7 Best Cities Suitable For Expats in Croatia

As Croatia becomes an increasingly popular destination for expats, more and more people are asking: which city is best suited for me? Luckily, there are several great cities in Croatia that are perfect for expats. Here are seven of the best:

1.    Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is one of the most popular cities in Croatia and one of the most beautiful. The city is surrounded by UNESCO-protected walls, which are a sight to behold. Many people come here for their holidays because there’s so much to do – from great restaurants and bars to beaches you can swim at all year round.

If you’re an expat looking for a home, Dubrovnik is one of the best cities to settle down in. It’s not too large or overwhelming, but it has plenty of amenities that expats will need. There are English bookshops, international supermarkets, and you’ll find most restaurants have their menus translated into other languages, which makes eating out easy for expats who don’t know Croatian.

2.    Split

Split is the second-largest city in Croatia, and it’s a great place for expats to live. It also happens to be one of the most affordable cities in the country. Split has a really vibrant culture, and there’s always something going on – whether it’s a music festival, a food festival, or a parade.

The locals are incredibly friendly and welcoming, and there’s a good expat community in the city. The cost of living is low, which is great for expats on a budget, and there are plenty of job opportunities available.

3.    Zagreb

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, and it’s a great place for expats to live. The city has a lot of green spaces, which is perfect for people who love the outdoors. There are also plenty of museums and galleries that local history buffs will adore.

If you’re an expat looking for work, Zagreb is a good option because English is widely spoken here – Croatians learn it in school from a young age. The cost of living is relatively low, making it an excellent option for those on a budget.

4.    Rijeka

Rijeka is the third-largest city in Croatia, and it’s a great place for expats to live. The city has a lot of history and culture, and there are plenty of museums and art galleries for locals and expats alike. There’s also great nightlife in Rijeka, where you’ll find lots of bars, restaurants, and coffee shops to choose from. Expats looking to stay fit won’t be disappointed either – there are plenty of gyms available.

5.    Opatija

Opatija is one of the most popular resorts in Croatia, and it’s one of the best places to live if you’re an expat. It has long been a favorite with tourists, which means plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops for expats to visit.

The weather in Opatija is perfect too, with mild winters and summers that aren’t too hot. This makes it a great place to live all year round.

6.    Pula

Pula is the largest city in Istria, and it’s a great place for expats to live. The city has a lot of history and culture, and it’s home to some of the best beaches in Croatia. This is a great place to settle down because the city has a compact center that’s easy to navigate.

There’s also a good expat community here, so if you’re looking for friends as well as work, Pula might be the perfect destination for you.

7.    Hvar

Hvar is one of the most popular islands in Croatia, and it’s a great place for expats to live. The island has a lot of history and culture, and it’s home to some of the best beaches in Croatia. This is a great place to settle down because the island has a compact center that’s easy to navigate.

There’s also a good expat community here, so if you’re looking for friends as well as work, Hvar might be the perfect destination for you.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

So, you’ve decided to move to Croatia. Congratulations! This beautiful country has a lot to offer expats, from its stunning coastline and crystal-clear seas to its fascinating culture and delicious food. But before you can start enjoying all that Croatia has to offer, there are a few things you need to know.

And, like with any country in the world, it can be hard to get all of your questions answered when you don’t know where to turn. Luckily for you (and anyone else who has ever asked themselves, “where can I find information about moving to Croatia?”), this living in Croatia expat guide was written just for you.

In this guide, we will cover everything from getting a visa to finding a job to settling into your new home. So whether you’re just starting to plan your move or you’ve already made the jump and are looking for some advice on what to do next, keep reading for everything you need to know about living in Croatia as an expat.

However, one of the first things you’ll need to do when moving to Croatia is get a visa. Unless you are a citizen of an EU country, you will need access to stay in Croatia for more than 90 days. The good news is that there are a number of different visas available. This way, there’s a good chance you will be able to find one that fits your needs.

Have you been surfing the internet to get the right information about living in Croatia as an expat? If that sounds like a yes, look no further! We have compiled this article to explain what living in Croatia entails. That being said, we will walk you through the pros, cons, interesting facts, and many others.

8 Interesting Facts about Living in Croatia

Who doesn’t want to live in Croatia? The sea, the sun, the amusement parks! What about their delicious food and friendly people? We caught some interesting facts about life in Croatia that might help you learn more about the country and its culture – see how many of them you know below!

1.    Submarines are Very Popular Here

Croatia is associated with its beautiful coastlines, azure-blue water, and red wine. However, there are many natural wonders to explore inland too. While the Croatian part of the country is relatively small (around 50 miles wide), there are lots of things to discover in this country, and a lot of them are well hidden.

One of the most impressive sights is a channel going through an underground mountain near Zadar – locally called “Pasadena.” Tito built this unusual channel in 1968 for one thing only. And that’s to secretly transport submarines from Šibenik harbor across the country to Zadar. The channel entrance is just a few dozen meters from the open sea and very well camouflaged.

2.    Home to Welcoming People

Croatians are well-known for their hospitality and friendliness. In fact, a recent study by Eurobarometer showed that Croatians score the highest in almost all of the categories that had to do with hospitality. This proves that it’s not all just talk – there is also the truth behind this statement. Croatians are open-minded and tolerant people, eager to show you how truly unique their country is.

3.    Home to Best Preserved Medieval Towns in Croatia

 If you’re a fan of medieval architecture, you’ll love Croatia. Many of the country’s towns and villages date back to the Middle Ages, and they’ve been preserved very well over time. Most of these villages are located in central and northern Croatia, and some of them are even UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

4.    The Coastline Is Absolutely Stunning

Croatia’s coastline is one of the most beautiful in Europe, and it’s no wonder that so many people choose to holiday here. With over 1,100 miles of coastline to explore, you’ll never get bored. The coastline is mostly made up of rocky cliffs and pebble beaches, but there are a few sandy beaches too.

5.    Home to Multicultural Cities in Europe

Zagreb, the capital and largest city in Croatia, has a highly diverse population with many ethnicities and nationalities, such as Serbian, Italian and Hungarian. This is due to the large number of immigrants that came to Zagreb during the 20th century, making the city one of the most multicultural in Europe.

6.    Croatia Is Home To Many National Parks

There are eight national parks in Croatia, which is quite a large number for such a small country. One of these, Plitvice Lakes National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see on any visit to Croatia. If you’re a history buff, the other seven national parks are also interesting to explore. They contain many medieval ruins and sites of historic battles dating back to the 14th century.

7.    Croats Love Pizza and Pasta

Well, this one may not exactly come as a surprise to most people. Pizza and pasta are famous worldwide, but Croatia is no exception. It does take a while for traditional Croatian food to become trendy, however.

During the 80s, when there was a big wave of Italian immigrants coming into the country, many restaurants were actually owned by Italians who introduced pizza and pasta to Croatians. Since then, it has been a staple of Croatian homes and restaurants all over the country.

8.    Most People Live In Apartments

You may be surprised to learn that most Croatians actually live in apartments (both as rentals and as condos). This is because Croatia can be quite expensive to buy a house on your own, so people will generally find an apartment to rent instead. In cities such as Zagreb, this is especially popular because it means people can afford a bit more space for themselves.

9.    Croatian Is the Official Language

We’ve all heard of Croats and Croatians, but did you know that Croatian is the only official language in Croatia? This means it is used for all legal documents, educational materials, etc. However, because it is a Slavic language, many people in Croatia also speak Russian, Serbian and Bosnian. So don’t worry – you’ll be able to get by with English too.

10. Croatians Love Spending Time Outdoors

One of the best things about living in Croatia is that the weather is perfect for spending time outdoors year-round. Whether you’re swimming at the beach, hiking in the mountains, or just enjoying a walk around town, there’s always something to do outside. And since Croatians are so active, there’s always a lively atmosphere wherever you go.