
The situation
The Croatian government has released the 2019 work authorization quota numbers.
A closer look
Details of the quota are as follows:
- Overall quota number. For 2019, 65,100 stay and work permits can be granted to foreign workers, an increase of 26,331 spots when compared to 2018. The general quota is broken down into numerous categories of workers, focused on shortage industries and occupations.
- Quota for intracompany transfers unchanged. The quota allocation for intracompany transfer applications remains unchanged at 250 spots.
- Renewal applications. 15,000 quota spots are available for the renewal of current stay and work permits, an increase of 6,000 spots when compared to 2018.
- Exempt categories. More than 30 categories of applicants are exempt from quota restrictions, including highly-skilled professionals, key personnel, employees providing services on behalf of non-EU employers, self-employed foreign nationals and foreign nationals with long-term residence in other EU Member States.
Impact
Since many categories of foreign workers are exempt, the quota figures for 2018 were not exhausted. Employers should benefit from the increase in quota numbers, as it allows them to more easily fill shortage occupations with qualified foreign workers.
Background
- History of quota system. The quota system was first introduced in January 1, 2004 and since then, the quota has fluctuated, reaching a high in 2008 of 10,242 permits. As a result of the 2008 financial crisis and a rise in the number of unemployed Croatian nationals, the quota decreased in the following years, reaching a low in 2013 of only 1,714 work permits. In the last few years, the number of available permits has increased significantly.
- Quota systems in other countries. Many other countries use quota systems to control the number of foreign workers, such as Estonia, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
Looking ahead
The quota increase reflects the inability of Croatian employers to attract Croatian workers to fill labor shortages. The quota is expected to continue to increase if the labor market for local workers does not improve. Fragomen will report on future changes.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Video
Afzal Amin highlights a significant update for UAE Golden Visa holders: the Jebel Ali Free Zone authorities have replaced permanent access cards with permanent identity cards.

Blog post

Blog post
Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Consultant Pebbless Agyemang discuss Belgium’s new family reunification rules and their impact on applicants.

Media mentions
Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.

Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how UK hospitality employers face heightened risk as visa sponsors and why it is important for them to understand their responsibilities to avoid penalties.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.

Blog post
Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.

Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the opening of new offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk, welcoming Partner Karolina Schiffter to its Poland practice.

Blog post
This blog post by Manager Virginie Todesco and Immigration Consultant Chiara Caredda, available in English and Portuguese, outlines the requirements, benefits and application process for obtaining Luxembourg citizenship.

Awards
Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Awards
Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Video
Afzal Amin highlights a significant update for UAE Golden Visa holders: the Jebel Ali Free Zone authorities have replaced permanent access cards with permanent identity cards.

Blog post

Blog post
Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Consultant Pebbless Agyemang discuss Belgium’s new family reunification rules and their impact on applicants.

Media mentions
Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.

Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how UK hospitality employers face heightened risk as visa sponsors and why it is important for them to understand their responsibilities to avoid penalties.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.

Blog post
Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.

Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the opening of new offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk, welcoming Partner Karolina Schiffter to its Poland practice.

Blog post
This blog post by Manager Virginie Todesco and Immigration Consultant Chiara Caredda, available in English and Portuguese, outlines the requirements, benefits and application process for obtaining Luxembourg citizenship.

Awards
Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Awards
Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.