Under 25s Tax-Free, First-Home Assistance
The package presented for International Youth Day covers education, work, family, and housing, amid record employment.
The package presented for International Youth Day covers education, work, family, and housing, amid record employment.
On International Youth Day, August 12, 2026, the HDZ Youth presented a series of measures aimed at easing education, employment, housing, and independence for young people in Croatia. As announced on Stijena.info and reported by HRT, the package spans from scholarships and tax relief to family support and real estate investment.
In the education segment, the measures highlight the annual award of around 13,500 socio-economic scholarships and those for STEM fields-science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Since 2016, more than 150,000 scholarships have been awarded to students, with individual amounts increased. Additionally, the state is investing in student dormitories in 18 cities across Croatia, and in Zagreb, 34 faculties and scientific institutions are being renovated.
Primary school students are provided with free meals, textbook funding, and transportation. The intention, as stated by the HDZ Youth, is to make education more accessible regardless of where one lives.
Regarding work, the minimum student hourly rate now stands at €6.56, and the tax-free threshold for student work has been raised to €12,000. A minimum wage for student workers has also been introduced. Tax relief is particularly emphasized: over 200,000 people are eligible for income tax refunds. Those under 25 receive the full amount paid, while employees aged 26 to 30 can expect a 50% refund.
The statement indicates that employment in the country is at a record high, with the number of registered unemployed youth dropping to around 14,000. The average net salary in May 2026 was €1,552, but the cost of living remains a key obstacle to independence.
€530 million is earmarked for the construction and expansion of kindergartens, which should create approximately 44,000 new places. Two billion euros are being invested in primary schools and the transition to single-shift schooling. Parental leave allowance has been increased to €3,000 to ease the financial burden on young families.
Affordable housing is recognized as one of the most critical issues for new generations. The National Housing Policy Plan until 2030 is worth two billion euros, and a tax refund on the purchase of a first property is also planned. The HDZ Youth emphasizes the need to increase the supply of affordable apartments, develop long-term rental options, and facilitate the purchase of a first home.
The Government of the Republic of Croatia posted a message on platform X on the occasion of International Youth Day, highlighting its commitment to creating conditions for young people to realize their potential through education, professional development, dignified work, independence, and participation in society. The HDZ Youth stressed that this year's theme, "Different Contexts, Shared Aspirations," reminds us that despite differing circumstances, young people share the same goals and challenges.
The measures combine educational, tax, labor, and family policies. Their true impact will depend on the speed of implementation, program accessibility, and whether support keeps pace with rising living costs. It is especially important that assistance is readily available and evenly distributed across all regions of Croatia.
