blue Card, a residence and work permit intended for highly qualified foreign workers.
The regulations were presented at a press conference by State Secretary Ivan Vidiš and Zrinka Špoljarić, who is authorised to perform the duties of Director of the Labour Market and Employment Directorate.
New EU Blue Card rules in Croatia recognise work experience
The changes are particularly important for professionals working in the ICT sector, where some employees do not hold a formal university degree but have acquired substantial knowledge and skills through years of professional experience.
“It is a very dynamic sector in which a large number of professionals do not have a degree but do have the necessary skills,” State Secretary Ivan Vidiš said.
Under the new EU Blue Card rules in Croatia, candidates’ competences will be assessed by an independent three-member commission consisting of representatives from the academic community, the Croatian Employers’ Association and the Croatian Chamber of Economy.
The commission will determine whether a candidate meets the prescribed criteria and issue an expert opinion confirming that the knowledge, skills and competences acquired through work experience are equivalent to those gained through higher education.
This opinion will serve as one of the documents submitted to the Ministry of the Interior together with an application for an EU Blue Card.
Faster access to the Croatian labour market for ICT professionals
The Ministry said the new EU Blue Card rules in Croatia represent an important step towards modernising the system and strengthening the competitiveness of the Croatian labour market.
“The new regulations will ensure more efficient implementation of the EU Blue Card system, including faster access to the Croatian labour market for highly qualified ICT professionals and greater competitiveness for the Croatian economy,” Špoljarić said.
Changes to the rules for regulated professions
Amendments to the Act on Regulated Professions and the Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications were also presented at the press conference.
The proposed changes are intended to align Croatian legislation with new European Union rules and modernise education and training standards for several healthcare and veterinary professions.
The amendments concern nurses responsible for general care, doctors of dental medicine, pharmacists and veterinarians.
These are professions of particular public interest for which the European Union prescribes harmonised minimum education and training requirements. The aim is to ensure an equal level of professional competence, quality and safety of services across all member states.
While the new EU Blue Card rules in Croatia focus on recognising professional experience among highly qualified foreign workers, the proposed amendments for regulated professions deal with formal education and training standards.
The proposed amendments will now be submitted for a 30-day public consultation.
Croatia remains an attractive destination for digital nomads and highly skilled professionals
Croatia has become an increasingly attractive destination for digital nomads, remote workers and international professionals over the past decade. Its quality of life, safety, infrastructure, coastal cities and dedicated residence scheme for non-EU remote workers have all contributed to that appeal.
Croatia is also regularly ranked among the most desirable destinations for digital nomads and young professionals, as shown by a recent U.S. News & World Report ranking.
The new EU Blue Card rules could make Croatia more accessible to another group of highly skilled professionals who want to build their careers and lives in the country.
For more on the latest proposed changes affecting foreign workers and residence permits in Croatia, read Croatia Introduces New Rules for Foreign Workers and Residence Permits.
