Young Croatian returnees say now best time to move back home

Young Croatian returnees from Australia, Argentina, Germany and other countries said at the recent Young Croatian Returnees Gathering in Zagreb that poor coordination between institutions remains the biggest obstacle to returning, while stressing that there has never been a better time to move back to Croatia.

Participants agreed that the main barriers to returning include a lack of coordination among public institutions, complex administrative language and information scattered across numerous official websites, the association Youth for the Homeland, which organized the event, said in a statement on Tuesday, CE Report quotes HINA.

Sociologist and returnee from Germany Drago Jukić said returnees often struggle to navigate the administrative system and that even local institutions do not always understand their specific circumstances.

Tour guide and returnee from Argentina Nadir Ivanović stressed the importance of learning the Croatian language and becoming familiar with Croatian culture before returning, saying language proficiency helps returnees feel at home rather than like foreigners.

Systems engineer and returnee from Australia Jozo Kolakušić spoke about the social reactions many returnees encounter, noting that they are often greeted with the question, "What are you doing here?", despite having been encouraged for years to come back.

Safety, culture and family ties seen as Croatia's strengths

State Secretary at the Ministry of Demography and Immigration Mladen Barać said the greatest responsibility lies with the state, but emphasized that a broader social consensus on the importance of return migration is also needed. He identified the slow bureaucracy and institutions' limited ability to adapt to changing circumstances as the main challenges.

Participants also highlighted the personal responsibility of returnees, noting that returning home, like emigrating, requires initiative, adaptability and realistic expectations. Despite the existing challenges, they pointed to Croatia's safety, preserved culture, strong family ties and growing opportunities as major advantages of living in the country.

"There is never a perfect time to return, but there has never been a better time," Kolakušić said.

Following the panel discussion, young returnees presented their own business projects and social initiatives, demonstrating how the knowledge and professional networks they gained abroad can contribute to the development of Croatian society, the economy and local communities.

"Our goal is for the Young Croatian Returnees Gathering to become a traditional meeting place for everyone who has returned to Croatia or is considering returning," the organizers said.

The event was organized by the Youth for the Homeland association in partnership with the Croatian Heritage Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Demography and Immigration. Around 100 participants attended, including young returnees from Australia, Argentina, Chile, Germany, Austria and several other countries.

Photo AI