Living in Croatia: the short version
Croatia offers Adriatic coastline, safe towns and a relaxed pace of life, and since 2023 it has used the euro and been part of the Schengen area. Its digital nomad permit exempts foreign-earned income from Croatian income tax, but local salaries are low and the coast empties out in winter.
Best for: Remote workers, retirees with EU rights, and people who want Mediterranean life at moderate cost.
Why people move here
- Digital nomad permit with a tax exemption on foreign income
- Very safe, with a superb coast and islands
- Euro and Schengen membership
What to watch out for
- Low local salaries and seasonal tourism economy
- Summer rents spike on the coast
- Paperwork can be slow and inconsistent
How to move to Croatia: main visa and residency routes
Summaries only — requirements and income thresholds change. Always check the official sources below.
- Digital nomad temporary stay
- For non-EU remote workers employed by or working for foreign companies; up to 18 months, with an income requirement.
- Work and stay permit
- For non-EU workers hired by a Croatian employer, usually after a labour market test.
- EU free movement
- EU and EEA citizens can live and work in Croatia and register their residence.
- Family reunification
- For spouses and close family of Croatian citizens and residents.
Healthcare for newcomers
Residents who pay contributions are covered by the HZZO public system; most also buy supplementary insurance (dopunsko) for a small monthly fee. Digital nomads must hold private health insurance.
Cost of Living
Cost of living index: 42 (NYC = 100)
Rent (1BR)
$650
Rent (3BR)
$1100
Groceries
$250
Transport
$40
Utilities
$170
Internet
$30
Dining Out
$100
Tax System
Corporate Tax
18%
VAT / Sales Tax
25%
Social Security
20%
Capital Gains
12%
Income Tax Brackets
| Income Range (USD) | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $50,400 | 23% |
| $50,401 - Above | 33% |
Culture
Croatia blends Mediterranean, Central European and Balkan influences along a 1,800 km coastline with more than a thousand islands. Life is social and unhurried, centred on family, long coffees and the café terrace.
Traditions
- Klapa a cappella singing
- Rijeka Carnival
- Sinjska alka knights’ tournament
- Feast days of town patron saints
Cultural Values
- Family
- Hospitality
- Pride in local region
- Taking time (pomalo)
Common Greeting: Bok! / Dobar dan!
Cultural Tips
- • Coffee is a social ritual: an espresso can last an hour
- • “Pomalo” (slowly, take it easy) is the coastal attitude to life
- • Avoid casual comparisons with Serbia or the 1990s war
- • Many shops close on Sundays
🍽 Food & Cuisine
Croatian food is Mediterranean on the coast, with seafood, olive oil and wine, and hearty Central European inland, with roast meats, stews and pastries.
Peka
Meat or octopus slow-cooked with vegetables under a bell-shaped iron lid covered in embers
Crni riĹľot
Black risotto coloured with cuttlefish ink
Ĺ trukli
Zagorje pastry filled with fresh cheese, boiled or baked with cream
Pašticada
Dalmatian beef marinated in wine vinegar and slow-braised, served with gnocchi
Sources and methodology
Figures on this page are estimates in US dollars, compiled from the international datasets below and converted at recent exchange rates. The cost of living index uses New York City as 100. Guidance was last reviewed on . Found something out of date? Tell us.
Official Croatia sources
Data sources
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — individual income tax
- Numbeo — cost of living (crowdsourced prices)
- World Bank Open Data — economic and population indicators
- OECD Tax Database — tax rates and social contributions
- ILOSTAT — employment and unemployment
- UNDP Human Development Reports — health and education
- UN World Population Prospects — population
Quality of Life
Job Market
Average Annual Salary
$23,000
Job Difficulty
Moderate
Unemployment Rate
5%
Work Permit Required
Yes
Top Industries
Languages
Official Languages
Other Languages Spoken