Minimum Wage in Croatia
Croatia's minimum wage is €1,050 gross a month in 2026. On 29 October 2026 the Government adopted the decree for 2027, which sets €1,130 a month from 1 January 2027, €80 or 7.6% more. The minimum hourly rate for students rises from €6.56 to €7.06.
Croatia sets a national minimum wage as a gross monthly amount for full-time work. The Government fixes it each year by decree, for the next year. The Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family and Social Policy (MROSP) announced the 2027 rate on 29 October 2026.
Croatia minimum wage and student hourly rate, 2026 and 2027
Croatia minimum wage over time and against pay
What an employer pays on top
Employers pay 16.5% health insurance on top of gross pay. At the 2026 minimum wage, that is €1,050 x 16.5% = €173.25 a month, for a cost of €1,223.25. The employee pays 20% for pension insurance from gross pay, with a relief on pillar 1 for gross pay up to €1,300 a month. For the first 3 months of 2027, employers who apply through the Croatian Employment Service get back the difference between the 2026 and 2027 minimum wage.
Read the full breakdown in our guide to hiring in Croatia. Hiring in Croatia? We place remote professionals across Europe, with a shortlist of 3 within 21 days. See how placement works.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and collective agreements can set different terms. Confirm with a local accountant or lawyer before you hire.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Croatia in 2026?
€1,050 gross a month for full-time work in 2026.
What will the minimum wage be in Croatia in 2027?
€1,130 gross a month from 1 January 2027, under the decree the Government adopted on 29 October 2026. That is €80, or 7.6%, more than in 2026.
Is there an hourly minimum wage in Croatia?
The national minimum wage is a monthly amount. Students have a minimum hourly rate of €6.56 in 2026, rising to €7.06 in 2027.
What does a minimum wage employee cost an employer?
At €1,050 a month, employer health insurance of 16.5% adds €173.25, for €1,223.25 a month.
How much has the Croatian minimum wage risen since 2016?
From €414 gross a month in 2016 to €1,130 in 2027, a rise of 173%, or 97% after inflation, according to MROSP.
Sources
- MROSP, Decree on the minimum wage for 2027 adopted, 29 Oct 2026. Checked 3 Nov 2026.
- Porezna uprava, Contributions: general rules, rates and payers. Checked 3 Nov 2026.
- Porezna uprava, Employee (pension relief on low pay). Checked 3 Nov 2026.
