The arrival of the season this year brings the expected growth of tourism in Croatia; however, the lack of workforce is becoming a chronic problem. Employees in the tourism sector are trying to prepare in a timely manner for the increase in workload, but they are facing a number of challenges in hiring that will seriously affect their business as well as tourist satisfaction.
To compensate for the lack of workforce, employers are increasingly relying on foreign workers. However, the problem arises when the issuance of work permits turns into a long and uncertain process beyond the prescribed deadline. Although the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) should issue work permits within 15 days of receiving the application, the procedure often extends to three months or more, leading to delays in hiring and uncertainty for employers and workers.
The cause of this delay lies in the administrative system that regulates the issuance of work permits. Despite the abolition of quotas for the employment of foreign nationals, the system for issuing work permits for third-country nationals remains slow and inefficient, and these nationals hold the majority of issued work permits in Croatia. Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina lead in the number of issued permits in 2022 with 36,769, followed by citizens of Serbia with 19,127 and Nepal with 12,222. It is estimated that approximately 180,000 extended and new permits will be issued this year, but at this pace, that number may be significantly lower.
The sluggishness in the permit issuance process limits employers’ ability to assemble quality and reliable teams and to respond in a timely manner to the increased workload and provide high-quality service that will bring tourists back next year. This problem brings with it a whole range of other complications such as overburdening existing staff, reducing service quality, and potential loss of business opportunities.
– What are you waiting for, gentlemen? Do we really have to wait for permits for 3-4 months or more, and this has been going on for years? Understand that you are a service, that we pay you, and speed up the processes, digitize the system, and let us work! – said Hrvoje Bujas, president of UGP.
The Association of Entrepreneurs believes that the responsibility for solving this problem lies with the state apparatus, which must find a way to expedite the resolution of existing requests to ensure a successful and prosperous tourist season. Investment in the development of the domestic workforce and improvement of administrative processes is essential for the stability and growth of all sectors of the Croatian economy.
