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Hiring foreign workers in Croatia

Protalent runs the whole process of bringing a foreign worker to Croatia – from pre-screening candidates in their home country, through the residence and work permit, to arrival and accommodation. You sign the employment contract and take on the worker; we handle the rest.

What you get

  • Finding and vetting workers abroad
  • Residence and work permits – included in the price
  • Employment contracts and other documents
  • Support on arrival and in the first days
  • construction
  • manufacturing
  • tourism
Send an enquiry
Dvoje radnika u kacigama i reflektirajućoj opremi na gradilištu

What does the service include?

It starts with a call in which we define the worker profile, the number of people and the timelines. Only when the goals are clear do we sign a cooperation contract that sets out both sides’ responsibilities.

Next, we find candidates through partner databases in their countries of origin and pre-screen them. You don’t go through hundreds of applications – you get a shortlist of profiles that meet your criteria.

Once you choose your people, we run the labour market test with the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ) where it is needed, and submit the permit applications. Employment contracts are prepared together with a partner law firm.

The last steps are accommodation, which must meet the legal standards whenever the employer provides or arranges it, and settling the workers into the job. We help with both.

Which countries do the workers come from?

Each market has its own strengths, so we choose the country based on the work that needs doing.

Country Most common sectors Note
Nepal Construction, manufacturing, hospitality Experience on large construction sites, long-term commitment
India Construction, logistics, hospitality Often good English
Philippines Hospitality, healthcare, services Good English, experience in service jobs
Bangladesh Construction, textiles, manufacturing Large pool of candidates
Pakistan Construction, agriculture, manufacturing Adapts well to demanding working conditions
Vietnam Manufacturing, logistics, hospitality Precise work, quick to adapt
Thailand Tourism, hospitality, agriculture Service industries
Egypt Construction, manufacturing, agriculture Large pool of candidates

Which sectors do we recruit for?

Construction, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing, logistics and transport, agriculture, shipbuilding, and healthcare and social care. These are the sectors where the Croatian labour market has not covered demand for years.

What does the employer need to prepare?

An employment contract or another appropriate contract, proof of business registration, a certificate showing no outstanding tax debts, and accommodation that meets the legal standards if you provide or arrange it. For workers from visa countries hired with an opinion of the Croatian Employment Service, you also issue a promissory note (zadužnica) for each worker. We take care of translations, certifications and administrative fees. The full checklist is in residence and work permit documents.

Are you a worker looking for a job in Croatia?

Our clients are employers, but we also take applications from workers. Send your CV through the contact form. Before you apply, read how to get a job in Croatia and which documents you need for a residence and work permit.

FAQ

Questions we hear most often

Can’t find your question? Call us on 095 3775 362.

How long does it take from enquiry to the worker’s arrival?
It depends on the country of origin, on whether a labour market test is needed and on how quickly the documents are collected. Most of the time goes on the documents the worker obtains in their home country, so we prepare the contracts in parallel.
Which countries do your workers come from?
Mostly Nepal, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand and Egypt. We choose the country based on the profile you need, not the other way round.
Does the employer have to provide accommodation?
If you provide or arrange accommodation for your workers, it must meet the legal standards – for example at least 14 m² for the first person and 6 m² for each additional person, and rent of no more than 30% of the net salary, never deducted automatically. A statement on adequate accommodation (Form 17a) is attached to the permit application. If you don’t have your own accommodation, we help you organise it.
Who applies for the residence and work permit?
Your own team can run the procedure, or we take it over completely. Most employers choose the second option – we handle the permits on the employer’s behalf until the decision is issued.
What if the worker doesn’t fit or leaves the job?
You have a 30-day replacement guarantee: if the worker doesn’t work out or leaves within that period, we find a replacement with no additional recruitment fee.
Is Protalent a licensed agency?
Yes. Protalent is a licensed recruitment and temporary employment agency in Croatia.
I am a worker abroad. Can I apply through you?
Yes. Send your CV through the contact form and choose “I am looking for a job”. For the documents you will need, read residence and work permit documents.
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Recruitment in Croatia

With our recruitment service, we run the job ads, pre-screening and candidate checks, and you only meet the people who match the profile you need. The person you choose is hired directly by your company.

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