Croatia: immigration

How many foreign workers are there in Croatia?

The Ministry of the Interior issued 124,023 residence and work permits to foreign nationals in January to September 2026, according to its monthly statistics. 48,847 were for new jobs, 49,805 were extensions and 25,371 were for seasonal work. Tourism and catering accounted for 48,156 permits and construction for 32,701.

The largest groups were citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (22,565), Serbia (19,886), the Philippines (18,712) and Nepal (17,386). These are permits issued, not people currently working, since one person can receive an extension in the same year. EU citizens do not need permits and are not counted.

Official sources: MUP: Residence and work permits, January-September 2026 (PDF, Croatian) · MUP: Statistics on foreign nationals

How many people move to and from Croatia?

56,665 people immigrated to Croatia in 2025 and 37,485 emigrated, a net gain of 19,180, according to the DZS release on migration of population. 70.3% of immigrants were foreign nationals. 17.0% came from Germany, 11.1% from Bosnia and Herzegovina and 11.1% from Nepal, while 16.6% of emigrants went to Germany.

DZS notes that many immigrants and emigrants are foreign workers with stay and work permits, and that immigrants include displaced people from Ukraine with temporary protection. Two thirds of immigrants were men. Emigrants were mostly aged 20 to 39.

Official sources: DZS: Migration of Population, 2025

How many people seek asylum in Croatia?

845 people applied for asylum in Croatia for the first time in 2025, down from 1,000 in 2024 and 1,635 in 2023, according to Eurostat. Monthly data show 340 first-time applicants in July 2026 and 335 in August. Croatia granted asylum to 24 people in 2025 and 5 in the first half of 2026, according to the Ministry of the Interior's international protection statistics.

First-time applicants exclude repeat applications. Grants are counted in the year of the decision, not the year of application. The ministry also reports transfers under the EU Dublin rules.

Official sources: Eurostat: Asylum applicants, annual data · MUP: Statistics on applicants for international protection (Croatian)

What is the population of Croatia?

Croatia had 3,874,993 inhabitants in mid-2025, according to the DZS population estimate, 8,760 more than a year earlier. Women made up 51.1% of the population. The average age was 44.7 years, and DZS notes this places Croatia among the oldest populations in Europe.

The population grew because net migration (19,180) outweighed the natural decrease (17,528). 20.1% of people live in the City of Zagreb and 11.1% in Split-Dalmatia County. The last census was taken in 2021; estimates for later years build on it.

Official sources: DZS: Population Estimate of the Republic of Croatia, 2025

How many foreign-born people live in Croatia?

13.6%: that is the share of people born abroad in Croatia for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. That compares with 13.4% in 2015. Europe & Central Asia median: 11.7%; Croatia is 24th highest of 52. Worldwide: 48th of 193.

Are more people leaving Croatia than arriving?

-3,481: that is net migration in Croatia for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. The peak was 11,681 in 2022 and the low -44,557 in 2017. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 158, and Croatia placed 31st highest of 52. World rank, highest first: 110th of 193.

How many refugees live in Croatia?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees in the country in Croatia at 29,748 in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 62,365, and Croatia placed 32nd highest of 50. Worldwide: 75th of 169.

How many people from Croatia are refugees?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Croatia at 17,207 in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 533, and Croatia placed 10th highest of 49. Worldwide: 49th of 189.

How much are remittances to Croatia?

According to the World Bank, personal remittances received in Croatia was 6.9% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 7.5% of GDP; its low point was 2012, at 3.6% of GDP. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.4% of GDP, and Croatia placed 8th highest of 47. Of 127 countries with 2025 data, 29th highest.