Chambermaids and cleaners were among the first roles HZZ exempted from the labour-market test in the coastal counties, because no domestic candidates apply. Filipino housekeeping staff — from cruise ships, Gulf hotels and TESDA Housekeeping NC II — turn rooms to inspection standard and stay for the season, and the next one.
Housekeeping is where Croatian hotels lose the most staff every season and where the Filipino workforce is deepest: cruise lines have staffed their housekeeping departments from the Philippines for decades, Gulf hotels likewise, and TESDA's Housekeeping NC II certifies the standard. Employers get room attendants who work to a card and a time, supervisors who inspect, and a crew that returns — on the multi-year seasonal permit, without a new file.
A room turned in Makati to your inspection sheet and your minutes per room; bed-making, bathroom, dusting sequence, amenities; chemical handling and safety; English with a guest at the door. Supervisors are tested on scheduling, inspection and reporting. You watch live or on the recording.
The route is Croatia's combined residence-and-work permit: you file one application online through the joint HZZ/MUP platform, HZZ runs the labour-market test unless the occupation is on its exemption list and gives its opinion on your eligibility, MUP decides within 90 days, and the permit runs for the contract period — up to three years, depending on the route. Before anything is filed we check the 2026 employer conditions — €100,000 turnover over the last twelve months, at least one Croatian or EEA employee for the previous year, Croatian/EEA staff at 20 % of third-country headcount (10 % for exempt occupations), no arrears, adequate accommodation.
Seasonal properties use the seasonal permit — up to nine months a year and, since June 2026, three years for the same worker and employer; year-round hotels, hospitals and facility companies use the standard permit for up to three years with Croatian A1.1 at the first renewal.
Pay must be at least the statutory minimum — €1,050 gross a month in 2026 — or the extended sector collective agreement where one applies (construction, hospitality), and accommodation must meet the legal standard for the whole stay; we put both in the offer before the interview so nothing is renegotiated at the police counter.
Recruitment runs through our own DMW-licensed agency, Prime Search Manpower Agency Inc. in Makati (licence DMW-027-LB-11182024): your company is accredited at the Migrant Workers Office in Vienna, which has jurisdiction for Croatia, the job order is registered with the DMW, and every worker leaves Manila with a verified contract, medical clearance, pre-departure orientation and an Overseas Employment Certificate. The Philippine ban on direct hiring applies; the employer is always your company, directly — the Croatian permit is issued to you, not to an agency.
Everything here is subject to the Foreigners Act as amended (NN 40/2025, NN 55/2026), the HZZ exemption list in force and MUP practice.
Yes, where the company itself meets the 2026 employer conditions and the cleaning role is on the list or passes the test in your county.
Both; Filipino housekeeping teams on cruise ships are mixed, and we source to your brief.
We test at the standard you set — typically 14–18 rooms per shift in Croatian four-star properties.
General information for employers, not legal or migration advice. Rules change; we re-verify before each hire.