Croatia to pay 3 euros per hour in disability assistance compensation

The Croatian government has announced a compensation plan for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers following a Constitutional Court ruling that declared parts of the Personal Assistance Act unconstitutional. The ruling addressed gaps where children not in school and parents with caregiver status were previously denied assistance.

Under the new plan, eligible users who were denied services will receive a compensation of 3 euros per hour for the period they lacked assistance. Minister Alen Ružić defended this amount, stating that while the total cost of the service is 11 euros per hour, that figure includes the assistant's salary, taxes, contributions, and provider operational costs. He described the 3-euro compensation as appropriate and fair.

However, disability rights advocates and parents have criticized the amount as “shameful” and “humiliating.” Representatives from the Sjena Association and individual caregivers argue that the compensation should match the full 11-euro hourly rate, noting that the current proposal fails to adequately compensate families for the significant burden placed on them by the state's previous legislative omissions.