Croatia — Living: Education

Why this matters

A relocating person should care about education options in Croatia due to the potential impact on their children's academic and professional futures.

Key facts

• Government expenditure on education: 4.1 % of GDP (2021)
• School enrolment, primary: 101 % gross (2023)
• School enrolment, secondary: 105 % gross (2023)
• School enrolment, tertiary: 81 % gross (2023)
• Adult literacy rate: 98.2 % of people aged 15+ (2001)

Steps

1. Researching schools — Find information about public and private schools in Croatia, including their curriculum, teaching methods, and extracurricular activities.
2. Understanding the education system — Croatia has a tiered education system, including primary, secondary, and higher education institutions. Understanding the structure and requirements of each tier can help inform educational decisions.
3. Navigating language barriers — For international families, navigating the Croatian education system may involve language barriers. Researching language support options and potential language requirements for schools can be helpful.

Costs

• School fees: varies by school type and location

Timelines

• School admissions: Generally 2-4 weeks before the start of the school year

Required documents

• Birth certificate
• Proof of residency
• Documentation of vaccination records

Common mistakes

• Assuming public education is the only option available in Croatia
• Not researching language support options for international families

What these figures do not cover

Gross enrolment ratios can exceed 100% because they count pupils of any age against the school-age population. These are national statistics. International schools, fees, admissions, curricula and school calendars are not covered here.