National Benefit for the Elderly (National Pension)

The Act on the National Benefit for the Elderly, published in the Official Gazette No. 62/20 (https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2020_05_62_1233.html), entered into force on 1 January 2021.
The Act on the Amendments to the Act on the National Benefit for the Elderly (Amend. Act) was published in the Official Gazette No. 156/23 (https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2023_12_156_2388.html) and entered into force on 1 January 2024.
Eligibility conditions

• The National Benefit for the Elderly is available for Croatian citizens who are at least 65 years old and have resided in the territory of the Republic of Croatia for ten years without interruption immediately before their application.

Besides the above requirement, an applicant must comply with the following conditions:

• The applicant is not a pension beneficiary or an insured person covered by the mandatory pension insurance
• The monthly income the applicant or his household members earned per a household member in the previous calendar year does not exceed the determined double amount of the National Benefit for the Elderly (EUR 309)
• The applicant is not entitled to the Guaranteed Minimum Benefit according to the regulations on social welfare
• The applicant is not entitled to service of accommodation according to the regulations on social welfare
• The applicant has not concluded a Contract of Support Until Death or a Lifelong Support Contract as a support recipient, unless in the process of termination, invalidity determination, or contract annulment.

 
Exceptionally, a pension beneficiary and a beneficiary of the Guaranteed Minimum Benefit may exercise their right to the National Benefit for the Elderly; however only if the pension beneficiary has previously requested suspension of their pension, or it has been determined that their right to the Guaranteed Minimum Benefit has been terminated.
 
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE NATIONAL BENEFIT FOR THE ELDERLY
 
The claiming procedure for the National Benefit for the Elderly is initiated by filing an application to HZMO's ¹ regional organizational unit competent according to the applicant's residence.
The application form for the National Benefit for the Elderly can be downloaded from the official website or purchased at the Official Gazette's points of sale (Narodne novine). Additionally, an application for a national benefit for the elderly can be submitted electronically via the digital portal e-Građani  (e-Citizens).
 
ENTITLEMENT COMMENCEMENT DATE
 

• The entitlement to the National Benefit for the Elderly will begin on the day a duly completed application is submitted if the prescribed entitlement conditions are met.
• Pension beneficiaries will be eligible to the National Benefit for the Elderly starting from the day after their pension payment from the mandatory pension insurance of the Republic of Croatia or from abroad, have been suspended.
• Beneficiaries of the Guaranteed Minimum Benefit will be entitled to the National Benefit for the Elderly starting from the day after their right to the Guaranteed Minimum Benefit has been terminated. 

 
The right to receive the National Benefit for the Elderly is determined in the first instance proceedings by HZMO regional organizational unit according to the applicant's residence.
An appeal can be filed against the first-instance decision regarding the National Benefit for the Elderly, and the central organisational unit of HZMO will process this appeal.
Additionally, it is possible to initiate an administrative dispute against the decision made in the second instance.
Starting 1 January 2025, the National Benefit for the Elderly amounts to EUR 154.50.
 
Payment of the National Benefit for the Elderly
The National Benefit for the Elderly is administered by HZMO and distributed to beneficiaries through commercial banks in the Republic of Croatia or by mail to the beneficiary’s address in the Republic of Croatia.
Beneficiaries who receive the National Benefit for the Elderly by mail can authorize a representative to collect the benefit on their behalf. This power of attorney is valid for one year.  
Beneficiaries of the National Benefit for the Elderly must notify the relevant regional service or office of HZMO within 15 days of any changes to their personal or financial circumstances affecting their eligibility for, or the receipt of, the National Benefit for the Elderly.
The National Benefit for the Elderly is a personal right of a beneficiary that cannot be inherited or transferred to another individual.
The National Benefit for the Elderly cannot be subject to enforcement action or used as collateral.
 
 
Official forms:  

• Application for exercising the right to National Benefit for the Elderly             (Zahtjev za ostvarivanje prava na nacionalnu naknadu za starije osobe)
• Request to change the method of payment for the National Benefit for the Elderly (Zahtjev za izmjenu načina isplate nacionalne naknada za starije osobe​)
• Power of Attorney form for receiving National Benefit for the Elderly           (Tiskanica punomoći za primanje nacionalne naknade za starije osobe)

Leaflet on National Benefit for the Elderly (letak Nacionalna naknada za starije osobe)

e-Services: https://e-usluge.mirovinsko.hr/r/nacionalna_naknada