Stricter Conditions for Housing Foreign Workers Come into Effect in 7 Days

In one week, amendments to the Regulation on Foreigners will come into effect. Regardless of the type of worker or sector, every accommodation provided by the employer must meet the following minimum conditions. What is changing is explained by Zagreb lawyers Dora Ljevar and Danijel Pribanić.

Spatial minimum: the minimum guaranteed square footage is 14 square meters per person — and this applies not only to the bedroom but also includes sleeping space, food preparation area, and sanitary facilities combined. For each additional person, at least 6 square meters must be added.

Equipment and infrastructure: Accommodation must have a sanitary unit physically separated from living and sleeping areas, running water, heating (except in summer), electricity, sufficient daylight, and ventilation. The furniture must be functional — bed, table, wardrobe, refrigerator, stove, and sink — and the equipment must not be worn out or damaged. Sleeping areas for men and women must be physically separated unless they are family members.

Rent: If the employer charges for accommodation, the rent must not exceed 30 percent of the worker’s net salary. A key novelty is that automatic deductions of rent from wages are prohibited. The employer must pay the worker the full salary, and only then — through a separate transaction — charge for accommodation. No offsets, no automation. The worker must be provided with a written rental agreement clearly stating the conditions and amount of rent. If the accommodation is free, this must also be documented in writing.

Multi-family buildings

In one apartment in a multi-family building, a maximum of eight foreigners can reside, regardless of the size of the apartment. If the square footage is larger, the limit of eight persons still applies.

Additionally, if more than four adult citizens from third countries who are not closely related (mother or father and child, spouses) will reside in the same apartment, the employer must obtain written consent from the co-owners of the building. Without this consent, the accommodation is not legal, regardless of all other conditions.

In smaller buildings with one or two residential units, a different standard applies: for every 150 square meters, a maximum of 10 workers can reside, with at least one sanitary unit for those 150 square meters.

The conditions of accommodation are checked by the relevant police administrations and police stations, and inspection oversight can also be initiated upon a report — including reports from the workers themselves who have the right to initiate proceedings to protect their rights before the competent authorities.

Construction workers: accommodation on construction sites or in temporary facilities

For construction workers, there is a specific possibility of accommodation in containers on the construction site, which is approved by the administrative department for construction. All other conditions — square footage per person, sanitary facilities, separation of rooms — apply to temporary facilities just as they do to apartments.

Workers in tourism and hospitality: accommodation in hotels, hostels, and organized accommodation

Seasonal workers in tourism can be accommodated in hospitality-tourism buildings that the employer has the right to use — that is, in hotels, hostels, and similar facilities — but with one clear condition: the accommodation of workers must not jeopardize the performance of the core hospitality activity. Tourist capacities must not be blocked by the accommodation of workers to an extent that would disrupt business.

For accommodation in camps, there is a strict quantitative limit: a maximum of 3 percent of the total accommodation capacity of the camp can be designated for seasonal workers. The camp must be located within a zone designated for hospitality-tourism purposes by the spatial plan.

Seasonal workers accommodated in a hospitality facility must be registered: the employer is obliged to notify the local self-government unit and the relevant police administration or station in advance about the number of workers, the address of the facility, and the duration of accommodation.

What to do immediately

1. Count the workers per accommodation unit. More than eight foreigners in one apartment in a multi-family building means a violation of regulations from today.

2. Measure the square footage and divide by the number of residents. The minimum is 14 square meters for the first person, plus 6 square meters for each subsequent one. If it does not meet the requirement — reduce the number of residents or find alternative accommodation.

3. Check the consent of the co-owners of the building. If there are more than four unrelated adult foreigners in the apartment, without written consent from the co-owners, you are outside the law.

4. Review rental agreements. The square footage, amount of rent, and number of persons must be specified. The contract must be notarized or certified by the Tax Administration.

5. Stop the automatic deduction of rent from wages. From now on, the salary must be paid in full, and the rent charged separately — in cash or through a separate transaction.

6. If you have workers on the construction site — check if there is an act approving temporary housing facilities.

7. If you have workers in the camp — ensure you do not exceed 3 percent of the accommodation capacity.

Higher wages in hospitality

As of May 1, 2026, new minimum wages in hospitality are prescribed. For now, this applies only to those employers who are members of HUP. It is certain that the minister will extend the Collective Agreement’s application to others in Croatia in this sector, but we do not know the date. Below is a table with gross wage amounts compared.