ZAGREB, 20 March 2022 - Children's rights are jeopardised on a daily basis and reports of violence against children and child neglect have been increasingly frequent, it was said at a panel discussion this past week at which a campaign for the protection of children's rights was launched.

"The Office of the Children's Ombudswoman in 2021 received 269 reports of violence against children and child neglect, which is 30 more than in 2020. A total of 448 children and 19 groups of children were exposed to violence and neglect," reads a report by the Office.

Ombudswoman Helenca Pirnat Dragičević said that even though state authorities recognised the importance of comprehensive action to prevent violence against children and child neglect, it was necessary to implement educational and prevention campaigns and continue raising awareness of the fact that violence is unacceptable and that it must be reported, including suspicion of violence against children.

The "Croatia for Children" foundation has thus launched the campaign "Make a small step a big one", to last until the end of the year. The purpose of the campaign is to raise public awareness of children's rights, which are often threatened, and of possibilities to protect them.

The foundation's head, Renata Gubić, said that in the 13 years of its existence the foundation had secured HRK 105 million (€14million) for children in need, with its programmes having covered more than 80,000 children.

Marija Barilić of the Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Ministry said the government was implementing numerous activities aimed at improving the status of children and their protection, including legislative activities to reduce the risk of child poverty, as was securing funding for children's needs and promoting non-institutional care for children.

"Care for children is in the focus of all policies, notably for children who are in the system of institutional care. In 2021, 145 children were adopted, which is the largest number so far," she said.

For more, check out our lifestyle and politics section.

ZAGREB, 20 March 2022 - Construction and Zoning Minister Ivan Paladina and War Veterans' Minister Tomo Medved, who heads the national crisis management team for post-quake reconstruction, visited Petrinja on Sunday and on that occasion they said that the reconstruction process was at a turning point.

They held a working meeting with local authorities.

The lion's share of the administrative procedure, as a precondition for the start of building work on damaged structures, has been finished.

Now, the process of the post-quake reconstruction has reached a turning point.

During their stay in Petrinja, the ministers also met local activists who told the officials that local inhabitants expect the government to provide more accurate information about the reconstruction and to speed up the whole process.

For more on this, check out our dedicated politics section.

ZAGREB, 20 March 2022 - Since the start of the war in Ukraine, over 8,300 refugees have arrived in Croatia, and Interior Minister Davor Božinović said on Sunday that Europe was braced for the growing pressure on three fronts: energy security, defence costs and accommodation of refugees.

"This is an unprecedented humanitarian issue in Europe. Thousands, tens of thousands of people are leaving Ukraine. We can expect an influx of refugees in all EU member-states, including Croatia", Božinović noted.

"The United Nations' recent projections about up to four million people fleeing Ukraine seems today as a conservative scenario, since the numbers of refugees are already coming close to that figure" the minister told the press after a meeting of the Croatian interdepartmental task force for providing protection for refugees from Ukraine.

"The talks are being conducted at the European level to coordinate the response to many issues stemming from the war in Ukraine", he said adding that one of the issues is how to finance the accommodation of Ukrainian refugees.

Currently, the EU is offering assistance to the countries neighbouring Ukraine that are the first to receive Ukrainians when they leave their homeland.

Croatia is not among those first-stop countries, however, it is one of the countries where Ukrainians seek shelter, and it is ready to take in roughly 20,000 Ukrainians. However, this figure could go up depending on the developments in Ukraine.

Large majority accommodated individually in private homes

"Of those 8,300 refugees, as many as 7,421 are now covered by individual reception initiatives, and 827 are in collective accommodation", said the minister.

The aim is to ensure as many individual accommodation options as possible throughout Croatia.

"The reception centres are operating well, refugees come there upon their arrival and after that they are transferred to properties where they can stay longer", the minister said.

We have published a public call for 10,000 accommodation units throughout Croatia, and all steps we take will be transparent, he said.

Božinović expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the reception of the refugees from Ukraine and explained that the plans were made to be prepared for possible challenges financially, logistics-like and organisationally.

"Croatia wants to provide the best care and sympathy to those people who have experienced the calamities. The help includes not only accommodation and food but also access to education and the labour market as well as to social welfare services", the minister said recalling that the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive.

Economic and Social Council on including refugees in labour market

Božinović said that the possibility of giving refugees access to the labour market would be on the agenda of the Economic and Social Council (GSV) on Monday.

The fast integration of displaced persons is the best way to provide them with a feeling of stability.

Broken down by the age and gender, a mere 12% of the refugees who have arrived in Croatia from Ukraine are men, 48%  are women and children account for 40%, Božinović said.

He also informed the press conference that in the scenario that Croatia should care for 20,000 refugees, this would cost HRK 1.3 billion provided that the refugees exercise all the rights they are entitled to.

According to some estimates, the daily healthcare costs for a refugee is HRK 15, and 30 kuna for education.

Remuneration for the properties which their owners have put at the disposal to refugees is also being considered, and the minister cited the experiences of other countries where the rental per day ranges between €5-8 per person, however, the figure is reduced for every next member in the family accommodated.

Croatian-Ukrainian web portal

The interior ministry has also developed a website with the data in both the Croatian and Ukrainian language concerning the refugees, their rights and entitlements and information for prospective volunteers. The website will be updated regularly on a daily basis.

For more on this, check out our dedicated politics section.

ZAGREB, 20 March 2022 - The latest round of the negotiations on amending Bosnia and Herzegovina's electoral law, which was held in Sarajevo on Sunday, ended inconclusively, with Bosnia Croat leader Dragan Čović saying that "there are absolutely no conditions" for holding general elections in October.

Čović also accused the Bosniak leader Bakir Izetbegović (of the SDA BiH party) of the failure.

Most of the participants in the negotiations which were held today under the mediation of managing director at the EU's External Action Service, Angelina Eichhorst and US Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Michael Murphy, who confirmed that the round of the talks failed.

Čović said that there were no prerequisites for the general elections to be held in October, as previously planned.

"Since the very start, the SDA party has been in favour of keeping a status quo and no deal on the legislation's amendment", said Čović, adding that the behaviour of that party is "a brutal blow to the state".

"Five of the six parties participating in the negotiations actually accepted the solutions proposed by the international community, and the HDZ BiH was ready to accept all the options that would avoid the blockade of the authorities in the Croat-Bosniak Federation and appointment of office-holders", said Čović, who is at the helm of the HDZ BiH.

The SDA leader Izetbegović shunned the press.

On the other hand, the leader of the People and Justice party (NiP), Elmedin Konaković, addressed the press to inform the public that the negotiations had failed.

"The reform of the constitution or electoral law stands no chances any longer", he said, adding that it was pity that a document that could serve as a good basis for the model of the election of Bosnia and Herzegovina's presidency was discarded. Konaković said that the model had ensured all the rights to the Croats, as one of the three constituent peoples, and had also lifted restrictions for others, while the ethnic denominators would have been erased in the process of the election of the deputies in the upper house (the House of Peoples) of the state parliament.

Konaković and the SBB party leader Fahrudin Radončić agreed that such outcome of the negotiations would give the Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik a reason to gloat as the failed negotiations meant the continuation of the blockade of the state.

Eichhorst: Good set of reforms was at table

The EU mediator told the press that the negotiations had lasted nine months and eventually, a good set of draft reforms had been put on the table and that this package would have accelerated Bosnia's journey towards the European Union membership.

According to her, the stumbling block was the failure of the SDA and HDZ parties to reach agreement on the model of the election and the constitution of the House of Peoples of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Eichorst said that the parties did not agree which was a missed opportunity.

The US ambassador Murphy called on political leaders to continue searching for compromises and that the international community was willing to offer assistance. Murphy said that it was not wise to boycott the coming elections.

For more, check out our dedicated politics section.

ZAGREB, 20 March 2022 - Demand for new cars in the European Union (EU) dropped in February 2022 for the eighth consecutive month due to supply chain disruptions, with Croatia also recording a decline, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) reported this week.

A total of 719,465 new cars were registered in the EU in February 2022, which is 6.7% fewer than in the same month in 2021 and the lowest number since 1993 when ACEA began collecting data.

Compared with January 2022, the number of new car registrations fell by 6.0%.

Among the leading markets, Italy and France reported double-digit declines, of 22.6% and 13.0% respectively, while Spain and Germany posted growth of 6.6% and 3.2% respectively.

In Croatia, 2,879 new cars were registered in February 2022, down by 15.8% year on year. Compared with January 2022, the number increased by 1.6%.

The data shows that 1.4 million new cars were registered in the EU in the first two months of 2022, a decline of 6.4% compared to the same period last year.

In the first two months of 2022, Italy and France saw the largest drops, of 21.1% and 15.7% respectively. On the other hand, demand picked up by 5.6% in Germany and by 4.2% in Spain.

In Croatia, 5,823 new cars were registered in January and February 2022, which is a decrease of 7.8% compared to the same period in 2021.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

March 20, 2022 - The gourmet scene in the Croatian capital is improving vastly - meet the top Zagreb restaurants and best newcomers, according to the new Gault & Millau dedicated guide to the best 100 restaurants in Zagreb and Zagreb County. 

"Oh, and the FOOD."

It is a sentence I have heard a lot in the last 12 months talking to tourists and digital nomads about what they like about Zagreb. There is a definite buzz about the city, with more and more foreign accents heard on an increasing number of street corners. The city is fast becoming a very international capital. And vibrant international capital cities always have a great gourmet scene. 

Zagreb these days is no exception. The choice and quality of Zagreb restaurants has improved exponentially in the last 10 years, and more visitors raving about the safety, the nature, the parks, the culture, the walkability, the lifestyle, and the friendly locals, are now adding the quality and diverse dining scene to their expanding lists of why Zagreb is IN.  

And an excellent resource, which has recently been published is helping locals and visitors alike, find the very best gastro experiences in the top Zagreb restaurants - the Gault & Millau Croatia 2022 guide to the top 100 restaurants and POP (street food, canines, wine bars, and pastry shops) for Zagreb and its surroundings. Come and meet them. 

Here are the top 12 restaurants in Zagreb, as well as the top 3 new restaurants, according to what sounds like some fun and very comprehensive research by Gault & Millau Croatia - you can find out more about the guide and how to order it (price 99 kuna) on their official website.

1. NAV 17.5/20

Tvrtko Šakota, one of the best Croatian chefs, opened NAV so he could cook what he wants and how he wants it. With his personal approach and stepping ‘on stage’ with each ordered course, this restaurant in the courtyard in 11 Masarykova Street has become maybe the most interesting gourmet experience in Zagreb (and beyond). The sign at the entrance says “modern Croatian cuisine”, and the homely atmosphere is felt in the interior that looks like a large dining room in someone’s home. With that, as well as his individual approach to each guest, chef Šakota stands out from the fine dining sphere, but stays within it with his culinary creations. NAV does not offer several tasting menus any more, but only one, consisting of 16 courses. More info in the guidebook.

Lunch/Dinner Tasting menu 16 courses 890 kn

Chef Tvrtko Šakota www.nav-restaurant.com

2. Zinfandel’s Hotel Esplanade 17/20

The impressive and classy restaurant in Zagreb’s Hotel Esplanade got its name after Zinfandel grape variety, which is its trademark. This is a place for special occasions and all seasons, where everything is top quality – from food, which combines flavours from all over the world, to professional staff and a pleasant setting. The menu changes seasonally, so amuse-bouche in the summer version featured crispy rosemary focaccia, delicious homemade bread with hand-whipped butter with herbs, and award-winning olive oil. While you are waiting for your order, a greeting from the kitchen arrives – shrimps marinated in honey and citrus, sprinkled with amaranth. More info in the guidebook.

Cca 500 kn 

Chef Ana Grgić Tomić Pastry Chef Mirjana Špoljar Sommelier Silvio Dedić www.zinfandels.hr

3. Mano 16.5/20

Creative urban cuisine is the most precise definition of ManO restaurant’s gastronomic style. The interior has an equally creative and urban design

370 square meters in the south wing of Gliptoteka gallery with brick walls and typical cast-iron columns – combining the old and the new in a smart and subtle way. The terrace, hidden from the street, gives it a special charm. High quality ingredients with superb presentation and flavours have been the guiding light from day one, but with the arrival of chef Matija Bogdan, his ideas and technical skills, the new direction is fine dining. More info in the guidebook.

Cca 400 kn. Tasting menu 6 courses 650 kn, 8 courses 850 kn Chef Matija Bogdan

Pastry chef Lucija Jergović Sommelier Domagoj Zorbas www.mano.hr

4. ManO2 16.5/20

The gastronomic identity of ManO2 restaurant was shaped by chef Hrvoje Kroflin, with his modern approach to top-quality ingredients, sourced from small local producers. He finds the inspiration in traditional Croatian dishes, which he reforms and updates – in accordance with the modern interior design. Wood dominates the setting, giving warmth to the space, and the main attraction is the semi-open glass-walled kitchen, overlooking the magnificent wine rack. The restaurant is located in the centre of Zagreb’s business district, which makes it a popular place for formal lunch. More info in the guidebook.

Cca 400 kn

Tasting menu from 520 kn to 680 kn

Chef Hrvoje Kroflin Pastry chef Luka Sopta Sommelier Marko Rundek www.mano2.hr 

5. Noel 16.5/20

Noel restaurant is surely one of the gems of Zagreb’s “design district”, as well as the star of the local dining scene – largely thanks to chef Bruno Vokal and his re-interpretations of traditional Croatian dishes, like štrukli or međimurska gibanica. The introduction of a vegetarian tasting menu is a new moment – not replacing the meat menu, but presenting vegetables as a source of gastronomic splendour. Noel can take pride in one of the best teams in Zagreb, both in the kitchen and the service. More info in the guidebook.

Cca 585 kn. Tasting menu Chef’s experience 950 kn + Wine pairing 420 kn, Tasting Vegetarian menu 650 kn + Wine pairing 420 kn

Chef Bruno Vokal Sommelier Ivan Jug www.noel.hr 

6. Bistro Apetit by Marin Rendić 16/20

Surrounded by the green Cmrok Park, in a residential area of Zagreb, Bistro Apetit has always been a synonym for an upscale dining place: inside the glass interior, guests have the impression of sitting in the middle of nature, while being served fine dining dishes. On top of that, on the lovely shaded terrace or in the interior room decorated in a minimalist and elegant style, they have their peace and privacy. The menu is divided into several “chapters”: first impression, the middle, something warm, unforgettable moment, Apetit classic and the tasting menu – which is the best way to present modern and bold cooking by chef Marin Rendić. More info in the guidebook.

Tasting menu 5 courses 590 kn, 7 courses 740 kn, couvert 42 kn

Chef Marin Rendić, Pastry chef Mark Coha, Sommeliers Matija Ivančić & Ivan Jurčević www.bistroapetit.com 

7. Dubravkin put 16/20

Once a typical Zagreb eatery, which served tasty grilled sausages, blood sausages and pork knuckle, later a respectable seafood restaurant, and since some fifteen years ago, a fine-dining oasis at the entrance to Tuškanac forest. Several excellent chefs took turn in its kitchen, but Dubravkin put is still a guarantee of special gourmet treats. In the impressive interior with a view of the tranquil park, as well as on the beautiful outdoor terrace, guests can enjoy a well-thought-through selection of dishes. More info in the guidebook.

Cca 380 kn

Chef Ivan Sučević Pastry chef Robert Bašić, Sommelier Tihomir Purišić www.dubravkin-put.com

8. Tač

Close to the top of Vrhovec, a neighbourhood on one of Zagreb’s hills, you can find Tač, one of the best restaurants in the city. Tač has had its regular guests for years, but the new ones also quickly become addicted to their superb cooking. Put simply, everything is excellent here: from top-quality ingredients to fantastic preparation. Vesna and Tihomir Miletić run a well-tuned machine that will deliver gourmet satisfaction every time you visit. Tač always serves seasonal food. For instance, in spring you will be amazed by wild asparagus; in autumn by porcini mushrooms. They cook traditional dishes, but Vesna Miletić, the alpha and omega of Tač’s kitchen, wants to focus on the original flavour of each ingredient, and eliminates everything that’s not necessary. More info in the guidebook.

Cca 320 kn

Chef Vesna Miletić Sommelier Darko Lugarić www.restac.hr

9. Balon 15/20

When looking for a place for business lunch, Balon has been one of the most popular choices for years. Mostly because of the location, next to Boćarski dom, and its large parking lot, but also thanks to the pleasant interior on colder days or the shaded terrace in summer. However, Balon’s main characteristic is the constantly high quality of food and service. The wine card is very rich, with around two hundred Croatian and foreign labels, plus fifty more wines served by the glass. After a glass of Plešivica sparkling wine, we started the meal with steak tartare and grated butter, which was good as usual, perfectly seasoned. Veal Wiener Schnitzel in purified butter with potato salad and cranberry jam is another classic in this establishment. More info in the guidebook.

Cca 300 kn. Tasting menu 4 courses 340 kn, 6 courses 440 kn

Chef Stipan Iličić www.restaurantbalon.com

10. Baltazar 15/20

One of the most popular restaurants in Zagreb, it became famous in the late 80s because of its excellent barbecue. Meat, fish, asparagus, and artichokes in late spring, sauerkraut with blood sausage in winter - everything that constitutes traditional cuisine was Baltazar’s trademark for years, but with the arrival of a new chef, Matija Bregeš, an era of a more sophisticated and modern approach to cooking began. The interior has, however, remained the same: the space of a former Kaptol manor is decorated in a rustic style, embellished with antiques. In fine weather it is pleasant to sit on the terrace or in the garden. The new menu indicates that Baltazar keeps up with modern gastronomy, but doesn’t give up the national cuisine that made it famous. More info in the guidebook.

Tasting menu 3 courses 390 kn

Chef Matija Bregeš Sommelier Goran Petrić www.baltazar.hr

11. Le Bistro Hotel Esplanade 15/20

The charm of a French bistro in the middle of Zagreb, with a view of Art Nouveau architecture of the neighbouring buildings and the pleasant ambience in the Art Deco style – this has been the trademark of Le Bistro in Hotel Esplanade for years. Apart from štrukli (sort of cooked or baked cannelloni filled with fresh cheese and sour cream), the reliable classic, every season the menu includes new dishes by chef Ana Grgić Tomić, who creates them based on traditional flavours of the local cuisine. More info in the guidebook.

Cca 350 kn

Chef Ana Grgić Tomić Pastry chef Mirjana Špoljar www.lebistro.hr

12. TheAtrium by Filho 15/20

Even though it is located in the very centre of the city, the noise doesn’t reach TheAtrium restaurant: it is located in the atrium of the Zagreb Youth Theatre, so the space that separates it from Teslina and Gajeva Street serves as a sort of sound isolation. The name of the restaurant can be connected with “atrium”, where it stands, but also with the theatrically decorated interior – from intense wall colours to decorative elements and furniture, everything gives an impression of an offbeat, youthful and original aesthetics. What TheAtrium by Filho offers is a show for curious and demanding gourmets – a theatre of taste ruled by young chef Filip Horvat. More info in the guidebook.

Cca 260 kn

Tasting menu from 540 kn to 740 kn

Chef Filip Horvat www.theatrium.hr 

Best newcomers

13. Matrix 12/20

Among the newly opened restaurants on the east side of the city, Matrix stands out, located on the ground floor of the namesake business complex. What makes it stand out? Its democratic policy to offer designer food at friendly prices, executed by young chef Marko Jantolek, and Matrix manager, sommelier Manuela Maras. A glass wall separates the kitchen from the dining room, so guests have a nice insight into the gastronomic concept. The chef and his team cook modern and varied dishes, using ingredients from reliable local farms. The chicken is free-range, the duck is from an organic farm in Podravina, the black pig pork is also locally sourced, the bluefin tuna comes from the Adriatic, and the fruits and vegetables from gardens around Zagreb... More info in the guidebook.

Cca 260 kn. Tasting menu 5 courses 350 kn

Chef Marko Jantolek Sommelier Manuela Maras www.restoran-matrix.hr

14. Gostionica Ficlek 11.5/20

A charming little bistro and café, Broom 44 is the latest place on Zagreb’s Dolac Market where you can have an excellent coffee, but also enjoy delicious vegetarian and vegan food. Located in an old house on the right side of the outdoor market’s plateau, it was named after 44 stairs you have to climb to get there, and the broom belonging to the Witch of Grič, a famous character created by novelist Marija Jurić Zagorka, who lived in the same house. In warm weather, from a table on the terrace you have the view of colourful market stalls, full of fruit and vegetables. More info in the guidebook.

Cca 95 kn

Chef Christian Misirača www.facebook.com/GostionicaFiclek

15. Broom 44 POP

A charming little bistro and café, Broom44 is the latest place on Zagreb’s Dolac Market where you can have an excellent coffee, but also enjoy delicious vegetarian and vegan food. Located in an old house on the right side of the outdoor market’s plateau, it was named after 44 stairs you have to climb to get there, and the broom belonging to the Witch of Grič, a famous character created by novelist Marija Jurić Zagorka, who lived in the same house. More info in the guidebook.

Cca 95 kn 

Chef Igor Gudac www.instagram.com/br00m44/?hl=en

And having sampled the best Zagreb restaurants, how about spreading your wings and exploring the gourmet scene a little further afield using the same guidebook - meet the top 12 restaurants of Zagreb County.  

For more information about the Gault & Millau Zagreb guide and where to find it, check out the official website.

Learn more about the Croatian capital in the Total Croatia Zagreb in a Page guide.

ZAGREB, 20 March 2022 - Croatia has recorded 901 new coronavirus cases and 10 COVID-related deaths in the last 24 hours, the national coronavirus response team reported on Sunday.

The number of active cases currently stands at 10,697. Among them are 661 infected people who have been hospitalised and 44 of them are on ventilators, while 8,338 people are self-isolating.

Over 4.62 million tests for the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been conducted to date, including 4,034 in the last 24 hours.

Since 25 February 2020, when the first case was confirmed in Croatia, 1,084,012 cases of this infectious disease have been diagnosed. As many as 15,435 patients have died and 1,057,880 have recovered, including 1,496 in the last 24 hours.

To date, 65.66% of adults have been fully vaccinated.

For all you need to know about coronavirus specific to Croatia, make sure to bookmark our dedicated sectionand select your preferred language if it isn't English.

ZAGREB, 20 March 2022 - A new round of applications for subsidised housing loans starts on Monday when the relevant APN agency starts receiving the requests, while the government has set aside HRK 50 million (€6.7 million) for this purpose.

After the completion of a public call for banks to submit their offers, on 4 March, APN concluded contracts with 14 credit institutions on subsidised housing loans.

The lowest effective rate of 1.99% for both the kuna- and the euro-pegged loans was given by two banks: Erste&Steiermarkische banka and Karlovačka Banka for the latest round.

According to the data provided by the ministry, 22,169 requests for subsidised housing loans were granted between 2017, when the scheme was introduced, and March 2021.

In the families that use housing loan subsidies, roughly 5,000 children have been born since 2017 and 13,130 children under 18 have been reported in the loan requests.

More than HRK 456.7 million has been invested in state-subsidised housing loans so far.

The eligibility criteria for applicants is that they are under 45, and are first-home buyers.

Calculating the amount of subsidy depends on the location of the property covered by the scheme.

Applicants in locations in the underdeveloped and rural areas qualify for higher subsidisation.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.