Cost of living in Croatia

Sent by inesinha

hello! I live in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, it is the most expensive Croatia's city, although it is very cheep comparing to other european capitals.

> accommodation prices
well, the rent of an apartment depends on the size and the location, you can get a bigger apartment half an hour from a center for 400 euro, and a studio one for 200 (even less, if you're lucky) in the center you'll pay a big apartment (4-5 bedrooms) 1000-2000 euro max, and a studio 250-500 (again, depending on luck). Students can also get a dorm, on campus, wich is also very cheep, 70-500kn (10-70euro) a month, depending on the dorm and the number of roommates. But it is quite difficult to get a dorm, because many students apply and there isn't enough space, so only a small percentage of students actually live there.

> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc ...)
there is no subway in Zg, a tram/bus ticket is 10kn (1,4euro) and is valid for an hour and half, and you can buy a daily ticket which is 20kn (2,8euro) or you month-pass or a year-pass. Student,pupils, disabled and retired people don't have to pay for a ticket, they get a free year pass. Train is the fastest way to go from one side of the city to the other and it cost max 15kn (2euro), depending on the distance.

> food prices(per month, how much does it cost you?)
well, we spend up to 500euro a month on groceries, but we're a big family (5).. students eat in students restaurants very cheep, (depending on what you eat and how much, but you can't spend more than 2 euro, no way, you can't eat that much)


> health prices (for those who need medical insurance)
hm...I don't know that information, I'm a student and the government pays our medical insurance.

> eduction prices (if you need to pay)
2 semesters (at the University)cost 5500-9000kn (700-1300euro), depending on the course


> energy prices (oil, electricity)
> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone)
all together, my family has 2000kn bills per month (280euro), including internet and phone, but we have a big house.

> prices of a good menu in a traditional restaurant
hm... again depends! you can get a good meal for 15 euros for two people
> prices of a beer and of a coffee in a regular pub
beer...10-20kn depending on the location (1.5-2 euro)
a cup of coffe, well depending on what kind of coffee and where... but 5-15kn (0.7-2euro)

Hi,

There is a recent article on Cost of living in Croatia in June 2008 which may help.

The article gives comparison of cost of living in Croatia versus UK prices for food, eating out, utilities, petrol etc.

Hi,
I live in Split, 2nd largest city in Croatia, down on the Adriatic coast. Not to write much, my estimate is that a family of 4 can live well in Split for about 2.000 euros.
Flat - abt 300-500 Euro
Food if cooked at home - daily abt 150kn (20Euro) so monthly some 600 Euro, but we really like to eat! :-)
Fuel - well what car you drive? 1 liter is abt 1 Euro now.
common bills: some 200-300 Euro
Education - Croatian Nationals don't pay for elementary or high school and in most cases don't pay for college to. There are few private schools and colleges in Croatia, I went to one - American College of Management and Technology (ACMT) in Dubrovnik. Now I believe one year at ACMT is abt 6.000 Euro.
www.acmt.hr you can get more info

does anyone have info on Dubrovnik??? I'm considering moving there

Please add us to your blog list.  We are Frank & Guner Chura (frankchura#gmail.com), Skype name fngchura.  We are currently in Corpus Christi, Tx. but we will be going to Slip between 3 -20 November to explore residency  options. We will use the Radisson Hotel as our base of operations.  We would be most please to meet with expats in Slip who might share experiences and make suggestions.

I am an American currently living in Costa Rica and considering a move to Croatia. I'm looking at Sibenik and Trogir. Can't seem to find any long-term apartment rental sites. Just tourist stuff. I'm looking for a 1-2 bedroom, furnished apartment near the sea, for a one-year term. Anyone have a link or two that might help?

Hi kanderberg,

I suggest you to view the Croatia classifieds > accommodation section and post an advert there.

Thank you and good luck.

I live in Rijeka and some prices will be posted in HRK while other in EUR. Reason is that estate prices are based on EUR here while other are tied to HRK.
Also exchange rates are jumping recently and USD is currently around 6.2 HRK while it used to range between 5.1 and 5.6 HRK.

> accommodation prices (how much does it cost to rent or to buy an accommodation in Croatia?)

In Rijeka selling price is around 1600 EUR per square meter on average. Prices fell from 1800 but usually it's between those two numbers.
If paying with cash price can be brought down. Also agencies are taking 3% fee from both buyer and seller, however they also pump the price so it's nothing weird to find advertisements for same estate with 10000 EUR difference.
With little bit of effort by looking at same website you can figure out which ad is posted by owner.

Rent is going around 300 EUR for 2 bedroom or 1 bedroom + living room apartments. Studios are going from 200 to 250, even 300, but 200 would be fair price.

www.njuskalo.hr is best site to see where market stands.

> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc ...)

In Rijeka fare within city limits is 14 HRK for two rides and one way ticket purchased in the bus is 10 HRK. Those tickets are valid for 60 minutes and for one direction but in practice you can use them around, as long as it's within those 60 minutes.
Daily ticket can be bought for 20 HRK at news stand and is best option if you plan to go around during the day. 

> food prices(per month, how much does it cost you?)

Family of three can eat from 2500 HRK if you really take care of what you are buying. This is bare minimum without any extravagance.

Unions are estimating that expenses for family of four are minimally 4500 HRK.

> health prices (for those who need medical insurance)

If your country of origin doesn't have international Health insurance contract with Croatia expect to pay 400 HRK per month.
This is just basic insurance and you need to purchase additional if you don't want to pay additional costs.
With basic insurance you need to pay doctor referrals for specialist 10 HRK and specialist examinations costs are varying.
Day in hospital is around 180 HRK, last I knew, and that is with basic insurance.

www.hzzo-net.hr is National health insurance website.

Biggest insurance company is Croatia osiguranje www.crosig.hr and they are still state owned. They might have best rates on the insurance market for health matters.
However from what I recall looking last year insurance for foreigners is hefty so NHI full package might be the best option.

> eduction prices (if you need to pay)

As mentioned elementary and high school education is free. State universities cost from 5000 HRK per year in case you don't enter free study quota.
For foreign citizens it should be checked individually. First there were some free quotas, then they made it three times more expensive without any benefits and Croatian language was mandatory.
Changes in accordance to EU rules were expected but I don't know if they were implemented yet.

> energy prices (oil, electricity)

Daily oil prices are featured on http://www.ina.hr/default.aspx?id=203

Electricity is usually two-tariff however some of the older houses have one tariff meters.

Higher tariff is running from 6 AM to 10 PM - 1 kWh costs 0,91 HRK
Lower tariff is running from 10 PM to 6 AM -1 kWh costs 0,45 HRK

It's price without 25% tax.

There are two models for billing.
First is that you receive bills in advance for average spending in the last 6 months and then you get another bill with difference for spent electricity. This is worst way as everyone regularly gets shocked.
Second way is to submit your spending by reading your meter and sending the numbers via internet or phone at the end of the month.
Then you pay only what you've spent.

Expect for electricity to go up to 400 HRK during the winter days. However currently it's best option to use wood or electricity for heating than to use central heating system.

> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone)

TV costs 80 HRK just for owning TV. It is possible to cancel it as it's ridiculous law. Of course you keep your TV

Biggest ISP is charging 80 HRK for basic 4 Mbit connection and flat rate is also 80 HRK.
There are various combinations for phone, cable and internet so prices vary. Also there are other ISP or cable networks (who also provide net+phone) so numerous combinations and better prices are possible, especially in cities.

Mobile phone networks offer prepaid coupons from 25 HRK but to keep your number valid you should use 50 or 100 HRK every three months.

> prices of a good menu in a traditional restaurant

Sorry, I don't visit restaurants.

> prices of a beer and or a coffee in a regular pub

Coffee goes from 6 HRK in most bars to 10 or more downtown.
0.5L beer is around 15, while smaller 0.3L is 12 HRK.
Downtown bars with good location can have higher prices.

> price of the cinema

20-50 HRK, depends if it's regular show in the afternoon or 3D movie.

Hi ernest83,

Welcome to Expat.com!

Thank you very much for this useful information.

Thank you Christine!

I know that could have shared much more but I've decided to use the template to begin with.
If someone has any specific questions I'd gladly answer them. Some prices are jumping up and down so I believe it's best to give up to date info when someone needs it.

I live in Hungary but I'm very near the border with Croatia. Do you know if Croatians come to Hungary to buy things that are more expensive in Croatia? I have only visited Croatia once but I noticed a lot of prices seemed to be marked in Euros as well as Kuna, does that mean Euros are accepted as payment?
If mortgages are in Euros and wages are in Kuna I suppose exchange rate fluctuations will cause quite big variations in the cost of living?

Croats near the border used to go to shop in Hungary and probably still do. Prices in Euro are for tourists for easier orientation but Euro isn't generally accepted. Maybe it is occasionally but don't rely on it as it's not formal thing.

While real estate prices are tied to Euro, mortgages aren't. They are tied to Swiss frank. So you have a situation where rates almost doubled up and they eat away most of the wages. People take out loans with rates being 1/3 of their monthly wage, yet end up with paying 2/3. Add to that 20 or even 30 year contracts and you are doomed.

There was some talk about banning mortgage being tied to foreign currency but I doubt it will change, not at least before entering EU.

Point is that anyone looking to get a mortgage for estate in Croatia should avoid it and rent the place, while putting rest of the money aside.
You are more likely to buy your place before you pay out the mortgage and you will spend half of amount which mortgage will bring you.

Example of CHF fluctuations: sudden jump of monthly mortgage rate from 4200 HRK to 7200 HRK.

Hi Everybody,

I love the posts on costs in Croatia but would you please put the date in the body of the post?!  It's important when considering costs to know what year is being talked about.

Thanks!!!

b

Hi pear0294,

Can you please be more explicit ?

Thank you

Maximilien
Expat-blog Team

normal salary is from 2500 to 4500 in croatia..beside u need about 6000 to live a month here

More on the coast and larger cities, yes?  What's the best place for the least money in Croatia?

tango15 wrote:

More on the coast and larger cities, yes?  What's the best place for the least money in Croatia?

fine some farm place..they only place ur income will be the same what u spend cuz u grow food by your self

Thanks for the response.  I'm a single woman so don't think I'd be happy living on a farm - too isolated.  I'm looking for some English speakers - as much a mix of nationalities as possible.  I'd love to be near the sea.  Thank you!

tango15 wrote:

Thanks for the response.  I'm a single woman so don't think I'd be happy living on a farm - too isolated.  I'm looking for some English speakers - as much a mix of nationalities as possible.  I'd love to be near the sea.  Thank you!

if u got job with good money u can live where ever u want..all the sea side cites is nice

Yes, I realize that if money is no problem I can live anywhere I like.  My question is about the best place - seaside would be great - for the best price.  Thanks!

tango15 wrote:

Yes, I realize that if money is no problem I can live anywhere I like.  My question is about the best place - seaside would be great - for the best price.  Thanks!

Well not Dubrovnik or Rijeka  for sure very expensive  ,,split and pula would be good option for u in the sea side

Thank you. I've spent time on Korcula and Dubrovnik but have not been to Split or Pula.  Do you have any thoughts on which would be better for an  American expat?

tango15 wrote:

Thank you. I've spent time on Korcula and Dubrovnik but have not been to Split or Pula.  Do you have any thoughts on which would be better for an  American expat?

if u like to hung around with new expat ppl go to spilt..if u like quit got to pula

Thanks so much for the information  I will put both Split and Pula in my travel plans   Being on the sea would be wonderful!

Campos Lopez wrote:

tango15 wrote:

Thank you. I've spent time on Korcula and Dubrovnik but have not been to Split or Pula.  Do you have any thoughts on which would be better for an  American expat?

if u like to hung around with new expat ppl go to spilt..if u like quit got to pula

This is the perfect summation. Let us know how you go and what you choose.

We live in Kaštela, between Trogir and Split.  It is much cheaper here than in the city of Split.  There is a long walkway along the shore, it is peaceful and well situated for everything you need.

30.8.2013
Hello.
Been looking at the posts on this subject.
My input.
Better to buy, mortgage in Euro, I know as we have one.We eat, 4 people for 300kuna a week. Wife is from Vukovar and real Slovinian girl, we eat Croatian food, with a twist of Uk thrown in when I cook.
heating is expensive when using oil, wood is cheapest but not as convieant as gas.
Buses and trams are a wonderful mode of transport, ticket for about 90 mins 15 kuna,we have no car. WE use markets for clothing etc food a little more expensive than in shops,but we can buy 90 eggs for 60kuna. Cottage cheese for the ladies on market is wonderful. Utilities are quite cheap. our electic bill ast month was 240kuna, water about the same, rubbish etc 120 and tv 80.
When we eat out we try the daily dish, 25-30kuna but if you want to spash out 100 for two ins norm. Pizza is great value!!
WE thought about moving to the sea, would go to around Zadar, its good there. Think now have air link to UK. Cheapest place to live I would say Vukovar/ Osijek, but for now not a lot of jobs.Think there are a few expats in and around Zadar area.

Here is a very helpful website where you can compare the costs of living from two different countries numbeo.com/cost-of-living

thanks for the information, we are planning to take our vacation this summer for some scuba diving

help me how much does it cost to live with croatiean family per a month in zagreb or spilit
hope to get answer

help me how much does it cost to live with croatiean family per a month in zagreb or spilit
hope to get answer

Hello! I am considering a job in Dubrovnik. Was wondering, what would be a decent monthly living expense, housing not included?