As of April 2025, Croatia is introducing stricter rules for employing foreign workers, causing concern among thousands of seasonal workers from Serbia, as well as among Croatian employers who have relied on their labor force for years, especially in tourism and hospitality on the Adriatic.

According to the new amendments to the Foreigners Act, a work permit will be issued exclusively for one employer, and any change of workplace will require a new administrative procedure.

This prevents the previous practice of moving from job to job through the same agency, which until now allowed many workers from Serbia greater flexibility during the season, writes EUpravo zato.

Another major novelty is the mandatory labor market test; before hiring foreigners, employers will have to prove that there are no available candidates for a specific position on the domestic market. In addition, agencies and employers now share responsibility for respecting labor rights, and high financial penalties and the possibility of a ban on further hiring of foreigners are предусмотрены for any violation of the regulations.

On the one hand, the new law guarantees foreign workers, including those from Serbia, the same rights as domestic workers, from salary, working conditions, and accommodation, to the right to rest and days off. On the other hand, many workers from Serbia express concern that the stricter conditions will make employment more difficult, reduce the possibility of choosing an employer, and further complicate already demanding administrative procedures.

Croatian employers, especially in tourism, are also concerned because due to the new rules they could be left without the necessary workforce during the season, since around 10,000 workers from Serbia come to work on the Adriatic every year. Although the changes were introduced with the aim of better protecting workers' rights and balancing the labor market, the question remains whether in practice it will be possible to meet the needs of both workers and employers.