True or false? 6 statements about your rights at work in Croatia: how many can you get right?

Dismissal, holiday, Sunday pay, sick pay, Christmas bonus and notice time: six statements, six answers from Croatian law and official sources. Guess first, then check your score.

Published 2026-10-29 · Source checked 2026-10-28

Think you know your rights as a worker in Croatia? Here are six statements. Say 'true' or 'false' in your head before you read each answer. The answers come from Croatian law or official sources, and each links to our full guide. This is general information, not advice for your own case.

1. 'Your boss says: don't come tomorrow. Your job has ended.' FALSE. A dismissal (otkaz) must be in writing, the employer must give the reasons in writing, and it must be handed to you (Labour Act, Article 120). A spoken sentence is not a valid dismissal. More in our guide to ending a job.^[1]

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2. 'Every worker gets at least four weeks of paid holiday a year.' TRUE. Article 77 of the Labour Act gives at least four weeks for each calendar year. Your contract can give more, never less. If it is your first job, you earn the full right after six months; before that, one twelfth for each month worked. See the paid holiday guide.^[1]

3. 'Work on a Sunday must be paid at least 50% more.' TRUE. Article 94 says the increase for each hour worked on a Sunday cannot be less than 50%. For overtime, night work and public holidays the law sets no percentage; your contract, work rules or collective agreement does. See the extra pay guide.^[1]

4. 'If you are ill (not hurt at work), your employer pays your sick leave for the first 42 days.' TRUE. HZZO says that for illness or an injury outside work the employer pays the benefit from its own funds for the first 42 days; from day 43 HZZO's money is used, although the employer normally still pays it out. The benefit cannot be lower than 70% of your base. See the sick pay guide.^[2]

5. 'A Christmas bonus is a legal right.' FALSE. The €700 figure is a tax-free ceiling, not an order to pay. A bonus is due only if your contract, a collective agreement, the work rules or the employer's decision provides for it. The €700 is shared with Easter and summer holiday bonuses. See the Christmas bonus guide.^[3][4]

6. 'While you work out your notice, you can take paid time off to look for a new job.' TRUE. Article 122 says that during the notice period you have the right, with pay, to be absent from work for at least four hours a week to look for new employment.^[1]

What to do: count your score. 6 out of 6: you could teach your housemates. 4 or 5: read the guides for the ones you missed. 0 to 3: do not worry, most people never get these rules explained, so save this page. Which answer surprised you most? Write your score on our Facebook page and send the quiz to a friend who works in Croatia.

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