By Betsy Burlingame
Article Link: http://www.expatexchange.com/lib.cfm?articleID=4638
Summary: Croatia is an astoundingly beautiful country that lies along the Adriatic Sea. Expats discuss why they love living in Croatia, the challenges of expat life there, buying property in Croatia and much more.
"First of all, Croatia is a beauty! The long coastline, from high up near Italy to deep south Albania is one long stretch of magnificent views with hundreds (if not thousands) of islands. It's history dates back to the old Roman days, with for example the palace of Diocletian in Split as an example, no doubt Dubrovnik, and many more ancient towns and places. And, however winters are chilly, spring starts early and summer ends late, all of it at the coast under palm trees, oranges and lemons. It's nature is pure and mainly unspoiled, with a high amount of national parks and protected areas. Life is easy going still, in this catholic country, especially in Dalmatia. If you have seen enough stress, heard enough noise, Croatia is a perfect place to retire, and depending on your needs, life is cheap too," said one expat living in Dubrovnik.
"Medical care is well organised with English speaking doctors all around. The big cities have quality hospitals, the smaller towns have at least a first aid. Medical care is below average in price, and cheap compared to the USA," explained one expat. An expat from the EU said, "EU medical card gives access to local medical services. An additional insurance policy provides a top up. Local doctor and medical centre 5km away. Hospital 25km away."
According to the US State Department, "health-care facilities in Croatia, although generally of Western caliber, are under severe budgetary strain. Some medicines are in short supply in public hospitals and clinics. There are numerous private medical and dental practitioners, and private pharmacies stock a variety of medicines not readily available through public health facilities. Tick-borne encephalitis, a disease preventable with a three-shot vaccination series, is found throughout inland Croatia, but is not prevalent along the coast."
An expat who built a home warned, "we built one [a home], and no, it's not an easy process. Building is a bargain over here, the quality is ok, but the paperwork may kill you. And more important, the registration of ownership in Croatia still is horrible, so TAKE CARE that your dream property does not become a nightmare." Another expat who bought a home said, "[we] purchased property with land. Process not difficult. Find a property you like. Find an independent lawyer, i.e., not the one retained by the real estate company. Exchange a contract stating that subject to the legal process being completed satisfactorily, you agree to buy and pay a refundable deposit. The lawyer needs to make sure the property does not have any liens and the owner(s) actually own what they say and can sell it. That took 9 months. Go to a Notary with the seller and your lawyer and sign in front of the Notary the purchase contract. Immediately after go to the bank and transfer the purchase price, then the property is yours."
An expat in Split, Croatia said, "the expats are mainly German. Few are English speaking. This is a highly seasonal area. The places open in May and close in September. During the tourist season, there is considerable night life, great restaurants, cafes etc. In the winter, it is just locals. The history goes back 3,000 years. Vast number of historic sites, nearby national parks, the Adriatic to swim in and for water sports. You can do as much or as little as you want."
"No need for expat communities, but with a couple of international friends too. Croatia knows many cultural attractions, especially in Zagreb and Split, with tons of festivals, concerts and expositions. Recreation, certainly for active people is all around, and at least half the year the Adriatic offers all options for water lovers," described an expat in Dubrovnik.
According to Wikipedia, Croatian is the standardized variety if the Serbo-Croatian language spoken in Croatia. "At least try to communicate in its language a bit. However, Croatia, like most modern Western countries, is easy when you speak English, as much of its information is available in English. (And youngsters do understand or speak it too, being modern kids from modern schools)," advised an expat in Croatia.
According to the CIA's World Factbook, "although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before occupying Serb armies were mostly cleared from Croatian lands, along with a majority of Croatia's ethnic Serb population. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. The country joined NATO in April 2009 and the EU in July 2013.
Though still one of the wealthiest of the former Yugoslav republics, Croatia's economy suffered badly during the 1991-95 war. The country's output during that time collapsed, and Croatia missed the early waves of investment in Central and Eastern Europe that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall. Between 2000 and 2007, however, Croatia's economic fortunes began to improve with moderate but steady GDP growth between 4% and 6% led by a rebound in tourism and credit-driven consumer spending. Inflation over the same period remained tame and the currency, the kuna, stable. Croatia experienced an abrupt slowdown in the economy in 2008 and has yet to recover; economic growth was stagnant or negative in each year since 2009. Difficult problems still remain, including a stubbornly high unemployment rate, uneven regional development, and a challenging investment climate. Croatia continues to face reduced foreign investment. On 1 July 2013 Croatia joined the EU, following a decade-long application process. Croatia will be a member of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism until it meets the criteria for joining the Economic and Monetary Union and adopts the euro as its currency. EU accession has increased pressure on the government to reduce Croatia’s relatively high public debt, which triggered the EU’s excessive deficit procedure for fiscal consolidation. Zagreb has cut spending since 2012, and the government also raised additional revenues through more stringent tax collection and by raising the Value Added Tax. The government has also sought to accelerate privatization of non-strategic assets, with mixed success."
Your residency status depends upon where you are from, whether you have relatives in Croatia and whether you are going to be working in Croatia. Croatia's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs covers conditions for temporary or permanent stay of foreigners in Croatia.
"Croatia is part of EU - so as an EU citizen moving here is easy. Obtaining the local Residency card which is not a requirement, but having one opens up access to all the locals discounts was easy. Get a form from the police station. Produce bank statement to show pension income, European medical card, retirement certificate and passport photo. Pay fee at Government bank and produce receipt and a temporary card is issued there and then at the police station. 3 weeks later collect permanent card," commented one expat from the EU. "A visum to start with, a permit after that, and no, it's not as easy as it could/should be for retiring people (bringing their money with them). I still say 'hey Zagreb (the capital), get some more people like us'," warned another expat.
Access to public transportation depends upon where you live in Croatia. An expat in Split said, "a car is required. Taxis are costly, but the bus service which is good, only operates between main centres." Another expat in Dubrovnik explained, "public transportation is prominent, railroads just basic, but the highways are excellent. Airports in many places, with a high content of international connections. Driving, flying, ferries, it's all there, and of good quality. One does not need a car, however having one is an advantage."
According to the US Embassy in Zagreb, "an international driver's license is valid only when used in conjunction with a valid license from the U.S. It must be obtained in the U.S., prior to travel. According to Croatian law, U.S. citizens in Croatia for tourism or business may use a U.S. driver's license for up to three months, the same amount of time that U.S. citizens in the country for tourism or business may visit visa-free. U.S. citizens in Croatia with an approved temporary or permanent residence may continue to use a U.S. driver's license for up to twelve months, after which a Croatian driver's license must be obtained. Croatian driver's licenses can be obtained at the local police station where the U.S. citizen is registered for extended or permanent stay. For more information, see http://www.mup.hr/46.aspx."
Betsy Burlingame is the founder of ExpatExchange.com. She launched ExpatExchange.com in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at New York University. Over the last 13+ years, ExpatExchange.com has become one of the largest and most well-respected online communities for expatriates and international transferees.
First Published: Oct 05, 2015