Croatia is fast becoming a magnet for foreign labour, with nearly 100,000 international workers now powering its economy, according to the Interior Ministry.
Tourism and hospitality lead the demand, employing over 35,000 foreign nationals — a clear sign of the sector’s dependence on seasonal manpower.
The construction industry isn’t far behind with more than 28,000 foreign workers, as urban development and infrastructure projects surge.
Since January, over 55,000 new residence and work permits have been issued in Croatia, alongside 31,500 renewals and 12,500 seasonal permits — most in tourism.
Workers hail primarily from Nepal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and the Philippines, highlighting Croatia’s growing global hiring footprint.
As the Adriatic nation eyes another record-breaking tourist season and continues building its post-pandemic economy, reliance on foreign labour is no longer a seasonal fix — it’s structural.
