EEA nationals have the same rights as Croatian citizens when applying for a vacancy, provided they meet the required criteria for a specific position. The Republic of Croatia made the rights of EEA nationals equal to the rights of Croatian citizens, related to applying for the same position for which a vacancy notice was published.
Applying the principle of reciprocity, Croatia introduced temporary restrictions for all EU countries that introduced restrictions and interim periods for Croatian workers. The reciprocity measures currently apply only to Austrian citizens. Austrian citizens who are subject to the Regulation can regulate their legal and work status in Croatia with a stay and work permit outside the annual quota and if they wish to work 90, 60 or 30 days per year with a work registration certificate (see requirements for work registration certificate).
In the Republic of Croatia the employment relationship is established by entering into an employment contract. The employment relationship can be established for a definite or indefinite term, full time or part time.
The contract of employment must be concluded in writing and if the employer does not offer to enter into an employment contract, a statement must be issued by the employer regarding the conclusion of such contract prior to the beginning of work.
If, prior to the beginning of work, the employer does not conclude a contract of employment with the worker in writing or does not issue a statement on the conclusion of the contract to the worker, it is considered that the employer and worker entered into an indefinite duration employment contract.
The employer shall provide the worker with a copy of the application for obligatory pension and health insurance within 8 days of the expiry of the deadline for application submission for obligatory insurance in accordance with special legislation.
Foreign citizens can find work in the Republic of Croatia in the following ways:
– through the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ – with assistance from an employment advisor or on the web page “Burza rada”),
– through agencies for employment mediation,
– online and
– in vacancy notices in public newspapers.
When registering at the Croatian Employment Service, unemployed persons are assigned with an employment advisor that helps in defining their work potential, activities that can help their employability, identifying professions they are most likely to get a job in, providing information about the labour market, provides legal advice and helps with choosing education programmes and training, writing CV’s, etc.
Agencies for employment mediation provide mediation services for the employment procedure. The employment procedure is based on writing CV’s and job applications for vacancies and providing all the necessary documents prescribed by the vacancy notice. The procedure of choosing and notifying candidates is prescribed in the vacancy notice along with its deadline. The employer’s obligations after deciding on employing the person that applied for the vacancy and what the person needs to be notified of are prescribed by law.
The employers in the public sector require a CV along with the application, as well as proof of qualifications and skills (certificates, diplomas), statement on clear criminal record, proof of citizenship and place of residence and other when necessary.
Private employers usually require an application via e-mail that consists of a CV and sometimes documents such as diplomas, certificate on passed professional examination and other, depending on the position. Sometimes it is required to fill out an online application on the employer’s web page, while other forms of application are not taken into consideration, and in some cases, mostly with small employers, it is enough to apply over the phone.
Open applications are mostly well-received. Considering that we do not know which form of application is the most acceptable to the employer, it is good to attach proof of qualifications and skills to the CV and cover letter, along with reference letters or contact information for persons who would be able to provide a reference, if there are any.
The job application should be adapted to the employer we are sending it to and it is important to highlight the knowledge or experience relevant to the position we are applying for. Also, contacting the employer in any other way than the one stated in the vacancy notice (via phone instead if e-mail, via e-mail instead of mail, etc.) is usually not acceptable.
Before talking to the employer, it is good to get detailed information on the employer’s activity, employee structure, dress code and other information that could be useful in order to leave a good impression during the interview. Being uninterested, late or unkempt will most definitely result in being disqualified from further procedure.
While choosing the candidates for the position (interview, test, survey, etc.) and concluding the contract of employment, the employer is not allowed to ask for information from the worker regarding questions that are not directly related to the employment relationship (family status, pregnancy, religion, nationality…).
More info:
https://gov.hr/moja-uprava/pravna-drzava-i-sigurnost/strani-drzavljani-u-rh/rad-stranaca/1724
https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=hr&catId=457
https://migracije.hr/eea-nationals/?lang=en#
https://migracije.hr/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kontaktne-to%C4%8Dke-direktive-2014-54-EU.pdf
Institution
Croatian Employment Service
Ulica kralja Zvonimira 15; Zagreb 10000
Tel: +385 1 5463 111
+385 1 4563 609
E-mail:
HZZ.Zagreb@hzz.hr
Working hours: 7:30 till 15:30 (Monday-Friday)
The Croatian Employment Service is the leading institution in the Croatian labour market, especially in forming the overall supply and demand in order to reach full employment, which it achieves by effectively mediating the development of high quality services according to the clients’ needs, by acquiring knowledge, developing skills and abilities and promoting partner relations with stakeholders in the labour market.
The Service operates through offices in every major city in the Republic of Croatia, while the main office is in Zagreb. The tasks within the Service and every office are divided internally among services for employers and employees, the unemployed register and active job search and professional development.
Info: HZZ
