Croatia issued 206,529 visas for employment across various industries in 2024 and this is 14 percent more than the previous year. The construction and Hospitality department ruled the numbers. Most of the visas were issued to the Bosnian, Napalian, and Serbian nationals. Zagreb region issued most of the visas with a total number of 45,119.
These visas (206,529) issued include not only new employment purposes but also extensions and seasonal employment. Economic activity has increased significantly in Croatia since it became a member of the Schengen Zone in January 2023. This is perhaps one of the main reasons for the increase in several work visas issued recently.
The country was able to produce more than 50,000 new jobs in 2024 and is willing to improve it more this year. Foreign workers are the backbone of the labor market in Croatia now because sectors such as Tourism, Industry, and construction are highly dependent upon them.
Top 5 Occupational Sectors
The top five sectors for foreign workers in 2024 included construction, which led to 75,071 visas, followed by hospitality and tourism, which had 56,228 visas. The Industry sector accounted for 28,486 visas, while Traffic and Connections received 16,149. Lastly, Trade was allocated 7,925 visas. These five sectors collectively represented 183,859 work opportunities, highlighting Croatia’s commitment to supporting key areas of economic growth.
Work Visas by Citizenship in Croatia
In 2024, Croatia issued 206,529 work visas, with 186,160 granted to workers from the top 10 countries. Leading the list was Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 38,100 visas issued, followed by Nepal at 35,635 and Serbia at 27,988.
India accounted for 20,502 visas, while the Philippines received 14,680. North Macedonia and Bangladesh followed closely, with 13,855 and 13,630 visas respectively. Kosovo, Uzbekistan, and Egypt completed the top 10 with 8,139, 6,959, and 6,672 visas.
These numbers reflect Croatia’s growing reliance on a diverse international workforce to meet its economic needs.
Top 5 Regions for Work Opportunities
In 2024, the Zagreb region led with an impressive 45,119 work visa issuance, reflecting its position as a major employment hub.
The Istrian region followed, providing 28,660 jobs, driven by its thriving tourism and service industries. Split-Dalmatia secured third place with 22,584 positions, benefiting from seasonal employment in hospitality.
Primorje-Gorski Kotar came next with 19,180 jobs for foreigners, thanks to its strong focus on tourism and coastal activities. Finally, the Dubrovnik-Neretva region rounded out the top five with 12,991 employment-related visas, emphasizing its appeal as a global tourist destination.
Regions in Croatia with most work visas issued
| Police Directorate | New Employment | Extension | Seasonal Employment | Total (2024) |
| Zagreb | 27,227 | 17,332 | 560 | 45,119 |
| Istrian | 19,467 | 6,361 | 2,832 | 28,660 |
| Split-Dalmatia | 14,013 | 4,647 | 3,924 | 22,584 |
| Primorje-Gorski Kotar | 11,328 | 4,697 | 3,155 | 19,180 |
| Dubrovnik-Neretva Region | 8,604 | 3,017 | 1,370 | 12,991 |
| Zadar | 8,057 | 2,986 | 2,984 | 14,027 |
| Varaždin | 6,235 | 3,654 | 44 | 9,933 |
| Sisak-Moslavina | 5,209 | 1,146 | 11 | 6,366 |
| Šibenik-Knin | 4,124 | 1,325 | 1,268 | 6,717 |
| Krapina-Zagorje | 4,311 | 1,427 | 19 | 5,757 |
| Osijek-Baranja | 3,497 | 1,459 | 91 | 5,047 |
| Brod-Posavina | 3,193 | 1,890 | 16 | 5,099 |
| Karlovac | 3,173 | 1,437 | 72 | 4,682 |
| Lika-Senj Region | 2,545 | 642 | 857 | 4,044 |
| Međimurje | 2,669 | 1,696 | 22 | 4,387 |
| Vukovar-Srijem | 2,612 | 925 | 81 | 3,618 |
| Koprivnica-Križevci | 2,670 | 1,225 | 1 | 3,896 |
| Bjelovar-Bilogora Region | 1,579 | 430 | 109 | 2,118 |
| Požega-Slavonia | 728 | 324 | 1 | 1,053 |
| Virovitica-Podravina | 967 | 278 | 6 | 1,251 |
| Total | 132,208 | 56,898 | 17,423 | 206,529 |