Croatia is a popular destination for expats looking for employment opportunities in Europe. The country offers a range of employment rights and benefits, as well as a relatively high standard of living. In this article, we will explore the key aspects of employment in Croatia.
Working Hours in Croatia
The standard working week in Croatia is 40 hours, with most employees working from Monday to Friday. However, some industries, such as hospitality and tourism, may require employees to work longer hours or on weekends.
Overtime work is regulated by Croatian labor laws, and employees are entitled to be paid extra for their overtime work. The maximum number of overtime hours per week is 8 hours, and the maximum number of overtime hours per year is 180 hours.
Employment Rights and Benefits
Employees in Croatia are entitled to a range of employment rights and benefits, including minimum wage, paid leave, sick leave, and maternity leave. The country’s labor laws are designed to protect workers and ensure fair treatment in the workplace.
Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Croatia is determined annually by the government. As of January 2023, the minimum wage in Croatia is HRK 4,500 per month.
Paid Leave
Employees in Croatia are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of paid annual leave, which increases with length of service. In addition to annual leave, employees are also entitled to paid public holidays, which are determined by the government each year.
Sick Leave
Employees in Croatia are entitled to sick leave with full pay for up to 42 days per year. After 42 days, the employee may be entitled to receive 70% of their salary for the remaining period of absence due to illness or injury.
Maternity Leave
Female employees in Croatia are entitled to 28 weeks of paid maternity leave. During this period, the employee is entitled to receive 100% of their normal salary.
Pensions
All employees in Croatia are entitled to a pension, which is designed to provide income in retirement. The pension is funded by both the employee and employer, and there are two main types of pensions available in Croatia: mandatory state pension and voluntary pension.
The mandatory state pension is based on the employee’s contributions and the number of years they have contributed to the scheme. In addition to the mandatory state pension, employees in Croatia can choose to contribute to a voluntary pension scheme, which may offer additional benefits or higher returns on investment than the mandatory state pension.
Retirement Age
The retirement age in Croatia is currently 65 years old for men and 62 years old for women. However, the government is currently in the process of gradually increasing the retirement age to 67 years old for both men and women by 2033.
Croatia offers a range of employment rights and benefits for workers, including minimum wage, paid leave, sick leave, maternity leave, and pensions. The country’s labor laws are designed to protect workers and ensure fair treatment in the workplace, making it an attractive destination for expats looking for work opportunities in Europe.
However, employment laws and regulations in Croatia can be complex and may vary depending on the industry, location, and type of employment contract. As a result, it is important to research and understand your specific employment situation to ensure that you are being treated fairly and receiving all the benefits and rights to which you are entitled.