Croatia: EU Blue Card, Work Permit Rules Relaxed

Croatia has implemented significant reforms to its immigration policies, aiming to attract skilled foreign professionals and address labor market gaps. These changes include extended validity periods for various work permits, relaxed eligibility criteria for the EU Blue Card, and streamlined procedures for changing employers.

Key Reforms Include:

• Extended Work Permit Validity: Work permits that previously required an opinion from the Croatian Employment Service are now valid for up to three years, an increase from the previous one-year duration.
• EU Blue Card Eligibility: The EU Blue Card is now valid for four years, up from two years. Additionally, individuals with at least three years of professional experience in fields such as information technology can now qualify for the Blue Card, even without a higher education degree.
• Employer Change Flexibility: Holders of the EU Blue Card can change employers without obtaining a new work permit, provided they meet the necessary conditions. Previously, this flexibility was limited during the first two years of stay.

These reforms are expected to make Croatia's labor market more attractive to international talent, potentially increasing the pool of foreign workers available to Croatia-based employers.