Where Croatian pensions paid abroad are going: Top destinations revealed

The Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (HZMO) has reported a decline in the number of pensions paid abroad last year compared to 2022.

Around 8,000 fewer foreign pensions were issued, continuing a trend seen in recent years.

In 2023, Croatia paid out a total of 177,158 pensions to retirees living overseas, amounting to €438.9 million.

The previous year, 185,227 pensions were distributed across 50 countries, writes mirovnina.hr.

Neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia remain the top destinations for Croatian pensions.

Last year, 67,263 pensions were sent to Bosnia and Herzegovina and 61,757 to Serbia, making up nearly three-quarters of all foreign pensions.

In financial terms, retirees in Bosnia and Herzegovina received over €192 million, while those in Serbia were paid more than €158 million.

Germany follows in third place, with 14,743 pensions paid out, worth over €20 million. Slovenia and Australia round out the top five, with 9,272 and 6,067 pensions paid respectively.

Pensions sent to Australia were valued at over €12 million.

Among other countries, Austria received 4,832 pensions, Montenegro 2,143, and North Macedonia 1,868. Payments to Canada, Italy, and several other nations were also notable, though numbers were smaller.

Interestingly, HZMO paid just a single pension to retirees in Armenia, Monaco, Paraguay, Peru, and South Korea.

Other countries with only a handful of Croatian pensioners include Cyprus, Malta, Mexico, the Philippines, Thailand, and Turkey.

Although the overall number has fallen slightly, Croatia continues to support a large number of retirees living abroad, especially in neighbouring and traditionally migrant destinations.