Child benefit in Croatia (doplatak za djecu) is between 30.90 and 61.80 euros per child per month, depending on household income, and families qualify if income per household member does not exceed 618.02 euros a month. Families with three children also get a pronatalist supplement of 66.36 euros, and those with four or more get 132.72 euros. To keep receiving child benefit in 2027, you need to apply for renewal by 1 March 2027.
This guide is for parents applying for the first time and for those who already receive it and need to renew. All amounts are for 2026. The budget base for 2027 has not been published yet, and until it is, these figures apply.
Child Benefit 2027 - Quick Overview
| # | What | Amount or rule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Who is eligible | parent or guardian with the child in the household | Child Benefit Act |
| 2 | Up to what age | 15, with schooling up to 19, exceptionally 21 | MDU, HZMO |
| 3 | Income threshold | 618.02 EUR per household member per month | HZMO, 2026 |
| 4 | Amount per child | 30.90 to 61.80 EUR | HZMO, 2026 |
| 5 | Pronatalist supplement | 66.36 EUR (three children), 132.72 EUR (four or more) | HZMO |
| 6 | Renewal deadline | 1 March | HZMO |
| 7 | 2027 | base not yet known, new law planned | MDU |
1. Who Is Eligible for Child Benefit
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Child benefit can be claimed by a parent, adoptive parent, guardian, stepfather, stepmother, grandmother, grandfather or a person to whom the child has been entrusted for daily care by a decision of the competent authority. According to the Ministry of Demography and Immigration brochure, the applicant must live in the same household as the child and support them. An adult child without both parents who is in regular schooling can also claim it.
You need Croatian citizenship or permanent residence as a foreign national, plus residence in Croatia for at least three years before applying. Asylees and foreigners under subsidiary protection do not have to meet these conditions. The right can be claimed on only one basis, and the benefit is not paid while the child stays abroad for more than three months, unless EU rules say otherwise.
| Condition | Detail |
|---|---|
| Claimant | parent, adoptive parent, guardian, step-parent, grandparent |
| Citizenship | Croatian, or permanent residence for foreigners |
| Residence | at least 3 years in Croatia (not for asylees) |
| Household | the applicant lives with and supports the child |
| Income | below the threshold of 618.02 EUR per member |
Pros: grandparents and guardians can also claim it, not only parents
Cons: the three-year residence rule excludes some foreigners, and the right is lost during long stays abroad
Our opinion: If the child lives with grandparents who support them, check whether the grandparent is the one entitled. The right belongs to whoever lives in the same household as the child and supports them.
2. Up to What Age Is It Paid
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Child benefit is paid until the child turns 15, or more precisely until the end of the school year in which the child turns 15. If a 15-year-old is still in primary school because of a late start or illness, the right lasts until they finish primary school. For regular secondary education it is paid at the latest until the end of the school year in which the child turns 19, or 20 in a five-year school, according to gov.hr.
For a child with developmental difficulties schooled under special rules, the right lasts until age 21 at most. The same applies if the child lost part of their schooling due to a long illness: the right is extended by the time lost, up to 21. The amount does not go up, only the period is extended.
| Situation | Until |
|---|---|
| General | end of the school year in which the child turns 15 |
| Primary school after 15 | end of primary school |
| Regular secondary school | end of the school year in which they turn 19 |
| Five-year secondary school | end of the school year in which they turn 20 |
| Child with difficulties, long illness | up to 21 at most |
Pros: secondary school students keep the right until they finish school, and children with difficulties until 21
Cons: there is no child benefit for university students, and children with difficulties do not get a higher amount
Our opinion: When your child starts secondary school, attach proof of regular schooling to your next renewal application. Renewal is due every year by 1 March.
3. Income Threshold: 618.02 Euros per Household Member
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Child benefit is means-tested. The threshold is 140 percent of the budget base, and with a base of 441.44 euros that comes to 618.02 euros per household member per month. It is based on income from the previous calendar year: the income of all household members is added up, then divided by 12 months and by the number of members.
Income includes taxable income and other receipts, minus contributions, tax and surtax. Other receipts include Croatian and foreign pensions, wages from abroad, and benefits for caring for a child, sick leave and unemployment. HZMO gets income data from the Tax Administration, so you do not have to collect most certificates yourself.
| Household | Maximum average monthly net income (2026) |
|---|---|
| 3 members | 1,854.06 EUR |
| 4 members | 2,472.08 EUR |
| 5 members | 3,090.10 EUR |
| 6 members | 3,708.12 EUR |
Pros: since 2024 the threshold has been twice as high as before, so more families qualify
Cons: last year's income counts, so a sudden change in income does not affect the right straight away
Our opinion: Before applying, add up the net income of all members for last year and divide it by 12 and by the number of members. If you are close to the limit, apply anyway, because HZMO makes the decision.
4. Amounts per Child: 30.90 to 61.80 Euros
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Child benefit is split into five groups based on income per household member. The lower the income, the higher the amount: from 14 percent of the budget base in the first group, or 61.80 euros, down to 7 percent in the fifth, or 30.90 euros per child per month, according to HZMO.
The amount is increased by 25 percent for a child without both parents and by 15 percent for a child without one parent. This is not a general increase for single parents; it applies only in the cases the law lists. For children of Croatian war veterans who were killed or went missing, the benefit is 77.25 euros regardless of income.
| Group | Income per member | Amount | +15% | +25% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | up to 88.29 EUR | 61.80 EUR | 71.07 EUR | 77.25 EUR |
| 2 | 88.30 to 176.58 EUR | 55.18 EUR | 63.46 EUR | 68.98 EUR |
| 3 | 176.59 to 264.86 EUR | 48.56 EUR | 55.84 EUR | 60.70 EUR |
| 4 | 264.87 to 441.44 EUR | 39.73 EUR | 45.69 EUR | 49.66 EUR |
| 5 | 441.45 to 618.02 EUR | 30.90 EUR | 35.54 EUR | 38.63 EUR |
Pros: families with the lowest incomes get twice as much per child as in group 5
Cons: the amounts have not changed since March 2024 because the base has stayed the same, and single parents get no special supplement
Our opinion: Based on HZMO data for August 2026, the average payment is about 53 euros per child. That does not cover what a child costs, but for a family with two children in group 1 or 2 it adds up to more than 1,300 euros a year.
5. Pronatalist Supplement for Three or More Children
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Families receiving child benefit for three children also get a pronatalist supplement of 66.36 euros a month, and for four or more children 132.72 euros. It is a fixed amount that does not depend on the budget base. According to HZMO statistics for August 2026, 34,939 families receive it: 25,344 for three children and 9,595 for more than three.
The supplement is paid together with child benefit, so a family gets it only if it meets the income threshold and receives child benefit for three children. If one child leaves the system, for example after finishing secondary school, the supplement can be reduced or stop.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| For three children | 66.36 EUR per month |
| For four or more | 132.72 EUR per month |
| Condition | child benefit for three or more children |
| Recipients (August 2026) | 34,939 families |
Pros: for a family with four children that is 132.72 euros extra every month, with no separate application
Cons: the amount has not changed for years, and it is reduced or stops when one child loses the right
Our opinion: A family with four children in groups 1 to 3 can get more than 300 euros a month with the supplement. Check your decision to make sure the supplement is included.
6. How to Apply and the 1 March Deadline
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You apply for child benefit at the HZMO regional office for your place of residence, in person or by post, online through HZMO e-Services in the e-Građani system, free of charge at post offices, or at Pension Information Centres. New applicants need proof of marital status, a bank statement confirming the current account, a birth certificate or e-record for the child and, where relevant, certificates of foreign income and sick leave.
The right lasts until the end of February. To continue from 1 March, you need to apply between January and 1 March, with evidence of changes only. If you are late, the right starts only from the day you apply, warns RRiF. For a newborn, the right applies from birth if you apply within one month. The benefit is paid monthly for the previous month and cannot be seized, except for child maintenance.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where | HZMO, e-Građani, post office, Pension Information Centres |
| Renewal deadline | January to 1 March |
| Newborn | from birth, if you apply within one month |
| Payment | monthly, for the previous month |
| Seizure | not possible, except for child maintenance |
Pros: you can apply online, and HZMO collects most of the data itself
Cons: missing the deadline means losing the benefit until you submit a new application
Our opinion: Set a reminder for January. A month's delay means a month without child benefit, and for a family with three children that can be more than 200 euros.
7. What Changes in 2027
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The budget base for 2027 is not yet known, because the act on executing the 2027 state budget has not been passed. The base of 441.44 euros applied in 2024, 2025 and 2026, so the benefit amounts and the threshold have not changed since March 2024. Until new rules are adopted, the 2026 rules apply, and renewal from 1 March 2027 is based on income from 2026.
In its 2026 legislative plan, the government announced a new Child Benefit Act, aimed at keeping up with the cost of living and covering more children, according to the Ministry of Demography and Immigration. Minister Ivan Šipić supports a universal benefit of at least 100 euros per child, but the government has not adopted it, and as of 8 October 2026 we found no published draft law.
| Item | Status (8 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Budget base 2027 | not known |
| Base 2024 to 2026 | 441.44 EUR |
| New Child Benefit Act | planned, no draft published |
| Universal benefit | minister's proposal, not adopted |
| Last amendment | Official Gazette 156/23, in force since 1 March 2024 |
Pros: a new law could raise the amounts and cover more children
Cons: it is unclear when it will take effect or what exactly it will bring
Our opinion: Do not plan around a universal benefit until it is voted through. Until then, what this guide says applies, and we will update the article as soon as a draft comes out.
Conclusion: How to Get Child Benefit in 2027
| If you are | What to do |
|---|---|
| A new applicant | work out income per member and apply to HZMO or through e-Građani |
| An existing recipient | apply for renewal between January and 1 March 2027 |
| A parent of a newborn | apply within one month of the birth |
| A family with three or more children | check that you receive the pronatalist supplement |
| A parent of a secondary school student | the right lasts until the end of the school year in which the child turns 19 (five-year school: 20) |
Child benefit in 2027 will most likely be paid under the same rules as in 2026 until a new law is passed. Most often, money is lost by missing the 1 March deadline. For other payments for children, see how much an employer can give tax-free as a child gift, and for household planning our guide on how to budget your money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income threshold for child benefit?
The threshold is 618.02 euros per household member per month, which is 140 percent of the budget base of 441.44 euros. For a family of four, that means average monthly income of up to 2,472.08 euros. It is calculated from income in the previous calendar year.
How much is child benefit?
From 30.90 to 61.80 euros per child per month, depending on the income group. For a child without one parent the amount is 15 percent higher, and without both parents 25 percent higher. Families with three children also receive a pronatalist supplement of 66.36 euros.
When do I need to apply for renewal?
The renewal application is submitted between January and 1 March. If you are late, the right starts only from the day you apply, so you lose the benefit for the period between 1 March and your application.
Can I apply online?
Yes, through HZMO e-Services in the e-Građani system. You can also apply in person or by post at the HZMO regional office, free of charge at post offices, or at Pension Information Centres.
Will child benefit be higher in 2027?
That is not known yet. The budget base for 2027 has not been set, and a new Child Benefit Act is planned, but no draft has been published. Until new rules are adopted, the 2026 amounts apply.
How We Researched
We took the data from the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (HZMO), the Ministry of Demography and Immigration brochure, gov.hr, the Official Gazette and RRiF, and the statistics from HZMO's report for August 2026. Announcements for 2027 come from official press releases and verified media and are clearly marked. Information is as of 8 October 2026. This guide is not legal advice for your specific case; HZMO decides on eligibility.
Sources and References
- HZMO - income threshold and child benefit amounts for 2026
- HZMO - determining the child benefit amount
- HZMO - child benefit statistics, August 2026
- MDU - child benefit brochure
- gov.hr - child benefit
- RRiF - right to child benefit in 2026
- MDU - 2026 legislative plan
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