In Croatia, the uptake of parental leave by fathers has seen a substantial increase, with 19,000 fathers taking advantage of the leave in the past year, which is 3,000 more than the previous year. The Croatian government allocated nearly 23 million euros for this initiative, reflecting a significant rise of 13.6 million euros compared to 2024. As Father’s Day approaches, the Ministry of Demography and Immigration highlighted these figures, demonstrating the growing recognition of paternal roles in child-rearing.

Paid paternal leave was introduced in Croatia in August 2022, initially allowing fathers 10 working days for one child and 15 days for twins or multiple births. As of March 1 of the previous year, this leave was extended to 20 working days for a single child and 30 days for twins or more. This leave is non-transferable, meaning it cannot be taken by mothers, and must be used within the first six months of the child's life, allowing fathers to bond with their newborns while receiving full salary compensation from the state.

From its introduction until 2024, the utilization of parental leave has been monitored closely, and the positive trend indicates a shift in societal views about fatherhood and parental responsibility. The significant increase in both the number of fathers taking leave and the financial support provided reflects the Croatian government's commitment to promoting family values and equal parenting roles.