Croatian employers have already begun recruiting seasonal workers for the upcoming tourism season, with official data showing that in 2025, approximately 32,000 work permits were issued to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, making them the largest group of foreign workers employed in Croatia last year. The figure reflects both seasonal and other employment authorizations granted across multiple sectors, particularly tourism and hospitality.
Demand remains especially high in coastal areas, where tourism activity drives the need for additional staff. Employers are primarily seeking chefs, waiters, pastry chefs, bartenders, and housekeeping personnel—positions traditionally linked to the hospitality industry. Many companies have established recruitment systems and offer competitive packages in order to secure sufficient labor ahead of the peak season.
The trend highlights Bosnia and Herzegovina’s continued role as a key labor source for Croatia. To attract workers, employers are increasingly offering higher wages, along with accommodation, meals, and other benefits. Larger tourism companies have reportedly raised salaries by around 25 percent over the past two years, reflecting both labor shortages and competition for qualified staff.
Among all foreign nationals working in Croatia in 2025, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for the highest number of issued work permits, followed by workers from Serbia, North Macedonia, Nepal, India, and the Philippines, underscoring the significant presence of Bosnian workers in Croatia’s seasonal labor market.
