Leave Laws
Last updated on March 13, 2026.
Paid Time Off (PTO) in Croatia
Vacation Leave Quota
4 weeks
Employees in Croatia are entitled to 4 weeks of paid vacation (20 working days).
The minimum entitlement to vacation leave for all employees is determined by the labor law of Croatia. Provisions in collective agreements, work regulations, or employment contracts can regulate and modify the right to vacation, but only in a way that benefits the employee.
An employee becomes eligible for vacation leave benefits after 6 months of continuous employment at the company.
Employees who are minors or working under harmful conditions are entitled to 5 weeks of paid vacation.
13 public holidays are on top of these vacation days.
Carry Over
Allowed. Carry-over days must be taken before June 30.
An employee can transfer their unused vacation days from the previous calendar year to the following. However, they must use all transferred days by June 30 of the following year.
Payment of Unused Vacation on Termination
Required by law.
Labor laws prohibit cashing out or giving up the right to vacation leave.
However, in the case of termination of employment, the employer is required to compensate an employee for all unused vacation days.
Sick Leave in Croatia
For up to 42 days is paid by the employer, then by state health insurance.
Employees are required to inform the employer immediately in case of injury or illness that prevents them from working. An employee must show a medical certificate within 3 days confirming that he or she is unable to work, along with an expected duration.
Payout of Sick Leave
During sick leave, an employee is entitled to at least 70% of his or her average salary in the last 6 months. However, most employers in Croatia continue to pay the entire salary during sick leave.
Who Pays for Sick Leave?
Employers are obligated to pay employees during the first 42 days of their sick leave. After 42 days, sick leave is paid by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO).
Maternity and Paternity Leave in Croatia
Maternity Leave (rodiljni dopust)
28 days prenatal and 6 months postnatal.
Maternity leave may begin no earlier than 45 days before the anticipated date of delivery.
Maternity leave must begin at least 28 days before the expected date of birth until the child is 6 months old. In cases of premature births, maternity leave is extended. A pregnant employee can take shorter leave if they desire, but they must take at least 98 days of maternity leave (28 days prior to the expected delivery date and 70 days postpartum) without interruption.
Maternity leave is available to all employed or self-employed mothers.
Payout
Maternity leave is paid by state-funded health insurance, at the rate of 100% of average wages.
Paternity Leave (očinski dopust)
10 days
Fathers in Croatia are entitled to 10 days of fully paid paternity leave. This paternity leave may be taken until the child is 6 months old.
Both employed and self-employed employees are entitled to paternity leave.
Payout
Paternity leave is paid at 100% of standard wages.
Bereavement Leave in Croatia
7 days
Employees are entitled to up to 7 days of paid leave due to the death of an immediate family member.
The following persons are considered to be members of the immediate family: spouse, direct relatives by blood and their spouses, brothers and sisters, step-children and adopted children, foster children, step-fathers and step-mothers, adoptive parents, and persons whom the employee is obligated to support under law as well as a person with whom the employee is married under the common law.
Jury Duty Leave in Croatia
Online data unavailable; check official or offline legal materials.
Military Leave in Croatia
Online data unavailable; check official or offline legal materials.
Voting Leave in Croatia
Online data unavailable; check official or offline legal materials.
Public Holidays in Croatia
13 public holidays
A complete list of official holidays celebrated in Croatia:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year’s Day |
| January 6 /*/ | Epiphany |
| Movable | Easter Sunday |
| Movable | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Labor Day |
| May 30 | Statehood Day |
| Movable | Corpus Christi |
| Jun 22 | Anti-Fascist Resistance Day |
| August 5 | Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day |
| August 15 | Assumption Day |
| November 1 | All Saints’ Day |
| November 18 | Remembrance Day |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | St. Stephen’s Day (Second Day of Christmas) |
/*/ = 12 days after Christmas
Sources
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Labor law in Croatia, https://cms.law/en/int/expert-guides/cms-expert-guide-to-labour-law-in-central-eastern-europe/croatia
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Croatia - Cash benefits (sick leave), https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1104&intPageId=4459&langId=en
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Maternity and parental benefits, https://gov.hr/en/maternity-and-parental-benefits/704
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Local Employment Regulations - Croatia, https://www.atlashxm.com/countries/croatia
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Payroll and Benefits Guide - Croatia, https://www.papayaglobal.com/countrypedia/country/croatia/
Check out our Leave Laws page to learn more about laws in various countries.
This material is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For current and accurate guidance, please consult legal counsel in your jurisdiction.
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