Croatia is scrambling to recruit staff amid fears of a labour shortage in tourism, hospitality and retail ahead of the busy summer season.

12:55, Tue, Feb 10, 2026 Updated: 12:58, Tue, Feb 10, 2026

Komiza seascape island Vis.

Croatia is scrambling to recruit amid fears of a tourism, hospitality and retail labour shortage (Image: Getty)

Just two months into the new year, Croatia's tourism, hospitality and retail sectors have launched recruitment drives ahead of the busy upcoming tourist season as serious labour shortages threaten to wreck one of the country's most vital sectors. Some 65,000 seasonal workers will be required this year to sustain one of Europe's premier tourism destinations, according to industry estimates.

However, with domestic labour increasingly scarce and qualified workers harder to retain, employers have started their recruitment efforts earlier than ever. "Most recruitment activity is concentrated in January and February. By the end of February, a significant number of employers already have most of their workforce secured,” said Alen Mrvac, Public Relations Specialist at Alma Career Croatia.

Tourists wearing summer clothing walk along the main street of old Dubrovnik, looking at the shops, restaurants and limestone buildings.

Hoteliers estimate that 65,000 seasonal workers will be needed in Croatia this year (Image: Getty)

“Remaining positions are usually filled as emergency solutions in April or May," reported HRT.

The shortage of domestic workers has also prompted employers to plan well in advance when hiring from abroad. They have been on the hunt for foreign seasonal workers since October, primarily to ensure work permits are issued on time, according to CroatiaWeek. However, reliance on foreign workers remains unavoidable.

“We estimate the need at around 65,000 seasonal workers. We aim to fill as many positions as possible from the domestic labour market, but that is simply not achievable in full,” Bernard Zenzerović, Director of the Croatian Hotel Employers Association, said. “We expect around 15,000 seasonal workers from Croatia, with foreign worker numbers similar to last year, at roughly 50,000.”

Idyllic beach Punta Rata in Brela aerial view

Croatia was named the 'Best Country to Visit in 2025', beating Spain and Italy (Image: Getty)

The most sought-after professions include chefs, waiters, pastry chefs, housekeepers, receptionists, animators and retail staff. While employers still seek high-quality employees, due to current labour market realities, expectations have had to be adjusted.

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“Criteria have been lowered slightly. Where five years of experience was once required, now three years is often sufficient," Mr Mrvac added. As a result, more is being invested in staff training and on-site education to maintain service quality standards.

With its pristine coastlines and incredible cities like Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia stands as one of Europe's top tourist destinations, consistently ranking within the top 10 most visited EU countries for overnight stays. It was also officially crowned the "Best Country to Visit in Europe in 2025" at ITB Berlin, beating major destinations including Spain and Italy.