Croatia at a Glance
Visa World Solutions · Work and Settle in Croatia

Croatia at a Glance

An EU country on the Adriatic Sea with a growing economy, strong demand for workers, and a safe, welcoming way of life.

EU member since 2013 Euro (€) since 2023 Schengen since 2023
Capital
Zagreb
Population
3.87 million
2025 official estimate
Area
56,594 km²
Language
Croatian
English widely spoken
Currency
Euro (€)
Since 1 January 2023
European Union
1 July 2013
Schengen Area
1 Jan 2023
Travel across 29 countries
NATO
Since 2009

Location and neighbours

In the heart of Europe, with easy links to Italy, Slovenia and Austria.

Shares a border with
SloveniaHungarySerbiaBosnia and HerzegovinaMontenegro
Close by
Italy across the AdriaticAustria short drive via SloveniaGermany by road or air

Stunning coastline

Around 1,800 km of mainland coast on the Adriatic Sea.

Over 1,000 islands

Among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean.

Jobs and work

Legal jobs with written contracts and EU-standard protection.

High demand for workers

Construction, tourism, hospitality, manufacturing, shipbuilding, transport, agriculture and food processing.

Open to overseas workers

About 170,000 work permits were issued to foreign workers in 2025.

€1,050 minimum wage

Legal minimum of €1,050 gross per month in 2026, and it has risen every year.

Extra pay for extra hours

Overtime, weekend and holiday work is paid at higher rates under Croatian labour law.

Written contracts

Employment contracts that follow Croatian and EU labour law.

Paid annual leave

At least 4 weeks of paid leave per year by law.

Worker protection

Strong EU standards for health and safety, working hours and fair treatment.

Living in Croatia

Healthcare, transport and a safe, affordable way of life.

Public healthcare

Legally employed workers are covered by the national health insurance system (HZZO).

Modern hospitals

In Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek and other cities.

Good transport

Modern motorways, intercity buses and trains, and frequent ferries to the islands.

International airports

Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Pula, Rijeka and Osijek.

Pleasant climate

Sunny Mediterranean summers and mild winters on the coast, with four seasons inland.

Safe and peaceful

One of the safest countries in Europe, with a low crime rate.

Affordable living

A lower cost of living than most of Western Europe.

Welcoming people

A friendly culture with a growing international community.

Attractions and your future

A world-famous destination, and a place to build a life.

World-famous destination

Around 20 million visitors a year.

Top attractions

Dubrovnik's old town, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Diocletian's Palace in Split, and the islands of Hvar and Brač.

A pathway for the future

After living and working legally in Croatia for an extended period, workers who meet the legal conditions may apply for permanent residence and to bring their family.

Ready to work in Croatia?

Fill in our candidate form and one of our consultants will contact you about current opportunities.

Apply with Visa World Solutions admissions@visaworldsolutions.com

Figures are the latest available official estimates. The minimum wage is a gross amount before tax. Work permits and visas are decided by the Croatian authorities.