Labor market – vacancies, jobs
As an EU citizen you can work in Croatia without a work permit. There is a shortage of skilled workers in some areas as a result of emigration, for example in the medical sector or in shipbuilding. The unemployment rate in December 2020 was 7.5 percent.
Many German and Austrian, but also Croatian companies have settled in the metropolitan areas and created new jobs. Tourism on the coast is booming and there is no end in sight to this growth.
According to countryvv, unemployment fluctuates strongly depending on the industry and region: New employees are currently being sought primarily in wholesaling and retailing, in industry, in the construction sector and – mainly seasonally between April and October – in the hotel and restaurant sector. There are also opportunities in the service sector.
Wages have risen in recent years. According to the State Statistical Office, the Croatian average net income in December 2019 was 6,559 Croatian kuna (around 880 euros) – although the regional differences are often considerable. The statutory minimum hourly wage was the equivalent of EUR 3.17 (January 2020).
If you have mastered Croatian, German and possibly another foreign language, you can often negotiate a higher salary. Test here for free how well you speak and understand Croatian (takes about 3 minutes).
There are growth opportunities in areas that are not yet often represented in Croatia, such as franchising. New ideas are very popular here, but everything takes time to be accepted and used by consumers.
The income tax rate (as of 2018) is based on the amount of income and is 24 percent for an income of up to HRK 17,500 (approx. € 2,350). For incomes over HRK 17,500, the tax rate is 36 percent.
Real estate – buy or rent
Foreigners from the EU can easily buy or rent real estate in Croatia. However, it is an advantage to seek help from an experienced real estate agency. Below we present a recommendable company.
With experience since 2007 in the real estate sector Immobilien Lindstedt Management GmbH & Co.KG guarantees its customers a professional and personalized service. Great emphasis is placed on optimal customer service and on quality instead of quantity. The unique, innovative concept with an “all-round carefree” package is very popular with customers (in Croatia and in 20 other hotspots worldwide).
Internet: Immobilien-Lindstedt.de
E-Mail: [email protected]
Tel. In Germany: 0170/388 46 34
Cost of living
The cost of living in the tourist areas is comparable to that in Germany. Inland it is cheaper. Visits to restaurants are a lot cheaper, so eating out here is worthwhile.
You need around € 2,405.39 in Zagreb to maintain the same standard of living that you could have in Berlin with € 3,700.00 (assuming you rent in the cities).
- Consumer prices in Zagreb are 27.39% lower than in Berlin (excluding rent)
- Consumer prices in Zagreb are 34.99% lower than in Berlin (including rent)
- Rent prices in Zagreb are 51.65% lower than in Berlin
- Restaurant prices in Zagreb are 33.31% lower than in Berlin
- Food prices in Zagreb are 26.83% lower than in Berlin
- The local purchasing power in Zagreb is 43.04% lower than in Berlin
Average cost of living in Zagreb (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Restaurant | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Food, price w. restaurant | 6.66 | 5.33-9.33 |
| Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. | 33.32 | 26.66-53.31 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 2.00 | 1.60 – 2.67 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 l | 2.40 | 2.13-3.33 |
| cappuccino | 1.53 | 1.20-2.00 |
| Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) | 1.93 | 1.33-2.47 |
| Water (0.33 l) | 1.24 | 0.93 – 1.60 |
| Food | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Milk (1 L) | 0.85 | 0.67 – 1.07 |
| White bread (500g) | 0.92 | 0.53-1.33 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 1.66 | 1.07-2.67 |
| Eggs (12) | 2.06 | 1.60 – 2.40 |
| Local cheese (1kg) | 7.12 | 4.66-15.99 |
| Chicken breast fillet (1kg) | 7.52 | 4.03-10.00 |
| Beef (1kg) or other red meat | 8.28 | 5.33-11.00 |
| Apples (1kg) | 1.25 | 0.67 – 1.60 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 1.32 | 1.07 – 1.60 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 1.36 | 0.67 – 2.06 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 1.42 | 0.80-2.00 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 0.69 | 0.27-1.33 |
| Onions (1kg) | 0.77 | 0.53-1.33 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 0.79 | 0.40-1.33 |
| Water (1.5 l) | 1.02 | 0.67-1.33 |
| Bottle of wine (middle class) | 5.33 | 4.00 – 8.00 |
| Local beer (0.5 l) | 1.24 | 0.93-2.00 |
| Imported beer (0.33 l) | 1.66 | 1.07-2.13 |
Average costs for local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education of Zagreb (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Mode of Transport | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| One-time ticket | 0.53 | 0.53-1.33 |
| Monthly pass | 47.98 | 42.65-51.98 |
| Taxi base amount | 1.60 | 1.33-2.67 |
| Taxi 1 km | 0.67 | 0.53-0.93 |
| Ancillary housing costs | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. | 168.25 | 119.95-239.90 |
| 1 minute prepaid mobile tariff | 0.11 | 0.04-0.13 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) | 23.51 | 19.99-31.99 |
| Clothes, shoes | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 71.69 | 39.98-99.96 |
| Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… | 30.95 | 15.99-46.65 |
| Nike sports shoes, middle class | 77.75 | 53.31-118.62 |
| Leather business shoes | 88.01 | 53.31-133.28 |
| leisure time | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Fitness center, month / adult | 36.77 | 26.66-46.65 |
| Tennis, 1 hour on weekends | 9.71 | 6.66-13.33 |
| a movie ticket | 5.33 | 4.66 – 6.66 |
| training | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child | 178.10 | 79.97-399.84 |
| International primary school per year and child | 4,511.41 | 2,399.02-9,596.07 |
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Zagreb (from 07/2020 – 06/2021)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 473.07 | 399.84-599.87 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 359.25 | 266.56-453.90 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 821.77 | 599.75-1,199.74 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 594.44 | 399.84-860.69 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 2,924.64 | 2,399.02 – 3,499.24 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 1,942.23 | 1,599.35 – 2,665.58 |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 959.21 | – |
