Like many countries, Croatia has a minimum wage, which is defined as a monthly salary amount. While the net salary amount is defined at the national level, the total amount with benefits can vary slightly depending on where the company is registered. This is because there are local taxes that are figured into the salary, which are different from city to city.

The minimum wage salary is broken down in several ways. First, there is “bruto” and “neto”. “Bruto” is the total amount of salary, including all taxes, health insurance premiums, pension, and your take-home pay. “Neto” is the net salary that you’ll receive on your bank account each month.

The “bruto” salary is the amount that will vary by jurisdiction. We’ve included an approximate average below. You can calculate the “bruto” for your jurisdiction by location using this calculator.

Additionally, there are two levels of minimum wage. One is for workers and the other is for directors, members of management, liquidators, and association managers.

In this article, we cover:

• Minimum wage in Croatia for 2021
  • For workers
  • For directors, members of management, liquidators, and association managers
• Minimum wage in Croatia for 2020
  • For workers
  • For directors, members of management, liquidators, and association managers
• Minimum wage in Croatia for 2019
  • For workers
  • For directors, members of management, liquidators, and association managers
• Wage requirements related to work permits for self-employed third-country nationals
• Average monthly wage in Croatia for 2020
  • Average monthly “bruto” salary
  • Average monthly “neto” salary

Minimum wage in Croatia for 2021

For workers

• Bruto salary: 4.250,00 kn
• Neto salary: 3.400,00 kn

‌For directors, members of management, liquidators, and association managers

• Bruto salary: 5.967,65 kn
• Neto salary: 4.554,89 kn

Minimum wage in Croatia for 2020

For workers

• Bruto salary: 4.062,51 kn
• Neto salary: 3.250,01 kn

‌For directors, members of management, liquidators, and association managers

• Bruto salary: 5.682,30 kn
• Neto salary: 4.334,00 kn

Minimum wage in Croatia for 2019

For workers

• Bruto salary: 3.750,00 kn
• Neto salary: 3.000,00 kn

‌For directors, members of management, liquidators, and association managers

• Bruto salary: 5.491,20 kn
• Neto salary: 4.287,33 kn

Wage requirements for work permits for self-employed third-country nationals

When a third-country citizen wishes to get a work and residence permit based on a Croatian company they own, there are specific requirements they must meet. One of those requirements relates to salary, which are defined by the Law on Foreigners.

Those requirements are:

• Their “bruto” salary is equal to at least 1.5 of the average “bruto“ paid salary in Croatia in the previous year
• When more than one third-country nationals performs key tasks for the same employer, work permit will be issued if their “bruto” salary is equal to at least 1.5 of the average “bruto” paid salary in Croatia in the previous year

Third-country nationals who are self-employed in companies (d.o.o., j.d.o.o.) or trade businesses (obrt) where they are founders or they own at least 51% of the ownership can get a work permit if:

• There are at least 3 Croatian nationals indefinitely/permanently (neodređeno) and full time employed in the company. Their “bruto” salary must be equal to at least an average “bruto” paid salary in Croatia in the previous year.
• For d.o.o. and j.d.o.o.: Their monthly “bruto” salary is equal to at least 1.5 of the average monthly “bruto” paid salary in Croatia according to the latest official published data of Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
• For obrt: They must prove that the amount earned by income from self-employment is equal to at least 1.5 of the average monthly “neto” paid salary in Croatia according to the latest official published data of Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

View our guide on how to apply for a work permit in 2021 here.

View our guide on how to get residency by opening a Croatian business here.

Average monthly wage in Croatia for 2020

The average monthly wage (average monthly net and gross earnings of persons in paid employment) in Croatia is defined by the official state administration body responsible for statistics. In Croatia, this body is called “Državni zavod za statistiku” (Croatian Bureau of Statistics).

This amount is used to determine a variety of thresholds related to salaries for foreigners as well as benefits related to healthcare. Below are the average monthly salaries for 2020.

Average monthly “bruto” salary

• Bruto salary: 9.216,00 kn

Average monthly “neto” salary

• Neto salary: 6.763,00 kn

Conclusion

If you are working or looking for a job in Croatia, make sure you know what the minimum salary is before signing a contract. If you are planning to open a business, knowing the minimum salaries will help prepare you for the costs of doing business. As you can see from above, the costs added to the net salary of an individual are significant.

This is predominantly because the health insurance premium is scaled to salary instead of being a flat rate. If you are unemployed and paying for health insurance out of your own pocket, the monthly premium is a flat rate.

See other related posts

• 5 things to know before starting a company in Croatia
• Another 5 things to know before starting a company in Croatia
• Differences between obrt, d.o.o. and j.d.o.o. companies
• Guide on how to apply for a work permit
• How to open and close a limited liability company
• How to open and close a simple limited liability company
• How to open and close an obrt