You need to know how much it costs to live in Croatia if you’re thinking of moving or staying for a while. Living costs in this picturesque country vary by region, with coastal areas usually costing more than inland towns. Let’s look at the cost of living in Croatia, including essential expenses like housing, groceries, and transportation costs, so you can plan your budget effectively.
- Capital: Zagreb
- Currency: Euro EUR
- Population: 4.088 million
- Official language: Croatian
Table of Contents
Is Croatia expensive compared to the UK?
The average net salary in Croatia is around €1,630, as of May 2023. This may seem quite lower than the standard minimum wage in the UK, however, the living standard is more affordable. The current minimum wage in Croatia is €840.00 per month in 2024.
Low accommodation costs are a big reason for Croatia’s low average cost of living. The prices here are much lower than what you’d pay in the UK, whether you’re renting or buying.
Can a foreigner open a bank account in Croatia?
If you are an expat in Croatia, you will need a bank account to receive your salary and pay your bills. Yes, foreigners can open bank accounts in Croatia without visiting. With that said, you will need to provide the following:
- You’ll need a passport, ID card, or driver’s license
- Residency and work permit
- You’ll need an OIB, or “personal identification number”, which is similar to a National Insurance number
- You’ll need a small deposit to activate the account, but the amount depends on the bank
We recommend that you review the banks in Croatia and particularly the ones in the city you’ve chosen to live in, in order to make an informed decision. It will also be useful to check the requirements for setting up a bank account. This will save you a lot of time and will ultimately make the process a lot less stressful.
The accommodation costs in Croatia
In Croatia, the average rent is 53.8% lower than in the United Kingdom.
Apartments in Croatia cost around €580 a month in the City Centre. In Zagreb or Split, you can find a nice apartment for around €530 per month. If you want something bigger, say 400 square meters, you’ll be able to spend €1,200.
How much are utilities in Croatia?
The cost of living in Croatia is, on average, 26.6% lower than in the UK. Utility bills, such as electricity, water, phone, and internet, come on top and are approximately around 152.44€. The internet cost is around 25€ per month.
Hrvatska elektroprivreda (HEP) is the national energy company in charge of the production, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The Hrvatske vode or Croatian Water is the main provider of water in Croatia, except for some remote areas in the country.
Transportation expenses
Travelling in Croatia is very convenient. The main transportation methods are bus and ferry. The road infrastructure has been a priority for the country in the past decade and is highly improved. Trains are used mainly for travelling short distances to and from major cities.
Inner city public transportation is also well-developed. The average price for a one-way ticket is around €1–2. The price may vary, depending on the city, but the differences are minimal. You can also use a taxi. There are local taxi service providers and the internationally known Uber. The starting rate of taxis is 2.00 €.
Owning a vehicle in Croatia is a tad more expensive. If you are looking to buy a new mid-range car, this will cost you approximately 27,900 €. As of August 12, 2024, the price of petrol in Croatia is €1.57 for Euro 95 and €1.55 for diesel. Here are some of the basic expenses when owning a car in Croatia:
If you want to import a vehicle into Croatia, you will have to pay three types of taxes:
- Carina (customs tax) – calculated according to the emission of gases and purchase value of the vehicle
- PDV (value added tax) – in Croatia the PDV rate is 25% of the purchase value of the car
- Trošarina (acquisition tax) – calculated based on a lot of factors, such as type of vehicle, age, purchase value, emission of gases, etc.
How expensive is Croatia
Food, attire, personal care products, and specific services are things that we all need and should be able to afford. In the next couple of paragraphs, we are going to review the costs for each one.
Croatia food prices
The food in Croatia is not too expensive. Here is a table with the costs, both in Euro and in GBP, of some of the basic products:
| Product | Unit | Price in EUR | Price in GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs | 12 pieces | 3.15 € | £2.69 |
| Bread | 500g | 1.31 € | £1.12 |
| Milk | 1 liter | 1.12 € | £0.95 |
| Beer | 0.5 liter | 1.32 € | £1.13 |
| Chicken Fillets | 1kg | 8.72 € | £7.44 |
| Tomatoes | 1kg | 2.19 € | £1.87 |
| Potatoes | 1kg | 1.02 € | £0.87 |
| Apples | 1kg | 1.43 € | £1.22 |
| Bananas | 1kg | 1.45 € | £1.24 |
A meal in an inexpensive restaurant can cost you between €15 and €35.
Attire and personal care
When it comes to cosmetics and clothing, the prices vary based on what you are looking for, the brand, and materials:
| Item | Price in HRK | Price in GBP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | 81.77 € | £69.78 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, or similar) | 36.03 € | £30.75 |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 85.73 € | £73.16 |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | 699.15 € | £84.62 |
According to Expatistan, the prices for personal care products and services.
Conclusion
Life in Croatia is relatively affordable. Prices are generally lower, especially compared to the UK. It will be very useful if you know the language before you move to Croatia or start learning it as soon as possible. This will help you find and keep a better job in the country.
And as for the relocation, we at Fantastic Removals will be happy to help you. You can count on our international removal service for a reliable and stress-free move.
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