February the 27th, 2023 - As is the case every year with this country's seasonal employment curse, the hunt for Croatian seasonal employees is now on as we approach Easter. Here are the professions would-be employers are seeking staff for.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, snow might have fallen (at least here in Zagreb), Easter is gradually approaching and there are more and more ads appearing as potential employers seek out Croatian seasonal employees for summer 2023. The Employment Office in Rijeka is looking for 670 cooks, but only 123 have applied, 1,000 waiters are needed, and 223 have applied, more than 600 maids are wanted, and there are only 50 of them registered as unemployed and seeking work. HRT has also investigated what the situation is like at this moment in time for Opatija's ever-popular hotels.

As a favourite year-round tourist destination for all sorts of guests, but particularly for the Germans and Austrians, Opatija has more and more hotels that are remaining open all year round. This alone increases the chance that quality Croatian seasonal employees will be accepted into permanent employment positions. Until they are employed, the students of the Opatija Hospitality School regularly compete, practice and study.

"As part of the Regional Centre of Competence, we have the opportunity to send children to competitions, so they like it even more, and hotels and restaurateurs can't wait to hire them," says Sibila Roth, director of the Opatija Hospitality School, for HRT.

After two pandemic-dominated years, students are increasingly interested in becoming employed as cooks, waiters, pastry chefs and receptionists. While Croatian seasonal employees are preferred, there remains a serious lack of qualified labour on the domestic labour market, and it is increasingly certain that Croatian restaurateurs and hoteliers will continue to look for workers from outside of Croatian borders for this season as well.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated news section.

February the 27th, 2023 - The brand new Croatian Digital Transformation Council has been formed, as yet another new body to involve government ministers and be headed by PM Andrej Plenkovic.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the Croatian Digital Transformation Council, newly formed to oversee and push the country's digital transformation, will be chaired by the Prime Minister, and will have more than forty members. The implementation of the country's digital transformation will be monitored by all government ministers, representatives of the academic community, IT associations, as well as various representatives of local and regional communities.

All of the aforementioned individuals will have the task of ensuring the implementation of the goals of the Digital Croatia Strategy, so that, as the explanation says, Croatia will successfully become a country with a well-developed digital economy in the coming period. On top of that, and what might come as quite the surprise for a country so masochistically fixated on lines, papers and stamps, the aims is for an entirely digital public administration in which people with developed digital competences will work via broadband electronic communication networks.

The explanation also noted that the term "Digital transformation" refers to the processes taking place across the Republic of Croatia in the field of the digital development of the domestic economy, public administration, the development of broadband Internet, the development of digital skills, and the forming of a digital society in accordance with the development goals of Croatia as a member state of the European Union (EU).

"The task of the Croatian Digital Transformation Council is to monitor the implementation of the set strategic goals and the effect of the implementation of digital transformation measures on the overall development of our society, as well as monitoring the measures and activities of digital policies at the European Union level.

The Croatian Digital Transformation Council will also propose measures and activities to achieve the strategic goals of Croatia's digital transformation, make recommendations for the harmonisation of digital policies and departmental priorities in the field of digitalisation, encourage interdepartmental cooperation and cooperation with local and regional self-government units in the implementation of all of the measures and activities, but also give recommendations of legal solutions for the implementation of the digital transformation", reads the decision on the establishment of the Croatian Digital Transformation Council.

For more, check out our news section.

February 27, 2023 - The SuperSport HNL 23rd round was played from February 24 to 26, 2023. This round saw Gorica record its first victory in half a year, and their second total this season. Rijeka's winning streak also ended in this round, while Osijek and Hajduk have fallen further away from Dinamo at the top of the standings. 

Sibenik v. Istria 1961 (0-0)

Sibenik and Istra opened the 23rd round on Friday, February 24, in Sibenik in front of 511 fans. 

The game went without a goal from either side. Sibenik had 40% possession compared to Istra's 60%. Sibenik had three shots on target and nine shots total, while Istra had no shots on target and three total shots.

Sibenik is in 9th place with 20 points, while Istra is in 5th with 31 and a game in hand. Sibenik plays Varazdin next, and Istra plays Rijeka. 

Gorica v. Lokomotiva (1-0)

Gorica and Lokomotiva met on Saturday, February 25, in Velika Gorica in front of 806 fans. 

Gorica scored first thanks to Juric in the 30th minute though it was called offside after consulting VAR to keep the score even. Fucak got back the goal for Gorica in the 87th minute for the final 1-0. This was Gorica's second win this season. Gorica only had 35% possession during the match, but they had 15 total shots and seven on target. Lokomotiva only had three shots on target. 

Gorica is in the last place with 12 points, while Lokomotiva is in 8th with 25. Gorica plays Belupo next, and Lokomotiva plays Hajduk. 

Rijeka v. Slaven Belupo (0-1)

Rijeka and Belupo on Saturday, February 25, at Rujevica in front of 3000 fans. 

Rijeka was the first to score in the 44th minute, which was called back after consulting VAR. Finally, Crnac scored for 0-1 Belupo in the 85th minute. Belupo only had 35% possession during the match and only one shot on target which they scored. Rijeka had six shots on target and 18 total shots. 

Rijeka is in 7th place with 28 points, while Belupo is in 4th with 32. Rijeka plays Istra next, and Belupo plays Gorica.  

Dinamo v. Hajduk (4-0)

Dinamo and Hajduk met on Sunday, February 26, for the 'eternal derby' at Maksimir in front of 14010 fans. 

Ademi opened Dinamo's scoring spree in the 8th minute for 1-0 before Baturina made it 2-0 two minutes later. After that, it was 3-0, thanks to Ivanusec at halftime. Ivanusec scored the final goal of the match in the 63rd minute. Dinamo had 70% possession during the game, with 14 total shots and five on target. Hajduk was without half of its starters due to injury and illness, with Marko Livaja playing the first half even though he hadn't trained all week. Hajduk also debuted 16-year-old Luka Vuskovic, tying the record for the youngest player to make his HNL debut. 

Dinamo is in first place with 55 points and a game in hand, while Hajduk is in 2nd with 44. Dinamo plays Osijek next, and Hajduk plays Lokomotiva. 

Osijek v. Varazdin (0-1)

Osijek and Varazdin closed out the 23rd round on Sunday at City Garden Stadium in front of 1007 fans. 

The match's only goal came in the 28th minute when Drozdek scored for 0-1. Osijek had 65% possession during the game and three shots on target. Varazdin only had one shot on target which they scored. 

Osijek is in 3rd place with 35 points, while Varazdin is in 6th place with 30. Osijek plays Dinamo next, and Varazdin meets Sibenik. 

You can check out the HNL table HERE. 

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

February the 26th, 2023 - The plan for next year is to finally bring in the much talked about ETIAS. The ETIAS is not a visa but a travel authorisation which should take a mere few minutes. Who will need an ETIAS to enter Croatia?

First things first, let's have a look at some ETIAS facts

An ETIAS is not a visa but a travel authorisation, and it is currently not in operation, so applications cannot yet be made.

The plan is for it to become operational in 2024.

ETIAS approval is not the same as having a residence permit in an EU country, it is intended for short stays of 90 days or less in any 180 days only.

Nationals of the following non-EU countries (over 60 such nations) who do not require a visa to enter the EU will be required to obtain an ETIAS for short-term stays in the EU, with some exceptions and caveats that I'll list a bit later on.

An ETIAS will cost seven euros and be valid for multiple entries into the EU for a period of three years, or until the travel document registered to it expires, if that's sooner. In some cases, it will be free.

30 European countries will require visa-exempt nationals to have an ETIAS to enter.

How do you apply for an ETIAS?

ETIAS applications will be processed in a mere few minutes in the vast majority of cases. In rare cases, the process may take longer. It can take either four days, which can be extended to two weeks should you be asked to provide more information, or even up to a month (30 days) if you need to have an interview. Such cases will be exceptionally rare, but it is still wise to apply for your ETIAS long before your scheduled trip through either the ETIAS app or website. 

Here's what you'll need to provide when you apply.

You'll be emailed with confirmation of your application and this email will contain a unique application number. You'll then receive another email with the result of your application once it has been processed successfully. In the very rare event of your application being refused, you'll be told why and also given the chance to appeal the decision. Find out more about that here.

What if you want to enter Croatia in 2024 and you're stateless?

If you don't hold the citizenship of any country, you'll still need to have an ETIAS to enter Croatia as of 2024 if you hold a travel document issued by the Republic of Ireland or any of these countries.

Who won't need an ETIAS to enter Croatia in 2024?

If you hold the citizenship of any of the countries requiring ETIAS, you don't need one yourself in order to enter. 

If you hold a residence permit issued by the authorities of any of the countries which would otherwise require an ETIAS, you do not need one yourself to enter Croatia.

If you're a citizen of Monaco, the Holy See, the Republic of Ireland, San Marino or Andorra, you do not need an ETIAS to enter Croatia.

If you're a British citizen protected by the Withdrawal Agreement, you do not need an ETIAS. This also includes any family members protected under the same Agreement. Both British nationals who have rights afforded to them by the Withdrawal Agreement and their family members (who do not necessarily have to be British) can reside in the country of their registered residence and travel to all other countries which would otherwise require an ETIAS without one, but they must have documents (such as residence permits) to prove their status with them.

If you're a stateless person (a person with no citizenship), a refugee or a person who doesn't hold the citizenship of any country and you reside in any of the European countries otherwise requiring ETIAS and you hold a valid travel document issued by that country.

If you hold a national long-term visa, a uniform visa or a local border traffic permit, or if you hold a service, special or diplomatic biometric passport.

Can you apply for an ETIAS for other people?

Yes, you can.

You'll need to sign a declaration of representation when doing so via the app or the website, as will the person you're making the application for. Only one declaration per traveller will be permitted.

One ETIAS per person will be the rule, therefore family or group applications won't be possible. It is up to you to make sure that all of the data is correct when making the application, and then again when you receive your decision by email.

Caveats

British nationals are no longer EU citizens. They will require an ETIAS to enter Croatia or any other country requiring ETIAS travel authorisation for 90 days in any 180 days (short-term stay) given that the United Kingdom is a European country which has visa-exempt access to the EU. The only exceptions to this are those who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement and who can prove it, as stated above. British Withdrawal Agreement residence permit holders will not require an ETIAS to enter Croatia or any other EU country otherwise requiring it of British nationals who are not holders of the aforementioned residence permit.

Nationals of neighbouring non-EU countries such as Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will need to have an ETIAS to enter Croatia, ending the easy passage in and out of Croatia for holders of Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens that has been enjoyed for many years. Croatian citizens living in Bosnia and Herzegovina and those with Croatian residence permits are exempt.

Being approved for an ETIAS doesn't automatically guarantee you entry into the country you're travelling to. That is ultimately up to the border guard. 

You must use the passport you used as part of your ETIAS application when you arrive at the Croatian border as the authorisation is linked to that particular travel document. You will be refused entry into the country upon arrival at the border if you present a different document to the one used to make the application.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

February 26, 2023 - It is 8 years since I wrote my most popular article ever about Croatia - now meet the story behind it and the video version of 25 Reasons You Should Never Visit Croatia.

It was one of the quickest articles I have ever written.

Less than 25 minutes from start to finish. 

And - full disclosure - beer was involved. 

A client had asked me to write an article called 25 Reasons NEVER to Visit Croatia, a provocative title, with the clickbaity twist giving 25 reasons why Croatia was in fact an amazing place to visit.

After an afternoon on the Weissbier in Munich, I pulled out a cold one from the fridge and got to work, writing down the first 25 reasons that came into my head. 

The client was pleased and - it seemed - so were his readers, as he reported a million clicks in the first 24 hours.  It was EVERYWHERE!

I went back into the studio recently to record more videos for my new YouTube channel, Paul Bradbury Croatia Expert, and I thought it would be fun to make a video version of the original article. 

So here it is, the latest from the Fat Vlogger. Are you coming to Croatia this summer?

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You can subscribe to the Paul Bradbury Croatia Expert YouTube channel here.

What is it like to live in Croatia? An expat for 20 years, you can follow my series, 20 Ways Croatia Changed Me in 20 Years, starting at the beginning - Business and Dalmatia.

Follow Paul Bradbury on LinkedIn.

Croatia, a Survival Kit for Foreigners is now available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle.

February 26, 2023 - An exclusive from Jutarnji List (translation below) on the start of an operation to send Croatian helicopters to Ukraine.

According to our information, the aircraft will be ready for transport in approximately 10 days

Croatia has started the operation of sending 14 transport helicopters to Ukraine. Twelve MI 8 MTV-1 helicopters and two MI 8 T helicopters have been separated from the Armed Forces, and preparations for their transport have begun, Jutarnji list has learned.

According to available information, several helicopters are currently located in the premises of the Aviation Technical Center in Velika Gorica, where its employees are handling all the necessary technical preparations. Some of the helicopters are in hangars, and currently two are outside the ZTC. Among other things, all existing markings are removed from the helicopters, used material is changed if necessary, oil is added, etc. Due to the lack of space in the ZTC, the remaining helicopters are located in the military part of the Pleso airport and in Lučko. It is estimated that the helicopters will be ready for transport in about ten days. According to our information, seven helicopters will be partially disassembled and transported by land, and the remaining seven will fly to Poland. Namely, all 14 helicopters will be transferred to Poland, from where they will be forwarded to Ukraine. The assumption is that helicopters with more resources will fly to Poland, while those with less resources will be transferred by land. After the departure of these helicopters to Ukraine, the Croatian Air Force will have at its disposal ten MI 171Sh transport helicopters and four Black Hawk helicopters.

The Croatian Government has classified all information on military aid to Ukraine as confidential, and it is impossible to obtain official confirmation of this information. The donation of 14 transport helicopters was confirmed by Prime Minister Plenković in November last year, but without any other details. On the other hand, President Milanović was very angry two months ago by the fact that the Government was arranging the donation of helicopters, and he said that the Ministry of Defense did not explain to him how these helicopters would be replaced. "I don't give a damn," Milanović said at the time. Two days ago, on the other hand, when he was asked when the helicopters would arrive in Ukraine, he answered rather disinterestedly: "I have no idea."

In September of last year, photos of M-46 130 mm cannons targeting Russian positions were published on Ukrainian portals. In addition, more than ten crates of OF-482 fuze grenades were shown. On the crates, it says "Bullet with current-explosive number OF-482" in Latin script in Croatian. A month ago, a column of 12 civilian tow trucks was filmed on the highway towards the Macelj border crossing, and each one had a cannon covered. Apart from them, there was at least one tow truck with a closed cargo area in the convoy. It was most likely transporting ammunition. The tow trucks headed towards Maclje from the VSK Jasikovac military warehouse near Gospić.

In the last month, the greater diplomatic activity of the Minister of Defense Banožić in relation to Ukraine is visible. He was twice at the meetings of the Defense Contact Group for Ukraine, and in Zagreb he was the Minister of Defense of Poland. Given that Croatia coordinates the sending of military aid to its allies, the donation of helicopters must have been negotiated in more detail at those meetings as well. At these meetings, Minister Banožić, on behalf of the Government, confirmed each time that Croatia would continue to militarily assist Ukraine. However, there has been no official word on how much military aid has been sent so far. At the Government session on Thursday, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zdenko Lucić, only briefly said that in the past year, the Government made decisions that donated more than six million euros for humanitarian aid to Ukraine and that "we provided significant military aid". Lucić pointed out that "Croatia participates in international initiatives and activities to help Ukraine, and Croatia's total aid, when everything is added up, exceeds the amount of 160 million euros".

So far, there is no information on what Croatia could get for the donated military equipment. The rule is that the eastern members of the Alliance for Artillery and Missile Weapons of Soviet production, which they send to Ukraine, receive new western weapons from their partners. The Croatian public has already speculated that in return Croatia could receive additional quantities of 155 mm self-propelled howitzers. Last year, Minister Banožić announced that Croatia would start the procurement of new PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, but he did not talk about the details. It was his announcement that many connected with the possibility of Croatia "trading" cannons to Ukraine for new German howitzers. It was also mentioned that the USA could deliver more used Black Hawk helicopters to Croatia. However, there is no confirmation of this yet.

You can read the original article in Jutarnji List here.

February 26, 2023 - From 14:30 onwards, due to meteorological conditions, there is no free road direction for any group of vehicles from the direction of Dalmatia towards the interior and vice versa, reports HAK/Index.hr.

Winter road maintenance is in progress, so there are frequent delays behind winter service vehicles, which move more slowly.

There are winter conditions on most of the roads in Lika and Gorski Kotar, including the A1 motorway between the junctions Gospić and Maslenica (Rovanjska), the A6 Rijeka-Zagreb between the junctions Kikovica and Bosiljevo II and the state road DC3 Karlovac-Vrbovsko-Delnice-Kikovica (the old road through Gorski district).

The latest travel information from Croatian Roads (HAK) - click here for further updates in English.

Last update 26.2.2023. 15:32

Due to very strong wind and snow all traffic is suspended:

• on the A1 Zagreb-Split-Ploče motorway between Sveti Rok and Posedarje junctions;
• on the DC1 Udbina-Gračac-Knin state road;
• on the DC8 Adriatic road Senj-Sveta Marija Magdalena;
• on the DC50 Sveti Rok-Gračac state road;
• on the DC54 Maslenica-Zaton Obrovački state road;
• on the DC25 Gospić-Karlobag state road;
• on the DC218 Bjelopolje-Donji Lapac state road;
• on the ŽC5217 Dobroselo-Mazin regional road.

Passenger traffic is allowed only:

• on the A6 Rijeka-Zagreb motorway between Kikovica and Delnice junctions;
• on the A7 Rijeka bypass road between Škurinje and Orehovica junctions, detour: Rijeka;
• on the part of the DC8 Adriatic road Novi Vinodolski-Senj;
• at Pag bridge;
• at Krk bridge.

On the DC8 Adriatic road from Bakar to Novi Vinodolski, on the A7 Draga (Rijeka Istok)-Šmrika motorway, on the DC99 Križišće junction-Križišće state road and on the LC58107 Kraljevica-Križišće local road there is a traffic ban on: doubledeckers, trailers, motorcycles, delivery vans and vehicles with covered cargo area.

Due to a freight vehicle accident traffic is suspended on the DC27 Obrovac-Gračac state road.

Due to a traffic accident on the DC59 Kistanje-Knin state road at Radučić one lane is free only.

Attention to many trees and branches fallen on the road in the area of Pula and Labin!

Due to winter driving conditions there is a traffic ban on freight vehicles with a trailer and all other vehicles have to use the winter equipment on the following roads of

Gorski kotar mountain area:

• A6 Rijeka-Zagreb motorway, section Bosiljevo 2-Kikovica;
• DC3 Karlovac-Vrbovsko-Delnice-Gornje Jelenje-Kikovica;
• DC32 Prezid-Delnice;
• DC42 Vrbovsko-Josipdol-Stubica-Ogulinski Hreljin;
• DC203 Brod na Kupi-Delnice;
• DC305 Parg-Čabar;
• DC501 Gornje Jelenje-Oštrovica-Meja;
• DC549 Vrata-Fužine;
• ŽC5094 Ledenice-Stalak;
• regional and local roads in the area of Vrbovsko, Delnice, Čabar and Gornje Jelenje;

Lika mountain area:

• A1 motorway, section Gospić-Maslenica (Rovanjska);
• DC1 Karlovac-Zagorje-Grabovac-Korenica-Udbina-Gračac-Knin;
• DC23 Duga Resa-Josipdol-Kapela-Žuta Lokva-Senj;
• DC25 Korenica-Lički Osik-Gospić;
• DC27 Gračac-Zaton Obrovački;
• DC33 Strmica-Knin;
• DC42 Munjava-Grabovac;
• DC50 Žuta Lokva-Gospić-Gračac;
• DC52 Špilnik-Korenica;
• DC59 Bribirske Mostine-Knin;
• DC218 Bjelopolje-Donji Lapac-Užljebić;
• DC429 Selište Drežničko-Prijeboj;
• ŽC5217 Bruvno-Mazin;
• regional and local roads in Ličko-senjska county.

For freight vehicles with trailers there is currently no open road connecting the interior with Dalmatia and with the area of Rijeka and Istria.

Drivers are asked to adjust the way of driving and driving speed to road conditions, to keep the safety distance and not to start the journey without the winter equipment!

February 26, 2023 - It is just over a year since carnage was unleashed in Ukraine, leading to millions of Ukrainians forced to flee the country.  How many ended up in Croatia?

It has been 12 months of heartwarming stories of Croatians opening their arms to help those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Memories of their own Homeland War less than 30 years ago are very fresh in the memory, and the overall Croatian response has been outstanding. 

The influx of Ukrainians into Croatian society is plain to see, from the school and kindergartens to the labour market. But just how many Ukrainians came to Croatia? 

Russians opposed to Putin and/or looking to avoid conscription have also left Russia in their droves. 

I recently contacted the Ministry of the Interior to get statistics on how many foreigners were living in Croatia with temporary and permanent residence. When I did the same request in 2018, MUP's information showed that there were just 29,156 foreigners here with temporary and permanent residence. Of those, only 5 - BiH,  Slovenia, Serbia, Germany and Italy - had more than 1,000 nationals in the country.  

How times change - the data as of December 31, 2022 below - 129,227 in all, a big jump.

Although I had expected the larger numbers from Nepal, India and the Philippines, I was surprised that there were not more Ukrainians. MUP explain that these were foreigners with either 1-yea temporary or permanent residence permits only, and that there were considerably more Ukrainians here, to which they put a number from my next enquiry:

There are currently 244 international protection applicants from the Russian Federation in the Republic of Croatia.

As regards the number of Ukrainian citizens who have arrived in the Republic of Croatia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine (since 25 February 2022), please note that a total of 22,450 persons displaced from Ukraine came to the Republic of Croatia until 19 February 2023.

For more on the changing demographics in Croatia, click here.

Read more... Croats Leaving, Foreigners Arriving, How to Preserve Hrvatska?

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You can subscribe to the Paul Bradbury Croatia Expert YouTube channel here.

What is it like to live in Croatia? An expat for 20 years, you can follow my series, 20 Ways Croatia Changed Me in 20 Years, starting at the beginning - Business and Dalmatia.

Follow Paul Bradbury on LinkedIn.

Croatia, a Survival Kit for Foreigners is now available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle.