Moving to Croatia: Things You Should Know Before Relocation

Have you ever dreamed of residing in a country enriched with a fantastic environment with more than 2,500 hours of sunshine annually? If so, Croatia unquestionably is your preferred destination for relocation due to its charming cultural cities, picturesque ports, breathtaking landscapes, and hundreds of islands.

To enhance your understanding, IMovingTo will provide you with a comprehensive guide that enables you to move to this new country smoothly and effectively!

Cost of Living in Croatia

Even though it is a member of the European Union, Croatia has its own currency, the kuna. A kuna is roughly equivalent to $0.16 or €0.13. Locals will tell you that living in this area is pricey if you ask them. However, if you come from the USA, living in Croatia is comparatively cheap due to exchange rates.

In Europe, Croatia seems to be the 4th country with the highest cost of living. On the other hand, it has a lower cost of living than 51% of the nations around the world.

Even in the priciest districts in Croatia, rent is still pretty affordable. Due to extremely reasonable prices, Croatian food is one of the least expensive expenses you will face.

Here are some statistics to help you put things into better perspective by demonstrating how much particular things cost in Croatia.

• One-bedroom apartment in the city center: $412.44
• One-bedroom apartment outside of the city center: $317
• Basic bills (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for a small apartment: $60.56
• Monthly transport pass: $46.27
• Three-course meal for a couple in a mid-range restaurant: $39.66
• Cinema ticket: $5.29

Visa Types & Work Permit Requirements

The length of your intended stay, your nationality, and the purpose of your visit or relocation all have an impact on whether you require a visa to enter Croatia. Non-EU nationals typically need to apply for both a visa and a temporary residency permit through the Croatian Embassy or Consulate in their home country for visits longer than 90 days.

Please take note that obtaining a temporary residency visa does not guarantee that you will be able to find employment in Croatia. You also require a work permit if you have secured employment with a Croatian company. One requirement for legally operating a business in a foreign country is a business permit.

All EU citizens enjoy the benefits of free movement, which enables them to work anywhere in the nation without needing any special work, business, or residency permits. The residents of Australia, however, are an exception because of their transitional limitations. This means that Australians who want to work in Croatia must obtain a work permit.

Please take note that you should also obtain a residency permit from the local police, regardless of where you are from in the EU. This needs to be completed within the first 3 months of your stay, and no later than 82 days into your time frame.

How to Move Your Belongings in Croatia

According to the restrictions on importing personal effects into Croatia, foreigners entering Croatia are generally permitted to bring in personal belongings as long as they have been theirs for at least 1 year.

If you are organizing the move yourself, you will need to find out what documents are needed and what import duties and taxes are required. The moving company should take care of any customs and importation documents on your behalf.

So, you will likely be required to take advantage of the services provided by respected international moving companies to ship your belongings unless you are traveling very lightly or undertaking a relatively short transfer by car.

For further benefit, reputable moving companies often suggest international moving and packing services as well. Therefore, if you want the removal company to pack your belongings for you, it can be worth the extra cost if you’re sending them to a faraway nation and they need special handling during the lengthy flight.

Taking Care of Your Finances in Croatia

You need to visit the bank in person and carry your passport with you if you want to open a bank account in Croatia. Depending on where you are, you may have difficulty finding someone who speaks English fluently at the bank.

In this country, you have the opportunity to open an account in both euros and kunas.  Take into account that each bank will have its own fees, which frequently include a monthly payment. You might need to take your debit card from the bank branch when it is prepared. However, a further week may pass before you receive your confirmation documents and your ATM PIN.

In Croatia, the majority of big establishments, including premium restaurants and branded hotels, accept debit and credit cards. Because American Express cards impose greater transaction fees on the retailer than Mastercard and Visa cards, they are far more likely to be accepted.

How Do Expats Get Health Insurance in Croatia

The social health insurance system in Croatia refers to the concepts of equality and solidarity. Croatian citizens have the option of receiving healthcare directly from private healthcare providers who are not contracted partners of the National Social Health Insurance Fund or indirectly through supplemental insurance that guarantees the payment.

Whether they choose to use it or prefer private insurance, all citizens of Croatia are required to have public insurance. 

To obtain primary healthcare services based on their requirements, citizens will make their contributions based on their ability. Regardless of whether you are a student, a temporary resident, or a citizen, you are all eligible for a mandatory health insurance system if you reside in Croatia.

Keep in mind that before applying for any residency permits, anyone considering relocating to Croatia should prepare for an international health insurance policy. Famous options include Cigna Global and Allianz International.

How to Find Accommodation in Croatia

It can be difficult to locate the ideal rental apartment that suits your needs in Croatia. Asking your friends whether they know of any apartments going up for rent should be your first point of call while looking for an apartment to rent in Croatia. You can use expat Facebook groups, particularly if you are new to Croatia.

These groups are excellent places in the English language to announce your apartment search or seek posts from people who are renting out their apartments.

Njukalo.hr is the largest and most widely used website in Croatia for apartment searching. Every day, it serves as a marketplace for connecting tens of thousands of buyers and sellers. There is a section of Njukalo dedicated to Croatian house and apartment rentals.

There are many different types of real estate properties available for rent, including houses, apartments, single rooms, garages, offices, and land. Each advertisement will provide pictures, details, and costs for the properties.

Best Cities to Live in Croatia

Zagreb

Zagreb serves as the economic center of Croatia and is considered home to the largest expat community. Its main square, Kaptol, is surrounded by pubs, cafes, nightclubs, and restaurants that serve delicacies from around the world.

Osijek

With a concentration on sports and activities, Osijek is abundant with parks and green spaces. 

The cuisine features pasta and regional flavors mixed with various influences from eastern Europe. The only tram system outside of Zagreb is in Osijek. The city has excellent rail and road connections to the rest of Croatia, as well as an international airport that mostly serves flights to and from Germany.

Split

Split, the second-largest city in Croatia, is a contemporary, historic centerpiece of the opulent Adriatic lifestyle. It’s the best destination for many expats.

The most favored cuisines are traditional Croatian and Mediterranean. Here, restaurants specialize in seafood that arrived from the Adriatic just hours before it was served.

Adriatic Croatia

The Istria Peninsula and Dalmatia form two of Croatia’s coastal regions. The shore is famed for its beach lifestyle, yacht communities, and luxury real estate.

Pros & Cons of Moving to Croatia

Pros

Enviable lifestyle

One of the world’s most desirable lifestyles can be found in Croatia. It is well connected with the rest of Europe, thanks to its 8 airports and the world’s best roads. Moreover, every location in Croatia has access to mobile and high-speed internet, even in remote islands.

In Croatia, everyone’s life is enriched by the beauty of its pure, well-preserved natural surroundings, which include multiple national parks, nature parks, and protected areas.

Recreation and outdoor activities

In addition to amazing historical locations, Croatia is a great location for outdoor activities due to its abundant sunshine and pleasant climate.

With over 1,000 islands, it offers a wide range of thrilling sailing, snorkeling, and scuba activities, as well as river rafting, safaris, kitesurfing in swift canals between the islands, paragliding, and all kinds of water sports.

Delighting climate conditions

Croatia has a lovely coastline and a pleasant climate. There are 2,665 hours of total annual sunshine in the southern region near Dubrovnik and 2,409 hours in the northern region near Rovinj. In the winter, the coast rarely experiences below-freezing temperatures, and snowfall is infrequent.

Cons

Complicacy to learning Croatian

Learning the Croatian language can be difficult. The U.S. State Department has classified the South Slavic language as a “Category III” language. When compared to English, these “hard” languages show considerable linguistic and cultural differences.

 

The Croatians, though, are incredibly gentle and tolerant, so they will be delighted to assist you in learning the language.

Complicated tax system

Croatia has some of the most complicated taxes in the world, which change depending on several variables and are sure to leave you confused. Generally, after 180 days in the country, you are obligated to pay taxes, though this varies by your source of income.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Croatia is a wonderful option for your relocation if you intend to live in a great place characterized by an entertaining lifestyle, charming cultural cities, and breathtaking landscapes.

 

That’s why you should take advantage of international relocation services provided by IMovingTo. We’ll make sure to guide your relocation without any difficulties!