Croatia increases compensation for personal assistants

The Croatian Ministry of Social Policy is increasing the hourly compensation paid to associations for personal assistance services from 11 to 14 euros. Minister Alen Ružić stated that the goal is to equalize pay between assistants employed through associations and those working in social welfare institutions, noting that “equal work must be equally paid.”

This adjustment aims to address a chronic shortage of workers in a physically and emotionally demanding field. The need for more assistants intensified following a Constitutional Court ruling in December 2023, which expanded the eligibility of persons with disabilities for these services and increased the allowable hours of assistance.

Previously, associations had to cover salaries, operational costs, and paid leave from the 11-euro rate, often resulting in assistants receiving only minimum wage. In addition to the budget-funded increase, the government intends to use lottery funds to provide further support for other related costs.