Expat Life & Facts about the Local Economy in Zagreb

Like many Balkan cities, Zagreb bears the hallmarks of a long history of occupation by various empires, including the Ancient Greeks, the Romans and the Austro-Hungarian Empire — plus of course their time as part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. All of these influences play into the diversity and unique personality of the city, which in recent years has stepped out of the shadow of Croatia's more celebrated coastal districts to become a popular holiday spot in its own right. The city center is a vibrant cultural hub packed with museums, art galleries, theaters, cafes, bars and restaurants, while just outside the capital lie some of the natural wonders of the Balkan region — such as Jarun Lake and Mount Medvednica, helping to create an organic and natural feeling that permeates even the more built-up areas of the city. Located at the crossroads between Central Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Balkans, Zagreb is also a thriving business hub, drawing many expats to key industries including mechanical production, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food processing. The city's increasing popularity as a city break location has also seen major growth in the local tourism and services industries. The financial crash may have dealt a harsh blow to Croatia's economy, but the feeling in Zagreb today is of a young and ambitious city where opportunities are all around if you know where to look.

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Join Our Expat Network in Zagreb

As the world's leading expat community, InterNations has always been founded on a commitment to providing a safe, secure, and respectful experience. Our members are carefully monitored according to our guiding principles, meaning you can feel free to pose any questions you might have about living in Zagreb and look forward to an insightful, helpful, and reliable response from your fellow members. These questions may be of a practical nature — such as advice on setting up a business in the city, how to avoid corruption, and what your rights are as a renter or property owner — or they might relate to your hobbies or social activities, such as taking skiing lessons, forming a hiking group, or sampling the best of Zagreb's many bars and restaurants. Some of the latter interests are also served by our InterNations Groups, which enable members to meet like-minded people and organize interest-based get-togethers. In addition, please feel welcome to attend one of our larger, regular events, where you can meet fellow expats over informal drinks at one of the city's many attractive venues.