A capital city is the center of its country. It's the seat of power of the nation; home to the head-of-state or the reigning monarch. It's often the major business and financial hub of the country, stabilizing and managing the national economy. But for some capital cities out there, especially those in Europe, they're also the top tourist destinations of their respective countries. In Croatia, for instance, Zagreb has become immensely popular for tourists. But in recent years, it's also welcomed many expats who have relocated here. Thus, if you're planning to move to the Croatian capital, here's a relocation guide to help you out!
Overview
Although Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia, its population is as large as those of its sister cities around the world. For now, it only has around 685,000 residents, making it one of the least populated capital cities in Europe and possibly around the world. Although Croatia is a Mediterranean country, it's one of the very few that sees snow during winter and it can get as cold as 16°F ( -8.889°C) here. During the summer, on the other hand, the peak temperature is more or less 91°F (32.778°C). And despite being a top tourist destination, the dominant language in Zagreb remains Croatian, with
language schools on offer for those who want to learn it.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Visa
You probably already know that you need a
Schengen Visa in order to gain entry to Croatia and the rest of the EU. Especially if you're coming from a non-EU country. There's also the option of getting into the country via the
ETIAS Visa Waiver Program. If you're eligible, you can travel to Croatia even when you don't have a Schengen Visa. But to stay here for more than 90 days (approximately three months), you'll need to apply for a residence permit. And you need to do this within 82 days of your arrival. This will allow you to stay for at least a year and from there, you can start the legal process of actually moving here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Getting Around
Despite its relatively small population, Zagreb remains a busy metropolis with people hustling and bustling about. And part of why they can go about their daily lives with less hassle is
the city's public transport.
Zagrebački Električni Tramvaj, also known as 'ZET, is in charge of the different modes of public transportation in the Croatian capital. Thanks to its various systems in place, you can get from one destination to another with no problem at all. The buses and trams, all in a signature blue hue, can easily take passengers around the many stops and stations throughout the city. And the
transportation apps that operate here can also help commutes get to where they need to be.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Where to Live
Now, when relocating to a new city, you have to first decide which neighborhood you'll settle down in. Zagreb has
many districts, each more different than the next. You have to think very clearly on your situation and choice of lifestyle to determine which of them would suit you best. If you're more into a contemporary lifestyle and want to stray a little away from the historic nostalgia of the Croatian capital, Novi Zagreb is your best bet. Tkalčićeva, on the other hand, is a bustling district where you can eat and drink to your heart's content.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Real Estate
Are you, perhaps, second-thinking about relocating to Zagreb? Is it because you're afraid that you might not be able to afford it here? Well, overall, the
living costs in this city aren't that bad. At least, not for those who want to live a standard middle-class lifestyle here. Let's start with rent! For the most part, the common rental fees for a
luxury apartment in Zagreb range from 2,000.00 kn to 9,016.83 kn a month. It only depends on which district it is and how many bedrooms you have in your home. As for utilities, the common median total price for all your monthly bills is either 850.00 kn to 1,800.00 kn per month. Not bad, right?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Employment
As for employment, since the current unemployment rate in Croatia is just 7.1%, this means you still have a few good chances to get a good job here. Despite the fact that Europe is still suffering the effects of the Covid-19 global pandemic,
Croatia's job market seems to be stable enough. Since the country has a service-based economy, going for such lines of work won't be a problem. It's up to you to
find the job that works for you. One where you can earn the standard monthly wages of 8,000.00 kn to 9,000.00 kn a month.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Education
Moving to Zagreb with your kids? You're probably worried about their education, right? Of course, if you're coming from a different country and you and/or your kids don't even know how to speak the language here, it's gonna be a problem finding the right school where they can continue their studies. With that said, Zagreb still has its
fair share of international schools that specifically cater to expat kids. Some of them, like the
British International School of Zagreb, will even help your littles ones get into some of the best universities in the world.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Healthcare
Then there's healthcare! This is yet another thing you don't have to worry about when relocating to Zagreb.
Croatia's healthcare system is lauded as one of the finest, not just in Europe, but around the world. The moment you become a legal resident here, you can gain access to the public health coverage with all its medical benefits and the like. As for living in the Croatian capital itself, the city has a ton of excellent hospitals and clinics to ensure that you get the best treatment for whatever health problem you're facing. The
University Hospital Centre Zagreb and
Merkur Clinical Hospital are just some of the best out there!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Safety
More often than not, capital cities aren't exactly the safest in their own respective countries. Unfortunately, the same goes for Zagreb in Croatia. On the brightside, however,
the city's crime rates are actually considerably lower than those of other capital cities in Europe and beyond. As of this writing, Zagreb's general crime rate is only 15.57%, one of the lowest in the region. Though the rate of increasing crimes here is 43.46%, considered mid-range on the scale. As for the safety rate of walking around the Croatian capital, it's 93.45% during the day and 80.11% at night. Such rates are often hard to come by for capital cities!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Taxes
It probably goes without saying but you ought to learn about
Croatia's tax system before you settle down in Zagreb. Firstly, you might not even know it yet but there are certain situations that Croatia can tax you even before you become a legal resident here. The most common of which is if you earn income from a Croatian business or entity regardless of where you're living or where you're legally a resident of. And speaking of income, do note that, just like in other countries, your income tax rate depends on how much you earn per year.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Relocation Tips
Finally, for some last-minute relocation tips. Firstly, it'd do you well to
open your own local bank account in Zagreb. And it's even wiser if you fill it up with the local currency, Croatian kuna, than any other. Only then will you be able to properly take care of your earnings here and all your finances with no problem at all. At the same time, make sure you
join a local mobile network as well. It's to ensure you stay connected and in contact with your acquaintances here and abroad. These days, that's more important than anything!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Even though Zagreb isn't the biggest nor the busiest capital city in the world, moving here is still a lot of hard work. Fortunately, this relocation guide can show you the ropes; giving you the basics of everything you need to settle down here!
