Croatia cracking down on fake jobs for foreigners and visa misuse

Croatia is stepping up efforts to prevent abuse of foreign labour regulations, with new measures introduced under amendments to the Aliens Act.

Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović revealed details of the crackdown in a recent episode of the Bobu bob! podcast, hosted by Igor Bobić.

Božinović explained that authorities identified loopholes in the system, prompting changes aimed at preventing employers from exploiting foreign workers, Večernji list writes.

The amendments allow not just the police, but also other agencies, including the Tax Administration and Labour Inspectorate, to take action against illegal practices.

Tackling Fake Job Offers and Visa Misuse

One of the key issues addressed is the misuse of work permits.

Some employers were found bringing foreign workers into Croatia under the guise of jobs in construction and mechanics, only to redirect them into gig economy roles such as food delivery drivers for Wolt and Bolt.

This practice is now being closely monitored, with penalties introduced for companies found violating employment laws.

The government has also uncovered cases where foreign nationals obtained Croatian work permits but never actually arrived in the country, instead using them as a gateway to other EU nations.

“There have been cases like that. In a way that they get a permit for Croatia, and then they don’t even show up here, or if they land here, they immediately continue somewhere in Europe,” the minister said

Stricter controls are now in place at the visa application stage, and businesses must provide a financial guarantee when applying for work permits for foreign employees.

If a worker does not report to their job, the employer will be financially liable for repatriation costs.

Sanctions for Irresponsible Employers

Authorities are also cracking down on fraudulent agencies acting as intermediaries between foreign workers and companies such as Uber.

Eight such firms have already lost their licences.

“This year we have about twenty-two driving licenses that were forged, and they were used to drive around Croatia,” he added.

In addition, the government has increased requirements for these agencies, ensuring they have a legitimate financial track record and employ a sufficient number of Croatian or EU workers before being allowed to hire foreign staff.

“Around 20% of these agencies will likely survive under the new rules,” said Božinović, adding that the changes were necessary to prevent profiteering from vulnerable workers.

The new measures mark a significant step in tightening Croatia’s labour laws, ensuring that foreign workers are protected while preventing misuse of the system.