Are you interested in working in Croatia? If so, then this article is for you. It is a compilation of questions and answers from an OFW with a YouTube channel.
Most of the questions answered in this video talk about the most basic questions, including how to apply, how much you can earn, what the cost of living is, and so much more. The article also provides tips for when you are already living and working in the country.
Disclaimer: The information posted here is based on the personal experiences shared by the OFW in the video below. Please let this post serve as a guide only. If you have specific questions, you may ask the OFW by commenting on their video on their accounts.
What You Need to Know About Working as an OFW in Croatia
To learn more about the questions and answers, and to access the latter parts of the video, check out the link below by YouTuber Ody Gals:
Croatia is a country that is open for OFWs and foreign workers from other nationalities. There are many job opportunities for everyone. But in fact, they seem to prioritize Filipinos, as we have a good reputation there.
She invited OFWs to her video so they can talk about job opportunities in Croatia, compensation and more.
The information presented is crucial if you are interested in working in the country. She even shared details about the agency that has an exclusive agreement with several institutions in Croatia. This agency, Krona International Service System, based in Makati, Philippines, is a place where you can inquire more about living and working in Croatia.
Indeed, you should choose a reputable and legitimate agency. To be sure that the agency is not illegal, visit or contact POEA or OWWA where you can also find an updated list of jobs available for OFWs in Croatia.
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about working in Croatia, as answered by Ody Gals.
Who are the OFWs in Croatia?
OFWs started coming in bunches in Croatia back in 2019. Most of these OFWs are cross country. That means they came from other countries like Kuwait, Dubai, Qatar, Saudi, etc.
How to Apply?
Most of them applied through an employment agency situated in the country where they previously came from. These agencies offered a job in Croatia to them.
Some also landed a job in Croatia through direct hiring, while others got in through recommendations and online applications.
What are the Legitimate Agencies where you can Apply?
According to Ody Gals, here are some of the legit agencies you can apply to:
- Advira Business Solutions
- Jobs in Croatia
- Future Jobs
- Wcc Diamond (Qatar-based)
- Gateway Visa Solution (Dubai-based)
- Krona International Services Systems (Philippines-based)
You can visit their website or Facebook page and you will find all the information you need to be able to apply legal for work in Croatia.
She emphasized that these are just some of the names of agencies that she knows are legitimate.
She also promotes Krona International Services Systems to those who are in the Philippines looking for a job in Croatia. She mentioned that she has no direct connection with Krona, but that all she knows is that this agency has an exclusive agreement with the Croatian Ministry of Labor.
In fact, many Croatian employers love working with Filipinos, and many of them even specifically ask for Filipino employees to work for them. They like our attitude, hard work, communication and technical skills, and professionalism.
What Types of Work are Available for OFWs in Croatia
These are the types of open jobs available for OFWs, and foreign workers in general, in Croatia. This list is according to the one shown in the video.
- Carpenter
- Welder
- Factory Worker
- Mason, Sewer, Butcher, Driver, etc.
- Hotel and Restaurant Job (Room Attendant, Kitchen Helper, Salad Maker)
- Agricultural, Farm, and Winery Job
She says that she doesn’t personally know what the jobs are specifically, nor does she know how to apply for these jobs, but these are the most common jobs available for OFWs. If you want to know more about the application process, you can ask reputable agencies like the ones recommended by her above.
How Much is the Placement Fee?
One of the first questions anyone asks before applying for a job overseas through an agency is how much the placement fee is. The answer to this question varies, depending on the agency.
She, however, said, that with Krona International Services Systems based in the Philippines, the placement fee is equivalent to one month’s worth of wage.
What is the Salary?
When you are applying for work anywhere, one of the most important things you need to know is if you are well compensated for your efforts. Since Croatia is a European country, the salary expectations are quite high.
According to the YouTuber, however, the minimum salary in Croatia is rather low or barely enough for subsistence. As of 2020, the minimum salary is 4,062.50 HR, which is equivalent to 608 US dollars, 543 EUR, or around 29,200 Philippine Pesos as a monthly income.
This information is based on the information given her by her friends in Croatia. However, the salary really depends on what kind of job you have in the country. It’s not the same, obviously, for all kinds of jobs.
The salary not only depends on the kind of job, but also where you are working within Croatia. For example, if you are working in the city, your salary will be a little bit higher than when you are working in the more rural areas.
What are Some of the Benefits?
She said that when you work in Croatia, you will most likely enjoy the following benefits:
- Accommodation
- Transportation
- Food Allowance
Some OFWs said that their food is only free during working hours. For example, if you are working in a hotel, then your food is free while you’re in your workplace. After that, when you go out, you pay for the food you eat.
Job Contract
Some OFWs encounter problems with their job contract, and most of these is due to language. The language in Croatia is different. The official language is called Standard Croatian, and it is even the literal and official standard.
When you are signing a contract, you will be given two versions of it: The English version and the Croatian version. This ensures that you will really understand the terms and conditions of your employment.
By reading the English version of the job contract carefully, you will get a better understanding of the overall nature of your work, which is important before you start signing any papers.
If your employer doesn’t give you an English version of the contract, ask it from them. You need to not just read the contract but really study it. You need to really know the terms of your salary, what your responsibilities are, your working hours and your days off, etc.
You also need to be open and vocal with your opinions during the job interview. You need to analyze their job offer, even if they make it sound like it is a really nice offer. At the end of the day, you have to tell them what your concerns are.
Getting the Working Visa
So how long does one have to wait before they can get the working visa in Croatia? Well, according to the OFWs living there, it takes around 2 to 3 months of wait before you receive your working visa.
This depends on your agency, but in most cases, a working visa has a 1 to 2-year validity. After one year, you can always have your working visa renewed, but that’s if your employer and the agency that is handling you thinks you deserve the renewal.
Some people also ask; can you go back after your contract is done? Well, yes, you can still return after your contract is finished. This depends on your employer and yourself, if you enjoyed your job and felt like doing it all over again is worth it.
Transferring to Another Work
Here’s another common question. What if I don’t like my current work anymore, can I transfer to another work? Well, according to the experience of many OFWs working in Croatia, this is okay, provided you are sure you have a job you can transfer to.
If you don’t like the way things are run in your current work, you can always ask your agency that you want to transfer. You have two options: resign and go back to the Philippines or transfer to another job.
However, the process of doing this is quite complicated. Most agencies, when you tell them you don’t like your employer anymore, they don’t accept this kind of complaint. That’s because you are under a contract with them. If the agency deems your complaint is unacceptable, they will most likely suggest that you take the resign option and go back to the home country.
However, going back to the Philippines, in this context, is the worst case scenario. In most cases, whether you are a direct hire or got to Croatia through an agency, when you retire you spend the ticket to go back home to the Philippines yourself.
If you can properly explain why you need to transfer, and if you come up with a reason that they see valid, then that’s good for both you and the agency. It is important that they know, in full detail, why one of their clients isn’t satisfied, and they are more than willing to help you get that new job.
Can You Have a Part-time job Even with an Existing Contract?
The great thing about working in Croatia is that employers don’t have your documents. As such, you can work part time for extra income. There are many OFWs and other workers that work during the extra hours of the day.
Being able to work part time really depends on whether you still have the time and energy to do so. However, the most important thing is that if you ever decide to work part time, make sure that this does not affect your performance in your full time job.
You don’t want to create conflict between you and your full time job which you signed a contract with. Having a part time job might be too much to handle, but if you feel that you can do this, then go ahead.
Is there an Age Limit for Working in Croatia?
She thinks that there could be an age limit. This depends on the nature of your work. You can always ask the agency for more information regarding this matter. Usually the age requirement appears in their bulletin.
Can I go to Croatia on a Tourist Visa and Apply There?
While some people do this, this is not recommended. OFWs who have worked in Croatia for several years already know that the country has very strict rules when it comes to foreigners entering the country.
They are really strict in terms of knowing whether someone is coming in to their country as a tourist, immigrant, worker, and others. Once you enter the country, you have to go through a police station where you are registered. That registry contains the reasons why you are in Croatia and other related details.
The Philippine Embassy also checks on the Filipinos in the country, making sure that each one is documented.
Is the Cost of Living in Croatia High?
Croatia, like many European countries, has a high cost of living. As an OFW, one of the first things that you think about are the expenses and how you can save money while working in this country. You are always thinking about ways to maximize the amount of money you are sending back home to your family in the Philippines.
Here are some examples of the common things you buy in a grocery store while living in Croatia:
- 1 liter of milk – 7.71 KN or 59 PhP
- 1 kg of white rice – 8.16 KN or 62 PhP
- 1 dozen regular-sized eggs – 19.55 KN or 148.33 PhP
- 1 kg banana – 11.71 KN or 88.84 PhP
- 1 kg tomato – 12.50 KN or 95 PhP
- Beer – 10 to 14 KN – 76 to 106 PhP
As you can see, the prices are relatively more expensive compared to those back home. Indeed, these are some of the most important things you need to know before considering working and living in Croatia. Are you satisfied with what you have seen? If so, learn more about this country and many others by reading other articles in this website.