Leave policy in Croatia

Leave entitlements in Croatia play a vital role in promoting employee well-being, supporting work-life balance, and ensuring consistent productivity within the organization.

For companies hiring globally, it is important that they apply all the leave-related provisions correctly. When you adopt a structured approach to leave laws in Croatia, you can remain compliant, reduce legal risks, and support employee well-being.

When you familiarize yourself with these requirements, you can create a balanced work environment while effectively managing your teams. In this guide, we will discuss the leave policies in Croatia. 

Vacation & annual leave in Croatia  

The statutory law for annual leave in Croatia states that employees are entitled to at least 20 days of annual leave in a year. According to the law, employees get paid time off in Croatia for 20 days a year if they work 5 days a week.

Public holidays

According to the leave policy in Croatia, the country observes 14 national holidays as public holidays. These days are usually linked with catholic traditions and other events that hold a place of importance in the country’s history. 

The 14 public holidays in Croatia are as follows: 

• New Year’s Day (Nova godina)
• Epiphany (Sveta tri kralja)
• Easter Sunday (Uskrs)
• Easter Monday (Uskrsni ponedjeljak)
• Labor Day (Praznik rada)
• Statehood Day (Dan državnosti)
• Corpus Christi (Tijelovo):
• Anti-Fascist Struggle Day (Dan antifašističke borbe)
• Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day (Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti)
• Assumption of Mary (Velika Gospa)
• All Saints’ Day (Svi sveti)
• Homeland War Victims Remembrance Day (Dan sjećanja na žrtve Domovinskog rata)
• Christmas Day (Božić)
• St. Stephen’s Day (Sveti Stjepan)

Sick leave in Croatia  

Employees in Croatia are entitled to sick pay of 42 days if the payment for the period is being disbursed by the employer. For the first 42 days, the employer shall pay the employee 70% of the employee’s average salary. 

After 42 days, the employee is paid 70% of the average salary by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO). However, if the employee is suffering from maternity complications or the sickness is due to some injury caused at work, then the compensation percentage may be higher. 

Maternity leave in Croatia  

Female employees in Croatia are entitled to a maternity leave of 98 days. Out of this, the employee has to take 28 days leave before the expected date of the child’s birth and the remaining days after the birth of the child. 

Paternity leave in Croatia  

In Croatia, fathers are entitled to a paternity leave of 20 working days for one child, and 30 days in case of twins or more. This leave is to be used by the time the child turns six months. During this period, the employee is paid 100% of the salary by the state. 

Other types of leave in Croatia  

Some other leaves in Croatia allow employees enough time to manage family and other personal responsibilities, without worrying about losing their compensation during the period. 

They are written below:

Childcare leave

Employees in Croatia are entitled to childcare leave of 8 months (both parents may take a leave of 4 months each) for their first and second child. In case employees have twins or give birth to a third child, they get leave for 30 months. 

Employees can take this leave after their child turns 6 months old and use these leaves before the child turns 8 years old. When an employee is on childcare leave, they shall not be terminated by the employer. 

Compassionate leave

Employees are granted compassionate leave to take 2 days off work to deal with the death or serious illness of a close family member and manage related personal responsibilities. They shall receive full compensation for these 2 days.

Leave in case of serious illness of a close family member

If anyone close to an employee is sick, the employee may take paid time off for 1-2 days. 

Wedding leave

Employees in Croatia are entitled to 1 day of paid leave for their marriage. 

Explore Payoneer Workforce Management in Croatia  

Employers hiring globally and building international teams should understand the legal provisions that define employee time off. Covering areas such as annual leave, sick leave, public holidays, and parental benefits, these entitlements are key to fostering a supportive work environment while ensuring business continuity and operational efficiency in Croatia.

However, it is not possible to go through the employment law of every country individually. 

Using a workforce management solution like Payoneer Workforce Management can help streamline these processes by supporting global hiring and day-to-day employee administration, including time-off management as per leave policy in Croatia.

Book a demo today!

FAQs

1. Do employees get paid when they get sick leave in Croatia?

When an employee takes sick leave in Croatia, during the first 42 days, the compensation is granted by the employer. After that, the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) pays the employee 70% of the average salary. 

2. For how long can employees take maternity leave in Croatia?

The duration for maternity leave in Croatia is 98 days. This includes both pre and post-birth periods. Employees must make sure that their leave starts from 28 days before the expected date of delivery. 

3. Do employers in Croatia provide employees leave for personal reasons like marriage?

Yes, according to the leave laws in Croatia, employees are entitled to a day’s leave on account of their marriage. 

4. Can employers dismiss employees while they are on childcare leave?

No, according to the leave policy in Croatia, employees cannot be dismissed while they are on childcare leave.