Teach English in Croatia

It is no secret that tourism is booming in Croatia, but just because all your friends and family have been here and got the t-shirts doesn’t mean you shouldn’t experience this amazing country yourself.

There are many reasons why Croatia is so popular – and teaching English in Croatia is one way to experience all of them!

Are English teachers in demand in Croatia? Absolutely yes. But that’s not the only reason to teach English in Croatia.

• Safety. Croatia has a very low crime rate and is a very safe place to travel.
• The country is known for its warm hospitality to tourists and foreigners.
• Croatia is a country of more than a thousand islands and plenty of sunshine – perfect for weekend breaks. 
• Its popularity is booming. It’s a good idea to check it out before it becomes over-touristy.

In Croatia you can find teaching opportunities in language schools, international schools, and businesses offering English courses for professionals.

Zagreb

A mountainous capital

Zagreb is where you’ll find the most expats. This is why it also has the highest concentration of international schools and private schools in the country. Zagreb is the financial and business centre of the country, as well as being the most populous city.

Split

Picture-perfect

Split has gorgeous beaches, a historical Old Town, and a vibey nightlife. In Split you can find teaching posts in international schools and language centres.

Dubrovnik

The Pearl of the Adriatic

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan you might recognise a few areas of Dubrovnik! Teaching positions in Dubrovnik are mostly in language centres.

Requirements to teach English in Croatia are not very strict, unless you want to work in an international school. Contracts are typically 12 to 24 months long, with hiring occurring year-round. A visa might be the only tricky issue when it comes to finding a job teaching English in Croatia.

Non-EU nationals will need a work visa, while EU citizens are exempt from this requirement. Some TEFL teachers are able to secure sponsorship from Croatian employers to secure a work permit but this is not the norm.

You don’t need teaching experience to teach in private language schools, but you do for a position in an international school in Croatia. 

We recommend a Level 5 TEFL certificate to teach English in Croatia. A Level 5 TEFL qualification provides you with the foundations of teaching English as a Foreign Language. It gives you the confidence to step into a classroom anywhere around the world and teach students effectively.

A BA/BS degree is necessary to apply for teaching positions in Croatia. International schools require a post-graduate degree in Education as well as teaching experience.

Yes, they can. You don’t need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Croatia. But you will be expected to have a fluent level of English.

Many Croatians speak English. German and Italian are spoken in places too. 

Here are a few costs you need to consider when starting out in Croatia:

Accommodation: First month’s rent and security deposit.

TEFL certification: A TEFL course can cost between $100 and $500, depending on the length and level of the course and the course provider. 

Document fees: Any costs related to certifying and notarising your degree and TEFL certificate.

Flight ticket: Variable. 

Visa application: The cost of a visa is subject to your home country. You can expect to pay between $100 and $150.

Living expenses: You will need one month’s worth of start-up capital of about €750 – €1,000 ($815 – $1,100).

Types of teaching jobs in Croatia

Private language schools

Private language schools offer lessons to Young Learners and adults. Lessons take place after school hours or in the evenings or on weekends. 

International schools

International schools offer higher salaries but have higher requirements. International schools cater mostly for children of expats. Teachers can teach English or another subject.

Private lessons

Many TEFL teachers teach private students on the side. These are especially common in the bigger cities where there are universities. 

Online

Teaching English online is common for TEFL teachers in Croatia to earn extra income. This presents a way for non-EU citizens to get a work permit for Croatia: if you can prove you earn more than $2,300 a month through remote work, you can apply for a Croatian Digital Nomad Visa. 

Called the Temporary Stay For Digital Nomads permit, this allows you to live and work in Croatia for up to 12 months. 

Other teaching programs in Croatia

Summer camps

Summer camps are popular options for TEFL teachers in Croatia. Summer camps generally start at the end of June and the beginning of July. 

These camps cater for children for a few weeks in the summer. Many camps offer water sports and outdoor adventure sports.

It’s easiest to get a job teaching English in Croatia by interviewing in person. Employers in Croatia are unlikely to give you any visa assistance, so you need to be eligible to work in Croatia before applying for a job. This is why it’s not easy for non-EU citizens to find work in Croatia. 

It’s also possible to find a job online, though they might prefer you to enter the country for the interview process.

There are a variety of teaching opportunities in Croatia for English teachers. Your salary will differ based on which teaching route you choose to follow. 

What is the average teaching English salary in Croatia?

• The average salary of a TEFL teacher in Croatia ranges between €830 – €1,100 ($900 – $1,400) a month.
• International schools pay upwards of €1,500 ($1,400) a month.
• Private language schools pay €830 – €1,200 ($900 – $1,300) a month.
• For private lessons, TEFL teachers usually charge €15 – $25 ($16 – $27) an hour.

What are the common benefits for teachers in Croatia?

Teachers in Croatia can expect:

• 20 paid vacation days per year
• Health insurance (mandatory)
• Housing assistance

The cost of living in Croatia is low by European standards. 

What is the cost of living in Croatia?

The average monthly cost of living is between €450 and €600 ($400 and $650). Transport and food are cheap but accommodation is expensive. Sharing accommodation is common for TEFL teachers. 

Here are some of the usual costs for living in Croatia – but bear in mind, these vary quite a lot depending which city you are in:

Accommodation

• A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre: €575 ($620) a month
• A one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: €400 ($430) a month

Utilities

• Electricity, water, and gas: €150 ($160) a month

Food and groceries

• Monthly shop: €225 ($250)  
• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: €10 ($11)

Transport

• Monthly travel pass: €45 ($48) 
• One-way ticket: €1.40 ($1.50)

Internet 

• Unlimited: €25 ($27)

Entertainment

• Gym, cinema, clubbing: €90 ($100) a month

TEFL teachers in Croatia generally break even every month. This means you will comfortably cover your living costs and expenses but it’s not likely that you’ll save much.

• Croatia has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites for you to enjoy, all within close distance of one another.
• No visit to Croatia would be complete without a visit to the stunning white sand beaches of the Dalmation coast.
• Don’t forget to stop off at the island of Pag, which is one of the biggest party areas in Europe with bars and discos operating 24 hours a day during the summer.
• Croatians take their art, literature and music very seriously. There should be ample opportunities for you to enjoy these on a regular basis.
• Politics can still be a sensitive topic here. Be mindful of this if you are teaching adults especially. 

Start your teaching journey with a certified TEFL course provider!