Living in Croatia

What is living in Croatia like? What is it like trying to deal with the bureaucracy of permits, finding activities for the kids, doing business - real life away from the idyllic beach holiday? You will answers to some of your questions below and we welcome your contributions to make this the best online resource for all. If there is a section you would like us to highlight, please contact us.

Moving to Croatia

Are you contemplating relocating to Croatia, but would like to know some more info first? There is not so much info out there on the web, so please help this resource grow by contributing your own experiences. Information on the common questions on relocation to Croatia can be found here. If you have specific questions, we will try and help or put you in touch with the right person.

Doing business in Croatia

As a country on the verge of EU entry, there are some excellent opportunities for doing business in Croatia. This section will examine in more depth all you need to know about doing business in Croatia, as well as featuring an online business directory of Croatian businesses. If you would like to showcase your Croatian business for free, you can submit a page with photos free!

Forming a Croatian company

If you are living in Croatia and operating a business, you will know all about the bureaucracy. A guide to opening a business, whether buying a property or running a company, can be found here. Please be advised that the laws change frequently, and it is advisable to get current advice from an accountant or lawyer.

Residency requirements

Looking to retire to Croatia or simply spend some time looking for the family roots? Residency requirements change frequently but we attempt to catch the basics in this section. If you have any updates on the situtation, please contact us to keep this resource relevant for all.

How to get an OIB (personal ID number)

If you want to open a bank account or register a property purchase, you need a personal ID number (OIB), which you can obtain from the tax office. The process is less bureaucratic than expected, and with this guide, you should be able to get your OIB number with little effort. If you have had any problems getting your OIB, please share your experiences with others.

Paying bills

One of the less attractive aspects of owning a property in Croatia is keeping on top of the utility bills. This section will show you how to get those bills paid, starting with this informative piece on electricity bills. If you are looking for a property management company to look after this for you, more details will appear shortly.

Renting and buying property in Croatia

The unit of currency in Croatia is the kuna, which is tied closely to the euro. More information on currency and how and where to change, as well as where foreign currency is accepted can be found.

Croatia for kids

One of the frequent requests from visitors is information on things to do for children in Croatia. The beaches in Croatia are great when the sun is shining, but what is there to do out of season, or when it is raining. A variety of tips and information on softplay areas and cafes with kids' activities can be found here.

Disabled Croatia

If you have been desperately searching for information on travel in Croatia for the disabled, we have compiled an initial hub of information, which we hope will prove useful. As this is an important, but very underrepresented area, we would be delighted to hear from you with your updates and contributions.

Gay Croatia

From gay sailing to Zagreb Pride, the lesbian and gay scene in Croatia is very lively. Information about gay life is in this section, from the first gay travel agency to gay friendly bars, clubs and accommodation on the coast and inland. If you have an aspect of gay Croatia you would like to highlight, then please contact us.

Events in Croatia

From the Motovun Film Festival to the Dubrovnik Summer Festival and Split Boat Show, there is always something going on in Croatia - it is just a little difficult to keep track of all the goings on! We attempt to address that here. Please let us know if there is a festival we should be covering.

Societies in Croatia

Information about a variety of clubs and societies related to Croatia, both home and abroad, are in this section. If you want to hear the latest goings on from the British Council or British Croatian society, this is the place to be. We are happy to promote your Croatian society for free so let us know what you are involved in.

Music in Croatia

One of the joys of living in Croatia is the access to such a diverse selection of music, from the traditional folk songs to modern rock. This section is intended to highlight and promote young Croatian talent and give an overview of more traditional music.

Driving in Croatia

What are the drink driving laws? Can you drive with a foreign licence? And how about importing a car from the UK? A guide to the dos and donts of driving in Croatia, including a section on dealing with the traffic poice, who you will probably encounter at some point during your stay.

Daily Life in Croatia

What is daily life like in Croatia, away from the idyllic tourist beaches in Summer? Some insights from locals and expats about daily life here, starting with an American couple writing about their daily life in Split. If you have some experiences you would like to share about living in Croatia, please share them here.

Christmas in Croatia

Christmas in Croatia is a magical time and, if you are used to the commercialism in the UK and elsewhere, it is a refreshing change. We will be featuring some more aspects of Christmas shortly, but in the meantime here is a foreigner's view of Christmas in Split

Carnival in Croatia

The carnival in Croatia is a time for great revelry throughout the country, and Rijeka boasts one of the biggest carnivals in Europe. A variety of accounts about the carnival can be found in this section. Let's hear from you and your experiences!

Sport in Croatia

Sport in Croatia is taken very seriously with the nation embracing the success of its various sporting teams as they punch above their weight on the global stage. Whether it be Olympic skiers, waterpolo or football, there is information here, as well as more details on the bizarre sport of picigin and our personal favourite, the Split-based Croatian bobsled team.

Religion in Croatia

Croatia is a very devout Catholic country, with more than 90% of its citizens following the Catholic faith. Events in nearby Medjugorje in 1981, when the Virgin Mary appeared to some children on a hillside, have only reinforced that faith. This section looks at the religions of Croatia, including the small Jewish community and Buddhism.

Croatia and Pets

Are you looking at living in Croatia but wondering how it will be for your pet, or what paperwork is involved to bring your pet into the country? Information about this, as well as tips for living in Croatia with your favourite animals is in this section.

If there is a Croatia information topic you would like us to cover, then please let us know by email or, better still, start one by submitting an article.