Croatia provides basic mandatory health insurance to all of its residents, funded through social security contributions by employers at a rate of 16.5% of the employee’s gross salary. This contribution also funds worker’s accident insurance and unemployment.
The Croatian pension system is divided into three pillars. For the first two pillars, contributions are mandatory by employees at a rate of 20% of their gross income. This benefit is funded through the employee’s social security contributions. Employers’ contributions are optional and fall under the third pillar of the system.
From January 1, 2024, the contribution base for Pillar I will be deducted for some categories of gross salaries, while the contribution base for Pillar II will not be deducted. The deductions are as follows:
Tech companies with offices in Croatia often offer free breakfast or coffee, fruits and snacks to their employees daily.
Most collective agreements include a public transportation allowance as a benefit, and even if they do not, most companies would still provide it tax-free.
The Croatian pension system is divided into three pillars. The first pillar is the generational solidarity system. The second is compulsory individual pension insurance, which is part of the social security contributions paid by employees. The third is voluntary pension insurance, which some employers choose to offer their employees.
All the employer’s payments into the third pillar of the pension insurance are not considered as salary up to EUR 66 per month / 796 6,000 annually. For the company, it is a tax-recognised expenditure.
Croatia provides basic mandatory health insurance to all of its residents, funded through social security contributions by employers. However, some companies, especially tech companies, often offer private health insurance with dental and vision coverage as an employment benefit.
Supplementary health insurance is non-taxable for employers up to EUR 332 per year per employee. The only condition is that employers have to conclude policies for their employees, but it doesn’t require all employees to benefit from the tax incentives.
Life insurance is not a common benefit and is usually reserved for high-ranking positions. Life insurance consists of a defined lump sum that is payable in case of death, disability, or severe illness. Life insurance with a saving component is not taxable for insureds and their beneficiaries.
It is common for companies to use cash bonuses as incentives for employees, mostly based on performance.
It is common for companies to provide employees with yearly raises based on service.
More and more companies are giving employees flexible working hours and the option to work from home two to five times a week.
Most companies in Croatia offer travel health insurance to their employees, covering the cost of medical treatments during travel and staying abroad.
Some tech companies offer various wellness perks that can go from gym membership and yoga and meditation classes to massages and employee assistance programs.
Although it is uncommon, some tech startups offer stock options (from 0.005% to 0.02%) as part of their benefits to attract employees.
Many tech companies make professional training available to employees, from tech meetings and conferences to online subscriptions and books.
