From March 1, 2025, parents in Croatia will see significant financial changes:

  1. The one-time allowance for a newborn is increased from 309 to 618 euros.
  2. Parental leave:

The limit on parental leave compensation is increased:

  • the second six months for one or two children if used by one parent
  • Or 8 months if you use both of them.

increases from 995 to 3000 euros net until the first year of the child’s life.

This means that parents will receive a full salary during the entire leave if it is a salary of up to 3000 euros.

In the remaining part of parental leave, which applies to parents of twins, three or more children, from 1 to 3 years of age, the benefit increases from 551 to 803 euros.

Parental leave allowance for parents employed part-time:

  • For children by the age of 1, it increases from 485 to 971 euros,
  • and for those from the 1st to 3rd year of the child’s life for twins, the third and each subsequent child at 600 euros.
  1. Paternity leave:
  • It has been extended from 10 to 20 days (one child) and to 30 days (twins/multiple children).
  1. The allowance for parental leave for enhanced child care is also increased:
  • up to the age of 3 for part-time work from 552 to 701,
  • parents of children with severe developmental disabilities up to the age of 8 at 803 euros,
  • and for employed and self-employed parents on the minimum wage from 309 to 701 euros for full-time, i.e. to 503 euros for part-time work
  1. In cases where an employed or self-employed parent does not meet the statutory requirement of employment insurance period:
  • for persons undergoing professional training without employment,
  • parents, caregivers and persons who provide care and assistance to a disabled Croatian war veteran from the Homeland War

the compensation is raised to 702 euros.

  • Unemployed parents and parents who do not meet the employment insurance period requirement receive 503 euros (previously 309 euros).
  1. Foster parents: They are entitled to benefits and leave, including one-month foster leave for a child up to 14 years of age.

A special feature of these changes is the retroactive application: parents of children born up to six months before the application of the Act will also be entitled to new benefits, as well as beneficiaries whose benefits will be increased ex officio.

Author, Admin