• grants for preserving jobs in COVID 19 affected sectors,
• temporary suspension of previous grants for self-employment and employment in order to secure additional funds for preserving jobs in COVID 19 affected sectors,
• extension of measure for continuous seasonal employees,
• deferral of payment of financial compensation for all employers of the quota for employment of persons with disabilities and exemptions from the quota for employment of persons with disabilities.

Effectively for the majority of employers this means compensation of salary costs in the amount of the minimum net salary per employee during the period of 3 months starting as of 1 March 2020.

For employers and other taxpayers whose business activities are effected by COVID 19 it is possible to submit request for postponement of the tax liabilities payments. In addition, for postponed tax payments it is possible to request an instalment payment (up to 24 months).

Industries and employers eligible for grants for preserving jobs in COVID 19 affected sectors

Eligible industries and eligible employers:
a. Employers form the following industries:
• hospitality, food and beverage,
• transportation and logistics,
• labour-intensive activities within the manufacturing industry: textiles, clothing, footwear, leather, wood and furniture,
b. employers unable to carry out their activities in accordance with the decisions of the Civil Protection Service,
c. other employers who can prove impact of special circumstances caused by COVID-19.

Eligible groups of employees:

• employees employed in Eligible industries and by eligible employers,
• does not include owners, co-owners, shareholders, board members, directors, procurists, etc., with the exception of employers employing up to 10 employees and craft owners.
  
  

An employer will not be granted support if there has been a decrease in the number of employees in the period from 20 March 2020 until the date of submission of the request if the percentage of employment decline is greater than:

• 40% for employers employing up to 10 workers,
• 20% for small entrepreneurs,
• 15% for medium-sized entrepreneurs,

10% large entrepreneurs.

The above does not include the expiry of a definite-term employment contract, the retirement of workers and the termination due to the employee’s misconduct.

Requirements for grant obtaining

Employers from the above mentioned industries must prove one of the following reasons (without cumulation) and sign the statement under material and criminal liability, in order to receive the grant:

• decrease of revenue
  
• cancellation of reservations, events, congresses, seminars, etc.,
• cancellation of Contracts and Orders,
• inability to deliver finished products or contracted and paid raw materials, raw materials, machinery, tools, etc.,
• inability of ordering raw materials, tools and machines necessary for work.
  

Employers that by the decision of the Headquarters of Civil Protection are not allowed to perform activities have to submit the aforementioned decision.

An employer, who is having difficulty in doing business because of special circumstances submits evidence of cancellation of Contracts and Orders problems in transportation and delivery of goods or procurement of raw materials etc.

An employer which is facing a decrease of revenue is required to provide a tabular comparison of revenue by the end of the month in which the claim was filed with the same month of the previous year, with a projection of revenue in the coming period of three months, comparing the same period in the previous year. A decrease of more than 20% is acceptable.

Grant amount and period

Grant amount:

• HRK 3,250.00 per month for full-time employees which is equal to the minimum net salary in Croatia in 2020,
• up to HRK 1,625.00 per month for part-time employees,
• pro rata amount of HRK 3,250.00 or HRK 1,625.00 per employee for time they did not work subject to the decision of the Civil Defense.
  

Grant period:

• as of 1 March 2020 and maximum up to 3 months.

Hrvoje Pajtak
Attorney at Law 
Tel. + 385 1 5390 062 
hpajtak@kpmg.com

Suzana Delija
Attorney at Law
Tel. + 385 1 5390 252
sdelija@kpmg.com