Payroll in Croatia
What tax considerations are there?
Personal Income Tax (PIT)
Resident Croatians are subjected to tax on their worldwide income, whereas non-residents are subjected to tax on income derived from within Croatia only. Tax is charged at a progressive rate; those earning less than 360,000 HRK are taxed 24%, and anyone earning more than this is taxed 36%.
In addition to this, different Croatian cities and municipalities may charge an additional tax, known as surtax. The highest surtax in the country is 18%, and this applies to residents of the capital Zagreb. Employees and employers also make social security contributions to cover pension, health, and unemployment insurance.
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
For the purpose of Corporate Income Tax, all Croatian resident businesses and foreign entities with a branch in Croatia are considered liable to pay.
Most companies in Croatia are subjected to 18% CIT, unless they fall into the lower revenue bracket of less than 3,000,000 HRK (around $450,000). These companies are subjected to 12% CIT. Taxable income is considered not only profits, but also income derived from the liquidation or sale of a business.
HR in Croatia
What are the regular working hours in Croatia?
The average working week in Croatia is 40 hours, with most people working 8 hour days between 8.30am and 4.30pm. Most employees also have half an hour for lunch. Banks and shops in Croatia tend to operate during different working hours, however, with banks open from 8am to 7pm on weekdays and 8am to 12noon on Saturdays. Shops are usually open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, and 8am to 3pm on Saturdays. Most places of work are closed on Sundays.
Vacation, maternity and sickness
There are 14 bank holidays in Croatia on which employees are not expected to work. Many workplaces close down and offer their employees a week off between Christmas and New Year as well. In addition to the bank holidays, employees in Croatia are entitled to a total of four weeks (20 days) of holiday every year, as long as they have worked a minimum of six months for their employer. Any members of staff who have worked for less than six months are entitled to one twelfth of these days for every month they have worked, i.e. 1.66 days per month.
Maternity leave in Croatia is a minimum of 98 days of uninterrupted leave. Pregnant women must start their maternity leave 28 days before their child’s due date and take the remaining 70 after the birth. If a doctor recommends an expecting mother starts their maternity leave earlier than this, it can begin up to 45 days before the due date. Additional leave begins on the 71st day after a child has been born, and can last for up to six months. This can be taken by either parent. Maternity pay is 100% of the salary, and is paid by the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance – not the employer.
Employees are entitled to sick leave for up to a maximum of three years, during which time they will be paid 70% of their salary. The employer is required to pay this for the first 42 days of sick leave, and after this day compensation will be reimbursed by the Institute for Health Insurance.
Termination
Should either party wish to terminate the employment contract, they need to provide sufficient notice. This will depend on the length of service they have given. Notice periods start at two weeks and go up to three months for those who have worked for twenty years or more. An employer does not need to give notice in the event of unlawful activity on the part of the employee.
