Here’s a simplified and rewritten version of the blog post while keeping the HTML tags:
Croatia wants to make it easier for smart workers from other countries to come and work there. They are changing their EU Blue Card program to do this.
The Croatian government, as reported by TravelBiz, is planning to make the EU Blue Card valid for four years instead of two. This is part of new changes they are thinking about for their laws.
These changes will help fix problems where there aren’t enough workers, and they want to make Croatia a nice place for talented people from other countries to work.
Things to Know
The EU Blue Card is like a special card for smart people from outside Europe. It lets them live and work in Europe. It’s made to get skilled people for important job areas. It has good things like moving between European countries and quickly getting permanent residency.
Longer Stay for Better Jobs
Once people get the EU Blue Card, they can stay in Croatia for up to four years now, not just two. This makes it better for those looking for stable, long-lasting jobs. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković mentioned this change.
The Foreign Affairs Minister Davor Božinović said they really want more skilled workers to come to Croatia.
The longer stay aims to help Croatia find more workers and build a strong workforce for the economy.
New Rules for IT Professionals
Croatia wants to change who can get the EU Blue Card, especially for people in IT jobs. People without IT degrees but with relevant experience can also apply now.
They need to show their job experience which will be checked by a group. This is to bring in people with real skills, especially in IT, where experience matters more than a degree sometimes.
Lots of Work Permits Given Out
In 2024, Croatia gave 158,837 work and residence permits to people from other countries.
Most of these people came from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nepal, and Serbia. They mostly work in building, tourism, and trade, showing how many jobs need people from other places.
How to Get Croatia’s EU Blue Card
You have to meet certain things to get the EU Blue Card in Croatia:
1. Job Contract: You need a job offer for at least one year in a job that’s needed in Croatia.
2. Salary Needs: You must earn at least 1.5 times more than the average salary in Croatia, which is €24,845.64 per year.
3. Education and Experience: For some jobs, show your education. But for others, there are specific rules you must follow in Croatia.
4. Enough Money: You need to prove you have enough money to live in Croatia on your own without help.
Applying and Fees
It usually takes 30 to 60 days to process the EU Blue Card application.
You need to pay €74.32 to apply, which covers the cost of processing your Blue Card application.