Leave Policy In Croatia

Adoption Leave

• Under the adoption leave in Croatia, employed or self-employed adoptive parents are entitled to take leave from the day the adoption is finalized.
• It can last for up to six months if the child is under 18 years of age.
• If the adopted child is under eight years old, the leave can be extended for another six months. 
• In some cases, adoptive parents can extend their leave for an extra 60 days. 
• If there is a second adoptive parent, they also have the right to take leave within six months from when the adoption is approved.
• The amount of time granted usually varies.
• Ten working days of adoption leave is granted if they adopt one child.
• 15 days of adoption leave is granted if they adopt twins, multiple children, or a child with special needs. 

Earned Leave

• Under the Labor Code 2014, employees are entitled to a minimum of four weeks of earned leave in Croatia. 
• Additionally, minors and individuals employed in hazardous environments are granted five weeks of annual leave. 
• Employees have the right to take their earned leave in parts throughout the year.
• However, they must use at least two weeks of their leave in one continuous duration.
• Any unused portion of the annual leave entitlement that exceeds the two weeks required to be taken continuously can be carried over and used in the following calendar year.
• However, this unused leave must be utilized by June 30 of the following year at the latest.

Maternity Leave

• Provisions related to maternity leave in Croatia are outlined in the Act on Maternity and Parental Benefits.
• Under this Act, female employees are entitled to a total number of 98 days of maternity leave.
• It is usually divided into 28 days before the expected date of birth and 70 days after childbirth.
• In case of complications or health concerns, maternity leave can begin 45 days prior to the expected date of birth.
• Furthermore, employees are also entitled to additional maternity leave, which lasts until the baby reaches six months of age.
• During this period, the mother has the flexibility to return to work if she chooses, and she can also transfer some or all of the additional leave to the father, allowing him to take time off to care for the child.

Parental Leave

• Employees are granted parental leave in Croatia once their child reaches the age of six months, and it can be taken until the child turns eight years old (first and second child).
• The duration of parental leave usually varies between four months (first and second child) to 15 months (twins, the third child, and any subsequent children).
• Within the total allocated leave period, two months are designated as non-transferable, while the remaining months can be shared between both parents as they see fit.
• If only one parent chooses to avail of parental leave, the duration varies based on the number of children.
• Six months: first and second child.
• ‍28 months: twins, the third child, and any subsequent children.

Paternity Leave

• Employees with one child are granted ten working days of paternity leave in Croatia.
• Individuals with twins and triplets are entitled to 15 working days of paternity leave.
• The father can utilize this leave until the child reaches six months of age, provided they have not already used their maternity and paternity rights.

Public Holidays

The following days are considered to be statutory public holidays in Croatia.

Sick Leave Policies

• The sickness cash benefit is covered by the employer for the first 42 days of an employee’s absence from work due to illness.
• Following this, from the 43rd day of sickness, the sickness cash benefit is borne by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund.
• According to the sick leave policy in Croatia, the amount is calculated based on the average net wage earned by the employee in the six months before the sickness began.
• If the sickness is caused by certain conditions like war, caring for a sick child under three years of age, or medical isolation, the benefit is set at 100% of the calculation base.
• In all other cases, it amounts to 70% of the calculation base.
• The sickness benefit is provided in full until the employee recovers or for a maximum of 18 months, whichever comes first.
• After this initial period, the benefit is reduced by 50%.

Casual Leave

Currently, there is no provision for casual leave in Croatia.

Unpaid Leave

Unpaid leave is provided to employees in Croatia under specific circumstances. During this period, any rights and responsibilities related to the employment relationship are put on hold unless otherwise stated by the law. 

Personal Care Leave

• Employees can request up to five working days of unpaid leave per year for providing personal care to a close family member or someone residing in the same household.

Other leaves

Special Event Leave

• Employees in Croatia are granted seven working days of paid leave per year for significant personal reasons such as marriage, the birth of a child, serious illness, or the death of an immediate family member (bereavement leave).

Blood Donation Leave

• Employees are entitled to one day of paid leave for blood donation or the preparation of blood products for transfusion treatment.
• However, to receive the same treatment, individuals need to notify their employers at least three days in advance if they plan to donate blood.

Education and Training Leave

• Employees can take paid time off for education, training, or union-related activities. 
• The duration and payment of this leave are determined by collective agreements between the worker’s representative and the employer.

Sabbatical Leave

Currently, Croatia's labor laws do not have provisions for sabbatical leave.

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FAQs

Q1: What is the notice period in Croatia?

Ans: The duration of the notice period in Croatia differs based on the length of service of the employee. It usually ranges from two weeks (less than one year in employment) to three months (20 years of service).

Q2: What is the work law in Croatia?

Ans: The Labour Act primarily determines the employee-employer relationship in Croatia. It lays down various provisions related to annual leave entitlements, working hours, and termination procedures.

Q3: How many days can you take annual leave?

Ans: A minimum of four weeks of annual paid leave is granted to employees in Croatia. 

Q4: What is the probationary period in Croatia?

Ans: The maximum length of the probationary period in Croatia is six months.