Prices in Croatia
Tourist often, before their arrival, ask us about prices here in Croatia, especially after the global crises started, lots of people has been asking about this, so to save my selves some work replying on e-mails, I though it was easier to finally post the information on our blogs!
As prices vary a lot inside Croatia (depending on the location), I will indicate a price range, the highest prices you can expect to find in the top tourist areas, like Istria, Dubrovnik and islands, the cheapest prices are found in the mainland, and in the smaller Dalmatian cities.
If you have anything to add, like extremly good offers found here, or othe stuff which could be helpful to other tourist, please fell free to add a comment at the bottom of the page.
Hotels:
The Hotel prices in Croatia, does not seam to have been effect by the global crises, so I still find them to high: (price is per person in double room)
| Categorie | From (low/high season) | To (low/high season) |
| * – ** | 15/30 Euro | 30/60 Euro |
| *** | 25/50 Euro | 60/100 Euro |
| **** | 40/80 Euro | 80/150 Euro |
| ***** | 80/120 Euro | 100/250 Euro |
Accommodation (Private)
I talked with many private owners, most of them are complaining about the low number of bookings, I told them maybe they should lower there price or invest some more in marketing, Although the general reply was no, I have noticed that some of them have started lowering their prices, so this year you can make a good deal. (price per person/day in a full 2-4 persons Unit).
| Categorie | From (low/high season) | To (low/high season) |
| * – ** | 8/12 Euro | 12/16 Euro |
| *** | 12/16 Euro | 16/25 Euro |
| **** | 20/30 Euro | 25/40 Euro |
| ***** | 30/40 Euro | 40/? Euro |
*Like hotels also private accommodation is rated with stars here in Croatia.
Eating out: (restaurants and coffee bars)
Like everywhere else in the world, there is two thinks which seams to mainly determine the prices on a restaurant or a cafe - location and location. So if you like to eat in the best locations you will pay for it, if you on the other hand only are interested in getting some good food, eating out in Croatia is not at all expensive. We (2 adults, 2 kids) normally pay around 35-40 for an evening meal, including soda for the kids and wine for the adults. (this is prices in a regular resturant).
| Product | Normal | Top tourist areas |
| Pizza | 4-6 Euro | +20-40% |
| Pasta dish | 4-6 Euro | +20-40% |
| Salat | 2-3 Euro | +20-40% |
| Dessert | 2-3 Euro | +20-40% |
| 1/2L local beer | >=2 Euro | +20-60% |
| 1/2L Local wine | 4-6 Euro | +20-60% |
| Cappucino | From 1 Euro | up to 3 Euro’s |
Drinking out!
In the late evening ours, you might want to visit the local disco or bar, here you need to know the following, vodka, gin, rum etc are normally available in to variations, the global brands, like Smirnoff, Gordans and Bacardi, but you can also ask for local variations of this, called Domaci rum, Domaci gin etc, if you do so, your drink will only cost half, but the effect will be the same.
|
Product |
Normal |
Top tourist areas |
|
1/2 local beer |
>=2 Euro |
+20-60% |
|
Long dring (domaci) |
>=2 Euro |
+30-60% |
|
Long dring |
3 Euro |
+30-60% |
|
Coke |
>=2 Euro |
+20-40% |
Shopping – daily goods!
There is plenty of supermarkets in Croatia, prices in general are similar to rest of Europe, although you should know that, imported goods (brands you know from home), most properly have higher price then you are used to, local brands on the other hand are normally quite cheap.
Our personal preference is to shop at Lidl as we find them having good leverage between price and quality of their products.
Shopping other goods and service:
Global brands (imported goods) will cost you almost the same as in your home country, Be aware! If you find global brands products at a bargain price, this might be a copy, so don’t bring it to Italy on your way home.
Dentist service and other service related to healthcare, are competitive with most European countries, and the service standard are normally very good.
As Croatia are still not in the EU, (not regulated by EU law) you could have high rates on using your Mobile phone, so if you want to be on the safe side, you should buy a calling card, which can be found on the local post office, and in kiosk like Slobodna Dalmacija or Glas Istra.
Other prices / cost which might be of interest:
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I will be interailing and finishing in split in august.My flight home is from Zadar.Is it possible to Island hop from Split to Bol to Hvar to Pag and the arrive in Zadar in 10 days?If so how much would the boat rides cost?If not what is the cheapest way of getting from split to Zadar?
Hi Peter
You can do island from Split to Bol and Bol to Jelsa on hvar, but going to Pag would not be possible. (The catamaran Split-bol-Jelsa sails every day)
You can see ferry Schedules and prices at Jadrolinijas homepage , i think a trip with the Catamaran is about 25 kn.
As there is no ferry from Hvar to Pag, you will have to go by bus from Split to Zadar, buses leave very frequent, there are to options costal bus and highway bus, the later being the fastest, prices for bus should be around 80-90 kuna
Here you can find the bus schedules from Split busstation Schedule Split Bus
regards
Morten
Hi I was just wondering if you know the best way to get from Dubrovnik to Zadar? Have been looking everywhere but not having the best of luck being able to find out if I can book anything. Also how much would it cost.
I might end up just going from Split to Zadar because may be easier, to get the bus, can you pre book? or its easier to do once your in croatia?
Thankyou
Hi Sonia
it is no problem for you to get with the bus from Dubrovnik to Zadar, currently there are 7 daily departures, you can see the departures here http://www.libertasdubrovnik.com/
I am sure in main season there will even be more departures, so it should be quite easy to find a bus connection. There is no need for booking up front, just go there one day before and buy a ticket.
Be aware that you most properly have to bus connection, one going by the costal road, which offers you a fantastic view, but also takes longer time, alternative you will also have bus going via the new Croatian Motorway.
i am not sure about time and cost but i would estimate the costal road bus will take 7 hours, and the Motorway bus 5.5 hours, price should be around 100-120 kuna or so.
Hope this information helped you.
regards
Morten
just browsed thru the site, solitum very nice easy read site, as regards prices, I just give up. price of jaffa cakes cheaper in small local store, than in big konzum, peanuts 3x the price in other small store than in store beside it!!! enjoy the summer gobrea……
The supermarkets are masters in deceiving us with their prices on some product, but I guess they speculate that most consumers just don’t have the time to visit 10 different places for the weekly shopping. I wish you a great summer also…
hi i want to travel from rijeka to dubrovnick by ferry return via split on the return jorney, iv been looking for ferrys but i cant find costs , any help would be great , also do the ferries travel by day ? thanks
Hi Simon
The ferry leaves Rijeka at 20:00 on monday and friday nigths, and arrives in Dubrovnik at 16:15 / 14:30 the day after.
Prices for ticket starts at 34 Euro for a Deck ticket going up to 97 Euro/person for a 2 berth outside cabin.
On way back to Split you have ferry leaving Dubrovnik Tuesday and Sunday at 10:00 with arrival in Split at 20:00.
Price for ticket Dubrovnik – Split is 17.5 Euro for a deck ticket.
Regards
Morten
Hello. Your site is very interesting.
Between 27th June and 4th of July I will visit Croatia.
Many people say it is the most beautiful country in Europe.
I will visit Dubrovnik, Split, Sibenik, Trogir, Plitvice Park, Zagreb, Rijeka, Porec, Rovinj, Pula and Krk Island.
In the first two days, I will stay at a hotel at Knin, then I will stay at a hotel in the city of Buzet, near the border with Slovenia.
Anyway, there is a border row between Croatian and Slovenia that involves a part of border at the Adriatic Sea, near the city of Piran, which would allow the slovene ships the access to the international seas.
The maritime border between Croatia and Slovenia has never been exactly delimited while the two states were members of Yugoslavia.
I will stay at a hotel in Buzet closely to the border with Slovenia.
Will this border row between the two countries will affect the tourists who will visit Croatia?
The local coin is Kuna in Croatia. 7 kuna is about 1 euro.
Buzet is famous for the truffle and olive oil.
How much would cost me a bottle of olive oil, chocolate, a bottle of wine, a bread, cheese, fish?
Are prices all the same in Croatia, or in Split and Dubrovnik are more expensive than in the towns from Istria Peninsula?
Should I buy products from big supermarkets, or from small grocery stores or from merchants from markets?
Regards
Andrei
Hi Andrei,
Sounds like you will be travelling a lot, the place you mentioned are all very interesting so I am sure you will not be disappointed.
Staying close to the Slovenian border, in Buzet, should not be any problem at all, so don’t worry about that. And you are right about the truffle the area around Buzet, Motovun and Groznjan is know for it truffles, so you should try some of the food served in the area, with the local truffle.
The currency here in Croatia is Kuna, for one Euro you will get around 7.15 – 7.20 Kuna.
Istrian (costal cities) and Dubrovnik are the most expensive places in Croatia, but still affordable, in Dalmatian and especially in Knin prices for eating out, accommodation are 30-40% cheaper.
Here is some of the price you asked for:
1 Liter of (local) olive oil will cost you around 12 Euro – if you can by it directly by the producer / farmer you get lowest price.
Chocolate – is relatively expensive here, brands like Milka and Ritter sport, will cost you around 1.3 Euro for a 100 gram chocolate block.
Wine – again here if you can by at local farmer or in one of the small local wine shops where you have to bring your own bottle, you can get a decent wine for 3 Euro.
Bread is very cheap, for 1 Euro you get huge bread in most bakeries.
Cheese – varies depending on which cheese you had in mind?
Fish – you can buy fresh fish at fish markets or supermarkets prices starting from about 50-60 kuna / kg.
If you have to shop big, you should go to one of the bigger supermarkets, as prices are lower there.
Hope you have nice holiday here in Croatia
Regards
Morten
Hi,My husband and myself will be visiting your country in aug, but were also looking to drive around to other countries like Slovinia,montenigro,bulgaria,albenia.I was wondering if we rent a car from istanbul will we need a special car pass to drive through all these countries,and does it take long to go through the borders?does one have to carry the local currency or do most places accept the euro?
thanks
sonia
Hi Sonia
I am not aware of how it is to enter and exit Albania, but in the other countries you should normally not have any problems, except the fact that you might run in to some waiting time at the borders.
You would have to check with car rental companies, if they have any special requirement for taking car to the countries you mentioned, I could imagine that not all car companies would let you drive to Albania.
I think you can bring Euro every where and then exchange locally or use ATM machines, some countries has limits to the amount of cash you can enter with, but if you bringing in amount to cover your normal holiday spending, this is for sure no problem
Regards
Morten
Hiya – Your site is very useful and informative with lots of interesting features and comments. Myself, my daughter of 15, my other half, his daughter (26)will be having 2 weeks holiday between Trogir and Marina(Polijica) in July.
I am looking forward to holidaying in your beautiful country and hope to see Krka, especially rafting on Cetina, Salona, going on boat rides and maybe taking the ferry to Dubrovnik. However we are restricted with our budget. Excursions add up especially when there are 4 of you. Automatic car hire is expensive (cheapest £570 for 2 weeks) and my other half does not do manuals.
We have been quoted 450kn for transfer from Split to Polijica (near Marina) via Trogir where the agent is and same for return. Is this reasonable?
I would so hate to just sit in the apartment/beach for 2 weeks and not experience your country, especially after reading so much about it but the holiday seems to be getting more and more expensive.
Regards Jenny
Hi Jenny
i am glad to here you like our blog. I am sure you will enjoy down here, there are lots of beautiful places to see, i can highly recommend the places you mentioned, right now i am exploring Korcula island in the southern part of Croatia.
Regarding car rental, in main season it is difficult to get much better price then the one you mentioned, but the quote you got on the transfer you got to Polijica is far to expensive, price should be around 200 – 250 kuna? from who did you get this quote? send me a mail, then i can give you e mail address to few companies who should be able give you a better price.
Brgds
Morten
Hey,
I live in Canada right now but want to move to zagreb for maybe a year. Obviously staying in a hotel or even hostel would be quite expensive over time, I am curious how much do you see reasonable 1/2 room apartments go for around Croatia in the bigger places like zagreb or split?
I pay right now $600 a month rent in Canada which is about 2,780 kuna’s per month.
I have searched around the web for actual long term apartment rentals in zagreb or around croatia but have not been too successful as I am really only seeing holiday places that are for rent for 1 to 2 weeks, and not the month to month basis I am looking for.
All the Best Morten,
Cody
Hey Cody
this time a year it is hard to find apartments at least a long the coast, as most people rent them out for the tourist, Zagreb should be another story, there is one web page on Croatian language only, where you can find lots of smaller apartments mainly for students, if i find page i will mail the address to you.
You should be able to find a smaller apartment for around 300 Euro month or even less in Zagreb. If you rather want to stay in Split, you might have to contact an agents, normally you can negotiate that the find you something for the price of 1 months rents.
brgds
Morten
Hey Morten,
Thanks for the quick reply. 300 – 400 Euros per month sounds decent. How many Euros per month would you say is living above average in say… Zagreb?
I was told by someone who has family there that 900 Euros per month income would be living above average.
BTW I went to Zagreb for 5 days back in 06′ and it really is the best place I have been! Amazing everything there and I can’t wait to get back there for a much longer stay.
Cody
For 900 Euros you should for sure be able to get a long in Zagreb, of course if you everyday visit restaurants and bars, you might need more, but for normal life 900 Euros should for sure be enough.
Morten
Hey,
Thanks for the info Morten. I think when Croatia gets into the EU that things are going to get more expensive and harder for the local people on low income monthly wages… What are your thoughts?
That is what I have heard happen to other countries with some similarities.
Cody.
Hey Cody,
lets hope that the prices stay on a decent level, that is very important for the tourist industry down here.
Morten
@Cody
Sadly that happened in every transition country and it will happen in Croatia too for sure
Hey Morten,
i would like to visit in August the city of Split and the sorroundings towns (Primosten, Sibenik) by bus but i don’t find information about the bus ticket prices. Can you help me? How much are the tickets for example from Split to Sibenik? Or is it possible to buy a combinate ticket? Can i find a website, where i can get information about this prices?
Thank you very much the information!
Kriszti
Hi Kriszti
I am not aware of any page who also informs about the prices of bus tickets, but i would guess the Prise for bus ticket Split – Sibenik should be around 60 kuna (8.5 Euro) if you take coastal bus, if you take motorway bus, it might be a bit more expensive. I don’t think they have any combinate ticket.
Any i am just working on a small Croatia bus guide, if i stumble on to more detailed information in that relation i will let you know.
Morten
Hi, Your site is very helpful. I wonder if you could give me a rough idea of how much spending money to take for 2 adults who are already staying in a hotel in istria on half board basis for one week. We wont plan to hire a car or make any long trips, we will visit churches and get the bus when possible. We are just not sure how much money we will need for lunch and drinks and we are on a budget. Thanks
HI Zoe
My calculation would look like this. Daily lunch in restaurant (Pizza, salad, pasta dish, and 1 soft drink/beer) 60-70 kuna a person, bus tickets 15-25 kuna, drinks during the day (1 coffee, 1 bier or wine in cafe, water from supermarket) 35-40 kuna. So in total that would sum up to maximum 250 Kuna a day for both of you, if you replace lunch with sandwich you should be able to stay well below 200 Kuna.
Morten
Hello,
thank you for very useful information. We plan to travel to croatia in few weeks with friends by car and we planned to stay at campings. Now, then i’ve read your article i have one question: you wrote that cheapest private acommodation in high season afordable for ~12-16 EUR. Campings prices that i’ve found on the net are much higher, like 15-25 EUR per person (including car and pitch price). So is there campings overpriced in Croatia or i was just looking at the wrong place?
Kind regards,
Elvinas
Well camping is not more expensive then in Italy, did yo have a look at the http://www.camping.hr page, their you have most of the camps in Croatia.
Apartment is normally cheapest way to stay, of course depending on which location / city you would like to stay in.
hi dear
I would like to inform you that your website is very helpful and including many information that person need it. Actually I am planning to move to Croatia and live in Split city with my family (wife & 2 kids) and I will be thanks if you provide me with some information that’s I need it
Please could you inform me how much approximately we need for family per month without house rent as “salary only”, and how much it will cost for a house rent ( space 65 sq meter)
best regards
bahzad
Hi Bahzad
i would say you need 500-600 Euro for food etc, apartment of 65 sq meter you can get for about 400 Euro a month, at the end it of course depend of your specific requirement
brgds, Morten
hi
do you no anything about petrcane or things you can do there i am going to a music festival there at the start of august and plan on staying on a bit:D
Hi Morgan
I only know place it not very big, what stuff did you have in mind, cultural sights or more in direction evening entertainment?
For cultural part you have Zadar and Nin as option.
In terms of nightlife, there should be one god Disco in Petrcane as far as i know, and not far from there you have the Camp Zaton, which has big Disco next to the camp site.
Is it possible to go Split-Bol in the morning and leave Bol for Split in the afternoon/night? Can’t figure out the ferry-timetable….seems like the ferry leaves Split at ca. 16:00, and that seems to late to spend the day on Bol without staying the night.
Ivana
Hi Ivana, catamaran ferriers are scheduled according to the needs of the people living on the island which means, early in the morninge catamaran leaves for mainland and in the afternoon it returns to the island. So only way to get to island early in the morning is to take car ferry to Supetar and then bus from there to Bol
brgds, Morten
hello first of all you are so cute and helpfull thank you verry much:)
i want to came Croatia,and i want to travel with bus.I can find same web site about buses but i couldn t find bus prices.Can you advise me any web site about this.I want to go first from Ljubliana to Rijeka and than from Rijeka to Split and finaly form Split to Dubrovnik.Can you help me about bus prices…thank you very muchh
Hi Tuan, we are glad your like our work.
Regarding the bus, i am afraid there is no page which include fair tickets, so you will have to settle with a estimate from my site. Prises domestic buses is about 50 lipa to 1 kuna per km, the longer the trip the lower the price, so i would guess you would have to pay 120 kuna (17 Euro) from Ljubljana to Rijeka, 160 (23 Euro) kuna from Rijeka to Split and 100 kuna from Split to Dubrovnik.
hi can any one suggest me what are the best places to visit croatia. iam lokking for a week vacation in croatia. if possible what will be the maximum price for a week.
Hi Jai
There is lots of nice place down here, what are your holiday preferences? Action, Culture, Beach?
If you travel in main season Jul/Aug you should count on paying 25 Euro per person for sleeping, for “living cost” i normally calculate 200 kuna per day (28 Euro), this include food, drinks and, small entrance / city/local bus tickets and a restaurant visit in the evening, but of course hanging out till 3 in the morning will increase the budget.
So for a week you should calculate to spend 300-400 Euro, in addition to this comes the fees for Bus transfers, Excursion, ferry tickets, bike or car rent etc and cost for party nights
hii
maybe this is a bit off topic, but are there any dolphins in croatia, google has not been verry helpfull
Hi Christine
I know the following places where you could be lucky to spot a Dolphin, first place is north of island Cres, second place is a the south end of Hvar Island, there is for sure also other place, i actually sometimes have spotted dolphins from my balcony in Split
brgds, Morten
Hi….Your advice on prices in Croatia is very helpful.
We are sailing up the coast for a week, island hopping. Will we need to mainly take kuna or will people readily accept Euros or indeed credit cards?
Many thanks,
Hi David
By law regular Croatian companies are only allowed accept Kuna, but if you bring credit card you should be fine, more or less everyone accept, Visa, Amex, Master and Dinners card.
Brgds, Morten
Hi,
I am travelling to Cavtat on Sunday with my boyfriend, I have about 5500.00 Kunas between us and are going self catering during the day and probably going for a meal and drinks in evening, do you think this will be enough or should I think about swapping over some more currency?
Thanks =D
Hi Sarah
For both of you a average daily budget of 400 kuna for food, drinks, bus tickets should fine, so if you are not staying longer then 14 days, i would say you have enough Kunas.
Thanks =D
Just there for a week. Hoping to do a couple of excursions too, so hopefully have enough!
If you keep away from the 5 star restaurant and bars, you should have plenty of cash also for some nice excursions.
Aww thanks.
Sorry to pick your brains, are there many excursions from Cavtat to Montenegro?
I would assume you have excursion from Cavtat to Montenegro, if not you for sure have from Dubrovnik, but i have no clue how many excursion there are to Montenegro -:)
Hi,
We will be visiting Split, in September for a few days, sailing one day and sight seeing. 2 days total. Can you recommend a good restaurrant in Split, especailly for groups who are visiting for the first time? It would be great to taste local dishes, also for lunch?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Selay
I would recommend you Konoba Maslina, address Teutina 1a, Tel: 021-314988 – it is advisable to book table as the restaurant is quit popular.
Another option could be to go to Klis and have Lam on a spit, which is a speciality in this area.
We have just returned from 2 weeks in Croatia – one of the best holidays we’ve had. It was very hot (for us) and we just relaxed mostly by the pool and sea with occasional ventures to Trogir and local towns. This time we didnt have car hire and used taxis and local buses and had exciting adventures. The locals were very friendly and helpful and prices were very reasonable compared with many other countries that we’ve been. We would love to visit Croatia again soon before it gets too touristy (perhaps when its cooler). Thank you for all your help and advice Morten. Your website has been very informative. Just sorry that we didnt manage to spend much time in Split and visit you.
Hi Jenny
I am really glad to here that you had an enjoyable holiday here in Croatia, and I am glad to here that some of our information was helpful, I hope you will have opportunity to visit Croatia and the Split area again, if so your have open invitation for a Dalmatian stile coffee!
Kindest regards, Morten
Dear all,
it’s so nice to see we’re helping each other to spend a comfortable holiday in Croatia. I have one quick question – what are the prices in Supetar on the Brac island (please include only prices in bars, food market and stores, I already arranged accommodation from 15th of August ’till the end of the month)?
Wishing you all great holiday and good health,
Pera
P.S. Fast food prices would be very welcome!
Hi Pera, prices in Supetar should be in the mid price range according to the prices above, which means that you should expect to pay around 15 kuna for 1/2 liter of draft beer and a long drink, cocktail 30-40 kuna, white coffee 10 kuna.
Fast food prices:
Pizza slice 10 Kuna
Hamburg or sandwich (at Local fast food restaurant ) 10 -15 kuna
Mcdonalds meal (only in Split) 30 Kuna
Enjoy your holiday, brgds – Morten
PS: there is very nice beach in Supetar
Thank You so much for Your help!
Best,
Pera
hi, we are a young couple and we would like to visit croaatia this month,we are more intersted in cities with more entretainement by night such clubing,but we dont know withch part is best, or witch city,and i would also like to know the prices of driknks in clubs, and room prices in these cityes! thank you!
best regards!
Hi Donik
I would recommend Split or Zadar, both of them has very nice old town which is perfect place to start and evening party, in terms of clubs, the also have some interesting places e.g. in Zadar you have the Garden, In Split you have Hemmingway and Vanilla.
As alternative to the two towns you could consider the party beach Zrce in the island Pag.
Long drinks in the old town are around 20 Kuna and Cocktails around 35-40 kuna in the in clubs It might be a bit more expensive.
You should be able to find nice rooms in both cities from 15-20 Euro/person.
Brgds, Morten
Your site is so helpful. I will be visiting in October and I was wondering if you can tell me if I can get a bus from Zadar Airport to Island of Pag. Flight arriving 21.00 hrs. I will be travelling on my own with child is it safe to get bus at this time and how much would it cost. Thanks for help. Bernie.
I’m originally from the Caribbean and enjoy travelling. I’m considering a 3-month visit in winter to either Croatia or Montenegro. I’ve also been previously to the Italian Riviera and might go there instead.
A couple of deciding factors are the warmth of the reception from locals and the warmth of the weather.
I had a grand old time in Italy (not partying, as I don’t go to bars; just enjoying the beach, and taking in the cultural sights) and found the people quite congenial. The weather was also great, but this was in the summer. Would Italy be warmer that your neck of the woods in winter? I suppose that you can’t go swimming anywhere in the region from December to March….
My impression is that Croatia and Montenegro would have very little experience with Caribbean visitors. Have you any idea what I should expect?
Just want to add my thanks for your site. It’s awesome! A really useful resouce.
Hi Bernie
As far as I know lat bus from Zadar to Pag leaves at 8 PM from the main bus station, so you might have to take an overnight in Zadar somewhere.
Regarding safety you have nothing to worry about also when you travel by bus in the evening.
Brgds, Morten
Hi drew
To my experience as a foreigner the majority of the local people always welcome you with open arms, so in that relation you should not have any problems here.
When it comes to the temperature, you might find it a bit cold here, temperature stays above 0 but in the winter months, but from time to time you have a strong wind called Bura, during days of Bura the felt temperature is very very cold.
I have not met any people from Caribbean here, so it is for sure not the type of visitors which people are used to around here, but I think you would be fine.
Around Split we have a small international community, with people from UK, Ireland, US, Australia, Spain, German and a few other countries.
Brgds, Morten
Thanks for the answer Morten. I guess I shouldn’t pack the shorts and sandals then for a winter visit, but bring a parka and thick wool socks instead . Thanks again.
Yes i think so Drew, i get really chili when the Bora blow, if even happens we have snow on the mountains when we wake up in the morning.
Hi Morten,
Thank you so much for replying. I can’t believe how helpful you are. I am really looking forward to visiting. Will it be a problem to get from Pag to the Lakes National Park in October.
Thanks,
Bernie.
Hi Bernie
I guess you mean the National Park Plitvice lakes, from Pag island it would take you quite a few ours (I think around 4-5) to go there, so i would suggest you consider staying overnight at the Plitvice lake, are you staying in town Pag or in Novalja or some other place on the pag island?
If you stay in Pag town, you can take early bus to Zadar, from Zadar there is then a 2 – 2.5 hour drive to Plitvice lakes, which means you could be in Plitvice around 11 AM, then you have time enough to see the park, before it gets dark.
Brgds, Morten
Hi Morten,
Your website is very usefull. I am looking at booking a stag trip for my brother for about 10-20 guys aged between 23-30. Would you recommend Zagreb? What are the prices like for local beer, pizza etc.
Also what location should our hotel/hostel be located in?
Thanks
Paul
Hi Paul,
What time of the year is the trip? In winter half year I would recommend Zagreb, in summer you should go for some where on the coast. In Zagreb you can find meals from 30-35 Kuna (main course), local draft beer from 12-15, in the more exclusive restaurant main course is 100 – 150 kuna and wine from 200 kuna and up.
In terms of location, I would look for something in the centre, or something close to a tram station, then it is easy to get around.
Here is some of place I like to visit in Zagreb, Mexican restaurant on Savska, meal price 60-70 kuna, Movie pub also on Savska, great selection of draft beer and whiskeys,
Restaurant MU on Vukovara, excellent steak house, meal price 100 – 150, excellent wine selection. Night club Hemmingway Zagreb is great spot, but a bit expensive.
Brgds, Morten
I just now got around to shopping at LIDL. and I love it! Reminds me of a grocery store we had back home in Iowa (it was called ALDI-same german concept) and I guess prices at Lidl are cheaper because no 23% sales tax on their merchandise.
LOVE Your website! It is confirmed, we will be hiking this weekend @ Mosor Mountains.
thanks again,
Thanks Elisa,
We do 80% of our shopping in LIDL, they just have good products, and they are also paying the 23% Sales tax, so that is not the reason why they are cheaper.
Have a nice Hiking trip to Mosor, is a great experience
Morten
I Must disagree with your expert comments.I am an Irishman.
I have lived in Zadar for 9 years now with my Croatian wife and food shopping here is a RIP-OFF. LIDL are not as cheap as they are in the rest of Europe and all Grocery shopping is 20 – 25 percent more expensine than all other European countries. How can that be with the average wage being so low. We (Yes me included I have Croatian Nationality) should stand up in our Democracy and start a campaign as they did in the UK called RIP OFF BRITAIN….. the prices in shops dropped 25 percent after 2 years of constant media attention. Instead we wander round like sheep letting the retailers price set everything in the shops at there monthly meeting in Zagreb over lobster and fine wine. I thought Croatians had fight in them to stop this disgusting behaviour. Mayby the peasant party should not be allowed so much credence in Government as it is them who profiteer from elevated product prices. I love my home Croatia, but the hypocrisy is infuriating. Time to stand up and be counted !!!!!!
Hi Patrick
I am not sure which part you disagree with, as I wrote imported goods are most properly more expensive here, compare to what people are used to in their home country.
Locally produced product which require low amount of labor, like bread, fruit, vegetables is quite cheap here, we montly spend around half the money on food compared to our friends back in Denmark.
The main reason why imported goods and goods which require high level of labor is expensive here, is mainly do to the following.
The distribution network in Croatia, is run by a few companies, who has a lot of power, they charge a lot for their service, but main reason is that Croatia has the highest income tax (including fee for social security etc). in the world, this makes everything quite expensive. So when you stage that wage are low, this is simply not true, what is low is the net payment, but the gross payment and especially the additional cost which the employer has for social security, combined with the low productivity, is actually the main reason why stuff gets expensive here, and also reason why Croatia is very uncompetitive compared to countries like e.g. Bulgaria and Romania.
So if people want more out of their net salary, they should not protest against the super market, but they should elect some people in favour of serious reduction of the employment cost, but here the problem is that most people consider income tax, as something which the employer pays, not as something which they are actually paying from the gross wage.
So how does the local get a long? A large part lives in a flats owned by them or the family, so they don’t have any rent to pay, those who have struggle.
Morten
Dear Morten, Thank you for your reply.
Many Imported goods in Croatia are in fact a lot cheaper than the local produce.I was simply referring to the comparisons between the prices in LIDL UK/BULGARIA/GERMANY/FRANCE etc. which are all around 25-35% cheaper than in Croatia. A quick browse on the internet and you can download the local LIDL weekly Brochures for all countries which show the prices in euros and all products are the same make and manufacturer.
I’m glad you mentioned Denmark as a comparison, rather elevated cost of living I believe.
In Croatia. The applicable tax rate is 20% to the first amount HRK 3,750 per month and 35% thereafter. The minimum wage for the period from 1 June 2009 to 31 May 2010 in the Republic of Croatia will amount to 2 814.00 kuna. (published in Official Gazette No. 65/2009.) So the majority of Croatians who earn the basic minimum wage pay 20% taxes. Not the highest in the world.
In the UK for example all employees pay taxes, 2 of which are 1. Income tax Basic rate 20% and 2. National Insurance contributions (NICs)social security benefits / health etc.. basic Rate 11%. This equates to a minimum tax of 31% of Gross salary.
UK National Minimum Wage rates rose from October 2009, with the minimum rate for workers aged 22 and over rising to £5.80 an hour.
Therefore a normal and legal 8 hour day (40 hour week) equates to £232.00 per week x by 4.2 weeks equals £974.00 per month minimum wage for the lowest paid workers. This at today’s rate from HNB is about HRK 8,006.00.
A lot higher than the lowest wages for workers in Croatia and yet somehow the manufacturer’s and Retailers in the UK seem to cover these additional costs fine, without elevating their prices to ridiculous levels !!!
I sort of understand your argument but unfortunately your figures or in fact the Croatian Governments official figures do not add up or even provide a credible argument.
Kind Regards
Patrick Zadar
Dear Patrick
I am aware that Lidl is much cheaper in countries like Germany or France, reason for that is those I mentioned (Cost of distribution, Highest effective tax pressure (including cost for social security) and lower productivity.)
But if you buy the right local product at the right time a year, you can actually live relatively cheap here.
You obviously oversaw the thing in mention in brackets (including fee for social security etc). The effective income tax In Croatia, is among the two highest in the world, please check out the KMPG tax survey for 2009, The survey is based on 100.000 dollars income, but when you read below, you will understand that the position as one of the worlds top tax country, also is valid for lower incomes.
From the amount which leaves the employers bank account, before it ends up on the employee bank account, you have to DEDUCT, income tax, contribution to health insurance, contribution to pension, city tax and one more thing which I forgot. At the level of the minimum wage you can count that you have deduct an additional 20% in addition to the 20% tax you mention. So by a minimum wage of 2.814 kuna the cost from an employer point of view is around 4.500- 4.700 kuna.
The average reported net wage in July this year was 5.308 the average gross wage 7.700, on top of the gross wage, the employer has to pay his part of the pension and the health insurance which means the total employer cost would be around 9 – 9.500 kuna. Which means that the effective tax rate, by a gross wage at this level, is around 40 -44% I don’t think many countries can compete with that numbers. I terms of average salary also remember that there is huge black economic which, pulls the average salary down.
I hope this give you a clear picture, that the real problem here is the effective tax rate.
PS: When you talk about minimum wages and wages in general in UK do you talk about net or gross salary, what figures does statistical office report?
Regards Morten
I’m planing to move to Croatia and open a Bistro either in Zagreb or Dubrovnik .
Do you think opening a Bistro in Zagreb / Dubrovnik is a profitable business ?
Hi Josh, that is really hard to say.
In Split a few foreigners have succeeded with restaurants and juice bars, so i guess it is possible.
Morten
Hello,
First off this is a great blog and incredibly informative and I thank you very much for doing such a great job answering peoples questions.
I have applied for a job at Pujanke Elementary School there in Split and my question is how much do I ask for as salary? The job is to be a full time English teacher there. I am a certified teacher here in the U.S. with 4 years experience. I have taught a year abroad before in Brazil and I am fluent in the Croatian language. A teacher here in the U.S. averages $35,000.00 which is about 187,000 Kune but I am not sure that is too high of a wage to ask for there with round trip airfare from the U.S. for my wife and myself.
While there I will need to make enough to pay rent and support my wife and myself (food, utilities, bus fare, small entertainment budget, etc.) So how much do I need to accomplish this and what do I ask for?
Also how hard would it be for my wife to get basically any job there? She speaks French, German, and English but does not speak Croatian. She is a licensed dietitian here in the U.S. but is not opposed to working as a waitress or in a hotel and could nanny or be an interpreter for English or French families as well. So really is there jobs there for English speakers who aren’t picky?
Anyway thank you ahead of time for taking time to read my questions and answer them.
Sincerely,
Nikola Spasic
Hi Nikola,
First of all thanks for the nice feedback on our blog.
That sounds quite interesting with the English teacher job, I have interviewed quite a few young people who had horrible English (worse then mine), so learning it from a native speaker would of course be great chance for the kids in Pujanke.
Regarding what salary to ask for as a teacher? I have absolutely no clue, but what I will do, is to ask my daughters teacher, she is a school teacher, so most properly she knows the answer. (My feeling although is that the amount would be lover then the 187.000 Kuna)
Did you read my article about Income tax in Croatia? If not you can do it here.
According to the latest survey from the chamber of economy, 70% of the Croatian households have insufficient income, the average cost of living for a two person household is 8.800 kuna and the average income only 6.660 kuna, which of course is not a perfect situation.
But I think you can actually run a 2 person household for the around 7.000 kuna especially if you don’t spend money on a car, but of course depending on which kind of apartment you would be looking for.
Getting a job for your wife would not be that easy, but if she starts learning Croatian I think actually she has good chances. This year a 4 and 5 stars Hotel will open here in Split, you could maybe try to contact Hotel Split (Radisson blue resort) and also the new Hotel Hilton.
I will send you a mail when I have new information about the salary level.
Brgds, Morten
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