Planning your return to Croatia
Planning a return from Germany to Croatia rarely begins with packing boxes or deregistering your address. Before making a final decision, it is important to clarify where you will live, how you will earn an income, what will happen to your employment and rights acquired in Germany, how the move may affect your family and how much financial reserve you need for the transition. Early planning is especially important for families with children, people approaching retirement and anyone considering buying, building or renovating a home in Croatia.
This section brings together guides for the planning stage of returning – before you start cancelling contracts, ending employment and formally leaving Germany. The aim is to help you assess the decision realistically and create a plan covering family, work and future income, housing, pensions, health insurance, documents and the timeline for your move.
What should you consider before deciding to return?
- Returning from Germany – the reality many people do not expect – a broader look at the financial, family, housing and emotional issues worth considering before making the move permanent;
- Family and Nostalgia – why many people think about returning from Germany – for anyone whose decision is strongly influenced by parents, children, family ties, a sense of belonging or nostalgia for life in Croatia;
- Planning retirement or leaving Germany – what to check before retirement or moving away – a practical guide to pension records, health insurance, taxes, documents and other German rights and obligations that may remain important after you leave;
- Buying property after working in Germany – dream of returning home or financial risk? – if your return plan includes buying a house or apartment, building or renovating a property, or investing a substantial part of your savings in housing in Croatia.
Once you have made the decision and have an approximate moving date, planning turns into practical administration. Continue with Leaving Germany for the steps involving employment, housing, deregistration, health insurance, contracts, banking, vehicles, documents and other matters that should be handled before departure. For the next stage after moving, see After returning.
Choose the topic that matches your current stage, or continue below to browse guides related to planning a return from Germany to Croatia.