{"id":28528,"date":"2025-08-19T13:49:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T11:49:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foyerglobalhealth.com\/?post_type=destinationcpt&p=28528"},"modified":"2025-12-08T16:44:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T15:44:43","slug":"the-cost-of-living-in-croatia","status":"publish","type":"destinationcpt","link":"https:\/\/globalhealth.insurance\/destination\/the-cost-of-living-in-croatia\/","title":{"rendered":"The cost of living in Croatia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you fallen in love with Croatia during a business trip or holiday? If you are thinking of moving there, whether to Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik or Pula, you are probably wondering how much money you will need. This is often the question that comes up most often when planning to move abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you get a clearer picture, we have prepared a detailed guide to the cost of living in Croatia. Accommodation, shopping, healthcare, transport, education and leisure activities… find out about the main expenses you can expect!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Overview of the average cost of living in Croatia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A single person living in Croatia needs around \u20ac1,350 per month, while a family of four should budget for an average of \u20ac3,700 per month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This includes all major expenses, such as rent, groceries and leisure activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expenses<\/th>Prices<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Average monthly net salary<\/td>\u20ac1,450<\/td><\/tr>
Rent for a studio apartment in the city centre<\/td>\u20ac500 to \u20ac1,000 per month<\/td><\/tr>
Purchase price of an apartment per square metre in the city centre<\/td>\u20ac4,100 on average<\/td><\/tr>
Petrol (1 litre)<\/td>\u20ac1.5<\/td><\/tr>
Mobile phone plan (calls + 10 GB of data)<\/td>\u20ac19<\/td><\/tr>
Coffee on a terrace<\/td>\u20ac2.15<\/td><\/tr>
Meal for two at a restaurant<\/td>\u20ac60<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
The above figures are provided for information purposes only. Sources: <\/em>Trading Economics<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>Numbeo<\/em><\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Official currency in Croatia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On 1 January 2023, Croatia joined the European Monetary Union, making the euro its official currency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The euro has replaced the kuna<\/strong>, whose banknotes can be exchanged for euros at the Hrvatska narodna banka<\/em> (Croatian National Bank) without any time limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Accommodation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cost of accommodation in Croatia varies from city to city. Apartments in Dubrovnik and Split are the most expensive in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is an overview of average rents in the main Croatian cities, as well as the price per square metre if you wish to buy property:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodation<\/strong><\/th>Zagreb<\/strong><\/th>Pula<\/strong><\/th>Dubrovnik<\/strong><\/th>Split<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Studio in the city centre<\/td>\u20ac750<\/td>\u20ac580<\/td>\u20ac1,050<\/td>\u20ac900<\/td><\/tr>
Studio outside the city centre<\/td>\u20ac580<\/td>\u20ac400<\/td>\u20ac760<\/td>\u20ac620<\/td><\/tr>
Three-bedroom apartment in the city centre<\/td>\u20ac1,300<\/td>\u20ac1,000<\/td>\u20ac1,500<\/td>\u20ac1,600<\/td><\/tr>
Three-bedroom apartment on the outskirts<\/td>\u20ac900<\/td>\u20ac780<\/td>\u20ac1,100<\/td>\u20ac1,100<\/td><\/tr>
Purchase price per square metre<\/td>\u20ac3,000 to \u20ac4,700<\/td>\u20ac2,600 to \u20ac3,300<\/td>\u20ac3,500 to \u20ac6,000<\/td>\u20ac3,500 to \u20ac7,000<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
The above figures are provided for information purposes only.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Food prices in Croatia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Groceries are the main expense in Croatia. They account for an average of 28% of expats’ monthly expenses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To give you an idea, here are the average prices of some basic food items:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food item<\/strong><\/th>Average price in Croatia<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Milk (1 litre)<\/td>\u20ac1.15<\/td><\/tr>
Water (1.5 litres)<\/td>\u20ac1.17<\/td><\/tr>
Bread (500 g)<\/td>\u20ac1.50<\/td><\/tr>
Rice (1 kg)<\/td>\u20ac2.65<\/td><\/tr>
Dozen eggs<\/td>\u20ac3.25<\/td><\/tr>
Local cheese (1 kg)<\/td>\u20ac11.25<\/td><\/tr>
Chicken fillets (1 kg)<\/td>\u20ac8.90<\/td><\/tr>
Meat (1 kg)<\/td>\u20ac11.15<\/td><\/tr>
Potatoes (1 kg)<\/td>\u20ac1.30<\/td><\/tr>
Tomatoes (1 kg)<\/td>\u20ac2<\/td><\/tr>
Onions (1 kg)<\/td>\u20ac1.30<\/td><\/tr>
Apples (1 kg)<\/td>\u20ac1.60<\/td><\/tr>
Bananas (1 kg)<\/td>\u20ac1.50<\/td><\/tr>
Local beer (500 ml bottle)<\/td>\u20ac1.50<\/td><\/tr>
Imported beer (330 ml bottle)<\/td>\u20ac2<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
The above figures are provided for information purposes only.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Transport in Croatia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Bus:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The bus is the most popular form of public transport in Croatia. The average ticket price is \u20ac1.30. Journeys are cheaper if you buy a travel card. In Zagreb, you can buy a monthly travel card for \u20ac53.09, which allows unlimited travel on buses and trams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taxi:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The starting price for a taxi ride is around \u20ac4 on average. Expect to pay \u20ac1.25 per kilometre travelled and around \u20ac9 per hour of waiting time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Train:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Train travel is affordable, but journey times are very long. For example, a train ticket between Zagreb and Split costs an average of \u20ac15 for a journey of around 8 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planes:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The national airline, Croatia Airlines, operates domestic flights, particularly between Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and Pula. Expect to pay around \u20ac80 in August for a flight from Zagreb to Dubrovnik.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Castle<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Car:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Drivers can of course travel by car, with petrol costing \u20ac1.50 per litre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note that parking is almost always paid in Croatia! Allow an average budget of \u20ac0.50 to \u20ac2 per hour, depending on the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boat:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ferries are regularly used to reach certain Croatian islands. The price of the trip varies between \u20ac50 and \u20ac250, depending on the company and destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Healthcare in Croatia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Medical services<\/strong><\/th>Average price in Croatia<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Consultation with a general practitioner<\/td>\u20ac20 to \u20ac40<\/td><\/tr>
Consultation with a specialist<\/td>\u20ac25 to \u20ac70<\/td><\/tr>
Teeth cleaning<\/td>\u20ac35<\/td><\/tr>
Ceramic crown<\/td>\u20ac150 to \u20ac200<\/td><\/tr>
Cataract surgery<\/td>\u20ac570 to \u20ac2,450<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
The above figures are provided for information purposes only.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The healthcare system in Croatia is based on compulsory universal health insurance, managed by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cost of medical services is covered in full or in part. Some treatments, such as dental and eye care, may not be covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why the majority of residents, both expatriates and locals, choose to take out supplementary insurance. In Croatia, there are two types of supplementary insurance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n