Serbian and Croatian pensioners tap cheaper travel deals and new work options

In Serbia, retirees are increasingly traveling in the off‑season to destinations such as Greece, Montenegro and Bulgaria, where package prices can be 50‑80 % lower than during peak July‑August months. Travel agencies market “Senior packages” that include transport, accommodation and health insurance, and many seniors take advantage of flexible payment plans that deduct costs directly from pensions. Popular Serbian beach spots this winter include Halkidiki and the Olympic region in Greece, while Montenegro’s Čanj and Bulgaria’s Burgas region attract cost‑conscious seniors.

In Croatia, the public employment service (HZZ) has launched a campaign encouraging pensioners to seek part‑time or full‑time work, noting that up to 40 000 retirees already work part‑time and 2 000 work full‑time for half their pension. The scheme allows retirees to keep their full pension when working up to half‑time, and provides options for those on disability or family pensions to work limited hours. The initiative aims to improve health and mental sharpness while offering additional income.

Both developments reflect a broader trend of pensioners in the Balkans leveraging lower‑cost travel and flexible employment to stretch limited incomes.