The Global Expat Hub
Croatia
Safe, scenic and in the eurozone and Schengen, with a digital nomad permit and a short summer-heavy job market.
Your plan for Croatia checklist · timeline · cost breakdown
Estimates for one adult before ongoing rent and living costs; couples and families scale up. Tap a plan for the full breakdown.
Top cities for expats in Croatia
Costs and character vary significantly within Croatia. Here are the cities our readers compare most.
The jewel of the Adriatic — stunning but expensive and tourist-heavy
Roman ruins, beaches and the most popular expat city in Croatia
The capital — most affordable major Croatian city with great café culture
Underrated coastal city with a beautiful old town and lower prices than Split
Croatia by the numbers editorial estimates in US dollars
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🌤️ Climate
Mediterranean coast with hot dry summers and mild winters; continental inland with cold snowy winters.
Mean temperatures for Zagreb.
🌧️ Rain & snow
Rainfall about 900 mm (35 in) a year.
Snow Inland and mountains in winter.
⚖️ The law
Official legislationZakon.hr (consolidated legislation) ↗
OverviewLaw of Croatia on Wikipedia ↗
Driving On the right. Licence rules →
🏛️ Taxes
Property tax New property tax €0.6–8 per m² on non-primary homes (2025).
Local & regional income tax Municipal surtax 0–18% of income tax in some cities (Zagreb 18%).
🎓 University
Free for EU residents; non-EU $1.5–4k/yr.
📱 Phone & eSIM
Carriers Hrvatski Telekom, A1, Telemach.
Average cost Local SIM or eSIM with generous data about $20/month; a 30-day travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily and similar) around $15 for 10 GB.
Sponsored
🎁 Schemes to attract expats
- Digital Nomad permit with tax exemption
- Eurozone and Schengen since 2023
- Returning-diaspora and rural grants
Figures are national averages for planning, not quotes; big cities run higher. Tax schemes change often and carry conditions. Verify before you rely on them.
Official sources for Croatia embassies, warnings, law and reference
Government, intergovernmental and reference sites only; no reviews or opinion. Links open in a new tab.
Ratings & warnings independent
Follows your Mid-range tier partner listings match your budget
Services & daily life one labelled partner per page
Life in Croatia faith, wellbeing, shopping and play
Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning aroundSearch for jobs for free, or post a job — free.
Roles open to foreigners in Croatia: remote work you can do from Zagreb, and in-person jobs with employers who hire from abroad. Searching for and posting expat jobs is always free, for job seekers and employers alike. Every listing stays live for 60 days.
Latest listings. Example listings shown until the first real posts go live.
See all jobs in Croatia and post a job →
In the meantime, search these trusted remote job boards
Free to use. These are independent sites we like; opening in a new tab. Come back to post your own role here — posting is always free.
Frequently asked questions
Is Croatia safe for expats?
Croatia scores 86 out of 100 for safety on The Global Expat Hub, and 73 out of 100 for liveability — #9 of the 52 countries we cover. The full breakdown, including official warnings and regional differences, is on the safety page linked from this page.
What is the cost of living in Croatia?
The Global Expat Hub estimates a mid-range lifestyle in Croatia from around $1,750 per month. The figures are national averages for planning, not quotes — big cities run higher — and this page breaks costs down by tier and city.
Can I move to Croatia?
Yes. The routes and incentives The Global Expat Hub lists for Croatia include: Digital Nomad permit with tax exemption; eurozone and Schengen since 2023; returning-diaspora and rural grants. Step-by-step visa and residency detail is on the visa pages linked from this page.
What is the best city in Croatia for expats?
The top cities for expats in Croatia profiled on this page are Dubrovnik, Split and Zagreb. Zagreb is the capital. Each city profile includes typical rent and character to help you compare.