ABSTRACT
This article examines how labour migration is governed and politicised in Croatia, a post-socialist EU member state undergoing a rapid transition from emigration to immigration. Drawing on policy analysis, party manifestos, and media sources, it traces Croatia’s shift toward liberalised recruitment of third-country nationals amidst labour shortages and demographic decline. At the same time, migration has become increasingly politicised, particularly during the 2024 national elections. The article introduces the concept of segmented migration governance to capture this dual logic: while policy frameworks have liberalised to meet market needs, institutional oversight remains weak, integration underdeveloped, and political narratives fragmented. Technocratic depoliticisation by the ruling centre-right coexists with cultural threat narratives from far-right actors, generating a stratified political field. By situating Croatia within broader debates on migration governance, populism, and post-socialist transitions, the article highlights the need to better understand how labour migration regimes are shaped by institutional legacies, elite strategies, and regional political economies. The analysis concludes by recommending stronger oversight of recruitment agencies, enhanced labour protections, and more inclusive integration policies to ensure the long-term sustainability and legitimacy of Croatia’s migration model.