National Seniority Allowance
The National Benefit for the Elderly can be applied for by Croatian citizens over 65 years who have continuous residence in Croatia for at least 20 years immediately before applying for the benefit
Other entitlement criteria:- The applicant is not a pension beneficiary or an insured person under the mandatory pension insurance
- The income of the applicant and/or members of his/her household earned in the previous calendar year per a household member does not exceed the double amount of the National Benefit for the Elderly
- The applicant has not been granted entitlement to a guaranteed minimum benefit according to the regulations on social welfare
- The applicant has not been granted the right to accommodation according to the regulations on social welfare
- The applicant has not concluded a contract for support until death or life-long maintenance contract as a maintained party, except in the case of an action for termination, a declaration of invalidity or cancellation of the contract
From 1 January 2024, the National Benefit for the Elderly amounts to EUR 150 per month.
The right to national seniority allowance shall fall from the date of submission of an orderly application, provided that the conditions laid down for the acquisition of the right are met.
The beneficiary of the pension is entitled to the national seniority allowance from the first day after the suspension of the payment of the pension from compulsory pension insurance in the Republic of Croatia and abroad.
The beneficiary of the guaranteed minimum benefit shall be entitled to the national seniority allowance from the first day following the termination of the right to the guaranteed minimum benefit.
The amount of the National Benefit for the Elderly is adjusted once a year according to the consumer price index rate from the previous year compared to the year preceding it, in compliance with the data of the National Bureau of Statistics (provided that such a rate is higher than zero).
Exceptionally, the amount of the national seniority allowance will not be adjusted in 2024.
The first instance decisions on entitlement to the National Benefit for the Elderly are brought by the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute's regional unit competent according to the applicant's residence.
The right to the National Benefit for the Elderly is decided by the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (HZMO) in the first and second instances. The application is submitted to the regional organisational unit of the HZMO, competent according to the applicant's place of residence.
It is possible to file an appeal against the decision on entitlement to the National Benefit for The Elderly. The appellant proceedings against the first instance decisions on entitlement to the National Benefit for the Elderly are conducted by HZMO, Central Office. Also, it is possible to appeal against the second instance decision by initiating an administrative proceedings.
The National seniority allowance is paid by the Office to the beneficiary in the payment account at the bank or by mail to the beneficiary's address in the Republic of Croatia.
The beneficiary of the right to the national seniority allowance to which the national allowance is paid by post may authorise the proxy holder to receive the national seniority allowance on his behalf. This power of attorney is worth one year.
The application for the National Benefit for the Elderly can be downloaded on the webpage of the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (HZMO webpage), on the e-Citizens portal (e-Građani) or purchased in Narodne novine shops.