Java Developer Hiring Trends in Zagreb, Croatia

This report was last updated on Aug 16, 2025

Bence Gedai

Founder

I analyze live hiring data and tech job trends across Europe to give CTOs and Product Leaders a strategic edge. By tracking tens of thousands of open roles each week, I uncover which skills, roles, and locations are in highest demand — potential competitors, typical time to hire, talent pool sizes, and more to help you prioritize hiring, benchmark and stay competitive in a fast-moving market.

Key learnings from this report

The Software Java Engineers job market trends in Croatia, particularly in Zagreb, have shown a significant increase in activity over the past 12 weeks, with a total of 66 new roles posted and a net increase of 48 jobs.
Zagreb stands out as the prime city for Software Java job opportunities, boasting 1,937 job openings, which represents 78% of all available positions in the country, indicating a concentrated talent pool.
The competitive landscape for hiring Software Java Engineers in Croatia presents moderate challenges, with a relatively low number of job openings compared to the expansive talent pool, underlining the need for strategic recruitment efforts by CTOs and tech leads.
The current median time to hire for Software Engineers in Croatia is 33 days, with a significant number of hires made within the 25 to 30-day range, emphasizing the importance of agile recruitment strategies for companies aiming to fill positions quickly.
The preference for full-time employment is evident, with 93% of engineering roles in Croatia classified as full-time, making it crucial for hiring managers in the tech sector to align recruitment strategies with this trend to attract top talent.

Number of roles opened and closed for Java Engineers in Zagreb in the last 3 months

Over the past 12 weeks, the Software Java Engineer job market in Croatia Zagreb has experienced a notable upward trend, with a peak of 21 new roles posted in week 32. Throughout this period, a total of 66 positions were opened while 18 were closed, resulting in a significant net increase of 48 jobs. This surge represents a strong demand for Software Java Developers in Croatia Zagreb, particularly when compared to other European tech hubs, where hiring activity remains more stable. For hiring managers, this indicates a burgeoning market with increasing opportunities for both talent acquisition and strategic recruitment.

Who else is hiring for software Engineers in Croatia:

Company name	Country	Industry	Founded	# Job openings
Canonical	United Kingdom	Information Technology & Services	2004	113
EPAM Systems	United States	Information Technology & Services	1993	26
GlobalLogic	United States	Information Technology & Services	2000	23
ENT - Ericsson Nikola Tesla	Croatia	Information Technology & Services	null	19
EY	United Kingdom	Professional Training & Coaching	1989	10
Abysalto	null	null	null	10
Endava	United Kingdom	Information Technology & Services	2000	9
Bugatti Rimac	Croatia	Automotive	null	9
Q agency	Croatia	Information Technology & Services	2013	9
IBM iX DACH	Germany	Management Consulting	2015	8

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Talent pool vs job openings for Software Engineers in Croatia

How competitive it is to hire Software Engineers in Croatia

The software engineering job market in Europe reveals varying dynamics across multiple countries, significantly impacting hiring strategies for roles such as Software Java Engineers. In Croatia, the ratio of available talent to job openings indicates a moderate hiring challenge, with a count of job openings being low compared to the size of the talent pool. In contrast, countries like Poland and Romania exhibit a more favorable ratio, making it easier for hiring managers to fill positions. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom faces a tighter market for Software Java Developer opportunities, reflecting increased competition for talent. As such, hiring in Croatia requires strategic consideration, particularly for CTOs and Engineering Managers aiming to optimize recruitment efficiency in this competitive landscape.

Seniority distribution of Java Engineer job openings in Zagreb

Seniority Distribution of Java Engineering Jobs in Zagreb

In the Software Java Engineer job market in Croatia Zagreb, the seniority distribution reveals significant insights for hiring managers. Currently, 58% of the positions are occupied by Mid-Senior level professionals, followed by 20% at the Entry level, and 7% classified as Associates. This distribution indicates a strong demand for experienced Mid-Senior level Java Engineers, informing recruitment strategies for CTOs and tech leads in the region.

Preferred employment type for Engineering roles in Croatia

The employment type distribution for engineering roles in Croatia reveals a notable preference for full-time positions, which constitute 93% of the market. Contract roles account for 6% of job offerings, while part-time roles make up 1%. This data is essential for hiring managers to understand the prevailing landscape when considering recruitment strategies for Software Java Engineers in Croatia, particularly in Zagreb.

Time to Hire Distribution for Software in Croatia

How long does it take to hire Software Engineers

The time to hire for Software Java Engineers in Croatia exhibits notable variation, with the highest counts occurring within the 25 to 30-day range, highlighting a significant demand for quick placements. Specifically, 294 positions were filled in an average of 30 days, followed closely by 218 hires taking approximately 25 days. Recruitment timelines extend further, showcasing an incremental decrease in hiring as time increases, with only 5 placements made after the 100-day mark. This distribution suggests that while there is a robust market for Software Java Developer opportunities in Croatia, the competition for top talent may require agile recruitment strategies for CTOs and hiring managers in Zagreb's tech sector to meet future demand effectively.

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Most popular cities in Croatia to hire Software Engineers

Top 5 cities in Croatia to hire Software Engineers

In the Software Java Engineers job market in Croatia, Zagreb clearly dominates with 1937 job openings, representing 78% of the total opportunities available in the country. Following Zagreb, Split accounts for 4% with 93 openings, while Osijek and Remote positions each contribute 3% with 68 and 72 openings, respectively. This chart illustrates the significant concentration of opportunities within the capital, highlighting its importance in the tech sector.

Most sought after technologies in Zagreb for Java

Key technologies for Java Engineers

In the software Java job market in Croatia, particularly in Zagreb, several technologies are prevalent among employers seeking qualified candidates. Foremost, Java itself is the cornerstone of this ecosystem, appearing in nearly 7,552 listings, signaling robust demand for Java expertise. Additionally, frameworks such as Spring and Spring Boot, with frequencies of 1,714 and 1,865 respectively, are integral in supporting modern application development. Complementing these are SQL and Microservices, reflecting the increasing complexity of software systems; SQL features in 1,517 job requirements, while Microservices commands attention with 1,927 mentions. This comparative analysis underscores the essential technologies shaping hiring trends for Software Java Engineers. Refer to the accompanying chart for a visual representation of these technologies' usage frequency.

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