Social security
Health insurance, unemployment and pensions
Social security in Croatia is divided into three main branches: pension, health, and unemployment insurance. It is funded by employees, self-employed persons, employers, and the State.
In 2010, employees and self-employed contributed 15% of their earnings for general health insurance, 0.5% for work-related accident insurance and 1.7% for unemployment insurance. Contributions only have to be paid on income above 2,400 Kuna per month and are capped at an income level of 41,850 Kuna.
Public health insurance
Foreign citizens may procure a health insurance policy from the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (HZZO ) in the following way:
- upon arrival in Croatia you need to register at a police station, where you receive a registration number
- the HZZO office will then register you on temporary evidence and issue a confirmation, which entitles you to medical insurance after the residence regulation
- with the temporary confirmation from the HZZO, you need to return to the police station, where your temporary residence will be approved and a permit issued;
- after bringing a copy of the residence confirmation to the HZZO, you will be fully insured.
Documents necessary for insurance are: a copy of the first page of the passport, a copy of the passport page with visa and a copy of the residence confirmation.
Foreigners on temporary stay who are not registered with public health insurance have to acquire private health care for themselves and the members of their families.
Unemployment benefits
All Croatian employees are entitled to unemployment benefits if they are between 15 and 65, with at least 9 months of employment in the past 24 months. They must register with the Employment Institute within the first 30 days of being unemployed.
Young people receive unemployment benefits until they are re-employed, older employees only receive benefits for a limited time. Depending on the duration of the employment, the benefit is to be paid for 78 to 390 days, with an additional lump sum of 2, 4, or 6 monthly unemployment benefits.
Benefits are denied to any person whose employment was brought to an end due to misconduct or by agreement with the employer.
Benefits depend on the worker's average wage in the last three months and range from 976 Kuna to 1200 Kuna.
Maternity benefits
Mandatory parental leave for mothers begins 28 days before the expected date of childbirth and continues at least up to 42 days after childbirth. After the 42nd day the father can opt to take parental leave in place of the mother.
The leave period is mandatory until the child is 6 months old and may be extended until the child is 1 year old. The monthly benefit is equal to 100% of the worker's earnings with a minimum of 1,663 Kuna a month.
International agreements with other countries
If you contribute to the social security pension in any of the following countries, you will be exempt from making further contributions in Croatia.
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Canada (including Quebec)
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Serbia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- UK
An agreement has been signed with Turkey although it is not yet enforced, and negotiations are underway for agreements with Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, and Romania.
Also in this section
- Introduction: The Croatian job market
- Looking for work: How to find a job in Croatia
- Working in Croatia: Holidays, work hours, and conditions
- Taxation: Income tax in Croatia
- Social security: Health insurance, unemployment and pensions