Informative Materials – Croatia

Contents hide
1 Informative Materials – Croatia
1.1 Education paths leading to professional caregiving in Croatia
1.2 Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.3 Information for foreigners who want to become or work as formal caregivers in Croatia
1.4 Employment conditions in Croatia; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations
1.5 Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Croatia (as low-skilled foreigners)
1.6 Information on earning
1.7 Job offers
1.8 Some statistic data
1.9 Link to relevant websites in country
1.10 Useful materials
1.11 References

Education paths leading to professional caregiving in Croatia

In Croatia, formal social welfare services are offered by professionals who have completed secondary vocational or professional nursing or social care school.

Education for formal caregivers is carried out within the framework of the adult education system as well. The conditions for enrollment are to be 18 years old, to have completed at least primary education (level 2 EQF) and to have a doctor’s certificate in the psychophysical ability to perform the duties of a caregiver. The program lasts 500 hours, of which 170 hours are theoretical, 50 hours are exercises, and 280 hours are practical (EduCentar, 2022).

Link on the description of the Training programme for caregivers within the framework of the adult education system.

Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

Recognition of education for the purpose of employment is initiated by a request that foreigners submit to the ENIC-NARIC centre of Croatia (AZVO, 2023 a; AZVO, 2023 b).

More specifically:

Application for recognition of foreign educational qualifications on completed primary and secondary education in general, gymnasium and art programs for the purpose of access to the labour market in professions (not included in the List of Regulated Professions in the Republic of Croatia) shall be submitted to the Education and Training Agency:

Application for recognition of foreign educational qualifications that attest the completion of vocational education programmes and programmes of post-secondary education that do not represent higher education shall be submitted to the Agency in charge of vocational and adult education:

Information for foreigners who want to become  or work as formal caregivers in Croatia

Recognition  for the purpose of continuing education in the Republic of Croatia

This procedure recognises a foreign document holder’s right to continue education in the Republic of Croatia. The procedure is under the authority of education institutions where you intend to continue your education (request for continuing education needs to be submitted to institution where you want to study).

Employment conditions in Croatia; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations

For employment conditions of EU citizens, see Living and working conditions: Croatia (europa.eu) (EURES 2023); for employment conditions of third-country nationals, see THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS – Migracije (Migracije, 2023).

For regulations concerning the recognition of education for the purpose of work, see recognition and assessment of foreign educational qualifications in the Republic of Croatia (azvo.hr) (AZVO, 2023 b). 

Language requirements: foreigners should have a good command of the Croatian language.

Opportunities to learn the language:

  • For vulnerable groups not included in the education system, asylum seekers, and foreigners under subsidiary protection – lessons are organised in open universities, primary schools and other institutions that are authorised to perform primary education for adults
  • For other groups of foreigners, courses for adults are organised in Croaticum, and different civil-society organisations, eg. red cross, Jesuite refugee service, African society in Croatia …

Through different language schools  Biggest Croatian language schools in Croatia – Expat In Croatia

Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Croatia (as low-skilled foreigners)

There are no specific trainings for persons who come from particular countries to Croatia.

Information on earning

Net monthly pay for caregivers is around 770€ (or 1260 € gross monthly salary). The majority of caregivers’ salaries, approximately 65%, fall within the range of 610 € net to 890 € net. Caregiver with no experience gets around 550 €; highest salary can reach up to 1600 € net (Job and salary abroad, 2023; Salary explorer Croatia, 2023).

Job offers

National employment agency: Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje – Burza rada – Radna mjesta (hzz.hr)

Agencies for employment of foreigners:

Some statistic data

In 2016, Croatia had two employees in the long-term care sector per 100 persons older than 65 years, while the OECD average was five. 27 427 beneficiaries of institutional care in 2013, no data for non-institutional care – mainly provided by family members (Batinić, 2016).

Link to relevant websites in country

ENIC NARIC: ENIC/NARIC office (azvo.hr)

Recognition and assessment of foreign educational qualifications in the Republic of Croatia (ENIC NARIC): Recognition and assessment of foreign educational qualifications in the Republic of Croatia (azvo.hr)

Living and working conditions CROATIA: Living and working conditions: Croatia (europa.eu)

Useful materials

Basic Information for the Integration of Foreigners into Croatian Society: Vodič kroz integraciju_ENGLESKI.PDF.pdf (gov.hr)

Elderly care system in Croatia: 2017-Croatia-Elderly Care_0.pdf (flandersinvestmentandtrade.com)

References