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 at the national level, which is a precondition for successful integration. However, in practice many beneficiaries are working.
NGOs also reported persisting problems with Croatian language courses. According to JRS, a lack of proficiency in the Croatian language poses a barrier to accessing rights and securing stable employment.[2]
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.[3]
Regarding employment, CPS pointed out that the recognition of qualifications and the validation of diplomas remain a significant challenge, even for individuals who possess documentation proving their educational background. For persons granted international protection who lack documents, the absence of tailored procedures further complicates the recognition process, especially given the circumstances in which they found themselves. Additionally, access to retraining and further qualification programs remains limited, a barrier deeply intertwined with their proficiency in Croatian and the resulting (in)ability to participate in such initiatives.[4]
JRS, CPS, Borders: None and AYS 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.[5]
In addition to conducting informal Croatian language courses, AYS provided employment support, which in practice meant assistance with CV creation, finding suitable jobs based on the beneficiaries’ education, work experience, and skills, and contacting potential employers. Workshops on CV writing and job applications (motivation letters) were also part of their program, alongside informative lectures on rights and obligations, to empower beneficiaries to independently navigate the labour market.[6]
Throughout 2025, JRS conducted Croatian language courses (A1, A2, B1) and provided support in employment and the protection of labour rights.[7]
Borders: None provided workshops and consultations for labor market integration on topics such as CV building and job search, digital educational programs.[8]
CPS organized a series of workshops, including, among others, a workshop on starting a craft business, as well as several workshops on labour rights and unionization.
In 2024, the CLC, 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.[9]
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.[10]
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.[11]
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).[12]
According to CES, 66 asylees (of which 28 women) and 13 foreigners under subsidiary protection (of which 4 women), were registered as unemployed during 2025.[13] After being registered in the register of unemployed persons, individuals are included in individual counselling activities and in 2025, 63 individuals with asylum (103 counselling), 15 individuals with subsidiary protection (19 counselling) and 6 family members of persons granted international protection (9 counselling) participated in those activities.
Additionally, through CES’ mediation, in 2025, 43 individuals granted asylum and 10 individuals with subsidiary protection were employed. As for active labour market policy measures, 3 persons granted asylum, 1 person granted subsidiary protection and 1 family member of a person granted international protection, were included in these 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.[14] However, persons under international protection are not allowed access to the Croatian language course offered under the voucher program of the Croatian Employment Service which is criticized by many NGOs.
In 2025, the report “Employment Related Rights of Third-Country Nationals in the Republic of Croatia”[15] was published by the OHRRNM. Developed in cooperation with members of the Advisory Group of Third-Country Nationals and Persons of Migrant Background, the report incorporates their perspectives and presents key challenges and obstacles to the exercise of labour rights, and provides recommendations and guidance for addressing them.[16]
The CPS and AYS prepared a guide ‘How to Find a Job in Croatia‘ for foreign nationals in Croatia.[17] The guide explains, in clear and simple steps, where and how to look for a job, how to write a high-quality CV and motivation letter, and how to prepare for an interview. The guide also contains key information about the documents required for work, employment rights and obligations, as well as an overview of organisations that provide assistance and advice. The guide is available in Croatian, English, and Russian.[18]
[1] Article 68(1) LITP.
[2] Information provided by JRS, 17 February 2026.
[3] Information provided by Are You Syrious, 17 February 2026.
[4] Information provided by Centre for Peace Studies, 2 March 2026.
[5] JRS, ‘Refuge Integration Centre “SOL” opened’, 2018, available at: https://bit.ly/3chtSBs.
[6] Information provided by Are You Syrious, 17 February 2026.
[7] Information provided by JRS, 17 February 2026.
[8] Information provided by Borders: None, 3 March 2026.
[9] 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/.
[10] Article 14 Law on the Labour Market.
[11] 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.
[12] 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.
[13] Information provided by the Croatian Employment Service, 10 February 2026.
[14 Information provided by the Croatian Employment Service, 27 January 2025.
[15] The report can be accessed online on the OHRRNM website and is available in Croatian: https://ljudskaprava.gov.hr/UserDocsImages//dokumenti//Integration%20policy%20report%20-%20Employment%20-%20Related%20Rights%20of%20Third-Country%20Nationals%20in%20the%20Republic%20of%20Croatia.pdf and English: https://ljudskaprava.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/Izvje%C5%A1%C4%87e%20o%20politikama%20integracije%20-%20Prava%20vezana%20uz%20rad%20dr%C5%BEavljana%20tre%C4%87ih%20zemalja%20u%20Republici%20Hrvatskoj.pdf.
[16] Information provided by OHRRNM, 16 February 2026.
[17] Information provided by the Centre for Peacae Studies, 2 March 2026.
[18] Available at: https://www.cms.hr/publikacija/vodic-za-pronalazk-posla-u-hrvatskoj/.