July the 16th, 2026 – Foreign students might be able to help the ongoing Croatian labour shortage, but experts have warned that the country’s infamous bureaucracy remains by far the biggest barrier.
As Croatia continues to grapple with severe labour shortages across a growing number of different sectors, policymakers and education experts are increasingly looking to international students as part of the long-term solution. However, as Ana Roksandic writes for Poslovni, while the country has significant potential to attract more foreign talent, experts argue that cumbersome bureaucracy is holding Croatia back.
Speaking at a recent discussion on the internationalisation of higher education, participants highlighted that foreign students represent more than just tuition revenue—they are also a valuable future workforce. Many countries actively encourage international graduates to remain after completing their studies, helping fill gaps in skilled professions and contributing to economic growth.
Croatia, however, continues to lag behind much of Europe.
According to the latest available figures, international students account for just 3.7 percent of Croatia’s student population, well below the European Union average of 8.4 percent. Most of these students enrol at public universities, while private higher education institutions attract a much smaller share.
Officials pointed to the national Study in Croatia initiative as the country’s primary platform for promoting Croatian universities abroad. The programme aims to make information on study opportunities, admissions, scholarships and student life more accessible to prospective international students.
Despite these efforts, attracting foreign students remains a challenge. One of the strongest criticisms came from an American professor with experience working in Croatia, who argued that administrative procedures remain unnecessarily complex. Lengthy visa processes, residence permit requirements and extensive paperwork can discourage prospective students before they even arrive in the country.
Business leaders keep on warning that this represents a serious and totally missed opportunity. With Croatia facing an ageing population, declining domestic enrolment and persistent labour shortages, international students could become an important source of highly educated professionals. Many experts argue that students who study in Croatia are more likely to integrate into the local labour market, particularly if they gain work experience through internships during their studies.
Improving administrative procedures, simplifying residence and work regulations, and making Croatia a more attractive study destination could therefore help address both demographic and economic challenges in the years ahead.
As Croatia searches for sustainable solutions to its labour shortage, many believe that attracting and retaining more international students may prove to be one of the country’s most effective long-term investments, provided the country’s dreaded red tape and bureaucracy can keep pace with the ambition.
