Croatian municipalities subsidize health insurance for pensioners

Several municipalities in Croatia have introduced subsidies to help pensioners cover the rising costs of supplementary health insurance. This follows an increase in the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) policy price, which rose from 9.29 euros per month to 15 euros per month (180 euros annually) as of February 1.

In Rab, the city provides up to 174.29 euros per user to cover the annual cost. While originally intended for residents over 65, the eligibility has been expanded to all pensioners residing in Rab. Applications for this aid are open until November 30, 2026. Similarly, Novalja offers an annual subsidy of 120 euros (10 euros per month) to retirees, national benefit recipients, and citizens over 65 who meet specific residency and income criteria.

Other local measures include Funtana, which provides 8 euros monthly, and Tar-Vabriga, which uses an income-based model. In Tar-Vabriga, pensioners with monthly incomes below 500 euros receive up to 100 percent of the premium, while those earning between 501 and 920 euros receive up to 90 euros annually. Additionally, the state budget covers premiums for certain citizens based on specific income thresholds.