With the growing number of foreign workers in Croatia and an increasing number of work permits being issued, the question arises whether these workers will one day be entitled to a Croatian pension. Given that Croatia has social security agreements with many countries, we’ve checked whether this includes Nepal, the Philippines, India, and others, reports N1.
The authorities recently revealed that at the beginning of this year, over 120,000 foreign workers were employed in Croatia. Data from the Ministry of the Interior shows that last year, 206,529 permits for foreign residence and work were issued, and in the first two months of this year alone, 34,440 permits were granted, according to tportal.
Although many foreign workers come from neighboring countries within the region, an increasing number are arriving from Asia and Africa in search of a better life. The Institute for Migration Research published a study in January revealing that 19.5% of foreign workers plan to stay permanently in Croatia.
These workers mainly come from the Philippines, Nepal, India, Egypt, Bangladesh, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, and other countries. The study found that 55% of them plan to bring their families to Croatia.
Social Security and Pensions
As a result, the state must ensure basic rights such as health care, social security, education, and pensions. The Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (HZMO) keeps records of insured individuals based on their personal identification number (OIB) and the passport country code, which does not necessarily mean the person is a citizen of that country.
According to these records, the number of foreign workers registered in the Croatian pension system is rising. At the end of 2024, there were just over 18,200 Nepalese, and by the end of February this year, that number had grown to 19,600. The number of Indian passport holders in the domestic pension insurance system is approaching 11,000, with significant numbers also coming from the Philippines (10,298). Other notable countries contributing to the Croatian pension system include Uzbekistan, Egypt, and Bangladesh.
“All working individuals are covered by compulsory insurance regardless of nationality, and all insured persons have equal rights and obligations in accordance with legal regulations,” stated the HZMO.
One of the benefits of this insurance is, ultimately, a pension. Last year, the government paid out 365 million euros in pensions to people in 52 countries worldwide.
Special Agreements
Croatia applies EU regulations on the coordination of social security systems with EU member states, the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), and Switzerland. A protocol on social security coordination is in place with the UK, and international social security agreements exist with countries like Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Canada, the Canadian province of Quebec, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, South Korea, and Albania.
Interestingly, although pensions are paid to countries such as the Philippines and Thailand, the HZMO notes that Croatia does not have signed social security agreements with these or other Asian and African countries where many foreign workers originate. Whether workers from these regions will be entitled to a pension from Croatia remains uncertain. Agreements between two countries are usually negotiated and signed at the highest level, meaning that the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy is responsible for social agreements.
If and when bilateral social security agreements are made between Croatia and the countries where many foreign workers come from, these workers will be entitled to their own pensions if they meet the retirement conditions, including reaching the age of 65 and having 15 years of work experience. Workers who don’t meet the retirement conditions will receive a proportional pension based solely on the period of insurance or work history in Croatia.
