A set of support measures for return mobility to Croatia

‘I choose Croatia’ is a package of support measures that aim to help Croatian nationals return to live and work in the country. It offers a range of practical benefits including financial support for those who want to start a business or work for themselves, a five year income tax exemption for those that have returned and language courses. The instrument is coordinated by Croatia's Ministry of Demography and Immigration and was set up to address labour shortages, promote economic development and support demographic revitalisation.

Support offered

A range of financial, entrepreneurial and language-integration support is available to returnees, Croatian emigrants, their descendants and their family members. Returnees can receive financial support for self-employment and creating a business in Croatia via the ‘I choose Croatia’ measure. Information regarding the application process and the requirements to access this measure are provided by the Croatian employment service (Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje – HZZ) in a brochure available in Croatian and English, the portal of the measure and an online form to express interest.

Returnees and their descendants who have spent at least two consecutive years abroad, can also benefit from an income tax exemption for five years upon return and registration of permanent or temporary residence in Croatia. The refund is automatically calculated by the tax administration based on official data. Information can be found on the website of the Ministry of Demography and Immigration, which provides links to leaflets in Croatian and English, and on the website of the Tax Authority.

The scholarships for learning Croatian support integration through language-learning in Croatia. The scholarship for the 2025/2026 academic year includes the cost of attending a Croatian language course, subsidised meals, a monthly allowance of EUR 400, and subsidised student accommodation subject to available capacity. This support is provided by higher education institutions in Croatia. Information is provided by the Ministry of Demography and Immigration on the website and the public call for application for the scholarship for the academic year 2025/2026.

Free online Croatian language courses at A1 and A2 levels are also available to members of the Croatian diaspora, Croatian national minority and anyone interested in learning Croatian. Information is available online on the website of Croaticum – Centre for Croatian as a Second and Foreign Language.

Target group

The instrument primarily targets returnees and potential returnees from abroad, with a focus on Croatian citizens, Croatian emigrants and their descendants who have lived outside Croatia and are considering or undertaking return. Returnees’ spouses and descendants are also possible target groups of the income tax exemption programme, while potential returnees’ spouses and descendants may be targeted through the scholarship programmes.

Eligibility criteria 

Eligibility criteria for accessing support under the instrument vary across the individual measures but generally include a combination of nationality, residence, return status, labour market requirements and administrative conditions.

For the ‘I choose Croatia’ measure, applicants must be Croatian nationals below 60 years of age who have lived, worked or studied in EU/EEA countries or in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Canada, New Zealand and the USA for at least 12 months in continuity within the previous 24 months, and who have returned to Croatia and registered with the Croatian Employment Service as unemployed. Applications are required to establish self-employment or a business activity in Croatia and fulfil certain administrative conditions, such as timely submission of applications and registration of residence.

For the five-year income tax exemption, eligibility is linked to prior residence abroad and return to employment in Croatia. The measure is available to Croatian citizens, Croatian emigrants and their descendants who have continuously lived abroad for at least two years prior to returning, as well as members of their families. It also includes persons who have been granted temporary or permanent residence in Croatia for the purpose of return.

For the scholarships for learning the Croatian language in Croatia, eligibility criteria are defined through public calls. E.g., for the academic year 2025/2026, applicants must be Croatian emigrants or their descendants, including spouses, aged 18 or above, with at least completed secondary education and with residence outside Croatia or residence in Croatia of limited duration (typically not longer than three years at the time of application). Candidates must meet the specific requirements set out in the official call documentation.

For the online Croatian language courses (A1 and A2 levels), no formal eligibility criteria apply. The courses are open to all interested users, including members of the Croatian diaspora, but also other individuals wishing to learn the Croatian language, and can be accessed online.