Croatia Needs 70,000 Seasonal Workers in 2025

Croatia is increasingly dependent on foreign workers to meet its annual labor demands, particularly in the tourism sector, where nearly 70,000 seasonal workers are required to maintain industry standards, according to Schengen.News.

Bosnia and Herzegovina remains Croatia’s primary source of seasonal workers, with the Croatian Ministry of Interior reporting that 38,100 Bosnian citizens arrived for employment in 2024. Nepal follows closely with 35,635 workers, while Serbia ranks third with 27,988.

However, data from the Ministry of Interior suggests that Nepalese workers received the highest number of work and residence permits among foreign applicants in January and February 2025, signaling that Nepal may soon surpass Bosnia as Croatia’s leading source of foreign labor.

Besides Nepalese workers, workers from India and the Philippines are also arriving in increasing numbers, with 28,000 and 14,700 permits granted, respectively, in 2025.

During this period, the construction sector accounted for the highest number of work and residence permits, with 75,000 permits issued (36.3% of the total). The tourism and hospitality industry followed, with 56,000 residence permits, while another 28,500 were issued for jobs within the industry.

High Demand for Seasonal Workers, Especially in Tourism

Croatia requires seasonal workers across multiple sectors, particularly tourism, construction, and trade. Due to the rising demand, wages for foreign and seasonal workers are also expected to increase.

According to Croatia’s National Bureau of Statistics, the average salary in 2025 was €1,361, and foreign workers must be paid wages equal to their Croatian counterparts in similar roles.

For instance, one of Croatia’s largest hotel chains, operating across Adriatic locations, plans to pay seasonal workers between €1,500 and €2,000 net during peak season. Roles such as maids, assistant cooks, waiters, and kitchen staff will receive between €1,000 and €1,400 net.

Rising Demand for Seasonal Workers

The demand for seasonal labor in Croatia has fluctuated over the years. In 2022, approximately 30,000 workers were needed in the first half of the year, dropping to 21,000 in 2023, before surging to 70,000 in 2025.