Cost of living in Croatia: 2026 calculator

How much do you need per month to live in Croatia, as an expat, retiree or digital nomad? The calculator uses official data on rents, electricity and fuel. Change any line to match your situation.

Rents: Ekonomski institut ZagrebElectricity: 2026 tariffFuel: live prices

Calculate your monthly costs

Pre-filled with average values. Change any line that is different for you.

Rent: average contract rent in 2024 according to Ekonomski institut Zagreb (Zagreb €11.3/m², Split 11.0, Zadar 10.3, Rijeka 8.9, Šibenik 7.7). Listings are usually much higher, hence the uplift. Electricity: HEP single tariff 2026 incl. network fees, renewables levy and 13 % VAT. Car: 7 l/100 km at today's petrol price. Groceries, leisure and other items are estimates.
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Is Croatia still cheap?

Croatia is no longer the bargain destination many remember. Since the euro was introduced in 2023, rents, property and restaurant prices on the coast have risen sharply. Electricity, fuel (price-capped), public fees and life in the interior remain cheaper than in most of Western Europe. The average net wage was about €1,511 per month in January 2026 (Croatian Bureau of Statistics, DZS), and around €1,700 to €1,780 in Zagreb.

Rent in Croatia

Ekonomski institut Zagreb analyses actual rental contracts. In 2024 the average monthly rent was €11.3/m² in Zagreb, €11.0/m² in Split, €10.3/m² in Zadar, €8.9/m² in Rijeka and €7.7/m² in Šibenik. A 65 m² flat in Zagreb therefore costs around €730 per month on average.

Listings on property portals are usually much higher. According to Nekretnine.hr, the average asking rent at the end of 2025 was about €14.7/m², and almost €18/m² in Split. On the coast many landlords only rent from October to May because they let to tourists in summer. If you need a year-round lease, start looking in autumn. For Zagreb in detail, see cost of living in Zagreb 2026.

Electricity, water and internet

Electricity is cheaper than in Germany or the UK. On the single tariff a kilowatt-hour costs about 18 cents in 2026 including network fees, the renewables levy and 13 % VAT, plus about €3.50 in fixed monthly fees. At 250 kWh that is roughly €48 a month. In summer, air conditioning often pushes use to 400 to 600 kWh.

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Groceries and eating out

Supermarket prices (Konzum, Lidl, Kaufland, Plodine, Spar) are similar to Germany, and many branded products cost more. Seasonal fruit and vegetables at the local market (tržnica) are cheaper. Restaurants in tourist towns charge noticeably more in summer than in winter or inland. The government caps the prices of a list of basic food items by decree.

Car and fuel

The government sets maximum prices for standard petrol and diesel every week. See today's prices on Croatia fuel prices. If you move to Croatia, you usually have to register your car on Croatian plates once you take up residence; the cost (special motor vehicle tax, technical inspection) depends on the car.

Health insurance

Employees are insured with the state health insurer HZZO through their employer. EU pensioners with public health insurance at home register with HZZO using form S1. HZZO supplementary insurance (dopunsko), which covers co-payments, costs €15 per month since 1 February 2026. Non-EU residents usually need proof of health insurance for their residence permit. More in moving to Croatia and digital nomads in Croatia.

Sources

Ekonomski institut Zagreb (rental market in large cities 2024), Croatian Bureau of Statistics DZS (net wages January 2026), City of Zagreb wage statistics 2026, HEP / Narodne novine 101/2026 (electricity tariffs), HZZO (supplementary insurance from 1 Feb 2026), Ministry of Economy (fuel prices), Nekretnine.hr (asking rents December 2025). As of November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do you need per month in Croatia?
A couple renting 65 m² in Zagreb or Split, with a car and a normal lifestyle, needs roughly €2,000 to €2,500 per month. Owning your home or living inland costs considerably less. Use the calculator for your own case.
What is the average rent in Croatia?
The average contract rent in 2024 was €11.3/m² in Zagreb, €11.0/m² in Split and €10.3/m² in Zadar (Ekonomski institut Zagreb). Listings are usually much higher.
What is the average salary in Croatia?
The average net wage was about €1,511 per month in January 2026 (DZS). The median is lower; about two thirds of employees earn less than the average.
Is electricity expensive in Croatia?
No. On the single tariff a kWh costs about 18 cents in 2026 including network fees and 13 % VAT, plus about €3.50 in fixed fees per month.
Can I live in Croatia on €1,500 a month?
As a single person outside the most expensive coastal towns, or with your own home, yes. Renting alone in central Zagreb, Split or Dubrovnik on €1,500 is tight.
Author and reviewTomislav Kovačec, owner of Supremio Digital, Zagreb

Licensed real estate agent, certified Google Ads professional and registered drone operator (Croatian Civil Aviation Agency). Figures from regulations are checked against official sources and cited with each tool.

Updated: November 2026 · Supremio Digital, Zagreb

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