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Croatia faces a shortage of skilled workers, opening up vacancies for foreigners, including Brazilians. Areas such as construction, technology and hospitality are in high demand.
Croatia, known for its beautiful beaches and historical heritage, faces a serious problem that threatens the growth of its economy: the lack of qualified workers.
This scenario of labor shortage has led the country to open its doors to foreigners, including Brazilians.
In the midst of a crisis of shortage of professionals in various sectors, Croatia has become an attractive destination for those seeking new career opportunities.
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According to the report by the European Labour Authority (EURES), more than 9 thousand job openings are open, especially for professionals with qualifications in specific areas, ranging from elementary to higher education.
Growing opportunities for Brazilians in Croatia: sectors with the highest demand
With the lack of local workers, the Croatia turns to foreigners to meet demand, and Brazilians are among the main targets of this search.
According to the EURES report, sectors such as construction, electronics, mechanics, information technology (IT) and hospitality lead the list of areas with the most opportunities.
These sectors include positions ranging from those requiring basic skills to those requiring technical specializations.
Among the most demanded professions are crane operators, heavy truck drivers, electricians, mechanics and production technicians.
Hospitality, a strong sector in the Croatian economy due to tourism, is also in high demand for waiters, cooks and attendants, roles accessible to foreigners who have experience or interest in moving into these fields.
For those who have experience in information technology or mechanics, the chances of getting a job are high.
The Croatian market is lacking programmers, software developers and systems technicians, roles that require qualifications but offer attractive benefits and opportunities for growth in the European country.
Why does the country need so many professionals?
The reason behind this high demand is related to a mismatch between local workers' skills and market needs.
According to the Croatian Employment Statistics (CES), even with more than 88 thousand unemployed people in May 2024, the country's companies offered around 125 thousand vacancies.
This imbalance leaves 36.700 unfilled vacancies, even if the entire unemployed population applied.
This mismatch highlights the lack of training policies to prepare the local workforce for market demands, which creates a scenario where, even with high unemployment, companies need to resort to foreign labor to continue operating.
We also pack any skilled local workers They often seek opportunities in other European countries with more attractive salary conditions, creating a situation where the country needs foreigners to maintain essential sectors.
Saturated sectors: areas to avoid
Despite the wide demand, it is important to avoid sectors where there is already excess of professionals.
According to the EURES report, areas such as hotel reception, secretarial work, photography and graphic design are highly competitive.
These sectors are saturated and may not offer great opportunities for foreigners, since they already have a greater supply of workers than demand.
For those who want success in an international career, it is essential to focus on areas where skills are most valued, providing better salaries and stability in the Croatian market.
The construction industry, for example, demands a high number of workers in roles such as bricklayers, carpenters and painters, while the electrical sector is constantly looking for electricians and specialized technicians.
Working conditions and growth expectations
In Croatia, salaries vary depending on the level of qualification required and the location of the job, with urban areas offering more competitive salary conditions.
Foreign workers also receive government support to ease their adjustment, and Croatian labor laws provide benefits such as paid annual leave and health insurance.
Still, foreigners need to consider the cost of living, especially in larger cities like Zagreb and Split.
Although the cost of living is lower than in other European Union countries, it is important to check housing and food costs in advance.
How can Brazilians take advantage of these vacancies?
To apply, interested parties must access the EURES platform, which centralizes vacancies and guides the recruitment process throughout the European Union.
There, candidates will find the prerequisites for each role, as well as information about language requirements and professional certificates necessary for some areas.
Proficiency in English or Croatian is a major advantage, especially for positions that require direct communication with the public or specific technical knowledge.
The Croatian government also offers some incentives for qualified foreigners in critical areas, which facilitates the immigration process and adaptation to the local market.
Brazilian professionals with technical qualifications, such as mechanics or electrical engineering, have a good chance of finding employment relatively quickly.
Are you ready for this opportunity? Let us know in the comments what you think about working in Croatia!
I would really like this opportunity in construction.
I would also really like to work in construction.
I am a car mechanic and there is a lot of demand.