Can my children attend public school if we're on a Digital Nomad Visa?

Yes — children of DN Visa holders can enroll in Croatian public schools for free. However, instruction is in Croatian, so younger children will adapt better than teenagers. For English-medium education, choose an international school in Zagreb or Split.

What are the best international schools in Croatia?

In Zagreb: BISZ (British curriculum) and AISZ (American curriculum) are the most established. In Split: Split International School is the primary option with growing enrollment. All offer small class sizes and strong expat communities.

Is Croatian higher education recognized internationally?

Yes. Croatian universities are part of the Bologna Process (European Higher Education Area). Degrees are recognized across the EU and internationally. Medical degrees from Croatian universities are particularly well-regarded.

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🇭🇷 Croatia

Education

Croatia's education system is free for residents and improving steadily with EU investment. International schools in Zagreb and Split offer IB, British, American, and German curricula.

Free

Public Education

For all residents

€5,000–€15,000/yr

International Schools

Zagreb & Split

Founded 1669

University of Zagreb

Croatia's top university

99.3%

Literacy Rate

One of Europe's highest

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏛️Zagreb 🏛️Split 🏰Dubrovnik

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Overview

Croatia's education system is free for residents and improving steadily with EU investment. International schools in Zagreb and Split offer IB, British, American, and German curricula. The University of Zagreb is the country's top institution. For expat families, the main choice is between international schools (English-medium, €5,000–€15,000/year) and the Croatian public system (free, Croatian-medium).

Key Takeaways

British International School of Zagreb (BISZ): UK curriculum, modern facilities at Sveti Duh
Structure: 8 years of primary school (osnovna škola, ages 6–15) + 4 years of secondary (srednja škola)
University of Zagreb: Croatia's top university — founded 1669, 70,000+ students

International Schools

Zagreb and Split have a growing number of international schools serving the expat community. These schools offer English-medium education with international curricula (IB, British, American, German). Tuition ranges from €5,000–€15,000 per year — significantly cheaper than international schools in Western Europe. Class sizes are typically small (15–20 students), and the community is tight-knit.

British International School of Zagreb (BISZ): UK curriculum, modern facilities at Sveti Duh
American International School of Zagreb (AISZ): US curriculum, elementary through high school
Deutsche Internationale Schule Zagreb (DISZ): German/Croatian/English instruction
Split International School: IB-aligned, English-medium, elementary and high school
Harfa International School (Split): newer school with modern approach and English instruction
Tuition: €5,000–€15,000/year — varies by grade level and school
Applications: start early — popular schools have waiting lists, especially for primary years

Croatian Public Schools

Croatia's public education is free for all residents and compulsory from age 6–15 (8 years of osnovna škola — primary school). Instruction is in Croatian, which can be challenging for expat children who don't speak the language. However, younger children (under 8–9) typically adapt to the language within 6–12 months. Schools vary in quality — Zagreb generally has the best-resourced public schools.

Structure: 8 years of primary school (osnovna škola, ages 6–15) + 4 years of secondary (srednja škola)
Language: instruction in Croatian — no formal ESL programs in most public schools
Quality: improving with EU investment; best schools in Zagreb; coastal schools can be under-resourced
Cost: completely free for residents including textbooks (since 2019)
School year: September–June with extended summer break
Integration support: some schools in Zagreb and Split have experience with non-Croatian-speaking students

Universities & Higher Education

Croatia has a well-regarded university system with several English-taught programs available to international students. The University of Zagreb (founded 1669) is the oldest and most prestigious. EU students pay the same fees as Croatian students; non-EU students pay international rates that are still very affordable by European standards.

University of Zagreb: Croatia's top university — founded 1669, 70,000+ students
University of Split: second largest — growing international program offerings
University of Dubrovnik: small but specialized in maritime studies and tourism
English-taught programs: available in medicine, engineering, business, and humanities
Tuition (EU students): free or up to €1,000/year at public universities
Tuition (non-EU): €2,000–€8,000/year — much cheaper than UK/US universities
Student visa: available for enrolled international students; allows part-time work

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