An increasing number of citizens contact us daily with questions related to the coronavirus epidemic. However, most of these matters do not fall within our jurisdiction, so we provide general legal information and direct them to the appropriate institutions. To make this information available to as many citizens as possible, we will publish answers to the most frequently asked questions here, updating them as necessary.
Official decisions, guidelines, and information on conduct during the epidemic can be found on the dedicated national portal for monitoring the coronavirus epidemic: www.koronavirus.hr.
What should I do to exercise the right to wage compensation during self-isolation?
A significant number of complaints from citizens relate to health insurance, including the loss of this right after termination of employment or questions about how to claim wage compensation if they are placed in self-isolation. In such cases, individuals should contact the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) exclusively via email at izolacija@hzzo.hr. More detailed information is available on the HZZO website under the section “isolation – request for wage compensation”.
What should I do after losing my job due to the coronavirus? How can I claim unemployment benefits and health insurance rights?
Most citizen inquiries concern the consequences of job loss due to the epidemic and how to exercise rights as unemployed persons. These matters should be addressed to the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ), regardless of whether you worked in Croatia or abroad. Necessary information, such as how to register as unemployed or claim financial support, is available at www.hzz.hr. For any other questions, you may call the HZZ Info Center at 01/6444-000 on weekdays from 7 AM to 7 PM.
In case of employment termination, in order to exercise rights under mandatory health insurance, you must contact the HZZO within 30 days from the date of employment termination. More information is available on the HZZO website under the section “IMPORTANT: contacts for exercising rights to mandatory health insurance”.
What can I do after losing my job due to the coronavirus, if I am not eligible for unemployment benefits?
We have been contacted by many citizens who lost their jobs due to the coronavirus epidemic and, for various reasons, cannot exercise rights as unemployed persons. These include a seasonal worker who was employed for only a few weeks, and citizens who work each year on the coast during the tourist season but do not have a permanent seasonal worker contract. One individual contacted us stating that he had applied for self-employment grants, but the HZZ suspended the procedure due to workload reorganization during the epidemic, preventing him from opening his business and hiring employees. Consequently, he currently has no financial means to live, since he is not entitled to unemployment benefits.
If a worker does not have sufficient means of subsistence, they can contact the nearest social welfare center. Contact information can be found in the institutions directory.
Our employer has not ensured safe working conditions – what should I do?
Workers concerned for their health are also contacting us, stating that their employer has not provided conditions to comply with infection prevention measures or has included them as essential staff even though they belong to a high-risk group. One female worker reported that her employer is requiring her to work onsite even though she lives in a different city and relies on public transport, while also caring for elderly and ill parents and children under the age of 12, despite having the ability to work effectively from home. For such matters and reports, contact the Occupational Safety Inspectorate of the State Inspectorate of the Republic of Croatia.
More information about the rights and obligations of workers and employers during the coronavirus epidemic can be found on the websites of koronavirus.hr, the Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of Croatia, and the Ministry of Labour and Pension System. If the matter concerns exercising the rights of civil servants employed in state administration bodies or in local and regional self-government units, contact the Administrative Inspectorate of the Ministry of Public Administration—except in cases of occupational safety, which fall under the State Inspectorate.
As an employer, am I entitled to wage subsidies for permanent seasonal workers? What can I do if employees are not cooperating with the adapted work arrangements?
Employers have also contacted us with questions about eligibility for wage subsidies for permanent seasonal workers, and regarding various situations where they are uncertain whether they are entitled to wage support for job preservation. These matters should be referred to the Croatian Employment Service.
For example, an employer reported a case where a female employee insists on working from home, although the employer has ensured safe working conditions and she does not need to use public transport. We referred this employer to the Ministry of Labour and Pension System.
More information about workers’ and employers’ rights and obligations in the context of the coronavirus epidemic can be found on the websites of koronavirus.hr, the Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of Croatia, and the Ministry of Labour and Pension System.
I cannot obtain a travel pass, but I need to leave my municipality to collect medicine – whom can I contact?
Citizens have contacted us because they feel the travel restriction measure has not taken into account the size of certain municipalities—some of which do not have pharmacies, and people are unable to reach the nearest one. They report that local civil protection offices are attempting to organize medication supply through a single person who holds a travel pass and buys medicine for others, which they believe violates their right to privacy.
A father also contacted us, stating that he cannot visit his child who lives in another municipality because he was denied a travel pass, despite having applied. Other citizens report being unable to meet in person with their guardian or visit a social welfare center due to movement restrictions.
In such cases, individuals should contact the competent civil protection headquarters. For all issues related to e-travel passes, please contact the Ministry of Public Administration. More information on travel passes can be found on the website koronavirus.hr.