The Croatian Inheritance Act grants the spouse/partner a right to a reserved portion in cases of testamentary bequests and donations.

The reserved portion consists of the inheritance half of the value of the portion to which the heirs would be entitled by law.

The law gives them the right to a necessary part of the value of half the legal part.

Dispositions such as wills and Agreements on Cession and Distribution of Property during Lifetime allow a variety of possibilities of protection for the spouse/partner. If the spouse/partner does not gain ownership, common means of protection are usufruct or encumbrance to their benefit.