What are retirees looking for in Croatia?
UPDATED: 25.9.2023.
Croatia’s tourism industry has exploded in the last 10 years, booming exponentially and somewhat uncontrollably. Of course, the unspoiled beauty of Croatia’s coast and islands plays a role in the country’s popularity, but there is more to it than that.
Croatia has been promoted on a global stage in the last few years, which has put it on the radar of travelers across the world of all ages who either didn’t know Croatia existed or thought it was war-torn and dangerous.
Now that those incorrect assumptions have been dispelled, everyone wants to come to Croatia. The European Union’s 2021 tourist statistics show that Croatia had 114 million nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments, and was the third most common tourism destination in the EU/EEA for international tourists (people traveling outside their country) after Spain and Italy.
In this post, we cover:
The facts are these…
Things retired people are looking for in Croatia
Rise in Croatia’s retiree tourism
Senior travel dropped significantly at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but older travelers are resuming their travel habits, and they make up a significant proportion of tourists heading to Croatia. The Croatian Bureau of Statistics notes that in 2021, the total number of nights stayed in Croatia for the 65+ age group approached 5 million. Many choose to visit in the spring and autumn months, before and after the hottest weather and the crowds, giving senior travelers an important role in extending the country’s tourist season.
What we have yet to see is if the rising costs in Croatia will become a deterrent to retiree travelers. Croatia was once a budget destination. However, that is quickly fading as restaurants, tour agencies, and other tourism businesses hike their prices due to inflation pressures – and to squeeze as much money out of tourists as possible.
[Read: How to be a licensed tour guide in Croatia and open a tourist agency business]
With the expensive bureaucratic chokehold that the government has on small businesses, one can hardly blame them. However, jacking up prices so that your business can survive in winter is a short-term solution, and will end up harming this tourism-focused country in the long run.
Rise in seniors moving to Croatia
Alongside the increase of retirees traveling to Croatia for vacation, there has also been an increase in senior people interested in settling in Croatia to live out their retirement.
In 2018, nearly 17.000 EU/EEA people older than 65 moved to Croatia, which is an 80% jump since 2014. The top countries for EU/EEA retirees are now Croatia and France (previously Spain and Portugal).
As a retiree, there are many advantages to living in Croatia.
- It has a very temperate Mediterranean climate, especially on the coast
- There is a low cost of living, when in comparison to the Western nations they are coming from
- There is a low cost of real estate when compared to their home country; perhaps in their home country, they could only afford an apartment, but in Croatia, they can afford a house with a garden, for example
- It’s quiet, easygoing, and laid back
Unfortunately, not everyone can take advantage of this retirement paradise. Specifically, non-EU/EEA retirees are only eligible for temporary residence permits that limit stays to one year. These permits are not renewable and actually require you to leave the country for a period of time when the permit ends.
Also, Croatia also does not have a “golden visa” program like Spain, Greece, Malta, and Italy, which allows residency for longer periods based on property purchase and/or national investment.
[Read: Does Croatia have a “golden visa”?]
On the other hand, Croatia is an EU/EEA member nation, so seniors with EU/EEA citizenship will have a much easier time retiring here.
[Read: How to apply for Croatian citizenship based on naturalization if you are an EU/EEA citizen]
Also, if you are of Croatian descent, can provide sufficient evidence to prove that you are of the Croatian people, and plan to move to Croatia with the intent to apply for citizenship, you are eligible to apply for a renewable temporary residence permit under the humanitarian umbrella.
View our guides:
- How Croatian diaspora and descendants can apply for temporary residence in Croatia (if you don’t have citizenship yet)
- How members of the Croatian people can apply for Croatian citizenship (Article 16)
The lack of residency options for non-EU/EEA retirees may be a short-sighted policy that only harms the country.
Croatia has been making incremental changes across the board lately, so we hope that this is a sign that they will eventually get around to creating a longer-term residency option for non-EU/EEA retirees. There would only be benefits to doing so.
[Read: Available visas and residence permits for Croatia]
With VAT called PDV in Croatian of 25%, anyone who pays for anything is automatically contributing significantly to the tax base. It is especially beneficial to the country if these retirees purchase homes.
Some have expressed concern that they may be a burden on the healthcare system, however, requiring private health insurance is one quick and easy way to get around that.
View our Croatian health insurance guides:
- Croatia’s state health care obvezno insurance, what it costs and what is included
- What is “dopunsko” and why you should have this health insurance
- What is Croatian dodatno health insurance
- What is a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
- How to get travel insurance in Croatia (putno), which you can use to apply for residence
- How third-country citizens can sign up for state health insurance in Croatia
- How EU/EEA citizens (and Croats) can sign up for Croatian state health insurance
Croatia’s population has been in decline for years now, so anyone who chooses to move here would be offsetting this trend. We should welcome them with open arms!
Skip the research! Save time and talk to EIC.
We crafted this post to be as detailed as possible, but sometimes questions still arise because everyone’s situation is different. If you’d like personalized guidance on your situation, we can help.
Save yourself the time and uncertainty of trying to navigate the ever-changing rules for living in Croatia by scheduling a private chat with us.
How does it work?
All first-time clients get 30 minutes with an Expat in Croatia consultant PLUS 30 minutes with a vetted English-speaking lawyer from our network.
Repeat clients can book a 30-minute session with an EIC consultant as a stand-alone appointment.
During your chat with us, we will answer all of your questions about Croatia. You can tap into our expertise on anything you want; whether it be residency, citizenship, healthcare, buying property, letting accommodation, operating a business, what it’s like to live here, personal experiences with bureaucracy, or cultural nuance. It’s all tailored to you.
In addition, you’ll receive a follow up with additional resources based on your situation, Sara’s Croatia Restaurant Guide as well as introductions to vetted professionals like insurance, law, real estate, translation and tax.
All legal advice will be handled by our vetted lawyer network. We can help you with everything else.
Appointments will be scheduled over Zoom.
We have an extensive Frequently Asked Questions about this service here.
Who will I speak with?
Expat in Croatia has two experienced consultants, Sara Dyson and Carol Anne Škorvaga. You may choose your consultant.
Carol Anne Škorvaga, known to us as “CAM”, is a first-generation Croatian-Canadian living in Jastrebarsko with her family. She grew up entrenched in the Croatian community surrounded by culture and folklore, attended Croatian school in Canada and then returned to Zagreb to attend Filozofski Fakultet. CAM is fluent in Croatian and has firsthand knowledge of being both a Canadian expat and a Croatian returnee, building a home in Croatia and being a parent with children in local schools.
Meet CAM in this quick 2-minute video here.
Sara Dyson is the founder of Expat in Croatia. She has lived in Split, Croatia as a US citizen since 2012 and experienced first-hand applying for temporary residence, long-term residence and Croatian citizenship. She’s also operated 2 companies, purchased a home, and written about Croatia and its bureaucracy extensively since 2013. Her application is citizenship is based on her work through Expat in Croatia. Read Sara’s full bio here.
Meet Sara in this quick 2-minute video here.
What is the cost?
The below costs are per 30 minutes and include VAT (25% tax mandated by the Croatian government). If additional time is requested, it is billed in ¼ hour increments.
First-time clients automatically get an extra 30 minutes with an English-speaking lawyer from our vetted network.
Carol Anne Škorvaga
- First-time clients | 150 euros (includes session with lawyer)
- Repeat clients | 75 euros
Sara Dyson
- First-time clients | 250 euros (includes session with lawyer)
- Repeat clients | 150 euros
It takes a tremendous amount of hands-on, human work to research and vet our information that we provide during sessions. This process includes extensive web research, phone calls to the government, collaboration with licensed Croatian professionals, and visits to government, collaboration with licensed Croatian professionals, and visits to government offices.
It’s not something that ChatGPT can do. We must employ skilled, full-time employees who live in Croatia and that comes with a cost.
Reviews from our clients
“Sara’s knowledge of Croatia is nothing short of encyclopaedic. I achieved so much more clarity in just a single session, and I would not hesitate to another if needed. Invaluable.” – Todd, United Kingdom
“During our call, Sara patiently answered all of my questions and provided me with invaluable information that would have taken hours to sort through elsewhere. She was thorough, professional, and incredibly helpful throughout our entire conversation.” – LeAnn, United States
You can view our last few reviews here or all of our reviews here.
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Our happy clients
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Mary L.
United States
Consulting
For my consulting session with Sara, I had questions about establishing residency, and also some questions about Healthcare. I sent in questions to her ahead of time so that my session was customized for my needs. Sara had all of those questions noted and was very prepared to elaborate on each one of them and more. I felt confident on the information that was provided and when I had a follow-up questions she was able to easily answer those for me as well. Sara is very personable and approachable in her demeanor which made the meeting enjoyable. I have been following EIC for a few years now and I am always so impressed by the wealth of information that is out there for all of us “seekers”. In addition, the pre-session communication by CAM was very efficient and much appreciated. I have already recommended Expat in Croatia to friends and family members in need of information. Thank you!
Vlasta N.
Canada
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
Thank you so much to these wonderful ladies for the fantastic service. I needed help with some Croatian business issues, terms & processes. They connected me with an appropriate professional – another lovely lady who I immediately connected with and felt she really understood my issue, & she was able to answer all my queries in English – bonus! I would highly recommend these fabulous, friendly ladies and service to anyone who needs some assistance. Again, many thanks.
Brett B.
United States
Introduced to a Professional, Professional Assistance
On short notice I accepted a work trip to Europe and decided to stop in Zagreb prior to my job in Paris. Having obtained citizenship approval the purpose of this trip was to file birth records and my marriage record as well as obtaining domovnicas for my family and to apply for my passport. Filip coordinated everything on very short notice, including vetting our documents and coordinating a new translation due to a copy and pasting error within 3 hours. Ines met me and obtained the domovnicas for my family on my behalf. The registrar wished to have another document to complete registering my marriage and my wife and my birth certificates but Filip has told me exactly what to get. Finally Filip accompanied me to the MUP to file for my first passport. He guided me through the process and, unbelievably, I had my first Croatian Passport in my hands three hours later (not exaggerating)! These are the second group of professionals Expat in Croatia has referred me to, and again my expectations were exceeded. Thank you so much Filip and Ines for your attention to detail, guidance, timeliness, and professionalism all on short notice. The remainder of my family will be using your services once they receive their decisions as well. Thank you!
Natalie N.
United States
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
My husband and I met consulted with Expat in Croatia in order to learn about obtaining Croatian citizenship. We met with Sara Dyson initially and she was able to answer all of our general questions with regard to citizenship. She also put us in contact with our attorney, Ines, in order to begin the application process. I was very pleased with Sara’s expertise on the matter. Our attorney, Ines, was very thorough and professional. She clearly explained the process step by step and answered all of our questions and concerns throughout the entire process. Our appointment with the Chicago consulate went very smoothly and it was all thanks to Ines’ hard work! We couldn’t be more pleased with the experience and I would recommend Expat in Croatia and their professionals to anyone looking into Croatian citizenship.
Brice R.
United States
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
I really did not know where to start but Expat Croatia (Sara) introduced me to Antonela (Immigration lawyer) and she is the best. The citizenship process can be a bit daunting but having someone in Croatia to help is so necessary. I also feel that Antonela and Mia provide a service that is great value for what they charge. My advice to anyone who is applying for citizenship is to be diligent and patient. We were able to find all the necessary paperwork and I did secure Croatian citizenship for myself, my wife and our three children. (My grandmother was born in Croatia). The citizenship process took just over 2 years. We are now working on getting our Croatian passports which of course while a straightforward process, does take several months.
Ivan C.
Germany
Consulting
Sara answered all my questions, happy with the call. May actually engage the fixer in the future too.
Tara H.
New Zealand
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
My journey with Expat in Croatia started with a consulting session with Sara, From here I decided to work with a vetted lawyer to help me with my Temporary Residence application and dealing with the infamous Croatian bureaucracy. I was paired with the lovely Andrea and her team, who were amazing. It was awesome to know everything was taken care of, and that everything was explained to me clearly and carefully. I was given updates of my application status, accompanied when having to get things done such as ID photos, dealing with MUP etc., and all the forms filled out for me. This experience was definitely worth the money as it saved me a lot of stress; I enjoyed it so much I’m using another Expat in Croatia lawyer to help me with my Citizenship application!
Nicole C.
United States
Consulting
Sara was extremely knowledgeable and helpful answering all of our questions and walking us through what to expect in the process of applying for a temporary residence. She provided multiple resources promptly after the call. I can definitely see us booking another session with her as we start the process just to have a second pair of eyes help along the way. Absolutely worth every penny!
Barbara (Richard) H.
United States
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
The Expat in Croatia newsletter has been an indispensable guide for us while waiting to acquire Croatian citizenship. Since receiving citizenship this month, we decided to book a consultation to address more specific questions as we move closer to actually moving to Croatia. We chose CAM (Carol Anne) to be our consultant and found her to be the perfect “fit” for us. She has experienced everything that we will be dealing with as she moved from Canada to Croatia. Whether it is information about shipping items, registering a car, health insurance, or getting a tax consultant to navigate important financial details, she provided everything and more. We found her to be thorough, professional, personable, and smart. She is also funny and charming. We love CAM! We will continue to use this resource, consulting with CAM as needed or as more questions arise.
Megan G.
United States
Consulting
I learned more in an hour that my month of online searching. Everything was prompt, organized, and correct. Best money I have spent in tgid process thus far.
Jenn K.
United States
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
EIC has a Wonderful team of professionals to help guide us through our process of obtaining Croatian citizenship by descent. We had initial consultation with Sara, and then one of the attorneys, Andrea. Although we are gathering our documents on our own, we will be hiring them to oversee the process and help us with requirements we are unable to complete on our own during and after our applications are submitted . We would highly recommend Expat in Croatia !
Craig W.
United Kingdom
Consulting
Would highly recommend the services of ‘Expat in Croatia’ to friends. Sara took the time to familiarise herself with our specific situation before we chatted which meant we were able to talk through the options available and conclude with a clear idea of the avenues we should pursue.
Ninka S.
United States
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
I had first consultation with Carol Anne (CAM). She did a great job, very informative and willing to help . I would recommend Expat to my friends. Steve was very responsive to my emails and he connected me to Filip who we hired to help my son and his girlfriend. So far great experience but I know it is a process. We needed help with temp residence for my son’s girlfriend who was looking for looking to stay longer the 90 day . My son has USA /Croatian Citizenship.
Lori P.
United States
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
We needed assistance with purchasing property and moving forward with applying for Croatian citizenship. We had a great conversation with Sara and CAM, they explained both processes clearly and provides us with numerous resources. They have also facilitated contact with a Croatian lawyer to work with us on both processes. It has been helpful to understand timelines and requirements, and they have provided contact with professionals that can be responsible for the aspects that we cannot do on our own.
Helen M.
United Kingdom
Consulting
So far I have only had a consulting session with Sara but it was excellent and all of my questions were answered and I feel totally confident with the information provided. I was also given additional website links after the session so that I could find extra information. I felt totally at ease with Sara who came across as not only a very professional person but very personable. I would most certainly recommend Expat in Croatia to anybody else for whatever assistance they needed, and intend to use the services of a vetted professional in due course.
Natalie P.
United States
Consulting
My husband and I consulted with Sara to find out more about living in Croatia with a digital nomad permit. We asked about options to bring our nanny with us as well as which locations and neighborhoods would best suit our family. We’re so grateful to have a local help us in this venture which gave us so much reassurance and piece of mind before we move across the world!
Robert P.
Australia
Consulting
Useful information was given such as bank accounts, residency and buying properties
Lindsey F.
United States
Consulting
My husband and I met with Sara to discuss our options regarding moving to Croatia. My husband is of Croatian descent but we were unsure of what we would need to present and to who, once we arrived in Croatia. Sara, through her expansive knowledge, was able to direct us to the correct experts and offer alternatives. She made navigating the Croatian immigration process much easier. Sara and her team are exceptional. I cannot recommend them enough; I look forward to continued correspondence with her as we continue through the process.
Michael C.
Australia
Consulting
Very good service. If you are thinking of immigrating to Croatia a chat with Sara is mandatory. There are so many things one must consider. e.g. Immigration procedures and mandatory health care payments etc.
Bernadette B.
United States
Consulting, Introduced to a Professional
My experience to date with Expat in Croatia has been terrific. The website contains a wealth of information which is vetted and updated regularly. After reviewing the website, I scheduled a consultation with Sara Dyson to discuss the process of obtaining citizenship by descent for myself and my siblings. In less than an hour Sara provided a comprehensive, detailed explanation of the process. She answered all my questions about housing, healthcare, and life in Croatia; and the references provided in a follow-up email were extremely helpful. I am especially impressed with the service they offer matching people applying for citizenship with Croatian lawyers who can assist them. It’s not a simple handoff; an Expat in Croatia representative remains engaged through the entire process and acts as a liaison between the client and the attorney. We will definitely be taking advantage of that service as we pursue our dream of obtaining Croatian citizenship. I look forward to working with Sara, Carol Anne and the entire Expat in Croatia team.
View our other related articles
- Everything you need to know about Croatia’s pension system
- How to apply for a work permit
- How to apply for the digital nomad residence permit in Croatia
- How to find a job in Croatia
- How to hire a foreign worker: Labor market test and work permit
- How to hire or work as a freelancer in Croatia
- How to retire in Croatia
- How to sign up for state health insurance in Croatia
- Minimum wage salaries in Croatia
- Types of employment contracts in Croatia
- What to do if your rights as a worker are violated by your employer
- Your rights as a worker
- Does Croatia have a “golden visa”?
- How Croatian diaspora and descendants can apply for temporary residence in Croatia (if you don’t have citizenship yet)
Sources:
Tourist Statistics by EuroStat
Tourism 2021 by Croatian Bureau of Statistics, Tourism 2021
Umirovljeni stranci sve više sele u Hrvatsku by mirovina.hr
Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.
