ZAGREB, 6 Sept 2021 - The new High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, said on Sunday Croats were underrepresented in BiH's central institutions and that it was necessary to change the country's electoral law.

Željko Komšić is the Croat representative in the state Presidency, but he was elected more by Bosniaks than Croats, and the fact that Croat representative Dragan Čović lost to Komšić shows how complicated the system is, Schmidt said in Neustadt an der Aich, Germany at a conference on BiH's Euro-Atlantic prospects, organized by the German Atlantic Society.

Schmidt said BiH's Croat population felt underrepresented in what he said were complicated state structures.

Pointing to the need to change BiH's electoral law, he said Croats must be given the possibility to feel represented, instead of everything ending up in, for example, a form of election boycott.

The question being raised now is how to organize elections in such a way that the state does not divide into three entities, which would strongly bring into question BiH's territorial integrity, Schmidt said.

He also said that BiH's Croat population was the most affected by strong emigration and that their 15-17% share did not correspond to the reality for a long time.

Also present at the conference was Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble.

For more on politics, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 6 Sept 2021 - In the past 24 hours, 184 coronavirus cases and five deaths have been registered in Croatia, the national COVID-19 crisis management team said on Monday.

Currently, 8,661 persons are self-isolating.

To date, 2,597,124 persons have been tested for the virus, including 3,942 in the past 24 hours.

Croatia has registered 378,022 coronavirus cases to date, including 8,375 deaths and 365,615 recoveries, of which 578 in the past 24 hours.

To date, 42.91% of the total population has been vaccinated against COVID-19, including 51.53% of adults, 48.31% of whom have completed vaccination.

For all you need to know about coronavirus specific to Croatia, including travel, border, and quarantine rules, as well as the locations of vaccination points and testing centers across the country, make sure to bookmark our dedicated COVID-19 section and select your preferred language.

September 6, 2021 - Great news for education in Dalmatia as Times Higher Education rates University of Split the best in Croatia! 

In the latest World University Rankings, published on September 2, 2021, the University of Split achieved the best result at the national level. In the world, it was ranked between 1001st and 1200th place, reports Slobodna Dalmacija.

Since this type of evaluation was first conducted in 2011, the number of participating higher education institutions has grown from 200 to as many as 1,662, with more than 2,112 institutions submitting ranking data this year, representing over 100 million citations to more than 14 million scientific papers and a survey of over 22,000 scientists, said the University of Split.

In this pandemic year, when universities have faced many challenges, the greatest progress has been made by Chinese universities, and a significant increase in several categories has been achieved for several years by universities in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

This year, the University of Split achieved an increase in the number of points in as many as four of the five areas that Times Higher Education applies in the evaluation: Teaching, Research, Revenue from Industry, and International Cooperation. It is worth noting that citations are the best-rated area.

Furthermore, the University of Split has again achieved success on the NTU (National Taiwan University) scale, which since 2007, traditionally publishes the university evaluation "Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities."

The ranking is based on 3 parameters: Research Productivity, Research Impact, and Research Excellence, which rely solely on the quality and impact of scientific papers indexed in the Web of Science and ESI Clarivate (Essential Science Indicators) database.

This year, the University of Split is ranked between 651st and 700th in the world, while based on the quality and impact of scientific publications, the field of life sciences, it is positioned in the range from 401st to 450th place, and in the field of natural sciences between 451st and 500th place.

For more on lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

September the 6th, 2021 - Vaccinated Croatian communal company workers at one enterprise are set to be handed a 500 kuna award for having shown responsibility towards others by getting the vaccine.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, with the aim of preserving the health of Croatian communal company workers, the director of KD Autotrolej, Alberto Kontus, consulted with his Supervisory Board and all unions operating in the company and made a one-time cash award of 500 kuna possible for all workers who own a EU digital COVID certificate proving their status of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19.

As pointed out in the decision, the workers of KD Autotrolej, especially the drivers, have been working in difficult conditions almost constantly since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in the spring of 2020 and are directly exposed to the threat of the contraction and subsequent spread of COVID-19. However, the goal is also to protect the health of the users of the company's services, they pointed out from Autotrolej.

They emphasised, as Novi list writes, that the decision was made in order to obtain support for the preservation of jobs because the Government has adopted a measure by which the amount of support is conditioned by the percentage of vaccinated employees in any one company.

Under this measure, employers which have more than 70 percent of their workforce holding an EU digital COVID certificate or have acquired the conditions for obtaining a certificate are entitled to 100 percent support. If less than 70 percent of their workers are vaccinated, support may only be granted according to the percentage of workers who do or can own EU digital COVIDs.

''Autotrolej has already carried out the organised vaccination of workers on three occasions, and 35 to 40 percent of the total number of workers responded to the call. This is a low vaccination rate, which is directly related to the decision of the Government and subsidies for the preservation of jobs. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and the first lockdown, we've remained in operation, maintaining lines and transporting passengers, and no workers have been made redundant.'' they stated from this Croatian communal company.

For coronavirus resources specific to Croatia, including info on travel and the locations of vaccination points and testing centres, make sure to bookmark our dedicated section and select your preferred language.

September 6, 2021 - Enrico Marotti becomes the windsurfing world champion for the second time! 

The 2021 World Windsurfing Championships were held last week on the Greek island of Paros. After 5 days of sailing and winds between 12 to 35 knots, Croatian windsurfer Enrico Marotti performed excellently. As a result, he became the 2021 World Champion in windsurfing, making him a double champion in the slalom discipline.

"I am very pleased with how I performed the entire regatta. I managed to sail constantly and with quality, which I am very proud of. I am happy that I managed to win the world championship again in such a big competition. I want to thank all the people who followed me, friends, family, and my girlfriend. That support means a lot to me, and I am immensely grateful for it. Many thanks also go to my physiotherapist Marin Poloni and psychologist Nenad Karabaić who helped me prepare for the whole season, and especially this regatta."

Jordy Vonk from the Netherlands took second place in the world ranking, while Basile Jacquin from France finished third.

"In ten races, I won four first, three second, and one third and fourth place, and that was enough for gold. And I actually secured it even before the end of the competition, which tells you that I collected six negative points, and the first windsurfer behind me had 19," Enrico told Večernji List before the Croatian national anthem was played in his honor.

"It was challenging, physically and mentally because you are at sea for eight hours every day. Becoming a world champion can also mean that you were quite lucky and that everything went well for you in that competition. But, when you win the world gold for the second time, it already means that you have confirmed your quality," he added.

Bravo to Enrico! 

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.

September 6, 2021 - With the final list of the Croatian language scholarship recipients already published, many are packing their bags and others are already exploring Croatia before starting their classes. However, some still wonder about many things related to the course. What should they know before arriving?

On May 14th of this year, the Central State Office for Croats outside the Republic of Croatia announced the call to apply for the scholarship to study the Croatian language in four cities: Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and Osijek. Applications were closed on June 14th, and the first list of scholarship recipients was published at the end of July. Later, after seven days of appeals by those who did not appear on the first list and others who desisted, a second and final list was published on August 17th.

Although the exact dates for the start of classes are not yet confirmed, it is expected to take place in the first week of October. We wish it were as simple as going from the airport to your desk and starting your Croatian language classes, but there are many things you should take into account before and when you arrive in Croatia (if you are traveling for the first time). Before we begin with the list, it is important to add at this point that there are three contacts with whom you will communicate before, during, and even after your participation in the course, and all three are in charge of different aspects of the scholarship. One is the Central State Office for Croats outside the Republic of Croatia, which is a government body that finances and organizes scholarships to study the Croatian language in the Republic of Croatia. The second is the Croatian language studies department at the Faculty of Philosophy of the city to which you have applied. Finally, you will also communicate with the accommodation in which you will stay during your studies.

Without further a due, here are ten things to keep in mind:

1. Confirm your participation in the course

After seeing your name once the first list was published in July, you probably took your participation in the course for granted. Although it is true that being on the list means having obtained a place to study the Croatian language in Croatia and access certain benefits, it is necessary to confirm your participation, as sometimes it happens that some do not show up or withdraw from their participation. So that the Office in charge can properly prepare the logistics behind the course, make sure to check your mail (both in your inbox and in the spam box). You will find an email asking you to confirm your participation in the course, as well as other instructions.

Weeks prior to your arrival you will receive emails with information about your classes, such as your schedule or classroom. In some cases, you will be asked to take a pre-test online to determine your current level of Croatian. Don't worry, it's just to get an idea.

Note: if you have not received a confirmation email, be sure to write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and confirm your participation, as well as ask for additional information about the scholarship.

2. Confirm your accommodation

As well as confirming your participation in the Croatian language course scholarship, you will also need to confirm your accommodation, if you qualify for it. The Croatian language scholarship includes a stay in student accommodation in your city, but places are limited. A number of accommodation places have been assigned by each city. For example, 50 places were assigned for accommodation in Zagreb, and to find out if one corresponds to you, you must check your order in the final list of the Croatian language scholarship recipients. If you are in the top 50 on the list for Zagreb, you will most likely have an accommodation quota. Why do I say "most likely"? Because it must be taken into account that:

a) The accommodation right is only given to those younger than 36.

b) Not everyone asked for accommodation on their applications.

That is why we recommend you check your email for any communication from the student accommodation office of your city, in which they will inform you that you are part of the list of those to stay in student accommodation. If not, write an email to the Central Office as in the previous point, since they are the ones who determine the list of students to stay in the student accommodation.

Note: if you have received an email from the student accommodation office, in addition to requesting a confirmation, they will also ask you in advance to indicate the date you plan to check in. Likewise, some student accommodation may request a medical certificate, the format of which will be attached in the mail, and which must be filled out by your doctor or pediatrician. Do not forget to fill it out and bring it printed to do your check-in.

3. Bring all your documentation

During the months prior to the start of the Croatian language course, you have surely gathered a large number of documents and papers that served you for your application. Well, although it is very likely that you will not need them again, we do strongly recommend that you organize a folder in which you archive all the documents related to Croatia. Not only can an unexpected or unforeseen situation arise, but you will also need them if you decide to apply for one more semester of the Croatian language course while in Croatia if you previously only applied to one.

We recommend you have a digital folder, and another with all your printed documents. Some of the things you can bring are:

• Original and copy of your passport (of your country of birth and Croatian, in case you have the latter).
• Original and copy of your ID (from your country of birth and Croatian, in case you have the latter).
• Driver's license (you can use the one from your country for a year, then you will have to change for a Croatian one at the Police Station).
• Criminal records (apostilled).
• Medical history (translated, preferably).
• Information and details of your international health or travel insurance.
• ID size photos (useful to get your public transport card and other procedures).

Any other documents that you consider convenient to bring, especially those that must be apostilled, we recommend that you include them since it will be difficult to get them later once you are in Croatia.

Every year, many students take advantage of their stay in Croatia to obtain their nationality and/or citizenship (passport). If this is your case, take into account the necessary documents to apply to each one, and be sure to include them in your folder. We recommend you bring:

• Croatian nationality papers (yours, if you have them).
• Croatian nationality papers from your closest Croatian relative (father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, etc).
• Your original birth certificate (apostilled, translated, current and notarized if he is a foreigner).
• The original birth certificate of your closest Croatian relative (father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-grandfather, etc).
• Your passport (original and copy).
• Your ID (original and copy).
• A valid identity document with a visible photo (and an apostilled, translated, and notarized copy).
• Criminal record certificate (no more than 6 months old, apostilled, translated, and notarized).
• Your biography (translated into Croatian and including the reasons for your application).

Note: depending on your case, they may request all these documents, only some or other additional ones. For more information on applying for Croatian nationality and citizenship, check out this guide made by Sara Dyson, from Expat in Croatia, approved by an immigration lawyer and the ministry that approves nationality and citizenship. You can also check the information given by the Ministry of Interior (MUP) in Croatia HERE.

4. Check-in at your accommodation

The first thing you will want to do when you arrive in Croatia if you have confirmed your stay in the student accommodation is to check in and settle in. After the whole trip, and with so many suitcases on top, it is best to rest and organize yourself before moving on to the next thing. For this, it is necessary to have agreed to your arrival date by email with the office of your student accommodation. It may be that in some cases they tell you that it can be done only with some anticipation, both in days and in hours. For example, if your plane arrives on a Sunday afternoon, you may need to spend the night elsewhere and check in first thing in the morning on Monday. In case you haven't booked your flight yet, the wisest thing would be to fly a few days earlier.

Next, we indicate the address and location of the student accommodation in each city. If you have everything agreed with the office, go to the reception of your accommodation to present your documentation, for checking in, and receiving your room key and accommodation contract.

Zagreb

• Studentski Dom Ante Starčević

Zagrebačka avenija 2, 10000 Zagreb

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Box office: 01 4590 841, Management: 01 4590 843

Manager: Damir Mikulić, tel. 01 4590 842

Reception / port of the student settlement: 01 4590 840; 091 4593 539

(working hours: 0 - 24h)

Location on Google Maps

Student Accommodation Ante Starčević (Photo: Pavle Miljovski)

• Studentski Dom Stjepan Radić

Jarunska 2, 10000 Zagreb

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel. administration: 01 45 90 801, cashier: 01 45 90 811, fax: 01 30 15 946

Manager: Boženko Ćosić, tel. 01 45 90 802

Reception / port of the student settlement: 01 4590 800; 091 4593 536

(working hours: 0 - 24h)

Location on Google Maps

Student Accommodation Stjepan Radić (Photo: Pavle Miljovski)

Split

• Dom Kampus Dr. Franjo Tuđman

Cvite Fiskovica 3, 21000 Split

Tel: 021 / 440 - 999, fax: 021/440-958

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (accommodation hostess)

Location on Google Maps

Student Accommodation Franjo Tuđman (Photo: Split Student Center)

• Studentski dom "Bruno Bušić"

Spinutska 37, 21000 Split

Tel. 021 / 510 - 850

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Location on Google Maps

Student Accommodation Bruno Bušić (Photo: Split Student Center)

• Studenski dom Hostel Spinut

Spinutska 39, 21000 Split

Tel: 021/386-711, 021/386-733, fax: 021/386-774

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (receptionist)

Location on Google Maps

Student Accommodation Hostel Spinut (Photo: Split Student Center)

Rijeka

• Studensko Naselje ''Trsat''

Ul. Radmile Matejčić 5, 51000, Rijeka

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / Student Center: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel. +385 51 584 530

Location on Google Maps

Student Accommodation Trsat (Photo: Rijeka Student Center)

Osijek

• Studentski Dom IGK

Ivana Gorana Kovačića 4, Osijek 31000

Phone: Management - (031) 574 002

Reception - (031) 574 269

Working hours of the administration: from 7-15 hours

work with clients 08-14 hours

Location on Google Maps

Student Accommodation IGK (Photo: Osijek Student Center)

• Studentski Dom K.P. Svačića

Kralja Petra Svačića 1C, Osijek 31000

Phone: Management - (031) 251 121

Reception - (031) 251 120

Working hours of the administration: from 7-15 hours

work with clients 08-14 hours

Location on Google Maps

Student Accommodation K. P. Svačića (Photo: Osijek Student Center)

Do not forget to bring your medical certificate in case they have previously requested it by mail. You must also present your passport to be identified. You will be asked to fill out a form related to COVID-19 and sign a contract. Once registered, they will give you your keys and indicate your pavilion and bedroom. In some accommodations, such as in Rijeka, they will give you directions for the use of other facilities such as the laundry, gym, and library. 

Note: Remember that student accommodation in Croatia CANNOT be used for self-isolation. It is also prohibited to consume alcohol or drugs inside the accommodation. Doing so may mean your expulsion from the scholarship and not being able to apply again in the future. Remember, when you come to Croatia you are a representative of your country.

5. Formally enroll in the course at the Faculty of Philosophy

Once you have checked into your accommodation and taken a good rest, go to the Faculty of Philosophy in your city, to officially enroll in the Croatian language course. In each Faculty, there is the department in charge of organizing the Croatian language course in that city, and they will provide you with the necessary information about the course, as well as some documents that will be useful to you. We recommend that you attend the Faculty early to enroll since in many cases they only work until 1:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m.

You will have to ask them about the public transport card, and they will give you a student document and instructions to acquiring it at the public transport office in your city. Also, ask them about the WiFi, and they will give you your username and password that can be used both in the building of your Faculty, as well as in your accommodation and in various parts of the city.

Remember when I mentioned above that you organize all your documents in one folder? It would be a good idea for you to take it to the Faculty at the time of enrollment, they will surely ask for an ID and probably passport-size photos.

The Croatian language course is organized at the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka and Osijek, and is conducted by the Center for Croatian as a Second and Foreign Language "Croaticum" (Zagreb), the Center for Croatian Studies in the World (Split), Rijeka Croatian School (Rijeka) and the Department of Croatian Language and Literature (Osijek). 

Depending on your city, this is where you should head to:

• Zagreb: Ul. Ivana Lučića 3, 10000, Zagreb / http://www.ffzg.unizg.hr/centar / +38514092111 (On Google Maps)
• Split: Poljička cesta 35, 21000, Split / http://www.ffst.unist.hr/ / +38521386122 (On Google Maps)
• Rijeka: Sveučilišna Av 4, 51000, Rijeka / http://www.ffri.uniri.hr/ / +38551265600 (On Google Maps)
• Osijek: Ul. Lorenza Jagera 9, 31000, Osijek / https://www.ffos.unios.hr/ / +38531211400 (On Google Maps)

Note: the Croatian language scholarship includes the two subsidized meals, and for this, you will need a card that will be provided by the Central Office of the State for Croats outside the Republic of Croatia, through the Croatian language department in your Faculty. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that you will receive it on the first day or even in the first few weeks, so you will need to be patient. Eventually, it will be your teacher who will give you your card.

6. Register your address at the police station

Something essential and that depends largely on you, is to register your residence in Croatia. Although there are students with a Croatian passport, this is not an exception to do so, because in Croatia it is mandatory to have a registered residence and address, and this information does not appear in the passport. Likewise, those who do not have a passport should even more so register their residence since the duration of the course exceeds 90 days of free transit through the country as a non-EU citizen.

The Central State Office for Croats outside the Republic of Croatia, through your Croatian language department in your Faculty, will provide you with a study contract for the scholarship that you will need to bring to the police station in your city. In addition, you must bring your original passport and the accommodation contract that you were given when you check-in at your student accommodation (or in case you have stated elsewhere, a valid accommodation document or contract).

Like the meal card, the study contract can take a few weeks to be delivered, so you must be patient and, as soon as you receive it, go to the police station.

The police stations in each city are as follows:

• Zagreb: Ul. grada Vukovara 33, 10000, Zagreb (On Google Maps)
• Split: Trg Hrvatske bratske zajednice 8, 21000, Split (On Google Maps)
• Rijeka: Ul. Žrtava fašizma 3, 51000, Rijeka (On Google Maps)
• Osijek: Trg Lavoslava Ružičke 1, 31000, Osijek (On Google Maps)

For those interested in applying for their citizenship or passport, this is a vital step to achieve it, since these procedures (especially that of citizenship) can take several months, even longer than a semester of studies lasts. In addition, if you do not have a permanent or temporary residence in Croatia, the Ministry will simply reject your application. Therefore, those without a Croatian passport will have to apply for a one-year temporary residence in Croatia and to achieve this you will need to present the aforementioned documents at the police station, including the study and accommodation contract. Remember then that before applying for citizenship, you must first apply for temporary residence. Unfortunately, both cannot occur in parallel, and you must first receive the resolution of your approved temporary residence before applying for citizenship.

Note: it is highly recommended to organize yourself and be clear about where you will spend the year in which you process your citizenship. For example, if you really believe that you will spend a year in Zagreb studying the Croatian language, apply for temporary residence and your citizenship in that city. Another example is of someone who applies for a first semester to Split, and at that time they apply for temporary residence. Then, they decide to apply for a second semester in Osijek, while they wait for the resolution of their temporary residence. This is not recommended as the police consider your address to be in Split, not Osijek. This could affect obtaining your temporary residence or your citizenship.

7. Open a bank account

While opening a bank account is important in any circumstance, as a scholarship student you have an additional reason to consider it. If you stay in student accommodation, you will have to pay the cost of accommodation on a monthly basis (the amount depends on the accommodation). You should go to your accommodation office at the beginning of the month and make the payment. 

"But didn't the Croatian language scholarship include free accommodation?" Yes! Compensation for accommodation will be paid to you after you submit the following documents:

• certificate from the Faculty of Philosophy on successfully completed course,
• a Žiro account agreement (not a current account), in your name, concluded with any commercial bank in the Republic of Croatia, with the indicated giro account number (IBAN),
• certificate (certificate) of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia (MUP) on your residence/stay in the Republic of Croatia, with the stated address of the student settlement.
• One of the attached documents should also show your personal identification number (OIB).

Once you obtain your accommodation contract, which will be given to you the day you check in at your student accommodation, take that contract along with your passport to the bank of your choice, and in addition to a current debit account, you must also request a Žiro account (pronounced: SHI-ro). At the end of the course, you must send the IBAN (account number) of your Žiro account to the Central State Office, to receive compensation for your accommodation.

Note: to open an account in a Croatian bank it is not necessary to have permanent residence in the country or Croatian citizenship. All you need is an OIB (Osobna Iskaznica Broj) identification number. If you have a Croatian passport or ID, you will find this number in either of the two. If you don't have an OIB number, you will need to get one. To find out how to obtain an OIB number, check out this Expat in Croatia guide, which includes the form to fill out and all the necessary steps. Remember that you will also need your OIB to request accommodation compensation at the end of the course.

8. Buy your study materials

To study the Croatian language you will need a learning book and an exercise book. Don't worry if you still don't have your books to study the Croatian language as soon as you arrive. Usually, your teacher will provide you with copies in the first few days, and it is he or she who you can ask where to get them. Remember that you will not be given copies for the entire semester! Most likely, your faculty has its own bookstore, where you can buy your books to study Croatian.

The learning book on the left, and the exercise book on the right. These books are for the A2/B1 level. (Photo: Jose Alfonso Cussianovich)

Take good care of your books, as they can be useful even after studying the course. The learning book includes a Croatian to English dictionary on the final pages, and the exercise book includes tables of contents at the end for easy review of rules for declensions, conjugations, and more.

Note: make sure that the books you buy correspond to your learning level. If this is your first time studying the Croatian language, you will most likely need to buy the A1 / A2 level books.

9. Respects health measures against COVID-19 in your accommodation and faculty

Despite the difficulties and obstacles due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central State Office for Croats outside the Republic of Croatia managed to develop the scholarship for the Croatian language course in the March-June 2020 semester, the semester from October 2020 to January 2021, and the semester from March-June 2021.

The only possible way to develop the Croatian course was through online learning, thus respecting the measures and restrictions imposed by the Croatian government. As the epidemiological situation began to improve over time, some faculties such as Zagreb and Split returned to face-to-face classes for the March-June semester of 2021. It should be noted that in order to develop face-to-face classes normally, the use of masks, as well as the reduction of the number of students per class, and distribution of seats in the classroom that respects social distancing.

It is expected that this year all the faculties will return to face-to-face teaching, but that means respecting, in the same way, the epidemiological measures to combat the pandemic. Masks are mandatory. Through the call made by the Central State Office in May, a special call was made to the selected students to reconsider the possibility of traveling to Croatia and that, as an alternative, they could still take the language course online from their countries.

During the study time of the course, it is recommended to avoid attending classes in case you feel fever, malaise, or cold. Notify your teacher and classmates by mail if you suspect you may have COVID-19. Take a PCR test to rule out that you have COVID-19. If it is negative, communicate with your teacher and classmates so that they are calm. If it is positive, contact the health center and your accommodation, and follow their instructions to be transferred to other facilities where you can perform isolation during your recovery. Remember, student housing cannot be used, under any circumstances, as a place for self-isolation.

In case you feel ill or feel obliged to miss class, let your teacher know in advance and you will see that it is possible to attend class online from your room.

IMPORTANT: If you have already been vaccinated, it is important that you provide this information to your accommodation when registering upon arrival. We also recommend you go to the HZZO (Croatian Health Institute) and ask for the COVID Passport, which is a QR code that will begin to be requested on a mandatory basis throughout the country to attend different events or places.

Note: If you have not yet been vaccinated and want to do so, contact the Central Office of the State, and it is very likely that they will help you get a vaccination appointment in your city.

Note: Do not forget to wear a mask in the corridors of your accommodation and faculty.

For all you need to know about coronavirus specific to Croatia, including travel, border, and quarantine rules, as well as the locations of vaccination points and testing centers across the country, make sure to bookmark our dedicated COVID-19 section and select your preferred language.

10. Get everything ready for your trip to Croatia!

Weather in Croatia

Now that you know everything you need to know before traveling to Croatia and attending your Croatian language classes, get ready for the months to come! You will surely attend the semester from October 2021 to January 2022, for which I will tell you what is the climate that awaits you in the Croatian autumn and winter.

If you attend classes in Split or Rijeka, you will find yourself in the second and third largest cities, respectively, in Croatia, and both are located on the Adriatic. In October you will find warm and sunny days where the temperature can reach up to 20 degrees, as well as cold but not icy nights, with temperatures that drop to 14 degrees. It is possible to take a dip in the sea during this month! However, it is likely that at this time of year (especially in these two cities) you will find rains, winds, and storms that begin to appear more frequently. In Zagreb, located in central Croatia, and Osijek to the east, the weather may be similar, but surely less sunny.

Starting in November you will notice that the temperatures will begin to decrease progressively (17 degrees max, 10 degrees min), and the sunny days will become less frequent. You will get used to the strong winds and rain. Already in December and January, you will start to wrap yourself more warmly against the cold temperatures both during the day and at night (5 degrees max, and temperatures can drop to -5 or -7 degrees. If you are in Zagreb or Osijek, prepare for the snow!

Therefore, we consider it essential that you bring:

• A jacket to keep you warm in very low temperatures

• Cotton or wool sweaters

• A windbreaker that can also keep you warm

• A waterproof jacket for the rain

• Leg warmers

• Warm socks

• Winter pajamas

• Waterproof boots (you can ruin your white sneakers in puddles caused by rain)

• Winter gloves

• Hats for the cold

• Umbrella (very important!)

• Sunglasses (despite the low temperatures, there can still be very sunny days and the sunlight bouncing off the marbles of Diocletian's Palace in Split could leave you blind!)

In the winter months, the student accommodation turns on the heat in the student rooms. We recommend that you check this at the offices of your accommodation since in some cases it is necessary to confirm that you expressly wish to do so.

If you applied for two semesters or plan to apply for a second one while attending the first one, then you'll expect hotter months from May to June. But don't worry, you'll have enough time to buy some shorts, swim trunks, or sandals. My suggestion? Travel light! Clothes prices in Croatia are great, so you can travel with what you really need and search for whatever you might need later here.

To learn more about the weather in Croatia, visit the complete Total Croatia guide.

In case you find yourself caught in a rain or storm in Croatia, read this interesting page from Total Croatia on what to do while it rains in Croatia.

Currency in Croatia

Regarding the currency, remember that in Croatia the Euro is not used, but rather the Kuna. In addition, it is very likely that in several places they will ask you to use cash and not a card. If you arrive at the airport, we recommend that you change only a little of your money there to move to the city. It is preferable that you exchange your euros or dollars at an exchange office in the city, where the prices are better.

To give you an idea, one euro is equivalent to 7 kunas. While a dollar is equivalent to 6 kunas.

The expenses during your stay may vary depending on the city, but with some approximate ones, you could calculate what you will need monthly:

• 100 kunas per month to cover public transport
• 105 kuna per month to cover your meal (using the card for the two subsidized meals)
• 120 kuna per month for laundry (once a week, 30 kuna)
• 540 kunas per month to pay for accommodation (in Zagreb the amount is 300 kuna, but we have put the most expensive in Rijeka as a reference)
• 150 kuna per month to pay for an unlimited data plan on your phone with Telemach
• 2000 kuna for extra expenses (food, clothing, movie tickets, taxis, travel, etc)

In total, you may need approximately 3815 kuna or 450 euros to cover some monthly expenses.

For more information about currency in Croatia, visit Total Croatia 's complete guide.

Transport in Croatia

Depending on your city, you will notice that public transport is different. If you are lucky, it is likely that you will quickly become familiar with the routes and bus stops in your city, but most likely at first you will miss a stop or get lost. Don't worry, the four cities have very well organized transport systems and, if you make a mistake, you will see that you will be able to orient yourself again.

In Zagreb, the city has a transportation system that includes tram and bus routes. You can get to any part of the Croatian capital in both. You should make sure you have a balance on your public transport card, and remember that at the beginning of the month you will have to recharge it at a Tisak or at the Zagreb Public Transport (ZET) office, as it cannot be accumulated between different months. Another alternative is to buy 4 kuna tickets in a Tisak, which you can use to make two trips within 30 minutes on both the tram and the bus. You can also buy the ticket from the driver, but this will cost you 6 kuna.

The Zagreb trams at the Ban Josip Jelačić square (Photo: Sanjin Strukic/PIXSELL)

In Rijeka, the city has a bus system called Autotrolej that connects the city. As in Zagreb, you will need to get your public transport card to move from Trsat (where your accommodation and classes are) to the center and vice versa. In this city, it is highly recommended to have the card, since the largest number of shops and restaurants are in the center, and to return to Trsat you have to walk a lot and through steep streets, which in these times can become streams of water with storms and rains. The buses that take you to and from Trsat are lines 2, 7a, and 8. If you want to buy the ticket from a Tisak or from the driver, it will cost you 10 kuna if you travel from Trsat to the center of Rijeka and vice versa.

The buses in Rijeka (Photo: Goran Kovacic/PIXSELL)

In Split, as in Rijeka, you will find a network of buses that runs through the different areas of the center and the outskirts. Split public transportation company is called Promet Split. For detailed maps of their city and suburban lines, as well as ticket prices, check out their official website. Most of the locations within Split fall into Zone 1 in the company’s price list. Zone 1 tickets for a single ride cost 9kn when bought on Tisak, 11kn when bought on the bus. The daily ticket is 30kn.

The buses in Split (Ivo Cagalj/PIXSELL)

Osijek was the first city in Croatia to have a tram system. In fact, trams still run through the city: it’s the only place in Croatia outside Zagreb that has trams. Osijek is a very pleasant city to walk around. Indeed, you can walk between all of the city’s key areas without barely leaving fantastic park ground. And we recommend you do just that. However, Osijek is also nicely covered by public transportation. In this case, that means cheap local buses and trams. Additionally, there are well-priced taxi services. It costs only around 20 kn to travel anywhere in the city (within 5 km).

The trams in Osijek (Davor Javorovic/PIXSELL)

Not only will you find that it is easy to move from one place to another in the city, but that you will also be able to travel to all destinations in the country through buses and trains. If you're familiar with Uber, you'll be able to catch one anywhere in your city and even at late hours. Other options for Taxis are Cammeo and Bolt.

Health in Croatia

You will most likely arrive in Croatia with international health or travel insurance. Make sure you bring the necessary documentation related to that insurance. In case you need a consultation with a specialist or have to go to emergencies, contact your insurance before and after to cover the expenses. Medical receipts for those who are not enrolled with insurance can be ruthless. In addition, in pharmacies, it is essential to present a prescription to obtain your medications. A doctor assigned by your travel insurance can fill this prescription and mail it to you.

In case you are interested in public health insurance, especially if you wish to stay for a longer period of time even after the course ends, health insurance in Croatia is mandatory for all those who have temporary or permanent residence in the country, both ones with Croatian citizenship and foreigners. If you have an OIB, you can apply for Croatian health insurance. Check with the HZZO (Croatian Health Institute) offices if Croatian health insurance is right for you or if you are eligible. In the most likely case, you will have to pay the equivalent of the previous year to enroll, and you must not be affiliated with private or public insurance in your country of origin. Once enrolled, you will have to pay 500 kuna per month that will allow you to access prescribed medications, medical consultations, and cover expenses in the emergency room. Also, you will need to register with a GP.

To learn more about the healthcare system in Croatia, visit this guide from Total Croatia, where you will find information about specialists (some of them that speak in English), emergency numbers, hospitals, and insurance.

If you'd like to have emergency contact numbers handy, check out this Total Croatia page.

To learn more about Zagreb, such as places to see, things to do, museums, restaurants, bars, cafes, public transport, fun facts, events, and more, visit their Total Croatia page.

To learn more about Split, such as places to see, things to do, museums, restaurants, bars, cafes, public transport, ferry, fun facts, events, and more, visit their Total Croatia page.

To learn more about Rijeka, such as places to see, things to do, museums, restaurants, bars, cafes, public transport, ferry, fun facts, events, and more, visit their Total Croatia page.

To learn more about Osijek, such as places to see, things to do, museums, restaurants, bars, cafes, public transport, fun facts, events, and more, visit their Total Croatia page.

To find out more about what you need to know about Croatia, how to get around the country, destinations you can visit during your stay, and things you can do and see in these months, visit www.total-croatia.com, available in your language!

If you wish to learn more or have any questions about the Croatian language scholarship given by the Central State Office for Croats Outside the Republic of Croatia to study the Croatian Language in Croatia, send me an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

September 6, 2021 - Thousands of pilgrims gathered in Ludbreg yesterday for Holy Sunday 2021, the annual celebration of the Eucharistic Miracle of Ludbreg.

The first Sunday in September in Ludbreg was traditionally reserved for the annual celebration in honor of the Precious Blood of Christ, as a reminder of the miracle that took place in Ludbreg 610 years ago.

The central Eucharistic celebration this year, on Sunday, September 5, was presided over by Msgr. Dr. László Német, Bishop of Zrenjanin and President of the International Bishops' Conference of St. Cyril and Methodius. The concelebration was also attended by the Apostolic Nuncios in the Republic of Croatia, Msgr. Giorgio Lingua and the bishops of the Zagreb metropolis: Msgr. Vlado Košić, Bishop of Sisak, Msgr. Vjekoslav Huzjak, Bishop of Bjelovar-Križevci and hosts Msgr. Bože Radoš, Bishop of Varaždin and Msgr. Josip Mrzljak, retired bishop, along with numerous priests of the Zagreb metropolis.

Thousands of pilgrims arrived in Ludbreg from the early morning hours and participated in the spiritual program, on the eve of the solemn open-air Holy Mass in the Votive Chapel of the Croatian Parliament.

Representatives of the civil authorities also took part in the central Mass: the envoy of the President of the Croatian Parliament, the Vice-President of the Parliament, Academician Željko Reiner; Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Varaždin County Prefect Anđelko Stričak; the mayor of Ludbreg Dubravko Bilić, members of parliament, prefects, mayors and heads of surrounding counties, cities and municipalities, president and councilors of the Ludbreg city council.

Before the Mass, the gathered were greeted by the local pastor and guardian of the sanctuary, Msgr. Josip Đurkan, and then academician Reiner, who expressed special honor and satisfaction to be in Ludbreg again, saying that the sanctuary of the Precious Blood of Christ in Ludbreg is a place, not only of prayer and faith, but also the strongest link between the two institutions: the Church and the Croatian Parliament. .

-I send my wishes and prayers from this holy place for the joint commitment of the Croatian Parliament and the Church, but also the entire Croatian society to rebuild not only everything destroyed in the earthquake and pandemic, but also to rebuild the much-needed unity of Croatian citizens. In the deep and sincere faith that we have the strength to overcome all the challenges and objective difficulties we face, our fears, weaknesses and differences, dear God protect us all and protect our only and eternal Croatia - said, among other things, Deputy Speaker Zeljko Reiner.

Words of greeting and welcome on the eve of the Holy Mass were also sent by the Bishop of Varaždin, Božo Radoš, especially Msgr. Német, who came to the shrine of the Precious Blood of Christ in Ludbreg for the first time and gladly accepted to preside over this celebration of Mass. He also greeted other bishops, priests, representatives of civil authorities and numerous pilgrims from many parts of our country and beyond.

- You are here with a pilgrim's prayer in your heart that God's love, which is shed by the Blood of Christ, may warmly touch your way of life, heal the wounded and painful in you and your families. May God receive your thanks and blessings of prayer - said Bishop Radoš.

At the beginning of his homily, the pre-celebrant of the Mass, Msgr. Német reminded of the Eucharistic miracle in Ludbreg that happened 610 years ago, and then the vow of the Croatian Parliament on the construction of a votive chapel in Ludbreg from the 18th century, which was fulfilled only 25 years ago. He then pointed out that the fact that the members of Parliament expressed their deep conviction in the name of the Croatian people that the Blood of Christ can stop even the greatest evils, and that was a plague at the time, is an act of faith, an act of trust in God and his Son in power. The Precious Blood of Christ.

He also addressed those responsible for our society, for the state, for the good of the entire Croatian people.

- You, dear Members of Parliament, have a huge responsibility for the present of this beautiful country and even more for the future of the young generations that are coming after us. Today there is no plague in these parts, but hara Covid, unemployment, poverty, the departure of young people abroad. A bunch of problems and challenges! - Bishop Német emphasized.

He added that it would be irresponsible to talk only about challenges and problems, and instructed him to look at the pilgrims, those who follow this celebration through the media, and to find an incentive to create the future.

-If those who are responsible for our homeland know how to use this positive capital, this human strength, strengthened by faith in God's action, it will be much easier and safer to create a better, happier and more perfect Croatia.-, said the preacher.

At the end of the homily, he also mentioned the last owner of the Batthyany castle, in whose chapel the Ludbreg miracle took place. It was Ladislav Batthyány-Strattmann, who died 90 years ago in Vienna, and Pope John Paul II in 2003, he declared him blessed. Namely, Ladislav Batthyány-Strattmann was a doctor, and even during his lifetime he was called a doctor of the poor. He was a good father of the family, with his wife he had eleven children. He used his family fortune to build several hospitals in what was then Hungary, where he performed medical services many times free of charge. What's more: he knew how to feed the poor, to host them on his estates.

-I think his character, his way of life suits this place very well. Just as he wanted to eradicate the evil that destroys our lives, so Ludbreg and the worship of the Precious Blood of Christ should work to eradicate evil from our lives. - said Bishop Nemet and concluded his homily: -Let Ludbreg be a place of healing. May all who come here, be they dumb, blind, lame, sick of any disease, people full of unrest, anger, envy, revenge, experience here the healing power of the Precious Blood of Christ. Let it be in Ludbreg as in today's Gospel: Jesus healed the sick! May Jesus heal us here in Ludbreg today.-

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, which was magnified by the parish choir of the Parish of the Holy Trinity in Ludbreg, Msgr. Božo Radoš sent words of thanks to everyone and wished that this place would touch them, open everyone's ears and mouths, and bring the grace of pilgrimage further into life.

The mayor of Ludbreg, Dubravko Bilić, once again sent words of welcome to the pilgrims the day before:

- And while last year we could think that it was a year of testing for our humanity and humanity, a year of testing our personal responsibility towards the community in which we live and of which we are a part, a year of testing for the community we talk about so much and mostly in vain, today we can to say that we as a global community have failed. And while rich countries are talking about a third vaccination, poor countries in Africa, South America or Asia have not even received the first dose of the vaccine. While we desperately need as many vaccines as possible, we bid with the prices of that drug at $ 10 or $ 20 or $ 30, and people in some countries work all month to feed their families for about $ ten. While some are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in hypocritical anti-vaccination media campaigns, creating mistrust in science and spreading a culture of lies, millions of people in poor countries are dying from the effects of the Covid 19 infection and could be cured with that money. We have failed as inhabitants of this planet in our hearts, we have allowed selfishness to guide us in our decisions instead of using this challenge to fix everything we all know is not good. In fact, as soon as we saw that money could buy health, it showed how selfish we can be, how much our own satisfaction and self-centeredness can blur our concern for others and our common good. We have become a global community of inaction, excuses and powerlessness in the fight for justice and fairness, in the fight for every human life. We have become more selfish than ever and we are always ready to justify this selfishness only with our own good. We have become cowards in a non-heroic century in which everything can be obtained immediately on credit without waiting and suffering. We are on our way to annul two centuries of solidarity and respect for those closest to us, but also the farthest from us, to annul the agreements we have long and painstakingly built as a community in which we all feel safe, in which we do not leave each other because they are too slow. we do not give up on each other because we do not have time for them - said Mayor Bilic.

For a Croatian version of this article, click here.

To learn more about Ludbreg and the Eucharistic Miracle of Ludbreg, check out the Total Croatia Ludbreg in a Page guide, as well as the miracle video below.

September 7, 2021 - It is just over 8 months since the introduction of the Croatian digital nomad permit. A look at the impact so far. 

Eighteen months ago, hardly anyone mentioned Croatia and digital nomads in the same sentence. Today, Croatia is one of the first European countries that comes to mind when talking about digital nomad destinations. The phenomenal free PR generated by the Croatian digital nomad visa story was responsible for much of that. But just over a year since the Croatian government announced its intention to introduce only the second digital nomad visa in Europe after Estonia, how successful has the initiative been, both directly and indirectly, and what are the next steps?

I must confess that a number of things have surprised me about the initiative to introduce a digital nomad visa to Croatia after THAT LinkedIn post by Dutch entrepreneur Jan de Jong, in which he invited Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic to introduce the visa on May 11, 2020. 

The first surprise was the speed. A meeting was arranged, and then another, and then a few weeks later, a Twitter post from PM Plenkovic with de Jong announcing his intention to introduce the visa as requested. Amendments to the Foreigners Act were introduced the following day in Parliament. No less than 5 ministries were brought together to work on the initiative, the tax code was amended, the Foreigners Act changed, rules for health insurance adjusted, and on January 1, 2021, the new law regulating digital nomads came into force. 

The second surprise was the surprise of the first visa recipient, Melissa Paul, an American in Istria who was frantically trying to find a solution to stay in the country after some unusual personal circumstances.  Having been advised to try her luck with the new digital nomad visa option (the application only went online on March 1) at her local police station, she was both delighted that this approach worked and then a little taken aback to find out she was officially Croatia's first digital nomad permit (as the 'visa' became) holder in Croatia on January 25. TCN managed to get the first interview with Melissa, but she was soon a global star, giving interviews to the likes of CNN and Euronews. 

In my 11 years of writing about Croatian tourism, I can't recall a single story which has generated more positive PR for Croatia, or has had so wide a reach, with the exception of the World Cup. 

And that was part of the third - and probably the biggest - surprise: the global media coverage. De Jong - and gorgeous  images of Croatia and the Croatian lifestyle - were everywhere. CNN, Washington Post, Lonely Planet, the list went on. It seemed that Croatia was 'in', and the buzz of Croatia as a digital nomad hot spot was taking off.  People who had never considered Croatia before were beginning to check it out, and they liked what they saw. 

The timing of the visa story also combined with some other factors which made Croatia seem even more welcoming at the height of the pandemic. As the EU shut its doors to travellers from North America and other non-EU/EEA countries, Croatia broke with the bloc and declared Americans welcome last summer. ABC News hopped on a plane to Dubrovnik and did a series of feature stories on magical Dubrovnik, a potential lifestyle capital of Europe, and more gorgeous images were beamed into the homes of 12.5 million Americans on ABC News. 

There was also the Schengen factor to consider. Although Croatia is in the EU, it is not yet in the Schengen zone. As such, it makes a convenient exit point for those on a Schengen visa looking for somewhere to spend 90 days before they can reenter the Schengen zone. With all the buzz surrounding Croatia as a cool DN destination, many opted to continue their remote journey here. 

It is more than a year since the permit was announced and 8 months sonce it came into effect. So has it been a success so far?

I think that there are a few things to consider when answering that question. These include the actual numbers themselves, the seeds that have been sown, and the overall effect of the PR generated from it all. 

The Croatian digital nomad permit is far from perfect, at least in my opinion. I personally think that it is too bureaucratic and that a more streamlined application process would be beneficial and attract more applications. The requirement for a background police check in the home country, while understandable, is a major issue for many wannabe applicants. This is particularly true in the COVID era where there are huge backlogs in some departments for official documents such as this. 

The good news is that this is the Croatian Digital Nomad Permit 1.0. Lessons can be learned, changes made, and a smoother process introduced. 

The actual number of applicants has been very disappointing, and I don't think I am alone in thinking that there would be a lot more. As of September 3, just 227 applications, of which 86 have been approved. Approval time is taking about 3-6 weeks on average, with the need to go back and forth for that background check one of the biggest issues.The largest number of applications come from the USA, followed by the UK, Russia, Ukraine and Brazil. 

Perhaps the low number of applications is due to the pandemic, the bureaucracy, or simply the fact that digital nomads are nomadic by nature and not all of them want to be in one place for a year. Whatever the reasons, if the permit was being judged on initial results of applications and approvals alone, it would hardly be classed as a roaring success. 

And yet... 

The Internet was getting busier with more articles about Croatia, more nomads sharing the wonders of Croatia, and more social media groups dedicating themselves to all things digital nomad in Croatia. The largest of these, Digital Nomads Croatia, now has over 6,700 members. 

Co-working spaces, once thin on the ground, are opening all over the country. There are at least 17 in Zagreb alone.  It certainly feels that there are more foreigners around in Split and Zagreb here for more than just a holiday. 

And the data from the article I published this morning, Zagreb, Split Attracting More Digital Nomads than Prague, Krakow, Budapest, would seem to bear that out. 

The data (extrapolated from Nomad List) is all explained in the article link above, with an estimated 2,400 nomads in Split and Zagreb in July alone. Numbers that not only compare favourably, but outperform other more established DN destinations in Europe. And with monthly average visitors sharply up on a year ago, a healthy trend for future growth.

And it is not just Nomad List pointing to the popularity of Croatia. A big new survey  of digital nomads concludes that "Croatia was rated the top location in the Balkans and Eastern Europe."

Not bad for a small country that was barely mentioned on the digital nomad scene just over a year ago. 

As I am learning, the word of mouth effect in the digital nomad community is far more effective than normal. As one nomad put it to me, "we are like herd aninals, create something cool and we will follow." 

And Croatia is officially cool. What is nice to see when promoting a destination is for others to come in and do that promotion for you, for free. To global audiences. 

I was a little surprised - and encouraged - to hear Kashlee Kucheran of the influential DN community, Travel Off Path, naming Croatia as her number 1 digital nomad country back in October. Kucheran does an excellent job helping travellers keep up to date with the ever-shifting global travel rules. The Croatian visa caught her attention, and she has been enthusiastically waxing lyrical about Croatia to her global audience ever since. 

Official permit holders may be small in number, but some of them are more than making up for the lack of numbers with the noise of their message. Steve Tsentserensky from the USA was the 7th recipient of the permit, and he has had a very active year so far. An in-demand DN conference speaker, Tsentserensky recently published a viral article on CNBC News, with the accompanying video above, which has been watched over 200,000 times already. Simple messages of a high-quality, affordable and relaxed lifestyle, with most of his expenditure going into the local economy. His story has already inspired others to make the move to Croatia.

Another digital nomad whose interest in Croatia was piqued by the visa story was Dean Kuchel, who runs his own digital nomad community numbering 24,000 members. He spontaneously hopped on a plane to Zagreb to present a very entertaining presentation on building community at Zagreb Digital Nomad Week. As you can see from the short video interview above, Dean was very impressed with all things Zagreb, concluding that Zagreb ticks all the digital nomad boxes, and that the only thing Zagreb was missing was more digital nomads.

Indeed, so impressed was he that Dean is currently back in Zagreb for the month of September as the latest Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassador. For a man who has travelled to over 100 countries in 7 years, tying him down to a 12-month visa will be a challenge, but he will certainly help to spread the message to his niche community and beyond. 

(Photo credit Croatian National Tourist Board)

One area where the visa initiative has played a big role but has not been written about is the success in mobilising official resources and funding. A few weeks before de Jong's LinkedIn post to the Prime Minister, I had a meeting with the national tourist board to pitch some ideas, including promoting Trogir as a digital nomad town. While the idea was well received, I was informed that the national tourist board could not support it due to some tax issue regarding nomads. It was a valid point. 

And so the dream of official digital tourism promotion might have ended, but for a private sector initiative which brought together five ministries to thrash out the conditions of the visa. This was followed - almost a year to the day from my meeeting - by a new national tourist board campaign promoting Croatia as a digital nomad destination under the slogan, Croatia, Your New Office.

Last week a digital nomad conference in Opatija, featuring Minister of Tourism, Nikolina Brnjac, Director of the Coratian National Tourist Board, Kristjan Stanicic, and State Secretary for the Ministry of the Interior, Terezija Gras, who did perhaps more than any official to make the permit a reality. 

And the tourism minister has recognised the promotional value of this new breed of visitor, as TCN reported recently in Digital Nomads Promote Croatian Tourism Best, Says Minister Nikolina Brnjac. 

De Jong's inbox has been full since he embarked on this initiative. Global players interested in the remote work possibilities in Croatia. Co-living spaces, digital nomad villages and other ideas which one cannot see the results of right now. But they are coming. 

When Croatia announced its digital nomad visa plans last summer, it would have been the fifth country in the world (and the second in Europe after Estonia) to introduce such a visa. Today, just over a year later, there are almost 30 countries offering some version of a permit, a number which will continue to increase.

It may well be that the terms of the permit are improved, and that applications increase considerably once the pandemic subsides. Or not. And if the answer is no, I don't necessarily think that this is a bad thing, for the true value of the Croatian digital nomad visa initiative in (some) hindsight, is the  catalyst it provided to move Croatia along in this potentially very lucrative sector. Most things are almost in place, now it takes some good management and clever steering for Croatia to establish itself as a top remote work destination for the next decade based on a simple formula of safety, authentic experiences, and lifestyle. 

For more news and features about digital nomads in Croatia,  follow the dedicated TCN section.