New health and housing standards impact 105,000 foreign workers in Croatia

Croatia’s permit rules now add health and housing checks

Croatia’s Pravilnik o izmjenama i dopunama Pravilnika o boravku državljana trećih zemalja u Republici Hrvatskoj took effect on April 30 and adds mandatory health screening and stricter housing rules for third-country nationals applying for work and residence permits. The changes apply to first-time applications filed after that date and cover more than 105,000 foreign workers with valid permits.

Employers now have to prove suitable housing with notarized rental contracts or owner statements, plus minimum space of 14 m² per worker and 6 m² for each extra occupant. The rules also require separate living and sleeping areas, sanitary facilities and working utilities. Rent arranged by employers can't top 30% of net salary and can’t be auto-deducted.

Who the rules reach and who they don’t

The new checks mainly affect workers from outside the EU and EEA, including seasonal staff and other hires in construction, hospitality and similar sectors. Foreign workers must also submit a health certificate and vaccination status form from county public health institutes or the Croatian Institute of Public Health.

Tourists on short Schengen stays are unaffected and digital nomads on separate remote-work permits aren’t directly covered unless they switch into local employment. Existing long-term permit holders may face the rules when they renew or change jobs. Croatia’s nomad news coverage has tracked the permit changes closely.

What applicants and employers need to file

Applicants for local jobs now need a medical exam and a Form 18a health certificate that’s no older than 90 days for initial applications. Employers must file Form 17a and provide housing proof that lists occupants, square footage and rent.

The ministry says noncompliance can trigger heavy fines and recent inspections have already produced multimillion-euro penalties. Read our full Croatia guide for the complete picture.