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Croatia

Adriatic lifestyle destination with comparatively affordable costs.

AI-assisted content

Key Metrics

Cost of Living47Index (100 = NYC)
Life Expectancy78.6Years
Safety7.8Score (0-10)
Avg. Temperature15°CAnnual Average

Cost of Living

€ Euro
Frugal€1,400per month
Comfortable€2,000per month
Premium€3,000per month

Cost Breakdown

Quality of Life

Overall Score76.0/10

Taxes

Tax information for Croatia

Tax Residency

Tax resident after 183 days

Tax Year

2024

Filing Deadline

End of February of following year

Territorial System

No - worldwide income

Double Tax Treaties
with 6 countries:
DEATCHITSIRS

Income Tax

35.4%
Top Rate
Annual Gross Income
Tax Brackets
FromToRate
€0€50,40023.6%
€50,400Unlimited35.4%

Pension Tax

24%
Flat Rate
Annual Gross Income

Capital Gains Tax

12%
Flat Rate
Annual Gross Income
Notes

Exemption after 2 years holding period

Dividend Tax

10%
Flat Rate
Annual Gross Income

10% withholding on dividends (plus municipal surtax of 0-18%)

VAT

25%
Reduced Rates
Hotels13%
Food5%

Important Notice

This is not tax advice. Consult a Croatian tax advisor.

This is not tax, legal, or investment advice. Tax laws change frequently and can be complex. The information provided is for general informational purposes only. Please consult a tax advisor licensed in Croatia for your specific situation.

Healthcare

Healthcare in Croatia

System Type
Mixed
Universal
Yes
Life Expectancy
78.6
years
Coverage

HZZO universal

Insurance Requirement

Private recommended

3.4
Physicians per 1,000
5.3
Hospital Beds per 1,000
€1,104
Healthcare Spend per Capita
70
Quality Rating / 100

Expat Access

Public System

Basic good, wait times

Private System

Growing, affordable

Insurance Recommendation

€40-80/month

Climate Change & Future Outlook

Climate risks in Croatia

Croatia shows moderate climate risks with Adriatic warming. Coast (Dalmatia, Istria) becoming more Mediterranean, inland continentally hotter. Dubrovnik/Split: Heat & water scarcity. Moderate adaptive capacity (ND-GAIN #66), EU membership helps.

Climate Scenarios

Switch between IPCC SSP pathways

SSP2-4.5

Current policy trajectory – ~2.7°C warming by 2100, moderate mitigation.

Values are approximations relative to our SSP2-4.5 baseline. They illustrate directional change, not exact national projections.

Overall Climate Risk

Projected risk index (0 = low risk, 100 = extreme risk)

Current
Risk index: 50/100
🟠 High
2035 (10y)
Risk index: 58/100
🟠 High
2050 (25y)
Risk index: 68/100
🔴 Very High
2075 (50y)
Risk index: 78/100
🔴 Very High
Trend
Increasing

Risk Categories

Heat Stress
74
Water & Drought
74
Floods & Coastal
64
Extreme Weather
66
Health & Air Quality
58
Economic Impact
74

Personal climate risk assessment

Tune the analysis to your health profile and comfort level.

🔴 Very High

Age group

Sensitivity

Risk tolerance

Personalized risk index

68 /100

Current level: Very High

Priority risks

Heat Stress

Base 74 → Personal 74

🔴 Very High

Water & Drought

Base 74 → Personal 74

🔴 Very High

What to prioritize

  • Prioritise shaded neighborhoods, AC-ready apartments, and early-morning routines.
  • Check long-term water security and avoid regions with frequent restrictions.
  • Budget for higher insurance/utilities and diversify income streams against climate shocks.

Adaptation Measures

Government measures
  • EU climate funds: €2B available
  • Adriatic desalination: 20+ plants for islands
  • Coastal protection: Dubrovnik, Split
  • Wildfire monitoring: Dalmatia
Individual measures
  • Avoid summer tourism: July-August overheated
  • Conserve water: Islands have chronic scarcity
  • Bora warning: App for wind alerts

Climate Resilience

64/100

Moderate adaptive capacity. ND-GAIN #66 readiness, #119 vulnerability. EU funds available, tourism revenues help. Weaknesses: Island fragmentation, water infrastructure outdated, tourism dependency (20% GDP).

Tips

  • 💡Real estate: North coast (Istria) better than Dalmatia (water!). Zagreb stable.
  • 💡Islands (Hvar, Brač, Korčula): Water crisis! Only with own cistern.
  • 💡Summer: June-September too hot & crowded. May/October optimal.
  • 💡Coast: Buy >10m above sea. Dubrovnik Old Town flood risk.

Pros

  • EU member: Access to climate funds
  • 20+ desalination plants for islands
  • Coastal air good (PM2.5: 15-19)
  • North coast (Istria) remains tolerable

Cons

  • Adriatic islands: Existential water crisis!
  • Tourism dependency (20% GDP) = climate risk
  • Dalmatia: Wildfires + heat + drought
  • 5,800 km coastline threatened

Notes

Croatia faces Adriatic climate crisis. Dalmatia and islands (Hvar, Brač, Korčula) have existential water scarcity. Dubrovnik/Split becoming too hot. Tourism (20% GDP) endangered. For expats: Prefer north coast (Istria) or Zagreb, avoid Dalmatian islands. Property buyers: >10m above sea, own water cistern on islands essential. Summer becoming unbearable. 20+ desalination plants help, but not enough.

Data sources

ND-GAIN Index (2023)World Bank Climate Portal (2024)IPCC AR6 Mediterranean/Adriatic (2021)Croatia Climate Change Post (2024)Adriatic Marine Heatwaves Study (2024)

Scientific Disclaimer

Climate projections are based on models with inherent uncertainties. Actual outcomes may differ. We present mainstream scientific consensus (IPCC) but acknowledge uncertainty ranges. This is not financial advice. Consult climate scientists and experts for specific decisions.

Safety & Security

Safety & Crime in Croatia

Overall Safety Score
7.8
out of 10
Corruption Index
47
/100
Higher is better
Peace Index
1.5
/5
Lower is better
Homicide Rate
0.6
/100k
Lower is better
Travel Advisory Level
1
Level 1: Exercise Normal Caution

Safety Indicators

Transparency International CPI
47/100
Global Peace Index
1.50
Homicides per 100,000 people
0.6
Very low

Comparison with DACH Region

For comparison: Germany (CPI: 78), Austria (CPI: 71), Switzerland (CPI: 82)

Croatia: CPI 47

Notes

Standard precautions recommended in urban areas.

Data as of 2025
Sources: Transparency International, Global Peace Index, UNODC

Visa & Immigration

Immigration Options for Croatia

Ease of Settlement Score
7.0
out of 10

Visa Options

Temporary Residence

For passive income

Minimum Income
€2,700
per month
Duration
12 months
1 year
Official Website
Visit Website

Digital Nomad Visa

Tax-free up to 12 months

Minimum Income
€2,800
per month
Duration
12 months
1 year
Official Website
Visit Website

Path to Permanent Residency

Permanent residency after 5 years. Citizenship after 8 years.

Important Notice

Visa and immigration regulations change frequently. The information provided is for general informational purposes only. Please consult the official government website or an immigration attorney for current and accurate information.

Data as of 2025
Sources: Government Immigration Portals, IATA Travel Centre

Climate

Classificationmediterranean
Best Travel Months05, 06, 09

Data Sources & Updates

Last Updated: November 1, 2025

Data Sources

Croatia | AbroadAtlas | AbroadAtlas