A new law requiring foreign workers in Croatia to pass an A1.1 language test to renew permits is drawing criticism from experts who argue it fails to address broader integration challenges.
Key facts
- •The new law mandates A1.1 Croatian language proficiency for foreign workers to renew work and residence permits beginning in 2027.
- •Ivan Balabanić of the Institute for Migration Research argues that the state should bear the primary responsibility for funding and facilitating integration.
- •A November 2025 study indicated that only 2.4 percent of Croatian citizens surveyed would accept a foreign worker as a friend.
- •Only 28.7 percent of foreign workers surveyed in Zagreb and Zagreb County in November 2025 had a chosen general practitioner.
- •Experts warn that many foreign workers lack access to reliable information about their legal rights, including labor protections and healthcare.
Starting in 2027, foreign workers in Croatia will be required to demonstrate A1.1 level proficiency in the Croatian language to extend their residence and work permits. Migration experts are criticizing the mandate, arguing that basic language skills alone do not constitute meaningful social integration. Ivan Balabanić of the Institute for Migration Research warns that the law places a formal requirement on workers without providing the necessary tools or systemic support for them to navigate life in Croatia.
By the numbers
Integration and Systemic Barriers
Balabanić emphasizes that true integration requires more than a language course; it necessitates access to reliable information regarding labor rights, healthcare, and administrative procedures. Currently, many foreign workers face an 'information vacuum' because official institutional websites are often only available in Croatian. This lack of accessible information leaves workers heavily dependent on employers or agencies for guidance on critical issues, such as whether an employer is permitted to hold their passport.
Social and Administrative Challenges
Research from the Institute for Migration Research highlights significant social and administrative hurdles. A November 2025 study of 1,000 citizens found that only 2.4 percent would accept a foreign worker as a friend, and 5.7 percent as a neighbor. Additionally, a separate study of 429 foreign workers in Zagreb and Zagreb County found that only 28.7 percent had a chosen general practitioner, complicating their access to regular healthcare.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Total Croatia News.
