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For foreign nationals who want to work in Croatia, obtaining a work and residence permit is a crucial step.?One of the main authorities involved in this process is the Croatian Employment Service (CES), locally known as Hrvatski Zavod za Zapošljavanje (HZZ).
The CES plays a central role in evaluating whether foreign labor is needed for a specific job and ensuring that Croatian and EU citizens get employment priority before companies hire third-country nationals.?Here’s a detailed look at how the CES contributes to the work permit process in Croatia.
1. What Is the Croatian Employment Service (CES)?
The Croatian Employment Service (HZZ/CES) is a government agency under the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy.?Its mission is to support employment, reduce unemployment, and manage foreign labor needs.
In the context of work permits, the CES evaluates employers’ applications for foreign workers and determines whether the hiring of a non-EU national is justified based on Croatia’s labor market situation.
2. CES Role in the Work Permit Process
The CES is responsible for conducting a labor market assessment before a work permit can be approved.?This process helps ensure that no qualified Croatian or EU/EEA citizen is available for the same position.
Key functions of CES in the work permit process include:
1 Reviewing the employer’s job request for a foreign worker.
2 Conducting the labor market test (LMT).
3 Verifying the employment conditions, such as salary and job description.
4 Issuing a recommendation or opinion to the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) for final permit approval.
In most cases, a positive opinion from CES is mandatory before a foreign worker’s permit can be issued.
3. Step-by-Step Role of CES in Hiring a Foreign Worker
Here’s how CES fits into the process of hiring a non-EU national in Croatia:
Step 1: Employer Submits a Job Request
The employer submits a request to the local CES office, providing job details, required qualifications, salary, and contract terms.
Step 2: Labor Market Test
CES checks whether there are suitable candidates among registered unemployed Croatian or EU citizens.?If suitable candidates exist, they are referred to the employer for interviews.
Step 3: CES Issues an Opinion
• If no qualified candidates are available, CES issues a positive opinion, allowing the employer to proceed with a work permit request to the Ministry of Interior (MUP).
• If qualified candidates are found, CES may issue a negative opinion, and the employer cannot proceed with hiring a third-country national.
Step 4: Employer Submits the Work Permit Application
Once the CES opinion is received, the employer (or the foreign employee) submits the complete application to MUP for final approval.
4. When CES Approval Is Not Required
In certain cases, employers can hire foreign nationals without CES involvement.?These include:
• Jobs on the official shortage occupation list (updated annually).
• EU Blue Card holders (highly qualified professionals).
• Intra-company transfers or temporary service providers.
• Seasonal workers in pre-approved sectors (e.g., tourism, agriculture).
• Foreign workers applying for permit renewal with the same employer.
For these cases, the labor market test is skipped, and the application goes directly to the Ministry of Interior.
5. How CES Supports Employers
The Croatian Employment Service provides several forms of assistance to employers, including:
• Guidance on labor market test procedures.
• Publishing job vacancies to identify available local workers.
• Providing feedback on the availability of qualified candidates.
• Issuing official opinions necessary for foreign worker permit approval.
• Consulting on employment law compliance and foreign labor quotas.
This ensures that foreign recruitment aligns with national labor policies and that employers meet legal hiring standards.
6. CES and the Labor Market Test (LMT)
The labor market test remains one of CES’s most important responsibilities.?It ensures that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact local employment opportunities.
Typical timeline:
• The labor market test usually takes 10–15 days.
• If no suitable local candidates are available, CES issues a positive opinion valid for 90 days.
• The employer must apply for a work permit within that time frame.
7. Cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior (MUP)
The CES and MUP work together to ensure the foreign hiring process remains fair and efficient:
• CES conducts labor market assessments.
• MUP handles the legal issuance of residence and work permits.
Without CES’s recommendation, MUP cannot issue a new work and residence permit for most third-country workers.
8. Key Legal Basis
The CES’s role in issuing work permits is defined under:
• The Aliens Act (Zakon o strancima).
• The Labor Market Act (Zakon o tržištu rada).
These laws outline Croatia’s obligations to protect domestic employment while allowing foreign labor recruitment where needed.
Key Takeaway
The Croatian Employment Service (CES) plays a crucial role in the work permit process, ensuring that foreign workers are hired only when no local or EU candidates are available.?By conducting the labor market test, verifying job conditions, and issuing recommendations to the Ministry of Interior, CES ensures fair, transparent, and compliant foreign employment in Croatia.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice.?Work permit procedures and CES requirements in Croatia may change based on new regulations or labor market needs.?Always check with the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ) or the Ministry of Interior (MUP) for the most current information before applying.
November 7, 2025
