Marriage and familyEditorially reviewed 02/09/2026

Maternity and parental benefits

Find out which maternity or parental benefits you can use, when to submit an application to HZZO and what evidence to prepare for your employment status.

Find the nearest HZZO office

Price from

€0.00

Usual time

Depends on the benefit and completeness of documents

Responsible institution

HZZO

How to apply

This procedure has one application method.

To HZZO in person or by post

Submit the application and evidence to the competent HZZO organisational unit; some rights can also be exercised based on a doctor’s report.

Required documents

Selected: 0 of 5

To HZZO in person or by post

Appropriate HZZO applicationChoose the form for the benefit you seek and your insurance status.
Identification details and personal identification number
Payment account details
Evidence depending on employment and insurance statusHZZO may request evidence of employment, self-employment, income or another circumstance relevant to entitlement and benefit amount.
Written employer notice or consentRequired for rights and changes in use where the law prescribes prior notice to or consent from the employer.

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Steps

To HZZO in person or by post

1
Identify your status and entitlement
Rules differ for employed, self-employed, unemployed parents and parents outside the labour system.
2
Check the deadline before using the benefit
For most rights, apply at least 15 days before planned use, unless a special deadline applies.
3
Download the form and prepare evidence
Use HZZO’s current form and attach only evidence needed for your situation.
4
Notify the employer in time
If employed, check whether you must give prior written notice to the employer or obtain consent.
5
Submit the application to HZZO
Submit a complete application to the competent HZZO office and retain confirmation of submission.
6
Report changes affecting entitlement
Report a change of employment, end of conditions or another important circumstance to HZZO within the statutory deadline.

Prices and deadlines

Procedure	Price	Deadline
Submitting the application HZZO does not charge an administrative fee for the application.	€0.00	Depends on the benefit and completeness of documents

Procedure

Price

Deadline

Submitting the application

HZZO does not charge an administrative fee for the application.

€0.00

Depends on the benefit and completeness of documents

Important notes

The benefit name, conditions, duration and amount depend on the parent’s status and order of using rights.
The general deadline is at least 15 days before use begins, but individual rights have special deadlines.
A parent outside the labour system who wants entitlement from the child’s birth must apply within 30 days; after 120 days, that right can no longer be exercised.
Report changes affecting granted entitlement to HZZO within eight days.

Common mistakes

Using a form for the wrong employment or insurance status.
Submitting the application after a special deadline expires.
Not notifying the employer within the statutory deadline.
Assuming all maternity and parental rights have the same benefit amount.

Institutions

Croatian Health Insurance FundEstablishes entitlement, duration and amount of maternity and parental benefits according to the recipient’s status.

Find the nearest HZZO office

Official sources

Information was editorially reviewed on 02/09/2026. Before applying, check the latest information on official websites.

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