In a year marked by shifting labor dynamics and evolving policy frameworks, two corners of Europe are taking divergent but equally significant steps to address the challenges and opportunities of multilingualism and migration in the workplace. On one hand, the European Union is doubling down on its commitment to linguistic excellence and cutting-edge language technology, launching major recruitment drives for proofreaders, editors, and AI language specialists. On the other, Croatia is tightening its labor market, issuing far fewer work permits to foreign nationals and introducing stricter language requirements for those who wish to stay.
According to Slator, the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Translation (DG TRAD) has embarked on a major hiring campaign, seeking proofreaders and language editors across 12 official EU languages—Bulgarian, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Irish, Lithuanian, Maltese, Romanian, and Swedish. These positions, based in Luxembourg, are open to both temporary agents and contract staff. The roles are anything but trivial: successful candidates will be responsible for proofreading texts for grammar, syntax, spelling, and formatting, as well as ensuring linguistic, terminological, and stylistic consistency across a vast array of documents. There’s also a technological twist—tasks include pre- and post-processing documents using translation and word processing tools, terminology research and management, transcription, technical and linguistic quality checks, and even moderation of website and social media content. The recruitment drive, which closes on May 30, 2026, via the Apply4EP Platform, underscores the EU’s ongoing need for highly skilled linguists who can keep pace with an ever-expanding legislative and communicative workload.
But the EU’s investment doesn’t stop at traditional linguistics. The Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union (CdT), also headquartered in Luxembourg, is now searching for a Language Technology Analyst to join its Advanced Language Solutions Section. The analyst’s responsibilities are firmly rooted in the digital age: supporting the development and optimization of AI translation and language technology, mapping and curating datasets, gathering business requirements, drafting user stories, and monitoring model training and deployment. According to the official job notice, the analyst will also test new features, analyze user feedback on AI translation performance, and provide first-level support to colleagues. The job doesn’t just require technical prowess—candidates are expected to train internal users, keep up with the latest trends in AI and natural language processing (NLP), evaluate new technologies, and prepare detailed reports and cost–benefit analyses.
The bar for entry is high. Applicants must have at least three years of professional experience in language technologies or NLP, be familiar with AI translation tools and metrics, and have experience managing translation memories or termbases. Knowledge of Agile methodologies, software development cycles, and data/process assessment is also considered an advantage. Applications for this role must be submitted via the Systal platform by December 8, 2025, and the process includes both written and oral tests in English (with French also potentially assessed). The monthly salary is set at EUR 4,666.18, plus allowances.
These dual recruitment campaigns reflect a broader trend across EU institutions, where the demand for both traditional linguistic expertise and technologically savvy professionals continues to grow. As Slator notes, the Council of the European Union is also seeking translators in five languages for its Brussels-based team, further highlighting the region’s ongoing investment in language services. The message is clear: in an era of rapid technological change and political complexity, the EU is determined to maintain its reputation for linguistic precision and innovation.
Meanwhile, over in Croatia, the mood is shifting in a different direction. According to Croatia Week, the country is issuing significantly fewer work permits to foreign nationals this year, marking a notable change in the labor market landscape. In the first ten months of 2024 alone, nearly 28,000 fewer permits were granted compared to the same period in 2023. The construction sector, once heavily reliant on foreign labor, has experienced the steepest drop, with 18,500 fewer permits approved for construction workers. Employers in the sector report that the need for large inflows of foreign labor has diminished, and many arrivals lack the necessary qualifications, forcing companies to invest heavily in training. Saša Perko, a construction company owner, told RTL Danas, “Only ten foreign workers remain in my firm after eight years of employing a much larger international workforce.”
The changes aren’t limited to construction. Even tourism, another major employer of foreign nationals, has seen a decline in permit numbers. The government is proposing amendments to the Law on Foreigners that would require all foreign workers to pass a Croatian language test at A1.1 level after one year if they wish to extend their permits. For foreign students, temporary stay for study purposes may be extended from one year to three years, reflecting a nuanced approach to educational migration.
Yet, while some sectors are scaling back, others are crying out for help. The healthcare sector, in particular, is facing a severe staff shortage, with an estimated 5,000 nurses needed in Croatian hospitals. Recruitment efforts are underway in Romania and third countries, but language proficiency remains a critical concern. Sandra Alić of the Zajedno union emphasized, “Language proficiency is essential for safe and effective work.” The situation is further complicated by low salaries and challenging working conditions, which continue to drive Croatian medical staff abroad in search of better opportunities.
Government officials argue that the new legislation will bring much-needed order to the labor market by improving oversight of recruitment agencies and ensuring more accurate data on foreign workers. The hope is that stricter language requirements and better monitoring will create a more sustainable and integrated workforce, even as the total number of permits falls.
What do these parallel developments in the EU and Croatia tell us? On one level, they highlight the complex interplay between language, technology, and migration in shaping the European labor market. The EU’s push for linguistic excellence and AI innovation speaks to a future where human expertise and machine intelligence work hand in hand, ensuring that communication across dozens of languages remains clear, accurate, and efficient. Croatia’s tightening of work permit rules and emphasis on language proficiency, meanwhile, reflects a desire for greater control and integration in a rapidly changing labor environment.
Both approaches have their challenges and their champions. For the EU, the key will be balancing the need for traditional language skills with the demands of a digital future—without losing sight of the human touch that underpins effective communication. For Croatia, the task is to ensure that new rules don’t stifle economic growth or leave vital sectors like healthcare dangerously understaffed.
As Europe heads into 2026, one thing is certain: the intersection of language, technology, and migration will remain at the heart of the continent’s economic and social debates. Whether through investment in AI-powered translation or stricter language tests for foreign workers, the choices made now will shape the workforce—and the societies—of tomorrow.
