Preparations for the tourist season are once again bringing back the old problem of a shortage of domestic labor.

Employers continue to find the solution to this situation in importing workers from Asian countries. As HRT writes, domestic workers are often criticized, but employers claim that even decent wages do not guarantee their interest. The President of the Management Board of Mon Perin, Massimo Piutti, notes that it is extremely difficult to find someone who will work 8 hours for 1500 euros.

'There are a lot of people who have decided to work privately, whether it is pool maintenance or yard maintenance, where in a shorter time they can earn what they would earn in a company in a month,' Piutti explained to HRT why there are no local workers.

The gap is therefore being filled by foreigners like Filipina Marjorie, who has been working in Croatia for years and especially likes tips. 'The conditions are good. If they weren't, I wouldn't have been here this long. I like working here,' Marjorie said.

Official statistics from the Ministry of the Interior for January

Official statistics from the Ministry show a significant drop in issued work permits. In January 2026, a total of 12,556 residence and work permits were issued. For comparison, in the same month of 2025, that number was 17,168. This means that almost 27 percent fewer permits were issued. Demand for paperwork is a quarter lower because the market no longer needs so many completely new people, and the rules for importing workers are stricter.

The decline is certainly felt in construction and industry, which depend on physical labor. Last year, construction sought 5,988 workers in January, and this year 4,164. Industry fell from 2,588 to 2,072 permits. Tourism and hospitality also recorded a decline from last year's 3,995 to this year's 3,500 issued permits.

What is the main cause of this huge 27 percent drop? The answer lies in the type of permits being issued today. Namely, last year employers requested as many as 11,282 permits for completely new employment. This year that number fell to only 4,480. Simply put, the initial rush has passed and not so many completely new people are being imported from the other side of the world.

Instead of new hiring, there is a massive extension of paperwork for already present older workers. Last year 5,411 permits were extended, while this year that figure rose to 6,370. Employers, instead of constantly changing and importing new unknown workers, prefer to keep those who have proven to be good, who have fit in, and who already know the job.

Because of this, the countries from which people come to us the most have also changed. Last year in January the absolute record-holder was Nepal with 4,309 workers, while now the Philippines are in first place with 2,433 permits. Bosnia and Herzegovina follows with 2,181 and Nepal with 2,159 workers. This clearly proves that employers are now choosing more carefully and investing in staff who adapt more easily to the culture and the job.

Education and integration as the foundation of success

To ensure high quality, hotel companies carry out strict selection. Human Resources Department Director Isabella Frančula explains the process in detail for HRT. 'We rent a school, candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate their cooking and serving skills, and our managers then professionally assess them and in that way select the staff,' Frančula said.

A particular challenge is in campsites where the share of foreigners is exceptionally high. Massimo Piutti warns that integration requires a lot of effort. 'The fact is that a great deal of work must be done with them and they must be taught everything that our local people would already know,' he emphasized.

The police appeal for applications to be submitted on time because the procedure can take a while. Chief Robi Belušić says that processing takes from 15 days to one month. 'In some situations that deadline is extended, but generally we manage to complete everything on time,' Belušić explained.

The Croatian economy simply cannot function without foreign hands. Although the statistics record a 27% drop in total imports, this is actually excellent news. We are moving from a phase of chaotic filling of jobs to a mature phase of retaining quality and proven workers. As long as employers offer fair conditions, we will have satisfied workers and a secure tourist season.