As temperatures slowly drop and the magic of the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays can increasingly be felt in the air, the City of Umag has once again shown its social sensitivity by making a decision that will certainly delight many pensioners.

This year as well, Christmas bonuses have been secured for Umag senior citizens with the lowest pensions, with amounts reaching up to as much as 600 euros, which is a significant financial boost in these economically challenging times.

This financial support is intended for Umag pensioners and persons who have reached the age of sixty-five and have no other income. The basic conditions they must meet are continuous residence in the Umag area for a minimum of five years before submitting the application itself, as well as an average monthly income, including pension, which from the first of January until the day of application is not higher than 500.00 euros.

Detailed calculation of Christmas bonuses

The amount of the Christmas bonus is aligned with the monthly average of the beneficiary's total income, thus ensuring the greatest assistance to those in the most difficult financial situation. Pursuant to the City's Decision, the amounts are distributed as follows:

• Beneficiaries whose average monthly amount of total income, that is, receipts in the current year amounts to up to 200.00 euros, are entitled to the highest Christmas bonus amount, set at 600.00 euros.
• For pensioners and elderly persons with monthly income ranging from 200.01 euros to 300.00 euros, the City has secured a Christmas bonus in the amount of 400.00 euros.
• Those whose monthly average income ranges from 300.01 euros to 400.00 euros can count on an amount of 200.00 euros.
• The lowest amount, 100.00 euros, will be paid to beneficiaries whose monthly average total income ranges from 400.01 euros to 500.00 euros.

Gratitude for a lifelong contribution to the city's development

The Mayor of Umag, Vili Bassanese, emphasized that this measure represents an expression of gratitude and respect toward elderly persons, and that it comes at just the right time to at least somewhat brighten their holiday period at the end of the year.

'In this way, the City of Umag expresses gratitude every year to elderly persons, and it arrives precisely during the holiday season, so that we may at least somewhat brighten this period at the end of the year for our fellow citizens,' Bassanese pointed out. 'It is only a form of small gratitude to all of them, who throughout their lives have invested warmth and love into our city. Our wish is to ensure dignified aging and active participation in society for pensioners, so that, through support, we may repay them at least in a small part for everything they have done for the development of our society,' he added.

How to submit an application for the Christmas bonus?

All interested persons who meet the stated conditions must hurry with their application, as the deadline for submitting applications has been set for 28 November 2025.

The application for this support can be downloaded directly from the official website of the City of Umag or at the City Administration building, located at Trg slobode 7. The completed form with accompanying documentation must be submitted exclusively in person to clerk Dajana Bose Kovačević in the Administrative Department for General Administration and Social Activities, at the same address, every working day according to the City Administration's working hours. All additional information and clarifications related to Christmas bonuses can be obtained by calling the telephone number (052) 702-917.

Increase in income also for city administration employees

This financial boost for Umag pensioners comes in the context of the broader plan of the City of Umag to improve the material rights of its citizens and employees. Following economic developments in the Republic of Croatia and their direct consequences on citizens' standard of living, Mayor Vili Bassanese already at the end of last year made a decision on a significant salary increase for all employees of the City Administration, institutions and companies owned by the City, which has been in force since 1 January 2025.

Specifically, on 18 December 2024, the City of Umag and the Union of Istria, Kvarner and Dalmatia signed a new collective agreement by which the gross base amount for salary calculation is increased to 770 euros, which ultimately represents an increase of 15 percent. Along with this increase, employees have also been provided with non-taxable allowances, such as a monthly meal allowance in the amount of 100 euros, which annually amounts to 1100 euros, then an Easter bonus of 100 euros, annual leave allowance in the amount of 250 euros, and a Christmas bonus of 350 euros.

The 15 percent increase in the base applies to all employees, but additional corrections of coefficients will further increase salaries for employees with the lowest income, as well as for employees in the social care and upbringing and education system, such as caregivers and preschool teachers. Their monthly income is increasing by almost 25 percent, which will be harmonized by agreement with the social partner.

Mayor Bassanese also emphasized satisfaction with what was achieved in this case. 'By making such a decision, we have certainly advanced and improved the material rights of all our employees, which makes us extremely happy. We live and work in challenging times, but in accordance with possibilities we continuously strive to improve working conditions and work organization, as well as dialogue with social partners, which is always very correct,' the mayor concluded.