Nomads Data

Zagreb, Croatia

Europe · Tropical

Rank: 131 | Index: 84.0

Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, offers a unique blend of affordability, digital infrastructure, and cultural experiences that make it an attractive destination for digital nomads. With its fast internet, comfortable cost of living, and high standard of living, Zagreb is an excellent choice for remote workers looking for a new base.

Budget FriendlyDN HubFast InternetAdventure BaseSafe HavenCultural HubHistoric City
Monthly Cost
$746
Single · No rent
Internet
316.9Mbps
Fixed broadband
Safety
78
Quality of Life
87.765

At a Glance — Zagreb

Nomad Index
Rank: 131 | Index: 84.0
Climate
Tropical · 12°C avg · 117 rainy days/yr
Health
64.76 / 100
Pollution
35.53 / 100
Traffic
106.88 / 100
Rent (1BR)
Centre $864.89 · Outside $654.52
Power Grid
100% electricity access
Coworking
0 spaces
DN Visa
Available
Data from Numbeo, Ookla, Open-Meteo, World Bank & more

City Personality

Zagreb offers a relaxed, cafe culture lifestyle with a good balance between work and leisure.

Best For

  • remote workers seeking affordability
  • digital nomads looking for a high quality of life

Less Suitable For

  • those seeking a fast-paced, urban lifestyle
Lifestyle: Cafe culture
Pace: Relaxed

Internet Speed in Zagreb

Zagreb boasts fast internet speeds, with a mobile download speed of 273.4 Mbps and a fixed download speed of 316.9 Mbps. This makes it suitable for video calls, cloud development, and transferring large files. The city's low latency of 20.4 ms for mobile and 5.7 ms for fixed connections ensures smooth real-time collaboration.

Fast mobile and fixed internet speedsLow latency for smooth real-time collaboration

Fixed Broadband

Fiber, cable, or DSL in your apartment

Download
317 Mbps
Upload
179 Mbps
Latency
6 ms
Excellent

Mobile Data

4G/5G cellular network

Download
273 Mbps
Upload
36 Mbps
Latency
20 ms
Good

Remote Work Readiness

Video Calls
HD calls supported
Screen Sharing
Smooth sharing
Cloud Development
Low latency
Ookla Speedtest Intelligence — Q1 2026

Cost of Living in Zagreb

The cost of living in Zagreb is relatively affordable compared to Western European cities. Monthly expenses excluding rent are around $746, with rent prices ranging from $654 to $864 for a one-bedroom apartment. This makes Zagreb an attractive option for digital nomads on a budget.

Affordable housing costsLow monthly expenses excluding rent
Total Monthly Cost
$1,611
Restaurants
$21513%
Groceries
$21313%
Transport
$1258%
Utilities
$946%
Clothing
$342%
Leisure
$644%
Rent
$86554%
Living $746+Rent $865=$1,611
International flights and trip insurance not included.
Numbeo — Cost of Living data

Cost Comparison: Cities in Croatia

Zagreb vs Rijeka

Zagreb
Zagreb
$746
/mo
vs
-$1
cheaper
Rijeka
Rijeka
$745
/mo
Full Comparison

Zagreb vs Split

Zagreb
Zagreb
$746
/mo
vs
+$39
pricier
Split
Split
$785
/mo
Full Comparison

Visa Options for Zagreb, Croatia

Croatia offers a Digital Nomad Visa, making it easy to stay long-term.

Croatia offers a digital nomad visa for non-EU citizens, allowing them to stay in the country for up to 12 months. The visa requires a minimum income of €2,539-€3,295 per month and can be applied for online or at the embassy.

Digital nomad visa available for non-EU citizensRelatively high income requirement
Digital Nomad Visa
Income Requirement
€2,539–€3,295/month (varies by source)
Validity
Up to 12 months (cannot extend; must reapply after 6-month gap)
~$85 embassy / ~$75 online; non-EU/EEA only
Passport Checker — Croatia

See what visa you need for Zagreb based on your passport

Pick your passport above to see the visa requirement instantly
Digital Nomad Visa Database — visa policy information

Is Zagreb Safe?

Zagreb is considered an extremely safe city, with a low crime rate and a safety index of 78.4. Remote workers can feel comfortable walking alone during the day or night, and petty crime is relatively rare.

Extremely safe cityLow crime rate
Safety Index
78/ 100
Crime index: 21.6
Daylight Safety
92.85/100
Very Safe
Night Safety
80.02/100
Very Safe

What Residents Worry About

Home break-in
18.06
Mugged or robbed
12.98
Car stolen
14.32
Things stolen from car
19.64
Physically attacked
15.65
Harassment / insults
17.44
Discrimination
15.58

Crime Severity

Drugs
25.6
Property crimes
27.09
Violent crimes
16.84
Corruption
67.66

Safety Tips for Zagreb

  • Familiarize yourself with local laws and keep digital copies of your passport and visa.
Travel Advisory: Level 1Exercise Normal Precautions
View advisory details
Numbeo — Crime and safety data
Travel advisories — Government travel advisory data

Zagreb Climate & Weather

Zagreb has a mild climate with four distinct seasons. The best months to visit are April to October, with comfortable temperatures and low rainfall. Winters can be cold, but the city's festive atmosphere makes it a great time to experience the local culture.

Mild climate with four distinct seasonsComfortable temperatures during spring and summer

Zagreb has a Tropical climate.Hot summers and mild winters with year-round rainfall.

Climate Type
Tropical
12.4°C avg · 117 rainy days/yr
Dry Days / Year
286
No rain (≥3 mm)
Daylight Range
8.5h – 15.5h
Varies by 7.0h across the year

Average Daily Temperature

Max TempMin Temp
☀️ Peak Season
Apr, Jun – Oct
Comfortable temperatures · Low rainfall
Shoulder Season
Mar, May
Warm or mild · Moderate rainfall
❄️ Off Season
Nov – Feb
Hot or cold · Heavy rainfall

Daylight Hours

DaylightNight
Open-Meteo Archive API

Real Estate Market in Zagreb

The housing market in Zagreb offers affordable options for renters, with prices ranging from $654 to $864 for a one-bedroom apartment. However, buying property can be more expensive, with a price-to-income ratio of 10.82.

Affordable rent pricesHigher buying costs
Price-to-Income Ratio
10.8years
Loan affordability: 1.4

Overview

1BR City Centre
$865
1BR Outside
$654
Avg Salary/Mo
$1886
Mortgage Rate
3.2%

Buy vs Rent

Price-to-Income
10.8 yrs
Mortgage % Income
73.3%
Loan Affordability
1.4
Price-to-Rent Centre
27.2
Price-to-Rent Outside
23.6

Rental Yields & Returns

Gross Yield Centre
3.7%
Gross Yield Outside
4.2%

Apartment Prices

City Centre

1-Bedroom$865
3-Bedroom$1433
Price per sqm$0

Outside Centre

1-Bedroom$654
3-Bedroom$1060
Price per sqm$0
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Buying property requires 10.8 years of salary — renting is more practical for nomads.
  • Loan affordability is low — plan for upfront cash payments if considering property.
Numbeo — Property data

Healthcare Quality in Zagreb

Zagreb's healthcare system is of good quality, with a healthcare index of 64.76. Remote workers can access modern medical facilities and skilled healthcare professionals, although some may want to consider additional insurance for peace of mind.

Good quality healthcareModern medical facilities
Healthcare Index
64.76/ 100

Quality Scores

Skill & Competency
70.67
Speed of Exams
49.9
Modern Equipment
66.3
Accuracy of Reports
65.75

Satisfaction Scores

Staff Friendliness
63.8
Responsiveness / Wait Times
35.24
Cost Satisfaction
76.32
Convenient Location
78.5
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Book appointments in advance and consider private clinics for faster service.
Numbeo — Healthcare quality data

Power Grid in Croatia

Zagreb's electricity grid is 100% accessible, with a consumption of 4484.0435 kWh per capita. The city also has a significant share of renewable energy, with 34.1% of its energy coming from renewable sources.

Reliable electricity gridSignificant share of renewable energy
Electricity access
100%
of population in 2023
Firms facing outages
18%
of businesses
Consumption
4.5k
kWh per person
Reliability
Reliable
grid stability

Energy Mix

· 30% fossil fuels
8%
22%
47%
Coal8%
Natural Gas22%
Hydro47%
Oil0%
World Bank — Power grid statistics

Traffic & Commute in Zagreb

Zagreb's traffic congestion is moderate, with a traffic index of 106.88. Remote workers can expect commute times of around 29.6 minutes, with a range of transportation options available, including public transport, taxis, and ride-sharing services.

Moderate traffic congestionRange of transportation options
Traffic Index
106.88
Avg commute: 29.6 min / 9.41 km

Overview

Avg Commute
29.6 min
Avg Distance
9.41 km
41.8%
Top Mode
Car
CO₂ Index
3,283

Traffic Indexes

Time Index
29.6
Time Exp. Index
92.8
Inefficiency Index
107.2
CO₂ Emission Index
3282.9

Commute Mode Split

Work from Home
2.4%
Walking
19.7%
Bicycle
9.1%
Car
41.8%
Bus
8.7%
Tram
14.9%
Train
1.9%
Motorcycle
1.4%
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Traffic congestion is significant — consider accommodation close to co-working spaces or use public transit.
  • Car dependency is high — factor in parking costs and traffic when choosing where to live.
Numbeo — Traffic data

Pollution & Environment in Zagreb

Zagreb has good air quality, with a pollution index of 35.53. The city's air quality is suitable for outdoor work, with low levels of pollution and a high level of cleanliness.

Good air qualityLow pollution levels
Pollution Index
35.53/ 100
Cleanliness: 64/100

Overview

Air Quality
65/100
Good quality
Drinking Water
86/100
Excellent quality
Green Spaces
77/100
Excellent quality
Noise Level
61/100
Generally quiet

Pollution Levels — Lower is better

Air pollution
34.79
Drinking water pollution
14.07
Noise & light pollution
38.79
Water pollution
27.63
Dirty / untidy
35.92

Quality Metrics — Higher is better

Air quality
65.21
Drinking water quality
85.93
Garbage disposal
49.77
Clean & tidy
64.08
Water quality
72.37

Livability

Green & parks quality
76.64
Comfortable to walk
80
Quiet at night
61.21
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • The city is pedestrian-friendly and pleasant for walking — comfortable for daily life without a car.
Numbeo — Pollution data

Frequently Asked Questions About Zagreb

What is the cost of living in Zagreb?
The cost of living in Zagreb is relatively affordable, with monthly expenses excluding rent around $746 and rent prices ranging from $654 to $864 for a one-bedroom apartment.
Is Zagreb a safe city?
Yes, Zagreb is considered an extremely safe city, with a low crime rate and a safety index of 78.4.
What is the climate like in Zagreb?
Zagreb has a mild climate with four distinct seasons, with comfortable temperatures and low rainfall during spring and summer.
Are there coworking spaces in Zagreb?
No, there are no coworking spaces listed in Zagreb, but remote workers can use cafes, business centers, or home offices.
Is Croatia safe for digital nomads?
Croatia is generally a safe country, with a low crime rate and a stable political environment.
Can I get a digital nomad visa for Croatia?
Yes, Croatia offers a digital nomad visa for non-EU citizens, allowing them to stay in the country for up to 12 months.
What are the best months to visit Zagreb?
The best months to visit Zagreb are April to October, with comfortable temperatures and low rainfall.
How do I get around Zagreb?
Zagreb has a range of transportation options, including public transport, taxis, and ride-sharing services.

Key Takeaways

Quick insights for each category

Fast and Reliable Internet for Remote Work

Zagreb's fast and reliable internet infrastructure supports most remote professions.

Limited Coworking Options, But Cafes and Business Centers Fill the Gap

Remote workers in Zagreb often use cafes and business centers as their primary workspaces.

Affordable Cost of Living Compared to Western Europe

Zagreb offers a comfortable cost of living, with affordable housing and living expenses.

Digital Nomad Visa Available for Non-EU Citizens

The digital nomad visa provides a straightforward way for non-EU citizens to live and work in Zagreb.

A Safe and Secure Environment for Remote Workers

Zagreb provides a safe and secure environment for digital nomads.

Mild Climate with Four Distinct Seasons

Zagreb's climate is suitable for remote workers, with mild temperatures and rainfall throughout the year.

Affordable Housing Options for Renters

Renting is a more affordable option in Zagreb, with a range of apartments available.

High-Quality Healthcare for Remote Workers

Zagreb's healthcare system provides good quality care for remote workers.

Reliable Electricity Grid with Renewable Energy

Zagreb's grid infrastructure supports remote work, with reliable electricity and a growing share of renewable energy.

Moderate Traffic Congestion

Zagreb's traffic congestion is manageable, with a range of transportation options available.

Good Air Quality and Low Pollution

Zagreb's air quality is suitable for remote workers, with low pollution levels.

Nearby Destinations for Exploration

Zagreb's location makes it easy to explore the surrounding region.