By Marko Barišić: Thinking of returning to Croatia? Journalist Marko Barišić shares how one Slavonija returnee launched a successful joinery business with government support in Slavonija.
Learn how Croatia’s “Choose Croatia” grant is helping skilled returnees from Slavonija start fresh, build businesses, and enjoy better work-life balance back home.
Returnees to Croatia on the rise
The number of returnees to Croatia is on the rise. While it’s not yet a mass movement, it’s clear that more people are coming back to regions like Slavonija.
Every now and then, you hear about someone else returning.
They usually take on jobs in fields where they gained experience abroad, find employment with others, or start their own businesses.
Younger families and solo returnees make up most of the movement
The majority are younger people coming back with their families, although there are also quite a few individuals returning alone.
From overseas countries like Australia or South America, it’s mostly those born abroad who only visited Croatia occasionally.
From European countries, there’s also a noticeable number of returnees, particularly children of Croatian emigrants who were born and educated there.
They often completed vocational training or university and then decided to move to Croatia.
However, the largest group consists of people who left five to ten years ago and are now choosing to return, mostly from Germany and Ireland.
Croatia’s measures to attract returnees
Croatia has introduced several measures to encourage people to return.
A general incentive for all returnees who have lived abroad for at least two years is a five-year exemption from income tax after finding employment.
In addition, there is the “Choose Croatia” programme aimed at self-employment for returnees through the establishment of their own trades or businesses.
Participants can receive a non-repayable grant from the government ranging between €3,500 and €7,000, which is typically used to purchase essential equipment.
Conversations with those who have used this programme are the best way to understand the initial steps required to receive the grant.
How to get started: register with the employment office
The first and most important step is to register with the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ) in the area where you plan to live.
That’s where the process begins and where you’ll receive all the necessary information. While the details are already available on their website, visiting in person is essential.
One such returnee is Zdenko Pilić. He left Slavonia seven years ago and worked in window and door installation.
In Germany, he gained additional expertise in the field. Now he has returned with his family and, through the aforementioned programme, opened his own company last year specialising in the installation of wooden, PVC, and aluminium joinery in the town of Škrljevo near Rijeka.
Quick process and smooth support for new businesses
“The process went smoothly. I registered with the employment office on 3rd January, and the company was established by 17th March. Hats off to the HZZ – they took care of everything,” Zdenko told Novi list.
Using the financial support he received, he was able to purchase essential equipment, which was crucial for launching his business in a professional way.
“All the tools are brand new, only the hands are mine,” says Zdenko. Initially, his biggest challenge was entering and staying afloat in the market, but now his main issue is securing payment for completed work. However, business is going well, and Zdenko says there is no shortage of work.
He also has plans for the future – to expand operations and hire at least two more employees.
Better work-life balance is a key benefit of returning
He emphasises that one of the biggest advantages of returning and becoming self-employed is having more time for family.
It’s no longer about working from seven in the morning until seven in the evening.
Now he can schedule installations at times that suit him – and even find time for that well-known Croatian coffee with friends.
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