- by croatiaweek
- July 15, 2026
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in
News
ZAGREB, 15 July 2026 – Croatia has introduced new rules that will allow experienced information and communications technology (ICT) professionals without formal university qualifications to qualify for an EU Blue Card, provided they can demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills and competencies gained through work experience.
The new regulation, presented on Wednesday by State Secretary Ivan Vidiš and Zrinka Špoljarić, acting Director of the Labour Market and Employment Directorate, establishes a formal procedure for assessing professional competencies acquired through years of work rather than higher education.
The EU Blue Card is a residence and work permit designed for highly qualified workers from non-EU countries.
Under the new system, an independent three-member committee will assess applicants’ professional competencies. The committee will include representatives from Croatia’s academic community, the Croatian Employers’ Association and the Croatian Chamber of Economy.
If the committee determines that an applicant’s knowledge, skills and competencies gained through professional experience are equivalent to those obtained through higher education, it will issue an expert opinion. This document can then be submitted to the Ministry of the Interior as part of an EU Blue Card application.
Officials said the change reflects the realities of the fast-moving ICT sector, where many highly skilled professionals have developed expertise through extensive work experience rather than formal academic qualifications.
The government says the regulation is intended to modernise Croatia’s EU Blue Card system, speed up the integration of highly qualified ICT specialists into the labour market and strengthen the competitiveness of the Croatian economy.
At the same press conference, officials also presented proposed amendments to Croatia’s Law on Regulated Professions and the Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications.
The changes aim to align Croatian legislation with updated European Union regulations while modernising education standards for several key professions, including general care nurses, dentists, pharmacists and veterinary surgeons.
(Photo: MROSP)
These professions are considered to be of particular public interest and are subject to harmonised minimum education and training requirements across the European Union to ensure consistent standards of expertise, quality and public safety.
The proposed legislative amendments will now enter a 30-day public consultation before moving to the next stage of the legislative process.
