Pay and working conditions in European countries

Thinking about working in another European country? For each of 32 countries – all 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom – you will find the key labour market figures, where the jobs are, how to apply, pay and working conditions, student jobs and what to do in your first weeks. General advice on job search, your CV and your rights: How to find a job abroad – 10 practical guides »

Found: 1

Croatia

Minimum wage: €1,050 gross a month in 2026 – the lowest monthly gross salary for a full-time worker.
Extras: it is common practice to get 0.5% more for each year of service (usually set in a collective agreement). Some employers pay a transport allowance or a non-taxable hot meal allowance (up to €1,800 a year), and some pay a Christmas or holiday bonus.
Working time: full-time work is 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week. If you work at least 6 hours a day, you get a paid break of at least 30 minutes. Daily rest: at least 12 hours; weekly rest: at least 24 hours.
Overtime is paid at a higher rate and limited to 32 hours a month and 180 hours a year.
Holidays: at least 4 weeks of paid leave a year – you can use them after 6 months in the job. Up to 7 days of paid leave for important personal needs (e.g. marriage, birth of a child, serious illness or death in the family).
Contract: must be in writing. If the employer does not give you a written contract, it counts as a permanent one. A probation period can last up to six months.

Common questions about job applications and interviews

Key figures: Eurostat (population on 1 January 2026; unemployment and employment rates 2025; minimum wages July 2026); for the United Kingdom – Office for National Statistics; for Liechtenstein – national statistics. Country information: EURES – Living and working conditions, public employment services and the official government websites listed under each country. Rules, thresholds and amounts can change – check the official sources before you move. Updated: October 2026.

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