As of July 1, Croatian citizens will be able to work in Slovenia without permits, the Slovenian Labour Ministry said on Friday.

Considering the current situation on Slovenia’s labour market, low unemployment rates and a big workforce shortage, there was no need to extend the restriction on Croatian workers for another two years, the ministry said.

In March, the Slovenian government endorsed a bill under which Slovenia’s labour market would remain closed for Croatian jobseekers until June 30, 2020, despite reservations from the Chamber of Commerce and some ministers. The bill did not pass in parliament which was dissolved due to an early election.

According to Slovenian business people, between 1,000 and 2,000 Croats with work permits were hired in Slovenia last year.

They now count on an additional influx of Croatian workers, notably in the border area.

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