How long is parental leave in Croatia?

In Croatia, after maternity leave ends, each parent is entitled to parental leave as follows:

• 4 months per parent for the first and second child.
• 15 months per parent for twins, the third child, and all subsequent children, provided both parents utilize the leave.

Parental leave, which is available until the child's 8th birthday, can be taken in one of the following ways:

• In one continuous period.
• In two annual periods of no fewer than 30 days each.
• On a part-time basis.

What are the eligibility rules for parental leave in Croatia?

For information on parental leave eligibility in Croatia, please refer to the details under parental leave duration, which provides a comprehensive overview of the relevant details.

How is parental leave payment calculated in Croatia?

In Croatia, parental leave payments are determined by the parent's average net wage from the six months preceding the leave. Key components of the calculation include:

• The first 6 months of parental leave, or 8 months if both parents take leave, are compensated at a higher rate, capped at 120% of the budget base.
• The remaining leave period is compensated at 70% of the budget base.

The budget base is a specified amount set by the Croatian government.

What is the process for applying for paternity leave in Croatia?

In Croatia, the process for applying for paternity leave is as follows:

1. The employed father must submit a written notice of intent to the employer at least 15 days before the expected date of birth if he plans to exercise the right from the day of the child’s birth.

2. The employer cannot prolong the exercise of the paternity leave and is not required to issue a written consent, unlike with parental leave or other maternity and parental benefits.

The request for paternity leave must be accompanied by:

• A salary certificate filled out by the employer, covering wages and salary allowances paid at the employer's expense in the relevant six-month period preceding the month when the paternity leave begins.
• Bank account details where the employee will receive the payment.
• Information about the child for whom the paternity leave is to be used, including the child's name, surname, and OIB (Personal Identification Number).
• The employer's confirmation of the regular working time schedule.

How is maternity leave payment calculated in Croatia?

Maternity leave payment in Croatia is paid by the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance. The employer does not bear any cost for this benefit. The payment is equivalent to 100% of the supported employee's average monthly wages over the 6 months preceding the month when the maternity leave begins.

What is the process for applying for maternity leave in Croatia?

To apply for maternity leave in Croatia, the employee will need to provide the following:

• A salary certificate (“Potvrda o plaći”) issued by the employer.
• A report on temporary incapacity for work (“Izvješće o privremenoj nesposobnosti za rad”) issued by an elected gynecologist.
• The employee's personal statement.

How long is the paternity leave in Croatia?

In Croatia, as of March 1, 2025, fathers or equivalent second parents are entitled to 20 working days of paid paternity leave for the birth of one child. This entitlement increases to 30 working days for twins or multiple births. This leave must be taken as a single, uninterrupted period from the birth of the child until the child reaches six months of age. During paternity leave, the father receives full salary, which is paid directly by the government. Furthermore, with the mother's consent, the father may use the remaining days of her maternity leave.

What are the eligibility rules for paternity leave in Croatia?

An employed father in Croatia who wants to take paternity leave must inform his employer in writing at least 15 days before the expected birth if he plans to start the leave on the child's birth date. If he plans to take paternity leave at a later date, he must notify his employer at least 15 days before the intended start date.

How is paternity leave payment calculated in Croatia?

In Croatia, paternity leave payment is calculated as 100% of the employee's salary compensation base.

What is the process for applying for parental leave in Croatia?

An employed parent in Croatia who intends to begin parental leave, and who is not continuing directly from maternity leave, must notify the employer in writing at least 30 days prior to the start date of the parental leave.

Upon receiving the written notification, the employer is required to provide written consent within eight days of receipt. This written consent must be submitted by the employee with their request for the decision on the parental leave entitlement.

For the application, the employee will need the following:

• Salary certificate (Potvrda o plaći) provided by the employer,
• Request for recognition of the right to parental leave,
• If transferring part of the parental leave between parents, a joint statement signed by both parents on the agreed transfer,
• Copy of the child's birth certificate, if not already available with the Institute.