It is an important step in the implementation of reforms and investments related to this request for payment, which relate to access to health services, sustainable financing, innovative mobility, water management, agriculture and the fight against corruption and organized crime.The Commission found that Croatia satisfactorily achieved six key stages and 11 target values established in the Implementation Decision of the Council.
The main measures in the eighth payment request include:
increasing the availability of pharmacies in underserved areas: the funds support the procurement of six mobile pharmacies camper vans and two boat pharmacies, which will facilitate access to healthcare in hard-to-reach areas and island communities. This will benefit both the local population and seasonal tourists, while improving the quality of life in rural, isolated and island areas.
Strengthening the pension system: The reforms linked to the payment request include a revision of the Mandatory Pension Funds Act, which should result in a reduction in administrative fees and greater flexibility in fund selection and switching, allowing pension fund beneficiaries to adapt their savings strategies to market fluctuations. The reform also broadens the eligible investment options and eases restrictions on the allocation of pension funds, thus improving portfolio diversification.
Next steps
The Commission has sent its preliminary assessment that Croatia has achieved the milestones and targets required for the eighth payment to the Economic and Financial Committee, which has four weeks to issue an opinion. The payment to Croatia can be made after the Economic and Financial Committee has issued an opinion and the Commission has then adopted a decision on the payment.
Background
Croatia submitted the payment request on 15 December 2025. Croatia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan contains a number of investment and reform measures supporting climate and digital transition objectives, such as green investments in enterprises, electrification and digitalisation of road and rail transport, and improved flood protection measures and access to drinking water.
The plan will be financed with €10 billion, of which €5.8 billion in grants and €4.2 billion in loans.
This payment request will bring the total disbursement to Croatia under the Recovery and Resilience Facility to EUR 7.3 billion, representing 73% of the total funding from the Croatian national plan. 62% of all milestones and targets have been achieved so far.
Given the planned closure of the Facility at the end of 2026, Member States must implement all remaining milestones and targets by August 2026 and submit the final payment requests by the end of September.