Aliens Act in Croatia: What Do the 2025/2026 Amendments Bring?
The Republic of Croatia has adopted the Act on Amendments to the Aliens Act, which the Croatian Parliament passed on 15 May 2026, entering into force on the eighth day from its publication in the Official Gazette. The consolidated text of the Aliens Act applies from 15 March 2025. The new provisions introduce numerous changes for third-country nationals living, working or planning to come to Croatia, as well as for employers.
Who Is Considered a Foreigner Under the Act?
A third-country national is any person who does not hold citizenship of an EEA member state or the Swiss Confederation. The Act stipulates the conditions of entry, movement, residence and work of such persons in the Republic of Croatia. An exception applies to persons with the status of Croats without Croatian citizenship – they are not considered foreigners.
Key Novelties in the Aliens Act
1. New Rules for Long-Stay Visas (Visa D)
Alongside the standard long-stay visa with a validity of up to 6 months, a new category of long-stay visa valid for up to 365 days is introduced for specific categories, such as:
- Drivers of heavy goods vehicles in international road transport employed by a foreign employer
- Bus drivers on regular international routes between Croatia and a third country
This visa is also available for seasonal workers who have been issued a residence and work permit for a period of up to three years.
2. Obligation to Learn Croatian for Workers from Third Countries
One of the most important new provisions introduces an obligation to know the Croatian language and Latin script (level A1.1) for workers from third countries who have been residing in the Republic of Croatia for at least one year on the basis of a residence and work permit. This obligation applies from June 2027 (one year after the Act enters into force).
- Who is required to pass the exam? Workers from third countries holding a permit under Article 97 of the Act and workers involved in the renovation of earthquake-damaged buildings (Art. 110, item 32)
- Who is exempt? Those who completed their education in Croatia or speak a South Slavic language, as well as seasonal workers
- Who bears the exam costs? The employer
- Proof of passing the exam must be part of the employer's employee records
3. Changes to the Conditions for the Croatian Employment Service (CES) Opinion (Residence and Work Permit)
The financial conditions that an employer must meet in order for the Croatian Employment Service (CES) to issue a positive opinion for hiring a foreign worker have been amended:
- Employer – legal entity: Inflows to the transaction account in the last 12 months of at least 100,000 euros (increased from the previous 10,000 euros per month)
- Employer – natural person: Inflows of at least 40,000 euros in the last 12 months
- Share of domestic workers: The number of full-time workers from Croatia, the EEA or Switzerland must be at least 20% of the number of employed third-country nationals (increased from 16%)
- For shortage occupations: the ratio is 10% (increased from 8%)
- The employer's account must not have been blocked for more than 30 days in the last 6 months
4. Easier Change of Employer – New Provisions
Third-country nationals are given greater opportunities to change employers within the duration of their residence and work permit:
- A change of employer is possible after 6 months of work with the first employer
- Exceptionally earlier – if proceedings have been initiated for criminal offences related to employment, an inspection procedure, court proceedings for the protection of dignity, or if wages have not been paid on time
- The new employer must notify the police administration within 3 days of concluding the employment contract
- The decision deadline is 45 days from the proper notification
5. Extended Permitted Unemployment Period
If a worker has been subjected to particularly exploitative working conditions, the permitted unemployment period is extended by an additional 3 months. Workers are required to notify the CES of their unemployment within 5 days, actively seek employment and accept offered positions.
6. Seasonal Workers – Permit of Up to 3 Years
A new category of residence and work permit for seasonal workers valid for up to 3 years has been introduced for the same employer, with a fixed-term or open-ended contract for permanent seasonal work. Within this period, the worker may work up to 90 days or up to 9 months per year.
7. Studies – Extended Residence Period
Students may be granted temporary residence for the purpose of studying until the end of the envisaged duration of the study programme, and for a maximum of 3 years, instead of the previous one year. The condition is the submission of proof of enrolment for each academic year by 31 October.
Students may work without a permit for up to 25 hours per week (increased from 20 hours).
8. Rights of Third-Country National Workers – Stronger Protection
A new provision (Art. 138a) guarantees third-country national workers equal protection of employment rights as domestic workers, with the possibility of judicial protection. The right to a pension upon departure to a third country under the same conditions as for Croatian citizens has also been added.
9. Trafficking in Human Beings and Particularly Vulnerable Persons – Aligned with 2 EU Directives
The right to temporary residence and work without special permits is retained for victims of trafficking in human beings and persons with humanitarian grounds for residence.
10. Screening at the Border (New EU Regulation)
Through the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2024/1356, a screening procedure is introduced for all third-country nationals who do not meet the conditions for entry. The screening is conducted at special facilities of the Ministry of the Interior, and persons undergoing screening may not leave the facility without authorisation. An Independent Monitoring Mechanism is also established to oversee the respect of fundamental rights, operated by the Office for Human Rights and Rights of National Minorities.
Conditions for Granting Residence – What Remains the Same?
The basic conditions for temporary residence remain unchanged – a valid travel document, means of subsistence, health insurance and a clean criminal record. Temporary residence is granted for the purposes of work, study, research, family reunification, civil partnership, humanitarian reasons, diaspora immigration and for digital nomads.
Extended Residence Registration Deadlines
The deadline for registering residence and residential address for workers on temporary residence has been extended from 3 to 15 days from entry into Croatia or from a change of address.
Employer Obligations – What Is New?
- Employers may not demand reimbursement of administrative fees they themselves have paid from workers
- They are required to inform the worker of the status of the application and of the outcome within 3 days
- Certificates and conclusions are delivered electronically to the e-Citizens system user inbox
- They are required to provide adequate accommodation for workers if they organise it themselves
- Employers who have personally paid for the Croatian language exam may not transfer that cost to the worker
Applications via e-Citizens and Digitalisation
The new act introduces greater use of digital channels – conclusions, notices and certificates are delivered to employers in the e-Citizens system user inbox, thereby speeding up administrative procedures.
Who Can Work Without a Permit?
Among those who may work without a residence and work permit are:
- Holders of temporary residence for family reunification with a Croatian citizen
- Persons with humanitarian residence
- Holders of long-term or permanent residence
- Asylum seekers and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection
- Students up to 25 hours per week
- Diaspora members with approved temporary residence for immigration
- Visiting professors for up to 7 days with proof of a mobility scholarship
Overview of the Most Important Changes for Employers and Foreign Workers
- Mandatory Croatian language learning (A1.1) – in force one year after the Act's publication
- Higher financial thresholds for employers – 100,000 euros (legal entities) and 40,000 euros (natural persons) in annual inflows
- Higher ratio of domestic/foreign workers – 20% (general), 10% (shortage occupations)
- Easier change of employer – possible after 6 months, and in special cases even earlier
- Seasonal permit of up to 3 years for permanent seasonal work
- Students – residence of up to 3 years, work of up to 25 hours per week
- Screening at the border – new European procedure from 2026