September 14, 2021 - Dinamo Zagreb is preparing to welcome West Ham at Maksimir Stadium on Thursday to open the Europa League group stage. 

West Ham United is playing in Europe for the first time in five years. The English club played in the competition last when they were led by Slaven Bilić and were shockingly knocked out in the play-offs by Romanian club Astra Giurgiu, reports 24 Sata.

West Ham is in the group stage of the competition for the first time thanks to finishing sixth place in the Premier League last season.

And their first stop? Croatia.

Dinamo, their first group stage opponent, plays in the Europa League group stage for the 14th time in the last 15 seasons.

Nikola Vlašić (23) will once again play against Dinamo in the Europa League group stage. Recall, Vlašić met Dinamo when playing with CSKA Moscow last season and lost at Maksimir. He made his West Ham debut in the draw against Southampton last weekend (0-0).

Spaniard Pablo Fornals (25) knows it won’t be easy, even though the Hammers are favorites for bookmakers (odds 2.25 at West Ham and 3.10 at Dinamo).

"We are playing away. It will be a new experience for all of us, and I hope that we will make all West Ham fans proud," Fornals said for the official West Ham website.

Coach David Moyes has hinted that striker Michail Antonio, who is excluded from the league game and has no right to play against Manchester United at the weekend, will play in Zagreb.

"Will I try other options? He can’t play against United, and you can look at it in several ways. I don't want Mic to be without a game for a few weeks, he played a little for the national team, but I will think about it," said Moyes.

Dinamo captain Arijan Ademi (30), the club's record holder with 87 appearances in UEFA competitions, does not believe that it will be a one-way street.

"With a full stadium, with our fans, with their great support, we can repeat Tottenham. Clearly, I am an optimist; what an athlete I would be if I were not an optimist. We believed then that we could get past the Spurs, and that faith brought us that result," said the captain and continued:

"I appeal to our fans to give us the support they know against West Ham. It means a lot to us on the field; fan support is a big motivator. The louder our fans are, the higher our percentage for success. So I hope they will fill Maksimir."

The match starts at 18.45 on Thursday and will be refereed by Frenchman Ruddy Buquet (44), who refereed Dinamo in their victory against Ferencvaros in Budapest in 2019 (4-0) and was the fourth referee against Neftči in Zagreb in 2011 (3-0). He also refereed the Croatia national team in a draw against Azerbaijan in 2015 (0-0) and victory in Finland in 2016 (1-0).

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

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.

ZAGREB, 13 Sept 2021 - Enterprises from Zagreb, Osijek, and Varaždin top the ranking considering the 2020 consolidated net profit broken down by cities, shows an analysis of data provided by the Financial Agency (FINA).

The remaining seven cities that make the top ten list in this survey are Karlovac, Sveta Nedelja, Rijeka, Čakovec, Solin, Vukovar, and Kutina.

Businesses in the top 10 cities make up 4/5 of total net profit of all businesses in Croatia

The consolidated net profit of the businesses registered in all those ten cities in 2020 was HRK 16.6 billion, and the consolidated net profit of all the businesses in the whole of Croatia totaled 20.97 billion last year.

There were 62,365 businesses registered in those ten cities, and they employed 493,716 people or 52.1% of all the workers on the payrolls of all the businesses across Croatia.

In Zagreb alone, there were 46,347 registered businesses with 369,080 employees on their payrolls, and they made a net profit of 12.2 billion kuna or 73.5% of the total net profit of all the businesses in Croatia in 2020. The business performance of the Croatian power company HEP pushes the capital city to the top of the ranking.

Osijek ranks second with its businesses making a net profit of HRK 669.6 million. The biggest eastern city ranks second owing to the business performance of the Žito food company.

Varaždin comes in as third, with the net profit of the businesses registered in this northern city totaling HRK 571.6 million. The largest share of this success is contributed by the Zagorje-Tehnobeton construction company.

Karlovac follows with HRK 509.4 million, and Sveta Nedelja, a town west of Zagreb, registered HRK 490.1 million in the net profit of the businesses in that area.

The list also includes Rijeka (HRK 489.6M), Čakovec (HRK 476.1M), Solin (HRK 438.2M) Vukovar (HRK 404.2M) and Kutina (HRK 353.3M)

(€1 = HRK 7.5)

For more, follow our business section.

September 12, 2021 - Some of Croatia's biggest entrepreneurial names will gather in Zagreb later this month for one of the country's most inspiring conferences - Entrepreneurial Mindset 2021.  

Of all the many conferences I have attended in Croatia, none came close to the energy of Poduzetnicki Mindset (Entrepreneurial Mindset), which took place on this day two years ago in Zagreb. 

Only positivity was allowed into the building, and some of Croatia's most successful entrepreneurs gave up their time to share their stories in person.  They included two men who had recently been included in the Financial Times list of Top 100 Digital Champions of Europe, Nenad Bakic and Mate Rimac. 

One of the highlights for me - apart from the excellent presentations - was seeing high school students, rather than politicians, in the front row, having their mindsets stimulated by some of Croatia's finest. It was a fascinating  day, showcasing the incredible potential of the Croatian private sector.

Two years is a long time, and the pandemic has been a major factor in everything over the last 18 months. But one thing is for certain - the Croatian entrepreneurial story is moving forward, the energy of that 2019 conference increasingly evident in the private sector. 

One of the highlights of that first conference was listening to Rimac Automobili CEO Mate Rimac, who gave a fascinating presentation not only on the incredible rise of his company since 2010, but also looking at Slovakia as a case study for the impact on the economy of the car industry.  Rimac gave a detailed overview of the Slovakian car industry, and how its annual exports were already greater than Croatia's combined annual exports. 

And we all know what Rimac has been up to in the automotive industry in recent months. Mate Rimac will also be taking part in this year's Entrpreneurial Mindset 2021, which will take place at Algebra University College at Ilica 242 in Zagreb on September 28. 

Rimac will not be the only Croatian global success story to be presenting at Entrepreneurial Mindset 2021. Since that first conference, Croatia got its first startup unicorn, Infobip, one of several Croatian companies making great strides on the world stage. Silvio Kutic, co-founder of Infoip, will also be among the speakers.

Conference partners Algebra MBA Business School have also organised a valuable Leadership Talent tournament. Selected talents, from managers to experts, will participate there in a case-study competition where they will represent their companies as selected cross-functional teams. They will fight for scholarships for Algebra MBA education worth more than 100,000 kuna. This innovative business simulation, on the topic of Intrapreneurship and the creation of an ecosystem that encourages Leadership at all levels of management, is an opportunity for teams to become aware and start building the necessary personal and team competencies. Applications are open from August 23 here. 

Changing the mindset is one of the biggest battlegrounds in moving Croatia forward, and the Entrpreneurial Mindset initiative is already reaching its target audience of the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, with its very own Entrpreneurial Mindset for Youth conference which took place earlier this year - coverage in the video below.

For more information on the event, and to register, visit the Poduzetnik dedicated website page.

September 12, 2021 - The return of a much-loved gourmet event in the Croatian capital, as the 2021 Zagreb Burger Festival kicks off.

The Zagreb gourmet scene has changed dramatically in the last 10 years, and the city is now attracting plenty of plaudits for its diverse and enticing culinary scene.  

In addition to a much wider selection of choice of cuisine, there is an increasing focus on food and festivals, and one firm favourite event which is now firmly embedded into the tourism calendar is back for its 2021 edition in a new location. 

The Zagreb Burger Festival opened yesterday and will continue daily from midday until 23:00 (and 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays) until September 19.

After years in the same location at Strossmayer Square, the event has moved slightly to the west for this year's edition, to Dr Franje Tudjman square (just off Ilica), where 9 main stands will be offering you the best and most creative burger treats. 

Since its inception, the Zagreb Burger Festival has caught the imagination and creativity of some of Croatia's top chefs, and the annual competition to win the coveted title of Best Burger at Zagreb Burger Festival is always keenly contested. Last year's winners are above. 

There is also a lively music programme... but now to meet some of th stars of the festival - the burgers themselves. Which one has your name on it?

You can follow the latest from the festival on the Zagreb Burger Festival page. 

ZAGREB, 10 Sept 2021- Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović is coming for an official visit to Croatia next week at the invitation of his Croatian counterpart Zoran Milanović. 

Đukanović is due to arrive in Zagreb on Wednesday, 16 September and meet with Milanović, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković, Hina learned unofficially from the President's Office on Friday.

The visit comes following the inauguration of Serbian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Joanikije in the Montenegrin historical capital Cetinje earlier this month, which sparked protests by several thousand people who blocked the access roads to the city for two days. Seven police officers were injured in clashes, a dozen protesters sought medical assistance and another 14 were detained by the police.

Đukanović said that the violent inauguration was "against the will of the vast majority of the citizens of Cetinje and a considerable number of the citizens of Montenegro", condemning "the inappropriate use of force against peacefully gathered citizens."

Đukanović accused Serbia of humiliating Montenegro and pursuing the policy of territorial expansion in the region. On the other hand, Montenegrin Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić, who is close to the Serbian Orthodox Church, blamed Đukanović for initiating the protests in Cetinje.

For more on politics, CLICK HERE.

September 7, 2021 - Finding accurate data about the number of digital nomads visiting individual countries is a hard task, but some solid data extrapolated from Nomad List shows some very encouraging trends for Croatia's emerging digital nomad story.

The first statistic I came across when I started writing about the digital nomad opportunity in Croatia over two years ago was that there would be one billion digital nomads in the world by 2035. This was before the major shift in work patterns brought on by the pandemic, and looking back, I think it referred to remote workers (people working remotely, including at home), rather than digital nomads (those who up sticks and move around, usually to other countries). If the number was a billion before the pandemic, I wonder what it is now. 

That vague number has been followed by other vague numbers. Just how many digital nomads are out there, and how many are actually travelling during the pandemic? And where to?

There are, of course, some ways to track some data. The number of applications and approvals for the Croatian digital nomad permit, for example. But this only tells part of the story (the number of people outside the EU who want to commit to living 12 months in Croatia and go through the bureaucratic process during a pandemic). Much more popular (and evident from the various dedicated forums and social media groups dedicated to the subject) is a stay of 1 - 3 months. Finding out accurate data on those numbers is a much harder task, as nomads rarely register themselves as such and so are not easily tracked. 

One of the most interesting things I learned about the changing patters of tourism back in May was that in the first 4 months of 2021, more than 25% of AirBnB bookings were for 28 days or more. A good number of those would be worcations, I am sure, with many a digital nomad included therein.

One thing is clear. The future of remote work has arrived, and the trend to live and travel on the road is only going to grow. And once the pandemic is over, and this trend is more mainstream, then it will become a sizable part of some national economies. As I and others have been advocating for some time now,  this represents a great opportunity for Croatia. The  recent CNBC news feature by American Steve Tsentserensky showcases the financial and lifestyle attractiveness of life in Dalmatia, while showing how a regular nomad pumps US$17,000 into the Croatian economy in 12 months, while also promoting the country for free (the video above has been viewed more than 200,000 times already).

Tsentserensky is one of the 86 approved Croatian digital nomad permit holders, following his successful application after reading about it on TCN. But if less than 100 visas have been issued so far, does that mean that no digital nomads are visiting Croatia?

Far from it!

Nomad List, arguably the leading global digital nomad resource, compiles extensive data on more than 300 DN destinations around the world, including estimated statistics of visitors to a destination by month, year and weighted monthly average.  These statistics can be extrapolated from the site. Before we continue, a word on how the data is calculated:

Values shown are estimated visits by traveling remote workers based on the total amount of trips logged by Nomad List members. Visits to a place are only counted once per year per user, even if they visit more in that year. Not all nomads are on Nomad List, and not all Nomad List members log their trips. So the data is only indicative.

But while the numbers may be indicative, the method of calculation is the same across the board for all destinations. This allows us to see how Croatian destinations are performing against other more established destinations. And the results are MORE than a little encouraging, both in the numbers and rising trends for Croatian destinations. 

The first piece of good news is that Zagreb is currently ranked 25th as a global digital nomad destination, with an overall ranking of 4.09/5 from 234 reviews, quite an achievement for the Croatian capital, which started its digital nomad campaign with Zagreb Digital Nomad Week back in June. There are three other Croatian cities in the top 200 - Dubrovnik (125), Split (162) and Osijek (165 - no traffic data currently available).  This is a higher number than established Canary Islands DN hot spots such as Las Palmas and Tenerife, and almost on a par with the likes of Porto. 

And when it comes to Central and Eastern Europe, both Split and Dubrovnik are proving more popular than Prague, Krakow and Budapest (the latter admittedly more affected than most by the lockdown). 

Even more encouraging for all three destinations is the rise of the 12-month average number of digital nomads compared to a year ago, with the trend for all Croatian destinations heading the same way. While Zagreb averaged 367 visitors a month when the visa was announced a year ago, that number today is 634. Split was 550 and today is 834, and Dubrovnik too is rising - from 150 to 334. 

Both Zagreb and Split had an estimated 1,200 DN visits in July (Dubrovnik has the same in August), according to the NomadList data. 

Data from two other destinations caught my eye. The Georgian capital , Tbilisi, is among the most popular places in Europe, with a marked rise in visits. Apart from being a great destination (I lived there back in 1995), it also has a visa and is very competitive on price.

And Madeira also has an interesting digital nomad story, having achieved global interest this Spring with the launch of the world's first digital nomad village. While that provided a huge spike of interest, this seems to have dropped off a little, and its monthly average numbers are similar to Split, which has yet to do anything major in terms of digital nomad promotion. 

These numbers, while encouraging, are still small. There are many challenges along the way, not least the pandemic and getting Croatia's message out there. But the data suggests that the foundations are solid, and a dividend from the huge free PR from the digital nomad permit story is already bearing some tiny fruit. A very solid base on which to build. 

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

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 - Many things about the Croatian capital impressed Veronica Mulhall, the first Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassador, including the food. Veronica shares her favourite finds from the vibrant Zagreb brunch scene.

Sometimes you need an excuse to hit the snooze button. It is my opinion that there is no better reason than brunch. In Zagreb, coffee culture is king, but these days the hipster newcomer concept of brunch, breakfast + lunch, is only a step behind for socializing, working, or simply easing into the day.

As a digital nomad, I have decided brunch is no longer reserved for the weekend, and Zagreb supplies my favorite meal in tall supply.

Whether you are looking for the perfect omelet or a healthy smoothie bowl, with downtown Zagreb’s rapidly expanding restaurant scene, the perfect brunch may very well be around the corner. Not in any ranking, here are my current top five:



(Photo courtesy of Melt Instagram)

1. Melt - Gelato & Brunch Bar

https://meltzagreb.com/
Radićeva ul. 3A, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Everything Instagram-able can be found here. While you could write a novel on their smoothie bowls, you would be limiting yourself to not try some of their more savory dishes, such as Ricotta & Roasted Tomato Toast. The solution: come with a friend and share. All pair excellently with their extensive coffee selection.


(Photo courtesy of Brunch. Google photos)

2. Brunch.

https://www.brunch.hr/
Teslina 12 and Petrova ul. 167, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

It is all in the name and there is nothing that is up for debate with Brunch. The outdoor seating at both locations has enough room to come with friends. It has a no-nonsense menu with a nice mix choices. Their breakfast burrito and power wrap are personal favorites. If you are feeling more decadent they have dishes such as crunchy chicken waffles and a pull duck burger to choose from.

(Photo courtesy of Otto & Frank Instagram)

3. Otto & Frank

https://www.otto-frank.com/
Ul. Ivana Tkalčića 20, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

If people-watching is your thing, then look no further than Otto & Frank on Ul. Ivana Tkalčića in the center of the action. This small and comfortable bar and bistro lives up to their claim of using fresh ingredients to create home meals with a modern twist. If you are new to town, the Zagrebački Doručak, or Zagreb breakfast, with crispy poached eggs is a meal you cannot miss. Breakfast is offered all day.

(Photo courtesy of EGGSPRESS Facebook)

4. EGGSPRESS

http://www.facebook.com/EggspressZg
Vlaška ul. 81a, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

A small stroll from the center, but as the name hints, it has the all-you-ever-need menu for great eggs every way you want it and even some ways you didn’t know you wanted, but you do. From killer omelets to poached eggs with homemade hollandaise sauce, this small spot is a top Zagreb contender for a perfect brunch. The downside? It does get crowded, but it is with the wait. As one reviewer stated, “eggcedes all eggspectations!”


(Photo courtesy of The Canopy Central Bistro and Bar, Canopy By Hilton Google photos)

5. The Canopy Central Bistro and Bar, Canopy By Hilton

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/zagzcpy-canopy-zagreb-city-centre
Ul. Kneza Branimira 29, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

If you are looking for a classy neighborhood vibe and want all the advantages of perfect internet and endless plug-in locations post food, Canopy By Hilton’s The Canopy Central Bistro and Bar is a great spot. They have an entire section on their menu dedicated to specialty coffee with items such as cold brew and hazelnut macchiatos, you can choose to come for the breakfast buffet with smoked salmon, bagels, or indulge their lunch menu with Caprese salad and beef tartare.

(Photo courtesy of Kai Street Food Instagram)

Bonus: Kai Street Food

https://m.facebook.com/kaistreetfoodbar/
Jurišićeva ul. 2A, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

While not technically a brunch place as it is only opening at noon, Kai Street Food is the best new fusion food spot in town opening only this year by a few friends, one who happens to be a chef, all with a passion for out of this world food. While the menu changes, if you get in soon the Katsu Sando is a chicken sandwich that is good enough to have been served at the last supper, and if you need an egg on that to call it brunch, negotiate.

Veronica Mulhall is a strategic marketer on a mission to connect people. When Veronica is not traveling and leading marketing and communications projects, she is a salsa dancing foodie on the hunt for the world’s undiscovered cultural adventures.

Veronica was the first Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassdor in July 2021. You can connect with her via www.veronicamulhall.com 

September 5, 2021 - The 71st Boris Hanžeković Memorial will be held at Zagreb's Mladost Stadium on September 13 and 14!

The 71st Boris Hanžeković Memorial - Continental Tour Gold Athletic Rally was recently presented at a press conference in Zagreb. The director of the rally, Robert Šola, pointed out that 11 Olympic champions, 7 world champions, and 16 medal winners from the Tokyo Olympics have already confirmed their participation.

"I can say that we will watch the rally even better than those we have enjoyed all these years. This year, for the first time, we will sell tickets for the Boris Hanžeković Memorial through Entrio, i.e., www.entrio.hr. " Tickets are already on sale. 

The new manager of the rally, Alfons Juck, presented some of the strongest disciplines.

"We have already announced that Sandra Perković will have the opportunity for a rematch against Olympic winner in the discus throw, Valarie Allman, who is also coming to Zagreb. All three medal winners from Tokyo will compete in the men's discus, and I believe that Daniel Stahl could throw the discus over 70 meters."

Juck announced three sprint disciplines and listed the main stars. Namely, in the 110-meter hurdles, Tokyo Olympic winner Hansle Parchment, Tokyo bronze medalist Ronald Levy, and Devon Allen, fourth from Tokyo. In the 100 meters (M): first in the world Trayvon Bromell - 9.77, Olympic finalist Ronnie Baker - 9.83, Ferdinand Omurwa - 9.86. In the 200m, Tokyo silver medalist Christine Mboma, Tokyo bronze medalist in the 100m and gold in the 4x100m relay Shericka Jackson,  and Tokyo silver medalist in the 400m Marileidy Paulino.

On Tuesday, September 14, spectators could witness a historic moment at Zagreb's Mladost Stadium. Can the 800-meter race end in under 1:44.00?

There is a good chance that the Zagreb record (1:44.05, and held by Niel Amos) will be forgotten, as four athletes are coming to Zagreb who ran a better time.

The biggest favorite is Bosnia & Herzegovina national Amel Tuka, world runner-up and participant in the final race of the Olympic Games (6th). His personal record is 1:42.51. Next to him are two Kenyan runners - Elias Ngeny (1:43.84) and Patrick Saruni (1:43.25). In addition, the competition is strengthened by the arrival of Puerto Rican Wesley Vazquez (1:43.83). And that's not all. 

At last year's edition, British athletes took their places on the podium, but can last year's winner - Daniel Rowden, Elliot Giles (2nd), and 22-year-old, talented Thomas Randolph (Zagreb debutant) repeat their success? Peter Bol also has a legitimate chance of winning after winning fourth place in the 800-meter race in Tokyo.

With so many great runners, this will surely be one of the strongest 800-meter races in the history of the Zagreb event.

The Boris Hanžeković Memorial is the oldest sporting event in Croatia. It is also one of the world's best athletics meetings. It has been held since 1951 in honor of hurdler Boris Hanžeković, who was killed in WWII. 

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

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.

September 3, 2021 - The Croatian capital welcomes back Dean Kuchel from Digital Nomad World as its third Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassador.

He decided to come to Croatia spontaneously in June when he was invited to speak at the inaugural Zagreb Digital Nomad Week conference. 

Israeli Dean Kuchel was undoubtedly one of the stars of the week, and his highly entertaining presentation on building community was certainly one of the highlights.  A serial traveller to more than 100 countries in just 7 years (including travel-restricted 2020), there are few better examples of someone embracing the freedom of the digital nomad lifestyle. 

One of his mantras is the simple maxim - I travel solo, but I never travel alone. A simple sentence which gets to the core of the theme of building community. If a destination has a vibrant digital nomad community, then nomads will come. And Kuchel certainly knows a thing or two about building community, as his own community now numbers some 24,000 online nomad fans.  

Of all the many stimulating people I met at Zagreb Digital Noamd Week, I learned the most from him about this relatively new lifestyle, and the opportunities which it presents for Croatia. For such a restless spirit, the idea of a 12-month visa application would not appeal to him, but the buzz of Croatia as a dynamic destination for nomads certainly helped get him on the plane. His observations about Zagreb after the week were certainly encouraging, as you can see in the brief interview above. Zagreb ticks all the boxes, and the only thing missing for digital nomads in the city are more digital nomads. Build that community and they will come. 

The  second mantra is even shorter. Say yes! Embrace things and give them a try.

"Would  you say yes to applying to be one of our Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassadors," I asked. 

"Ha, why not? This is a great city and I love this project and conference."

And  then, less than two weeks later, an application.  

Dean arrived to take up residence at Doma Zagreb Aparthotel, the official accommodation partner of the Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassador project on Wednesday. We caught  up for a drink last night, and Dean is very keen to work on building community to help take Zagreb (and Croatia) to the next level. It promises to be an exciting month.

You can follow Dean Kuchel's escapades on his Where is Dean? Instagram. 

For more information about the Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassador project, check out Saltwater Nomads.

For the latest news and features on digital nomads in Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section.