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Post by Ribaric on Jul 18, 2019 18:12:59 GMT 1
l arrived in HR in 2005 so that's 14 years of trying to make it work, now l'm giving up trying to run a small business here and will leave on Saturday July 20th. The business has been passed to the lady who has helped me build it. It's not just Croatia, brexit has caused a lot of pain by removing the entire UK from our customer base and sterling has fallen from >11 kuna down to <8. However, the infamous bureaucrats here shoulder most of the blame along with the high taxes and other costs levied on employers. Our staff and contractors now face uncertain futures, some of whom will also leave their families behind to find work abroad, they have little choice. The social costs will be mostly unseen but significant and damaging nonetheless. I may return one day but only as a pensioner, my contribution to Croatia will be minimal in comparison.... but nobody in authority cares. A sad day but a new adventure for me and mine, we'll see how it all pans out. I wish you all the best. Paul.
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Post by Valleycat on Jul 18, 2019 19:19:43 GMT 1
So sorry to hear this. You are a valuable member here. Hope you continue to stay in touch with us. Thank you for your generous help in the past. On behalf of all of us, we wish you all the best.
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Post by swordfish on Jul 21, 2019 7:29:49 GMT 1
Sorry to to hear this 2005 was the year we also started are business but soon realised the odds were against us,as you have been there and done it I will not go into details Brexit will cause a great many problems for a great many people. Why make a hole in your boat if it is sailing along nicely. Best of luck for the future
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Post by Anna on Jul 22, 2019 14:56:15 GMT 1
Yes, sorry to hear you're leaving (have left?) as well, Ribaric. You've certainly been invaluable in this forum, sharing your immense knowledge on living/working in Croatia.
All the best to you for the future.
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Post by fidobsa on Jul 24, 2019 16:30:42 GMT 1
Sorry to hear you have had to give up on Croatia. I am planning to stay until they kick me out but I never had any thought of trying to make a living or be self employed. The weak pound is certainly not helpful but I am perhaps lucky that some of my money is in a Hungarian account.
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Post by Ribaric on Jul 24, 2019 17:30:53 GMT 1
Thanks folks for your kind words. I haven't given up on Croatia but l certainly won't work there. I'm touring the UK right now and re-retiring. I'll see how l feel in the autumn - and what the bank manager says 😀.
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Post by dickhere on Aug 2, 2019 12:58:46 GMT 1
Sorry to hear you're leaving Rib. I thought you were there more for personal reasons than business, either I was wrong or that has changed. Anyhow, perhaps you'll re-retire to Cro in the future again hopefully.
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Post by kesterj on Aug 12, 2019 8:09:23 GMT 1
Dear Ribs,
I hardly ever look in here now (ho work in Croatia these days, sadly) but even sadder that when I do, I see you are leaving. And after such an effort too. And even if some statitician notices the drop in local income and reports it to his political masters, nobody would do anything. The central authorities just sit back knowing they can live off tourism - very dangerous assumption.
Then Brexit on top. Yes, the £ has fallen 4.5% against the dollar in a couple of weeks after our new great leader said the UK will leave, deal or no deal. How lucky we are to have chosen such wise and thoughtful leaders as our Boris.
Hitler must be sitting up in his grave thinking: how the hell did I fail to beat this lot in 1940?
All the very best in your next phase. Kesterj
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Post by Carol on Aug 18, 2019 13:15:39 GMT 1
I am sorry to read this too. Like others, I log in infrequently these days, so i have only just seen your post. I hope you are still checking the site from time to time and will see this message..
My thoughts are that, honestly, if you can't make it work then no one can. Croatia should (but won't) feel the loss because you giving up on running a Croatian SME represents much more than a story about one person, or one small business. You brought experience, hard work, unbelievable determination and almost off-the scale resilience plus bucket loads of adaptability, and yet after 14 years, you still write this post!
I wish you every success and happiness in the future. You certainly deserve it and with even a fair wind (i.e.a non-Croatian one!), you will get it if you decide to try again somewhere else.
Take care and thank you for everything. Carol
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Post by happy on Sept 4, 2019 12:16:15 GMT 1
Guess this is your implementation of Brexit.
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Post by jill on Nov 30, 2020 7:46:49 GMT 1
Only just logged in....very sad news, you are usually so positive. I’m still in Italy, Brexit has been terrible for us too, We lost so much on exchange rate after downsizing our house and sending most of the proceeds to the U.K. a month or so before referendum and now i find they will not enrol me in the Italian health system. It’s so stressful! Our pension plans are f.....d! Good luck with whatever you decide to do next, always enjoyed your posts and attitude.
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Post by fidobsa on Jan 4, 2021 13:29:02 GMT 1
Sorry to hear of your difficulties, Jill. I had problems myself with registering in the Croatian health system but that was due to the intransigence of officials in Hungary who were required to issue an E104 form. I eventually got help from the British embassy in Budapest. At the moment I'm just hoping I am allowed to stay until my temporary residency expires in 2023.
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Post by jill on Aug 9, 2021 6:38:14 GMT 1
Sorry to hear of your difficulties, Jill. I had problems myself with registering in the Croatian health system but that was due to the intransigence of officials in Hungary who were required to issue an E104 form. I eventually got help from the British embassy in Budapest. At the moment I'm just hoping I am allowed to stay until my temporary residency expires in 2023. A week after posting, the powers that be suddenly decided of course there was mo problem with my healthcare etc…so all in order now! Only been resident in Italy since 1985!!!
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