The Croatian government has proposed amendments to the Foreigners Act to align with the EU Blue Card Directive and address labour market needs. The changes include extending the validity of the Blue Card from 24 to 48 months, allowing IT workers without formal qualifications to qualify based on experience, and maintaining salary requirements for Blue Card holders.
The amendments respond to a significant increase in work permits issued in recent years, particularly in construction, tourism, and industry. New regulations introduce stricter obligations for employers, including proving adequate accommodation for foreign workers, notifying authorities of contract terminations within five days, and providing financial guarantees if they withdraw a worker's permit. Employers failing to comply with occupational safety rules or involved in undeclared work may face permit revocation. Additionally, some workers, such as key company personnel and those in earthquake reconstruction projects, will be exempt from labour market tests. Temporary residence permits for medical treatment may be extended, and proof of qualifications will not be required for certain auxiliary roles.
To protect foreign workers, salaries must not be lower than those of Croatian workers in the same profession. Enforcement of sanctions for non-compliance will be delayed until 2026, and a ban is proposed on digital platform activities if an employer is found to have illegally employed foreign workers. The government has approved the draft amendments, which will now be reviewed by Parliament.