Croatian pensioners in Germany must submit life certificates by November 30

The Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (HZMO) has informed Croatian pension beneficiaries living in Germany whose data is not exchanged electronically that they must submit a life certificate for 2026 by November 30.

On October 14, the HZMO sent the relevant forms to these beneficiaries at their home addresses.

To ensure the continued payment of their Croatian pensions, beneficiaries must complete, sign and have the forms certified by the competent authority, then submit them to the HZMO no later than November 30, 2026.

Requirements for Pensioners in Other Countries

The HZMO has also confirmed that the data needed to ensure regular pension payments has been exchanged electronically for Croatian pension beneficiaries living abroad in all countries except Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Germany. This exchange helps prevent improper payments after a beneficiary's death.

Pensioners in countries covered by the electronic data exchange do not need to submit a life certificate in 2026.

However, some pensioners must submit a completed, signed and certified life certificate by October 31, 2026, depending on their country of residence. Failure to meet the deadline could result in the suspension of pension payments.

The electronic data exchange system covers most countries with Croatian diaspora communities, but Germany — home to one of the largest Croatian communities abroad — remains among the exceptions, along with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo.

On September 9, 2026, the HZMO sent printed life certificate forms to the home addresses of pension beneficiaries for whom electronic data exchange had been unsuccessful, as well as those living in countries where no electronic data exchange system has been established, including Germany.