While the cost of living in Croatia has gone up after the country switched to the Euro in January 2023, both minimum and average salaries have responded with steady, significant growth.
And today, I am here to give you the updated numbers and see what this “steady growth” actually means: I will tell you exactly what the minimum salary is in Croatia, average salaries throughout the country, and a lot more to understand the bigger picutre.
Because in 2026, understanding the financial landscape of Croatia is no longer just about tracking the Euro transition, but about measuring how wages are keeping pace with a mature Eurozone economy.
If you want the quick overview without the context, here are the baseline figures for 2026:
- Minimum gross salary: €1,050 / month
- Average gross salary: €2,120 / month
Living on minimum wage here is very difficult, so if you’re planning to relocate and you’re looking to rent and live on your own, minimum wage wouldn’t be enough for a decent life (it would be challenging but doable for a couple sharing the costs though).
When it comes to the average salary, the numbers are more or less the same in all the larger cities, with slightly lower amounts expected in the smaller cities and towns.
So large, popular cities like Zagreb, Split or Dubrovnik will be your best choices if you’re looking for the highest potential salaries in the country.
With all these in mind, let’s get more in-depth below and learn everything there is to be known about the wage structure in Croatia.
Minimum Salary in Croatia in 2026
The minimum gross salary in Croatia for 2026 is €1,050 per month. This results in a take-home pay of approximately €840 net, depending on the city you live in and your personal tax deductions.
The minimum salary keeps growing, in line with the government’s promise of a gross salary of 1,250 Euros per month by 2028. There’s still a relatively huge leap to take in just two years, but looking at the previous years, it’s doable.
Speaking of the previous years, here’s how things changed since 2019, when I first started tracking salaries in Croatia:
| Year | Salary | Year-over-Year Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | €840 (Net) | +€90 |
| 2025 | €750 (Net) | +€73 |
| 2024 | €677 (Net) | +€117 |
| 2023 | €560 (Net) | +€60 |
| 2022 | €500 (Net) | +€50 |
| 2021 | €450 (Net) | — |
The numbers look really good, proving that the country’s switch to Euros, as well as it joining the EU and the Schengen area initially, have helped it a lot and improved the quality of life of all Croatians.
However, the cost of essentials like housing and groceries has also risen, meaning that while people are earning more than ever, their purchasing power hasn’t necessarily doubled.
Average salary in Croatia in 2026
The average salary in Croatia in 2026 is €1,480 per month net, which corresponds to roughly €2,120 gross. Net earnings have increased by over €160 per month compared to early 2025, as the private sector has had to raise wages.
The increase in average earnings had slowed after the country’s switch to the Euro, but have recovered and regained momentum in the past two years, growing a lot more than the minimum wages.
Below is a table showing the average monthly salaries in Croatia by year, so you can compare the numbers and see the progress yourself. Note: these are the take-home salaries.
| Year | Average Monthly Salary | YoY Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | €1,480 | +€160 |
| 2025 | €1,315 | +€135 |
| 2024 | €1,180 | +€30 |
| 2023 | €1,150 | +€115 |
| 2022 | €1,035 | +€130 |
| 2021 | €905 | +€40 |
| 2020 | €865 | +€45 |
| 2019 | €820 | — |
Of course, if you compare the average wages in Croatia to those in the European Union, things don’t look that good, as Croatia is still towards the bottom, above 5 countries only.
Also, keep in mind that prices in Croatia are generally lower than in many higher-earning EU countries, so everything sort of balances out, resulting in a reasonable quality of life on an average salary in most of the country’s cities.
For updated statistics, check out the official data here (also in English language)
The Median Salary: A More Realistic View
I decided to add this new section starting this year, because the median salary in Croatia offers a more realistic view of the market. The average is usually brought up by the highest earners (the top 1%), while the median removes those, as well as the lowest earners.
In 2026, the median salary you should expect is around €1,280 net. This is the most likely wage to expect as a “normal” person working in Croatia.
This further means that 50% of the population earns less than €1,280. If you are offered a job paying €1,300 net, you are earning more than half the country, even though you are below the “average.” This is an important distinction to keep in mind when budgeting for your life here.
Bonuses and the “13th Salary”
When calculating your annual income, don’t forget the extras! Many Croatian employers pay a Božićnica (Christmas bonus) and Regres (summer holiday bonus).
While not mandatory by law, they can be considered the standard for employers, and these can add an extra €500 to €1,000 to your total annual take-home pay.
What is a good salary in Croatia?
In my opinion, if your take-home pay is at least €1,500 each month, you have a decent salary by Croatian standards and will be able to live a stable life. This is even better if you’re not living alone and sharing expenses with a partner.
For a single person in 2026, €1,750 per month is considered a strong amount that allows for savings, travel, and dining out without stress.
A household income of €3,000 net allows a family to live a decent life, even in expensive cities like Zagreb where a nice one-bedroom apartment now rents for €700 or more.
Conclusion
Hopefully, my article about the minimum and average salary in Croatia (as well as my analysis of the overall situation) helps you paint a better picture of both the cost of living here as well as what to expect to make if you plan to relocate to this beautiful country or search for a job.
The country is no longer a “budget” destination, but the wage growth in 2026 shows that it is becoming a more viable place for professional career growth.
And if you have questions, I will happily answer them if I can, so don’t hesitate to post them below!
thanks this is really helpful stuff if you can include the family cost of living that would be more valuable, for Example parents and 3 children’s cost of living.
You can check out my Croatia cost of living article here: https://croatiawise.com/croatia-cost-of-living-zagreb-dubrovnik-split-etc.html
I want to send my son to Croatia light duty driver having salary 700 euro + accommodation. Is it sufficient to live there and have any chance to save some euros?
Yes, if he is thrifty and has accommodation paid for and the 700 Euros are the net (take home) salary, then he can definitely do well and save a chunk of the money.
Please can I bring my family through work permit visa. and also how to calculate overtime in Croatia. Please are they company that give visa sponsorship jobs? As well as accommodation.
Yes, you can bring your family here if you have a work permit visa, but you will need a new application for each family member. Some companies offer accommodation and more than the minimum salary here – but it depends from company to company.
Nice breakdown of the salaries in Croatia for 2025. Do you have any insight on how these changes affect the cost of living for expats, especially with rent prices? Thanks!
The cost of living is increasing, both for expats and locals. Rent, as you mentioned, has increased a lot in recent years, and it will probably get even more expensive in the future, making Croatia less affordable overall.