PensionsEditorially reviewed 02/09/2026

Applying for an old-age or early old-age pension

Prepare insurance-period details, check the conditions and apply to HZMO in person, by post or through e-Citizens.

Price from

€0.00

Usual time

Depends on the completeness of records and documentation

Responsible institution

HZMO

How would you like to apply?

Documents and steps differ depending on how you apply.

The application can be submitted to HZMO, at a post office or a pension information centre.

The electronic application is available through HZMO e-services.

Selected: 0 of 4

Application for recognition of entitlement to an old-age or early old-age pension
Evidence of insurance periods not recorded by HZMOAttach only for periods that are not fully recorded.
Evidence of insurance periods abroadRequired if you worked outside Croatia.

Evidence of insurance periods not recorded by HZMOAttach only for periods that are not fully recorded.
Evidence of insurance periods abroadRequired if you worked outside Croatia.
e-Citizens login credential

Selections are saved only in this browser. We do not store document numbers or personal data.

1
Start pre-completing your data
Up to 12 months before applying, you can notify HZMO of your retirement intention so it can check insurance periods and pay.
2
Check the pension type and conditions
Your age, insurance periods and insurance-end date determine whether you can apply for an old-age or early old-age pension.
3
Complete missing evidence
Collect evidence for unrecorded insurance periods, work abroad and other circumstances stated in the application.
4
Submit the application to HZMO
Submit the application and attachments to a regional service, post office or pension information centre no earlier than one month before meeting the conditions.
5
Follow the procedure and respond to requests
Check your post and User Inbox, and provide additional evidence if HZMO requests it.
6
Review the decision and pension choice
If you are insured in both mandatory pillars, after indicative calculations you choose a pension from only pillar I or from pillars I and II.

1
Start pre-completing your data
Up to 12 months before applying, you can notify HZMO of your retirement intention so it can check insurance periods and pay.
2
Check the pension type and conditions
Your age, insurance periods and insurance-end date determine whether you can apply for an old-age or early old-age pension.
3
Complete missing evidence
Collect evidence for unrecorded insurance periods, work abroad and other circumstances stated in the application.
4
Submit the pension e-application
In HZMO's e-Citizens service, complete the application, upload missing evidence and submit it no earlier than one month before meeting the conditions.
5
Follow the procedure and respond to requests
Check your post and User Inbox, and provide additional evidence if HZMO requests it.
6
Review the decision and pension choice
If you are insured in both mandatory pillars, after indicative calculations you choose a pension from only pillar I or from pillars I and II.

Procedure	Price	Deadline
Submitting the application There is no administrative fee for submitting an application to HZMO.	€0.00	Depends on the completeness of records and documentation

Procedure

Price

Deadline

Submitting the application

There is no administrative fee for submitting an application to HZMO.

€0.00

Depends on the completeness of records and documentation

A retirement-intention notice is for pre-completion and is not an application for recognition of entitlement.
The application can be submitted no earlier than one month before meeting the conditions.
If an application is submitted too late after insurance ends, the start of recognised entitlement may be less favourable.
Conditions and consequences of early retirement differ from a regular old-age pension.

Confusing pre-completion with the actual pension application.
Not checking whether all insurance periods are recorded before leaving work.
Not stating periods of work or insurance abroad.
Submitting the application without understanding the difference between pension pillars I and II.

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

Report incorrect or outdated information. Your report is a signal for editorial review and does not change the guide automatically.