If you’ve ever before struck ‘Croatia’ on a Google search, you’ll no question see a myriad of sensational images. It’s not a surprise; we’re discussing an astonishingly gorgeous nation right here, and it’s someplace individuals group to throughout the summer season in specific. But, suppose you’re considering remaining there lasting? The great information exists are lots of pros of living in Croatia.

Having lived in Croatia for numerous months, I understand simply exactly how loosened up the rate of life can be. It’s a really welcome break from hustle and bustle, and the gorgeous coastlines never ever harm either. But, of training course, like anywhere in the globe, you need to consider the cons of living in Croatia as well. To aid you out, allow’s have a look at both sides of the coin so you can see exactly how you really feel at the end.

15 Pros and Cons of Living in Croatia

There are both pros and cons to living in Croatia; there are some fantastic points regarding this location, however I likewise discovered numerous points downright irritating. Having claimed that, it’s constantly coincided despite where in the globe I’ve invested prolonged quantities of time. I considered this lengthy and hard since I intend to provide you the complete image.

In completion, I recognized I’d created a significantly longer listing of pros, however the cons certainly require to be thought about as well. Choosing to live in such a gorgeous and social nation is never ever the hardest selection in the globe, however as I figured out, if you desire the very best experience, you require to be prepared.

Where is Croatia?

Croatia is a nation situated in the Balkans and it’s washed by the clear water of the Adriatic Sea. During the summer season, its primary hotels of Dubrovnik, Split, Brač, Hvar, Korčula, and Lošinj are loaded with sun-seekers, with Dubrovnik in specific being a significant draw. You could have listened to that numerous Game of Thrones scenes were recorded in Croatia as well, which certainly includes in the tourist element and passion in the islands.

The excellent feature of Croatia is the weather condition. The summer seasons are warm, the wintertimes are moderate, and coastline time is virtually constantly a choice. I invested a significant quantity of time on Korčula island and actually appreciated the air conditioning Adriatic on those scorching days; for me, it was certainly one of the benefits of living in Croatia. The most popular month of the year is July when the temperature levels struck highs of 29°C/84°F in Dubrovnik, however also in January, you can anticipate a standard of 12°C/54°F.

Of training course, it’s not everything about weather condition. Croatia is affected by the nations surrounding it, consisting of Slovenia, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. As an outcome, you can anticipate a modern feeling, with a mix of genuine appeal.

Pros of living in Croatia

It’s not a surprise that there are plenty of plus factors of living in this gorgeous nation. I imply, consider it! Staring at such gorgeous surroundings daily isn’t precisely a challenge. But, allow’s dive in a little much deeper and learn precisely what is so great regarding calling Croatia your home.

1. It’s a Super Pretty Country

Okay, I’ve currently stated the reality that it’s a spectacular nation, and most likely one of the largest advantages of living in Croatia is being bordered by its appeal each and every single day. Whether you select to remain in a coastline hotel, on an island, or in the primary cities, such as Zadar, you’ll constantly be surprised by exactly how fantastic whatever is. I never ever obtained tired of considering the very same surroundings, and it was similarly as impressive on the day I left, as it got on the day I got here.

There are lots of all-natural hotspots to check out in Croatia, consisting of Plitvice Lakes National Park, which was one of my preferred places on the whole. Visit Krka National Park and Brijuni National Park to call simply 2 sensational places, and you’re sure to drop in love. The waterfalls in Croatia are impressive, and it’s no surprise these parks are so preferred throughout the summer season.

Of training course, there are likewise coastlines – fantastic coastlines. Banje Beach in Dubrovnik was a favored place of mine, regardless of being close to the groups in the town hall. I likewise enjoyed Lumbarda‘s sandy beaches on Korčula, but in all honesty, you won’t locate a negative coastline in Croatia.

2. Great Weather All Year Around

I currently stated that the weather condition is great in Croatia, however it actually is an all-year-round kind of offer. While you can locate snowy weather condition throughout the winter season, you’ll require to head right into the center of the nation, especially around Plitvice Lakes. However, generally, you’re considering warm summer seasons and moderate wintertimes.

Croatia’s seaside locations have a common Mediterranean environment, which indicates really little rainfall throughout the months in between June and September. However, what I suched as most was that although the summer season do fume, especially July and August, they’re not so scorching that you can’t relocate. For instance, you can anticipate a standard of 30°C/86°F in Split throughout July, and 25°C/77°F in Zadar.

All of this indicates that coastline time will certainly get on your concern listing and sea temperature levels absolutely don’t allow you down in the summer season. In reality, Dubrovnik’s sea temperature level is a really comfy 25°C/77°F in August.

3. Great Quality Healthcare

One of the pros of living in Croatia is the top quality of medical care. Anyone used by a Croatian service will certainly be immediately signed up with state medical care, nonetheless, there are plenty of exclusive insurance policy choices readily available. You’ll likewise locate lots of drug stores, medical professionals surgical treatments, and health centers throughout the nation and they’re normally all really obtainable to immigrants.

I needed to go to the health center throughout my time in Croatia, and it was a rather straightforward procedure. There was a translator readily available, and whatever went efficiently. You can likewise obtain clinical suggestions on small concerns by mosting likely to the closest drug store; it will certainly aid if you have a Croatian audio speaker with you, however you can manage with Google Translate if the pharmacologist isn’t well-versed in English.

It do without stating that medical care is a significant factor to consider when you’re considering transferring to any type of nation, however in my experience, Croatia’s medical care system is high quality.

4. Cost of Living is Affordable

Like anywhere in the globe, the expense of living has actually raised a little over the last pair of years, however it’s still reduced or on the same level with the majority of of Europe. Croatia embraced the Euro in January 2023, which has actually created a small rise in the expense of some products, however on the whole, it absolutely isn’t a costly nation.

According to Numbeo, a bachelor can live monthly in Croatia without rental fee for around €686.30, however of training course, there are means to reduce expenses. I prepared in your home a whole lot of the moment and stayed clear of visitor hotspot dining establishments. I likewise mosted likely to complimentary coastlines instead of bar-owned ones that ask you to acquire food and beverages.

There are lots of hostels and Airbnb selections you can explore when you initially show up and I advise looking for an area to lease long-term. This can be an extensive procedure in some scenarios however looking past visitor hotels can typically generate useful outcomes.

5. There’s a Digital Nomad Visa

Good information for electronic wanderers! There is an electronic wanderer visa readily available in Croatia which lasts for a year. The drawback is that you can’t prolong it, however you can exercise your strategies from there. It’s one of the benefits of living in Croatia for remote employees in specific since you can maintain gaining while you appreciate whatever the nation needs to use.

This visa is fairly brand-new, having actually been developed in January 2021, and it’s created a boom in wanderers determining to invest longer quantities of time in the nation. Naturally, this has actually likewise caused a much more worldwide feeling, and there are currently lots of coworking areas and excellent coffee shops to invest the day functioning from.

6. It’s a Generally Safe Place to Be

I never ever really felt risky in Croatia, also in the biggest city of Zagreb. It do without stating that there will certainly constantly be weird scenarios such as pickpocketing, however in basic, this is unusual. You can greatly enhance your possibilities of preventing all of this by just utilizing your good sense.

Croatia general is thought about a refuge to check out, and I can back that up with my very own experiences. As a single women walking, I never ever came across any type of circumstance that created me to really feel cautious, and I never ever experienced any type of undesirable advancements. I discovered every person to be pleasant (a lot more on that particular soon), and also in farther areas, such as the national forests, I really felt comfy.

That doesn’t imply you need to brush aside your good sense and instinct. Never walk by yourself in the evening and adhere to well-lit locations. Don’t blink your belongings, and don’t be as well trusting of individuals you’ve only simply fulfilled. In all sincerity, it’s not brain surgery, however there are really couple of areas that made me really feel more secure than Croatia.

7. Friendly Locals

While you’ll most likely locate that not every person talks English, that typically isn’t a trouble since lots of people are so inviting and cozy. There’s a genuine concentrate on friendliness, particularly for individuals from various other nations that intend to discover more regarding Croatia.

I rested for a couple of hours with a wonderful neighborhood girl in Vis that educated me exactly how to make burek and offered me limitless mugs of tea. It wasn’t a separated experience either; I discovered the very same degree of compassion in lots of various other areas as well, and while you’ll constantly obtain the weird irritated individual, in my experience, Croatia has some of the friendliest individuals around.

It constantly assists to discover a couple of words of the language if you can, as this will certainly aid you to connect and the citizens often tend to actually value your initiatives. One suggestion I need to hand down is that if you’re welcomed to somebody’s residence for tea or supper, bear in mind that as lengthy as they maintain providing you food, you’ll be anticipated to consume it! It’s thought about disrespectful if you don’t.

8. Amazing Food

Oh, the food! I need to state, when I initially mosted likely to Croatia, I didn’t anticipate to be that thrilled by the food. Balkan food in basic never ever struck me as being that fantastic, however I was so incorrect! I’d very advise you head far from the visitor places and attempt neighborhood food in a genuine dining establishment—ask a next-door neighbor or a neighborhood store owner where they go if you’re unclear.

The food is certainly one of the pros of living in Croatia and the leading point you need to attempt is ćevapi, which is a tasty smoked meat meal that’s discovered everywhere. I stated burek previously, and that’s one of my leading recipes as well, however don’t lose out on štukli—celebrity variation is tasty.

Each location of Croatia is popular for a various kind of neighborhood fruit and vegetables, and it’s a terrific reason to circumnavigate and attempt various points. If you’re a truffle follower, head to the Mirna River in Motovun Forest, cheese followers just need to have a look at Pag, and olives and neighborhood olive oil are likewise significant enhancements to your listing.

9. A Traditional Way of Life is Easy to Find

The excellent feature of Croatia is that although it’s touristic in a whole lot of areas, it’s easy to endeavor someplace genuine and experience a typical means of life. The islands are a terrific instance right here, particularly Pag. You can locate fantastic coastlines and excellent food, however you can likewise locate a sluggish rate that assists you discover more regarding the background and practices of the island.

I discovered it simple to dip in and out of touristic enjoyable. Zagreb is a city loaded with modern services and the common buying and night life price, however if you head inland of the nation, it’s a completely various tale. There, it’s even more regarding nature and living in song with whatever the land supplies.

I invested a whole lot of time on Korčula, and I discovered it had the best mix of old and brand-new for me. As I stated previously, you’ll fulfill great deals of pleasant individuals along your means and that’s where you can ask inquiries and find out about practices and the unique society in each location.

10. A Ton of History to Explore

If you’re a background lover, you’re not mosting likely to be let down with Croatia. While modern Croatia acquired its freedom in 1991, its tale started means prior to that. Dubrovnik is loaded with historic views, however the drawback is that every person else is attempting to see it at the very same time. If you intend to head there (and you need to), I advise checking out throughout the winter season, unless you like groups.

Pula Arena is an enforcing view, and it’s easily near some quite sensational coastlines. One of my preferred areas was Bokar Fortress, which goes back to 1570. Make certain you have a look at the Walls of Ston, which are the lengthiest in Europe. Oh, and include the Zadar Roman Forum to that must-see listing, as well.

Being around a lot background is definitely one of the advantages of living in Croatia, and if you select remaining lasting, you can take your time checking out all of one of the most significant places at your recreation.

Cons of Living in Croatia

There are some cons of living in Croatia, I can’t exist. The great information is that the pros certainly exceed them. What you require to make a decision is if they exceed them sufficient for your very own individual circumstance.

I experienced a couple of irritating scenarios throughout my time in Croatia; allow me share the primary ones with you so you can make an educated selection.

1. A Myriad of Red Tape

Without a question, the largest inconvenience regarding living in Croatia is that you can’t obtain anything done without puncturing a heap of bureaucracy initially. It doesn’t matter exactly how straightforward it could appear initially, you’re sure to experience a misstep or 2; it’s inescapable and simply component of life in Croatia.

It might be something as “easy” as opening up a checking account – you’ll locate jobs a whole lot much easier if you have a good friend that talks Croatia to aid you out. I’m quick to obtain distressed if I can’t do something myself, so it’s absolutely a difficulty you might require to get over. If you ask most international individuals that live in or have actually lived in Croatia, they’ll no question inform you that bureaucracy is or has actually been the scourge of their lives.

Can you navigate it? Yes, you can, however it will certainly take some time. The ideal item of suggestions I can provide you right here is to be client and take a deep breath (possibly greater than one!).

2. The Language Barrier

One of the largest negative aspects of living in Croatia is that English isn’t as extensively talked as you could assume. Croatian itself isn’t the most convenient language to discover either. Around 60% of the populace talk English to some extent, however you might still locate on your own stuck in some scenarios.

The great information is that individuals are quite pleasant and they’re not likely to disregard you even if you’re incapable to connect. Google Translate is constantly a helpful device, however you’ll locate that if you can talk at the very least a couple of words of Croatian, you’ll take care of to make on your own far better recognized.

Again, it’s even more of a nuisance than a real problem, however it’s something you require to be mindful of if you intend to make your brand-new life in Croatia as simple and as pleasurable as feasible.

3. It Can be Very Quiet During the Winter Months

Much of the Adriatic shoreline is touristic, which indicates that throughout the winter season, it can come to be very peaceful. Most of benches and dining establishments shut down from completion of October up until the start of April, and while it’s a chilled-out time, it can be a little boring sometimes.

This might not be a problem for you, however it’s something to state. One of the largest drawbacks of living in Croatia is that it’s seasonal in terms of amusement. Some of the national forests likewise close throughout the winter season, and if they do stay open, it’s for a minimal time just.

The plus factor is that you’ll experience a lot less website traffic and this is the very best time to check out Dubrovnik, regardless of some points being closed. Having claimed that, if you intend to live in Croatia, possibly a much more chilled-out means of life is what you’re seeking, and if so, this most likely won’t be the largest trouble you deal with.

4. Hard to Find Employment in Croatia Itself

One of the largest drawbacks of living in Croatia is that locating work can be hard as an international individual. If you’re a remote employee, you’ll have the ability to request the electronic wanderer visa, and can proceed your job this way, however if you intend to benefit a Croatian firm, be planned for a difficulty.

I’m not stating that it’s difficult, simply that it might spend some time. It’s ideal to have financial savings to maintain you going with a couple of months while you task search. You likewise require to get a job license to function lawfully in the nation and that likewise consists of a lot of the previously mentioned bureaucracy. Keep in mind that attempting to function without one is actually not recommended.

5. Public Transport Could be Better

Croatia’s public transportation system isn’t dreadful, however it’s not the very best either. I invested lots of lost hours waiting on a bus that never ever came or searching for a taxi that didn’t appear to intend to locate me. The public transportation system is most likely one of the drawbacks of living in Croatia, however it would certainly be unjust of me to state that it’s the most awful I’ve ever before experienced.

The essential point is persistence. Buses in backwoods or throughout the summer season in seaside communities might state they’re mosting likely to come to x time, however don’t rely on it. Thankfully, public transportation in huge cities like Zagreb is a whole lot a lot more dependable, and the ferryboats in between islands do often tend to go to routine, (other than throughout bad weather condition in the winter season).

To navigate this, you can either draw it up, or you can drive. Croatia’s roadways are well-kept and it’s simple to employ a cars and truck as long as you have a legitimate permit. Plus, it’s a truly excellent way to navigate the nation and see a whole lot a lot more.

Is Living in Croatia Worth It?

Now you’ve heard my pros and cons of living in Croatia, what do you assume? I value my time in Croatia, and it’s absolutely someplace I’d like to invest even more time in at the very least once again. As with anywhere in the globe, there are silver linings and not-so-good sides, however on the whole, the pros certainly overtake the cons.

If you’re willing to function your means with a possible language obstacle and stay client in the face of rules, you’ll absolutely locate Croatia to be an outstanding place to transfer to. With many fantastic views, sensational coastlines, and tasty foods to attempt, what’s not to enjoy?