Author
Beneficiaries of international protection have the right to work in the Republic of Croatia, without a residence and work permit or certificate of registration of work.[1] Both asylees and foreigners under subsidiary protection have access to the labour market, without distinction.
The main obstacle to access the labour market remain the language barrier and the lack of language courses, which is a precondition for successful integration. However, in practice many beneficiaries are working.
Croatian Red Cross[2]Centre for Peace Studies (CPS),[3] Borders None,[4] and Are You Syrious[5] also reported persisting problems with Croatian language courses.
AYS reported that a major ongoing issue is the absence of formal language courses funded by the State Budget, which would enable faster access to the labor market and higher education. This is particularly problematic for beneficiaries of international protection who are accommodated outside of Zagreb, as their access to organizations providing similar services is limited. The City of Zagreb funded three Croatian language courses organized by AYS as part of the implementation of the Integration Action Plan. Language learning programs are conducted through the SUVAG School of Foreign Languages, covering multiple levels (A1, A2, and B1). In addition, exams for obtaining official language proficiency certificates at B1 and C2 levels were organized, all under the auspices of the City of Zagreb.
Regarding employment, CPS pointed out the challenges in the recognition of qualifications and nostrification of diplomas when people have documents proving their level of education, as well as the absence of adapted procedures for recognising qualifications when they do not possess documents. CPS also reported there are insufficiently available re-training programs that are closely related to the lack of knowledge of the Croatian language.[6]
Many other NGOs such as JRS, CPS, the Rehabilitation Centre for Stress and Trauma, Are you Syrious (AYS), CRP Sisak also provide assistance during integration. The Integration Centre “SOL”, which is run by JRS and was opened in 2018, provides support and guidance to individuals and families in the Republic of Croatia, who have been granted international protection, in their integration process.[7]
The Croatian Law Centre, in cooperation with UNHCR and CES, prepared leaflet on the right to work for applicants for international protection, persons granted international protection and foreigners under temporary protection.[8]
The Croatian Employment Service (CES) is responsible for the implementation of measures in the field of employment of foreigners, with particular emphasis on asylees and foreigners under subsidiary protection. According to the Law on the Labour Market, asylee and foreigner under subsidiary protection and foreigner under temporary protection, as well as their family members may apply to the CES. According to this Law, they are equal with Croatian citizens in terms of rights and obligations.[9]
When applying for inclusion in the registry of unemployed persons, CES assigns employment counsellors to beneficiaries of international protection. They provide assistance and information about available jobs, how to compile resumes and applications to employers, and gives them the opportunity to use measures an active policy of employment and the exercise of other rights. They also inform them about their obligations as unemployed persons.[10]
To access the assistance provided by CES, a person should register with the CES by e-mail or by visiting its regional offices. In order to register with CES, a person need an identity card issued by the Ministry of Interior, proving their immigration status in Croatia, a personal identification number (‘OIB,’ in Croatian), and if available, a proof of any education or training a person may have completed (not mandatory).[11]
According to CES, 38 asylees (of which 21 women), 7 foreigners under subsidiary protection (of which 3 women), 5 members of families of persons that were granted international protection (of which 3 women) and 35 applicants for international protection (of which 13 women) were inscribed in their registry as unemployed on 31 December 2024.[12] According to the data of the CES from January 1 until December 2024, 74 asylees, 14 persons under subsidiary protection, 8 members of families of persons under international protection and 53 applicants for international protection were provided individual counselling at CES.
Through the CSE’s mediation during 2024, 101 people were employed (56 asylees, 9 foreigners under subsidiary protection, 4 members of families of persons under international protection and 32 applicants for international protection).
In addition, 4 asylees and 16 applicants for international protection were included in active employment policy measures.
During the past years, persons under international and temporary protection have been included in education and training programs through the voucher system. These persons can apply under the same conditions as Croatian citizens, provided that they know Croatian or English well enough to follow the educational program and if they have passed the process of recognizing a foreign educational qualification. The language barrier is recognized as a significant obstacle in finding employment. The Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy initiated the development and financing of the Croatian language learning program. These programs include short educational courses in the Croatian language in several key sectors, including construction, tourism and catering, trade and services, and the processing and the food industry. This language learning program is integrated into the voucher system for the education of employed and unemployed persons. At the meeting of the managment board of CES held in February 2024, amendments were adopted to the Terms and Conditions and the method of using funds for the implementation of Voucher Education for the acquisition of competencies necessary for work, which introduce the possibility of financing the learning of Croatian as a foreign language through the voucher system. Foreigners under temporary protection can, among others, submit requests for attending the program of learning Croatian as a foreign language, which is carried out by service providers with the consent of Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy.[13] However, persons under international protection are not allowed access to the Croatian language course offered under the voucher program of the Croatian Employment Service.[14]
In January 2024, in partnership with the Croatian Employment Service (CES), UNHCR organized a training for CES refugee employment counsellors. The training included dedicated sessions on cooperation with UNHCR and civil society organizations; communication with communities; prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and identification and referral of gender-based violence and trafficking survivors. The newly published joint brochure on the right to work for asylum seekers and refugees was also presented.[15] The brochure is available in Croatian, Arabic, English, Farsi, French, Russian, Turkish and Ukrainian.[16]
[1] Article 68(1) LITP.
[2] Information provided by Croatian Red Cross, 20 January 2025.
[3] Information provided by Centre for Peace Studies, 27 February 2025.
[4] Information provided by Borders None, 12 March 2025.
[5] Information provided by Are you Syrious, 15 January 2025,
[6] Information provided by Centre for Peace Studies, 27 February 2025.
[7] JRS, ‘Refuge Integration Centre “SOL” opened’, 2018, available at: https://bit.ly/3chtSBs.
[8] Leaflet was created as part of the project ‘Legal Assistance and Capacity Building for Access to Territory and Asylum in Croatia’ funded by UNHCR, available in several languages at: https://bit.ly/3RyR84W and https://www.hpc.hr/2024/08/23/brosura-o-pravu-na-rad-dostupna-i-na-francuskom-turskom-i-farsi-jeziku/.
[9] Article 14 Law on the Labour Market.
[10] Croatian Association of Social Workers: Handbook- The role of social welfare in the process of integration of persons with international protection, available at: https://bit.ly/3xhMv64.
[11] Croatian Law Centre: brochure „The right to work – applicants for international protection, persons granted international protection and foreigners under temporary protection, available in English at: https://bit.ly/4ctotXh.
[12] Information provided by the Croatian Employment Service, 27 January 2025.
[13] Information provided by the Croatian Employment Service, 27 January 2025.
[14] Information provided by Centre for Peace Studies, 27 February 2025.
[15] Information provided by the UNHCR Office for Croatia, 18 March 2025.
[16] Versions in various languages are available via the following links: https://www.hpc.hr/2024/08/23/brosura-o-pravu-na-rad-dostupna-i-na-francuskom-turskom-i-farsi-jeziku/; https://www.hpc.hr/2024/02/05/izradena-brosura-pravo-na-rad-trazitelja-medunarodne-zastite-osoba-s-odobrenom-medunarodnom-zastitom-i-osoba-pod-privremenom-zastitom/