The Ultimate Guide to Croatia for International Citizens in 2023

To quote Loney Planet "if your ideal destination features balmy days by sapphire waters in the shade of ancient walled towns, Croatia is the place to turn them into reality." A beautiful place does not mean that everything is perfect. There are advantages and disadvantages to every situation.

Life usually moves at a slow & relaxed pace in Croatia, not only on the islands but also on much of the mainland. Sailboats glide on the  Adriatic  Sea and palm tree-lined promenades, locals sip coffee as lavender and rosemary aromas fill the air. That might look strange at first but after a couple of days in Croatia, being immersed in the vast cultural wealth, you develop a feeling like living in a museum.

The area known as Croatia today was inhabited throughout the prehistoric period. It was once part of the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Yugoslavia. Today, the country is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty  Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). Croatia has an area of 56,594 square kilometers (21,851 square miles) and a population of 4.07 million. The capital city is Zagreb, second biggest city is Split. Croatia is classified by the World Bank as a high-income economy and ranks very high on the Human Development Index. Service, industrial sectors, and agriculture dominate the economy, respectively. Tourism is a significant source of revenue, with Croatia ranked among the top 10 destinations in the world.

The currency is Croatian Kuna, the main language is Croatian. The cost of living is low. Ultimately, just like many other places, you are in control of how much you choose to spend. The locals are often very friendly, and a lot of them speak English. It's one of the safest countries in the world. In February of  2020, it was ranked at a “Level One” by the U.S. State Department—the safest category. It's ranked 17th in the 2021 Global Peace Index, 111 places ahead of the United States (128).

The Croatian coast has a Mediterranean climate. You can expect to experience hot, sunny, and dry weather. In winter, it is often wet and relatively mild. Snow is not common, but it is not an impossibility. As you move more towards Croatia’s interior, you are likely to experience a more continental climate. This is defined by colder temperatures in the winter with a higher possibility of snowfall.

Croatia has a universal health care system, which provides health care to nationals and long-term visitors, which means all residents are assured access to health care. Health care contributions are mandatory for all employed citizens, i.e. their employers into what the country calls HZZO (eng. Croatian Health Insurance Fund - CHIF).  With  Croatian government assistance and affordable living, physicians can sufficiently offer a high standard of care. The quality of services provided at a  lower rate has attracted many foreigners seeking medical treatment to travel to Croatia for those procedures. Competitively, reports have stated that renowned medical care costs 70% less than other leading countries. Under the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers  (IAMAT), healthcare in Croatia meets international standards, reporting, sufficiently stocked medical hospitals throughout the country.  Pharmacies, clinics, and even dental have emerged in every town, with rural areas having similar access.

While many countries in the world are currently struggling with go violence, terrorism, and other acts of aggression, it's only natural to ask and research how safe it the country is before visiting. Croatia did go through a war in recent history (Croatian War of Independence) which ended in 1995. Today, Croatia is a peaceful country, ranked 17th in the 2021 Global Peace Index, 111 places ahead of the United States (128). It's been a part of the European Union (EU) since 2013. The country is also a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This means they are protected by large multi-national support structures. In February of 2020, it was ranked at a “Level One” by the U.S. State Department—the safest category. Needless to say, Croatia is one of the safest countries in the world.

Regarding the global coronavirus pandemic, Croatia has done a reasonably good job keeping COVID-19 under control. The vaccine is free for all nationals and visitors. If you choose to get vaccinated in Croatia, you will get the EU COVID-19 passport which allows you to move freely in EU countries. You can find all Croatia COVID-19 related information in English here. Say something interesting about your business here.

All public primary, middle and high schools in Croatia are free. Primary and middle school education is obligatory. Public schools only teach in the Croatian language which can be very hard to adjust to. Learning Croatian can be challenging. The language is South Slavic in origin and is classified as a “Category III” language by the U.S. State Department. These “hard” languages have large cultural and linguistic differences when compared to English. The Croatian proclivity for English seems to stem from the use of Croatian subtitles for television and films. In many other countries, English is dubbed into the local language. For expat families that are considering to relocate, international schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Croatia. There may be some local population, but the schools are usually geared for an international student body. Many schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe such as internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate. Here is a list of all International Schools in Croatia. 

Croatia has one of the most enviable lifestyles in the world. The Croatians place considerable value on spending quality time with family and friends. With over 1,000 islands, it has a wealth of exciting sailing, snorkeling, and scuba opportunities. The rugged coastal topography of Croatia is perfect for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities. It is also densely packed with fascinating historical sites. Getting around Croatia is easy. The quality of the transport infrastructure is generally good. Ferries are reliable, buses are pleasant and well connected, and driving is made easier by the highway that stretches throughout most of Croatia. Trains connect major towns and are very slow.  The price of internal flights in Croatia can be cheaper than taking a train or bus, especially off-season and off-hours.  Overall, Croatia is very well connected with major European transportation hubs which are ideal for weekend getaways.