Living and Working Remotely in Zagreb, Croatia (A Guide)

Discover why working in Zagreb, Croatia is a fantastic choice for digital nomads looking for a convenient and dynamic city full of life to spend time in.

Are you daydreaming about the next destination to work remotely from? If you’re looking for somewhere with Italian vibes but a smaller price tag, Croatia may be the place you’re looking for.

Zagreb, Croatia is quirky, full of history, and has so many things to offer people who choose to settle there for a while. It’s no wonder Zagreb has recently become a thriving city for travelers, including digital nomads.

Not only is there so much to see and do in Zagreb, it provides plenty of opportunities for remote workers. From affordable accommodation to ideal places to get work done, there’s a lot to know about the capital of Croatia.

With Croatia’s new residence visa, specifically aimed at attracting remote workers to Croatia, there’s never been a better time to consider working from Zagreb or one of Croatia’s other wonderful cities.

Read on for a full guide to working remotely in Zagreb, including where to stay, coworking spaces, and cafes.

Fun Facts about Zagreb

Zagreb is the capital and largest city in Croatia, situated in the northwest of the country, it’s ideally placed along the Sava River.

A country with a rich history, there’s so much to learn – here are a few fun facts about Zagreb:

Zagreb once consisted of two settlements placed on neighboring hills: Gradec and Kaptol. The two neighbors didn’t get along and had land separating them. Eventually, the two joined together and Zagreb came to be in 1904. It was named the capital in 1945.
The stunning Zagreb Cathedral is the tallest building in Croatia. There’s tons of history surrounding this monument. Today’s cathedral isn’t the original construction as it was damaged in the 13th century during an attack and fire. Unfortunately, it was damaged again by an earthquake in the 1800s. Today, it’s one of the most beautiful landmarks and is open for visitors.
If you visit Zagreb’s upper town at night, expect it to be lit up! There are hundreds of street lanterns manually lit each evening and put out at dusk which is definitely a sight to see.

Where to Stay in Zagreb

As a whole, Zagreb is fairly easy for foreigners to live and work in. There are plenty of English speakers and it’s considered a safe city. Digital nomads have it made with cafes on every corner supplying excellent wifi and a good caffeine hit. You really can’t go wrong living in any area of Zagreb, but let’s take a look at some noteworthy neighborhoods and how to find short-term rentals.

Popular Areas for Digital Nomads to Live in Zagreb

When people think of where to live in Zagreb, there are some well-known neighborhoods popular for different features.

Donji Grad (Lower Town): This area is in the center of Zagreb and is where a lot of life takes place. There are many coffee shops, beautiful parks, and people.
Maksimir: It’s most popular for two things: it’s home to the oldest public park in Zagreb and a football stadium where national and international games take place. Maksimir is also an excellent spot because it’s close to the city center and close to nature.
Šalata: An upper-class area with modern homes, Šalata is known for being a calm piece of Zagreb.

While these three areas are well worth a mention, keep in mind that immigrants and remote workers can find excellent accommodations all around Zagreb. Some may say that areas around Dubrava are known to be poorer and more hectic than most neighborhoods in Zagreb.

How to Find Short Term Rentals in Zagreb

When you’re ready to look for short-term rentals in Zagreb, there are a couple of ways to do this.

Facebook Groups: Expats in Zagreb [Official] is a popular place to find rentals including short-term accommodations. People often share spots they know of or people moving to Zagreb can as current locals about opportunities for renting.
Airbnb: There are a number of options for places to stay on Airbnb. This is a great platform to use in order to read reviews and find options for as short or long as you want.

Check out our other accommodations options for digital nomads.

Places to Work in Zagreb

You almost can’t read anything about living and working in Zagreb without reading about its coffee culture and with coffee comes excellent cafes so anyone who enjoys working outside with a coffee will be in luck.

If you’re looking for a place customized for working, Zagreb also has plenty of coworking spaces. Here are some of our favourites of each.

Cafes in Zagreb

Cogito Coffee Shop: This local coffee shop offers top-notch coffee, cozy seating, and fast WiFi. If you like a fun working atmosphere, they’ve usually got good music playing in the background.
QUAHWA: This hidden gem has so much to offer! There’s a variety of seating options indoors and outdoor. There’s a quiet room to work and spaces with soft music. Digital nomads love sipping the tasty joe while being productive.
Botaničar: Not only is this place totally Instagram-worthy with gorgeous plants everywhere, but it’s also an excellent spot for working. They’ve got coffee for fueling some energy and beer to enjoy after your work is done.

Coworking Spaces in Zagreb

Impact Hub: This coworking space is all about networking, getting creative, and growing businesses. Digital nomads love the cozy atmosphere and great internet speeds at Impact Hub.
Hub385: With a relaxed and modern feel, Hub385 offers a variety of spaces to meet your needs from office areas to conference rooms. They were even given the title of Best Coworking Space in 2017 by the Central European Startup Awards.
BIZkoshnica: Get organized and productive in Zagreb’s city center at BIZkoshnica. They offer coworking, networking, support, and event spaces.

Pros and Cons of Working Remotely and Living in Zagreb

It’s safe to say that Zagreb is a treasure for digital nomads. Let’s take a good look at several pros and cons to working in this happening city.

Why is Zagreb is Great for Digital Nomads?

Again, the cafe culture is better than most places – great coffee and WiFi abound make Zagreb a digital nomad’s dream!
Zagreb is considered to be a safe city to live in. While it’s always good to practice basic safety measures, you can feel confident exploring this beautiful city.
If there’s ever a need to seek medical care, Zagreb is a good place to do so. There’s quality private healthcare and the costs are low. If you’re looking for quality health and travel insurance for digital nomads, we recommend Safety Wing.
The Zagreb nightlife has a lot to offer! There are casual bars, hip clubs, and live music to wind down after work.
The cityscape is one-of-a-kind. There’s so much to marvel including the incredible architecture, beautifully-lit alleys, and iconic landmarks.
The location is supreme! Croatia is fairly close to the center of Europe and you can easily travel to and from most major cities in Europe by plane, train, or bus.
Remote workers can rest assured that good internet won’t be an issue. Reliable WiFi is easy to find in Zagreb.

What are the Downsides of Living in Zagreb?

The visa application process can take some time, so plan ahead to avoid any issues. Check out more information on the Croatia Freelance visa here.
Winters can be chilly. While it doesn’t get unbearably cold in Zagreb, winter months have an average low in the 30s so be prepared to bundle up!
Learning the language can be a challenge. The good news is that many people speak English in Zagreb.

There’s no doubt that there is a lot to love regarding living and working in Zagreb. There are far more advantages to choosing Zagreb as your next destination than disadvantages. There’s truly something for everyone and it’s a place best explore slowly over several months.

If you’re interested in other places suited to digital nomads then make sure to check out our guide for remote workers in Tbilisi, Georgia, Budapest, and Romania, or the best cities in Southeast Asia.